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A Kickstarter holiday gift guide

Don't worry: Most of them are already funded.

 

Jam Kotenko

Tech

Posted on Dec 16, 2014   Updated on May 29, 2021, 11:35 pm CDT

There’s always someone you can’t find anything for. For that person, there’s Kickstarter. 

Kickstarter is actually a treasure trove of great gift ideas—it has 15 different categories ranging from art and design to music and theater, and plenty of the items peddled on the site are things that warrant your support. 

It’s a great option if you’re trying to buy for someone who always just goes out and gets things themselves… because with Kickstarter products, they can’t. Instead, you’re giving them the gift of premiere access to some amazing new thing that no one has gotten their hands on yet (so long as they get funded, of course). 

Here are some of the best Kickstarter gifts out there, most of which are already funded (no risk involved!). The obvious caveat is that you won’t physically be gifting the item yet, but that’s that price of being first! 

The Sunn Light

The Sunn Light follows the rhythm of the sun and mimics outdoor light conditions. It’s unique and interesting, but also has some smart home-elements. 

Status: Funded
Price tag
: $289 to get a 19-inch Sunn light
Estimated delivery: April 2015
Ending on: December 19, 2014

SnapJet

A photo printer that turns Instagrams into actual photographs, who would’ve thought it was possible? SnapJet is great for your friends who would go through hell or high water for the right gram. 

Status: Funded
Price tag: $129 to get the SnapJet Instant Film Printer
Estimated delivery: November 2015
Ending on: Dec. 19, 2014

Info Where You Go

If you know anyone on the Internet of Things bandwagon who’s maker-savvy, then this is the project to back! The Info Where You Go kit basically allows users to control various devices remotely via their mobile phone’s text messaging feature when they have zero Internet connectivity. Not bad for $15. 

Status: Funded
Price tag: $15 for the whole kit: Dallas/Maxim 1-wire device board, a Vktech DS18b20 Waterproof Temperature Sensor, a 4.7k Resistor and priority access to the Android Software (Datometer-CoAP-Client and Datometer-CoAP-Gatetway) as well as the Raspberry Pi Software (Datometer-CoAP-Server)
Estimated delivery: February 2015
Ending on: Dec. 20, 2014

Arki

Arki acts like a virtual walking coach—it takes note of your gait and doles out gentle corrections for your benefit. And of course, like most wearables, it also provides all sorts of important analytics via smartphone app.

Status: Funded
Price tag: $99 to get the basic package: Arki unit + Rubber Strap + Strap Change Tooling Kit
Estimated delivery: April 2015
Ending on: Dec. 21, 2014

Hush

Hush allows you and only you to hear your alarms, customize the sounds that wake you (and drown out everything else), and hear only important phone notifications.

Status: Funded
Price tag: $115 to get one pair of Hush. Comes with the Charging Case and a 3-pack of Foam Tips. Save $35 off retail price.
Estimated delivery: June 2015
Ending on: Dec. 23, 2014

The Keyboard Waffle Iron

Waffles are one of the greatest things on earth—imagine giving someone the gift of ginormous waffles in the shape of a keyboard! You will most certainly become that someone’s most treasured friend. Just don’t back out and decide to keep it for yourself.

Why it hasn’t reached its funding goal yet is ridiculous. Quick, help a keyboard waffle iron out!

Status: Not yet funded
Price tag: $60 to get the Keyboard Waffle Iron and cookbook
Estimated delivery: April 2015
Ending on: Dec. 24, 2014

The Impossible

As if riding a foldable bike wasn’t kooky enough, you get to bring it around town with you in a bag! Oh, and it’s electric, too, so you don’t have to work too hard to get anywhere on these wheels. The Impossible is a great gift to get someone who a) enjoys riding bikes, and b) enjoys riding weird-looking bikes. Just take a look:

Status: Funded
Price tag: $466 for a limited edition Original Carbon fiber Impossible bike. This color will only be available through Kickstarter.
Estimated delivery: August 2015
Ending on: Dec. 25, 2014

The Smartbox

Let’s be real here for a second: 3D printing is awesome, but getting into it is expensive. But there is a more affordable entry-level option. The SmartBox is a contraption that allows you to 3D print your own iPhone 6 case, among other things.

Status: Funded
Price tag: $199 to get the complete SmartBox kit, with a 200 mm x 180 mm build area and all parts needed to make your 3D printer, along with an assembly manual.
Estimated delivery: April 2015
Ending on: Dec. 26, 2014 

Pantelligent 

Yes, Pantelligent could be considered part of the excessive Internet of Things, but if you have a foodie friend who loves combining cooking and technology, then the smart frying pan is the perfect gift. 

Status: Funded
Price tag: For $199 (+$30 for shipping), you can get a Pantelligent pan. 
Estimated delivery: August 2015
Ending on: Jan. 5, 2015

Photo via SnapJet

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*First Published: Dec 16, 2014, 9:59 am CST