gifts Archives

Scroll-stopping swag

Kim Komando

Yup, that’s me during my ’90s big hair infomercial days as the Komputer Tutor, teaching America how to conquer their computers one VHS tape at a time.

Before TikTok and Instagram, there were late-night infomercials, and wow, we bought it all. Remember the ThighMaster? The Flowbee? The Clapper? “Set it and forget it!”

Fast-forward to today, and social media’s the new infomercial.

But for every gem, there are a hundred gadgets that don’t work or break after a week. I sorted through the chaos to find the internet-famous products that actually live up to the hype. Even better? They make fantastic gifts, for others or yourself. You’ve earned it.

📽️ 1. Portable mini projector ($45, 59% off)

Connects with your phone to turn any room into a cinema (even your backyard).

💡 2. Clip-on selfie ring light ($12, 29% off)

Basically, it’s studio lighting that clips to your phone and fits in your pocket.

👕 3. Shirt folding board ($17, 26% off)

Breeze through laundry day. Folds your shirts faster than retailers on Black Friday.

🍝 4. Clip-on pots & pans strainer ($8.50, 29% off)

Silicone grip = no slipping, no mess. Plus, it saves you from washing extra dishes.

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We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

Kim’s Picks: Shop my cart (for a limited time)

Amazon.com

Since you loved my Amazon Prime Day picks yesterday, let’s keep it going. I’ve rounded up 30 more steals I know you’ll love. But hurry, these discounts end after Friday. So many things on these lists make great gifts, too.

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We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

Mother’s Day is 10 days away!

💝 Forget boring. These ideas are personal and heartfelt.

Add any text or photo you want on a 40-oz tumbler ($27).
Hang up to six pics on this family tree frame holder ($30).
An engraved cutting board ($19) makes for a sweet kitchen gift.
Put your mom’s name and birth flower on a travel jewelry box ($11).
A hand-casting kit (30% off) creates a memory she can literally hold.
Fill in the blanks in this “What I Love About Mom” journal ($10) to share why she’s the best. I gave my mom one from me and Ian.

🌻 Shop my Mother’s Day Ultimate Gift List now. You’ll find the perfect gift for the special person in your life.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

🚦 Stock your car: Emergencies happen and you’ll be glad you were prepared. Consider an emergency kit and a jump box. Excellent gifts for new drivers, too!

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

Secret Santa gift exchange? Nope, that's a pyramid scheme

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An online game promising 36 gifts for the price of one? Sounds like holiday magic — until it all comes crashing down.

📦 QR code scam alert: The FBI says scammers are shipping fake “gifts” with QR codes that lure you into handing over personal info, or worse, downloading malware. No sender info, just a data breach waiting to happen. If a box shows up uninvited, don’t scan anything. Just toss it or enjoy your free salad spinner.

🛍️ Shop my cart now: Hunting for more Amazon Prime Day bargains? Click this secret link for 30 more gems I know you’ll love. But don’t wait, these discounts end after Friday. Bonus: Many of these goodies make perfect gifts!

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

Happy Valentine’s Day! A little tech love

Valentine’s Day isn’t just for couples. It’s the perfect excuse to spread a little love in the simplest ways. A quick heart emoji, a sweet message to a friend or even just a kind word can make someone’s day. And if you’re flying solo? Treat yourself to something special and enjoy a little you time.

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Got a side hustle? Watch out for this tax change

Every morning, I sit down with my amazing executive producer, Madi, to plan what tech tidbits I’m going to bring you in my national radio shows, podcasts and this newsletter. Today, she came in with a doozy.

Her boyfriend got an email with a tax form he wasn’t expecting. Last year, he made about $20,000 on eBay selling comics, some bikes and a few other things. Like most folks getting a 1099‑K for the first time, he has no idea just how much he’ll owe yet.

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Showered with love

💐 Just two weeks till Mother’s Day! Here’s your baby shower or new baby gift cheat sheet.

Keep little hands out of cabinets with child safety locks (8% off).
These Tide pens (13% off) are a lifesaver for surprise spills.
Baby burps? Grab a set of anti-colic bottles ($25) for 3- to 6-month-olds.
Trim tiny nails safely with a baby electric nail trimmer ($35).
Stay cool on summer walks with a handheld stroller fan (15% off).
This bassinet (24% off) easily turns into a bedside sleeper or playpen.

💝 The mother load: I couldn’t fit in all the goodies, so head over to my Amazon page for the gifts I want for Mother’s Day. Your grandma, mom, wife or daughter will love ’em, too.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

Face the music

▶️ Ready to hit pause on the chaos and press play on self-care? Start here.

Try these cooling pillowcases (23% off) for a soft touch on your skin.
Drift off to sleep to calming music with a Bluetooth headband (38% off).
Soothe your scalp with a portable massager (10% off) to feel your best.
This mini fridge (17% off) for skin care keeps your beauty stuff chill.
Grab a silicone face scrubber (20% off) that’s gentle but works wonders.

💐 Mother’s Day will be here before you know it. These are the gifts I want. Guys, I couldn’t make it any easier, seriously. Speaking of, I’ve totally revamped my Amazon storefront! You’ll find picks like my favorite dermaplaning tool (32% off for a nine-pack) that I reorder all the time.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

Good news if you have an Aura frame: It’ll keep auto-syncing with Google Photos after all. ICYMI, the feature was supposed to shut off this month, but Aura’s working with Google to keep it going. They make great gifts for grandparents. You can remotely share new pics.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

AI how-to: 10 prompts to try with ChatGPT or your favorite bot

Twenty-five-odd years ago, CBS and ABC execs told me tech was just a fad and passed on my national radio show. So, I syndicated it myself. The rest is history.

Now, I hear the same thing about AI: It’s a phase, and it won’t last. Hate to break it to you, but AI is here to stay, and it’s already changing everything. Start using it now or risk getting left behind.

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Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and lots of love from me

Christmas Day is a time for reflection, gratitude and connection. This year, it’s extra special as Hanukkah also begins tonight. Both holidays remind us of the importance of light, hope and the traditions that bring us closer together.

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The clock is ticking!

🏃 Last-minute gifts that’ll (hopefully) arrive by Christmas. You can do this!

PSA: Check the shipping date! When I did, these all arrived before Christmas.

For the pink fiend, a Paris Hilton air fryer (25% off, $60). It’s cute!
A jade roller and gua sha stone set (53% off, $7) are a slam dunk stocking stuffer.
These nice Cole Haan men’s sneakers go with basically any outfit.
$15 popcorn? 30 minutes of trailers? No, thanks. Gift at-home movie nights with a popcorn maker ($20).
This Lego board game is fun for the whole fam. You build Lego towers the characters race up.
A Chinese soup dumpling kit is fun for your favorite cook. If they don’t like dumplings, what about a French tart kit?
Make French fries even yummier with a seasoning set (click the coupon box for 25% off).
Give a golfer a golf ball and he’ll golf for an hour. Give a golfer a whole bunch of golf balls and he’ll golf all week.
This gym bag is water-resistant and lightweight, and it has a shoe compartment and spots for wet clothes. Win-win.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

How to listen to An American Christmas

The holidays are all about traditions, and here’s one you won’t want to miss: “An American Christmas.”

My husband, Barry, produces the show every single year. It’s packed with heartwarming stories, classic holiday music, songs from new artists that everyone will like and just the right amount of nostalgia to make your season bright.

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The final countdown

It’s now or … go to the mall. Good thing you can overnight these.

PSA: Check the shipping date! When I did, these all arrived before Christmas.

This instant-print camera (10% off) is made for toddlers and kids.
For your fave birdwatcher, binoculars (20% off) with low-light vision.
These inkless handprint kits (13% off) are perfect for couples, parents, fur parents and anyone else who loves sentimental gifts.
There’ll be no more stuffed animal casualties at the hands (paws) of your pup with a stuffed animal storage hammock (38% off, $10). Cute and practical.
This clip-on strainer ($10) will become their new kitchen must-have.
This desktop CD player has built-in speakers and Bluetooth. CDs are totally back in.
Some people don’t realize how much time they spend hunched over their iPads. Get them a holder (62% off, $9!).
This travel backpack ($24) is water-resistant and has a USB charging port, a shoe pouch and a laptop pocket. It’s basically five gifts in one.

For the organizer, a Bluetooth label maker (under $30).

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

‼️ 3 email scams spreading now: Look for these three big ones. First up, fake invoices for bills, gifts or whatever. Scammers hope you’re too busy to check and will just pay it. Second, bogus celebrity endorsements — go to their official social media profile or website instead of trusting a random email or ad. And finally, keep an eye out for extortion schemes in your inbox. More crooks are using your personal info and maybe a photo of your home to scare you into paying them. Stay sharp!

Stop Alexa from spoiling your Christmas surprise

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Don’t let your Amazon Echo ruin the holiday surprise. A quick settings change can keep your gifts under wraps.

Feeling the pressure? I’ve got ya!

🎁 These gifts come just in time for Christmas.

A Polaroid camera (20% off) with Bluetooth and an app you can use to edit your photos. The future is now!
Oakley sunglasses are a spec-tacular gift.
For the traveler: a nice laptop backpack ($70) saves time while going through TSA security checkpoints.
My niece uses this skincare brand, and she freakin’ glows. The set comes with a bunch of goodies.
For their 2025 walking resolution, Reebok sneakers (for men and for women).
Honest Beauty’s mascara is to die for. It’s also under $20.
This hair-drying wand (20% off, $120) is the perfect alternative to Dyson’s $600 Airwrap.
A shiny new golf bag would be an un-fore-gettable gift. 🏌️
I don’t know how they did it, but this is the best workout mat (15% off) I’ve ever owned. (I gifted myself a Peloton Tread, and it’s great.)
For the person obsessed with their journal, colorful ballpoint pens. They’re under $10, too.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.