gifts Archives

See when your gift list items hit the lowest price

I love shopping online. I don’t have to leave the house. I don’t have to be nice to anyone. I don’t have to put on a bra (guys, same thing for you and pants!). There are already Christmas, Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales on every site now, but finding what you want at the lowest price is tricky. Fear not! I’m here to save you from all the clicks, countdowns and wasted money.

💰 Shop smarter, not harder

Capital One Shopping makes finding deals a breeze. Install the browser extension, and it gets to work, automatically searching for coupon codes and better prices on the items you’re shopping for.

🐪 Try Camelcamelcamel for Amazon deals

What a name, right? Camelcamelcamel exists solely to track Amazon deals. It’s particularly helpful this time of year, when you can see something just got marked up so they could put it on sale.

I like the website version best. Paste any Amazon product link into the search box at the top to see how its price has fluctuated over time.

You need to make an account if you want to follow the price and get alerts if the item you have your eye on goes on sale.

Let me shop for you

Check out my Amazon storefront for gift ideas and handpicked favorites. Whether you’re looking for tech gadgets, home essentials or unique gifts, I’ve got you covered — and at all price points, too!

Need a little extra inspiration? Take a look at the Amazon holiday deals page for daily steals and trending items. Save even more with Amazon’s coupon section most folks don’t know exists. Happy shopping!

🤗 Shoutout to John in Sisseton, South Dakota, for asking me how to know if you’re getting the lowest price. Need my help? Drop me a line. I aim to please!

Don’t get left tech-behind – Stay tech-ahead

Award-winning host Kim Komando is your secret weapon for navigating tech.

National radio show: Find your local station or listen to the podcast.
Daily newsletter: Join over 600,000 people who read The Current (free!).
Watch: On Kim’s YouTube channel.
Podcast: “Kim Komando Today” — Listen wherever you get podcasts.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

Mark your calendar! The best day to buy holiday flights

Attention, travelers: I have good news! Despite a record-setting summer for travel prices, winter isn’t looking so bad — if you know when to book.

Luckily, you have me. I’ve been to 36 countries, and I’m still itching to see the rest of the world. I’ve learned lots of ways to save over the years.

Continue reading →

Useful gifts under $20

🤑 Because who doesn’t love lots of bang for the buck?

The first aid kit they’ll actually use. Slip one into every stocking. Hopefully, they’ll never have to use it.
Pimple patches are all the rage. These look like little stars and come with a mirror compact. The teen in your life wants this but is embarrassed to tell you.
A suction phone case mount (under $15!) sticks to walls and mirrors for prime picture-taking. Get it for the butterfingers in your life!
Two words: Jar openers. They’re under $10 and so helpful, it doesn’t even matter they’re a little boring.
Cooks can never have enough stovetop spoon rests (under $15 and 30% off!). This one looks like a little crab. It made me LOL!

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

💳 Turning dollars into sense: Consolidate leftover gift cards with just a little bit of cash remaining on them using Amazon. Go to Account > Gift Cards > Purchase a Gift Card in the total of your remaining balance and send that electronic gift card to yourself. Now you can spend it. Easy‑peasy.

Alexa-ly what you need: The Echo Show 21 ($399) has a big 21-inch 1080p display, better sound than previous models and is Wi-Fi 6E ready. If you prefer a smaller model, there’s the upgraded Echo Show 15 ($299). Both include wall-mounting equipment. If you want a countertop stand, that’s an extra $100. Both make great gifts for any Echo lover.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

5,000% jump

In Google searches for “tonies set.” They’re the hot Christmas gift for little ones. Tonieboxes are $99 screen-free wireless speakers. To start a story, pop a Tonie doll on top (that costs extra). The starter set with Disney princesses is $154, dang. How do I get a Kim Komando Toniebox?

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

Slam-dunk gifts under $20

🤫 Good enough to grab one for them, one for you. I won’t tell.

For foodies obsessed with the perfect smashed burger, this steel press is the key.
Hoodies like these cozy Hanes cotton ones work for any age and any style. They come in a ton of good colors, each for $14!
Mr. Fix-It will be thrilled with a pair of flashlight gloves so he can see under the sink, car or wherever.
Wood and metal brainteaser puzzles (10% off) make a good family gift and they’re perfect for that person who can never keep their hands still.
Bath bombs are so 2021. Grab a six-pack of shower steamers (19% off) to stuff into stockings or give to your favorite person who could use an at-home spa day.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

The internet made me buy it

🎄 These viral products are exactly what you’re missing. They make excellent, really practical gifts, too, just sayin’.

Electric lighters (38% off) work when it’s windy out and never need stinky lighter fluid.
Pick up a rapid egg cooker (under $20), whip up some deviled eggs and be the most popular person at the holiday party.
Make your own cappuccinos with a milk frothing wand, on sale for $8. Slam-dunk stocking stuffer!
Stop drinking warm wine you left sitting for too long. Get a personal wineglass chiller.
A light therapy lamp will have you dreaming of summer. Get $10 off if you click the coupon box.
There’s never enough room when you’re cooking. Add a magnetic stove shelf (13% off) for oil and seasonings.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

A trick from the Komando brain

🧑‍🎄 I get stocking-stuffer shopping done early so I can focus on the bigger gifts later. (I won’t tell anyone if you get one of these for yourself!)

Guys, give your gal a jewelry cleaning stick to shine up her rings. It’s small enough to carry around and it’s under $10.
For the caffeine lover in your life, grab a five-pack of dark chocolate-flavored coffee bites for about $9. Each packs as much caffeine as one-third of a cup of coffee.
No-show socks are out; these $10 flat no-show inserts are in. They slip into any shoe and are machine washable.
This Grandmother’s Journal (39% off) is such a sweet gift. It’s a way to get her to write about her life so the whole family can remember her stories for years to come.
A cute scarf as low as $6 (57% off)? Yes, please. It’s extra long, so it can pull double-duty as a blanket.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

3,000-plus parts

Make up the new walking, talking Buzz Lightyear robot. For a whopping $599, you can recreate the “Toy Story” franchise’s scenes and missions. That’s a lot of money for a toy the kiddos will use for a week and never look at again. I know what you’re thinking: “My bathroom scale is nicknamed Buzz Lightyear. When I step on, it goes to infinity and beyond.”

It’s a deal today

Yep, I’m still scouring the early Amazon Prime Big Deal Days sales. Hit this link if you want to see ‘em all.

Kasa smart light switches for less than $13, dang.
Gift yourself a snazzy, new iPad for under $200.
The Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet is only $60!
Ring video doorbells have HD video and are easy to install. Plus, right now, they’re as cheap as they get, at $60.
Electric lighters are the best. Only $7? Heck, yeah! I’m never going back to one that takes lighter fluid.
Pillow slippers are so comfy around the house and 43% off now.
A stone bath mat absorbs water without getting slippery. Uh, 90% off? Now’s the time.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

🧱 Keep calm and Lego on: Lego wanted to ditch paper instructions and go all digital, hoping to play their part in building a sustainable future. Fans said, “No way,” so paper instructions aren’t going anywhere … for now. Gift idea: If you haven’t seen the Lego sets for adults, these are amazing. I gifted some last year and everyone loved them.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

💔 So very sad: A 73-year-old New Jersey woman lost over $50,000 in a romance scam. A man named “Henry” on Facebook wooed her. All she had to do was send him money and gift cards for travel, which he promised to give back and more. When her son found out, the money was gone. A detective confirmed the transfers went to Nigeria.

Last-minute Father’s Day gifts

This wireless 3-in-1 charging station is sweet and works with iPhone 8 models all the way up to iPhone 15.
For the handy dad, a laser tape measure he’ll play with like a kid on Christmas. (Be sure to click both coupons for a total of 20% off!)
A cool Carhartt insulated bag is perfect for the office, the lake, the car or anywhere else he goes.
No one likes warm beer or soda. Love these freezer glasses that’ll keep his beverage of choice ice cold.
OK, I want this … Press the Dad Joke 3000 to hear, yep, a dad joke (20% off!).
A smart dashcam on sale for $39.99, and check the box for another 10% off!
A phone stand with a built-in Bluetooth speaker so he can watch his shows and hear the dialogue.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

For the dad who DIYs

More sweet Father’s Day ideas … or handy stuff to get for yourself!

A magnetic wristband ($9.99) for holding nails, screws and bolts while he’s working. You know … dad jewelry.
Even the dad with the most kitted-out toolbox probably doesn’t have a damaged-screw extractor set ($9.99). Don’t forget to click on the coupon for an additional 20% off.
This universal socket adapter for his drill has nearly 20,000 five-star reviews, and it’s 10% off ($8.99).
If he’s ever smashed his thumb hammering a nail, this nail-holder ($9.99) will be a very thoughtful gift, as well as a nice little callback joke to the time he smashed his thumb hammering a nail.
A multitool ($11.99) that’s a screwdriver, hex wrench, cord cutter, ruler, box opener, bottle opener and a keychain. Phew!

Sometimes, a guy just needs a very good utility knife (50% off, $12.98).

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

Check this recall: If you have an old Frigidaire or Kenmore electric range, it may be a fire and burn hazard. Full list of impacted models here. You’ll need your serial number, so open the bottom drawer and check the inside of the frame. Call Electrolux at 888-845-8226. You might get a free repair or a $50 gift card.

Quick Amazon privacy fix: Remove items from your browsing history to avoid revealing your gift ideas or embarrassing purchases. Hover your cursor over Account & Lists and click on Browsing History. For each item you want to hide, tap Remove from view.

Hackers’ new target: They’re tricking retail employees to get into their work accounts. Why? To make gift cards to use in stores and online. Stay safe, employers: Tell your team to avoid clicking random links, and make sure your antivirus software is up to date.

Amazon’s secret 25% discount: Send your old tech to Amazon through its Trade-in Program, and get a gift card for the value. Bonus: You’ll get an extra 20% off if you’re upgrading to a new Amazon device, like an Echo or Kindle.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

“Hi, sorry to bother. Do you shop through Amazon?” It’s a scam email, and it keeps ending up in Content Queen Allie’s inbox. If you respond, some jerk will try to convince you they have Amazon gift cards they’ll trade for cash. Hit “spam” and move on.