Most of the time, buying gifts for a techie person is hard, because there are so many different kinds of gadgets. Buying gifts for ebook readers is easy, because there are gift certificates to different ebook stores. There are also covers, ebook lights, and accessories that every ebook owner will appreciate and find useful.
Gift Certificates for eBooks from Amazon and Barnes and Noble
Most popular titles for Kindles and Nooks cost about $10, so a gift certificate to Amazon or Barnes and Noble can be given to buy an ebook. Since the Kindle and Nook are attached to their respective stores, it makes sense to buy a gift card for someone to download and ebook rather than buy a book in a store. Amazon will allow customers to give Kindle books to anyone with an email address.
Amazon has set up gift card shopping so people can give a gift card in person, in the mail, in email, or on Facebook. There are different images to choose from, and the cards do not expires. Amazon.com gift certificates can be used for anything on Amazon.com, including ebooks in the Kindle store.
Barnes and Noble has an ebook gift card that can be made in any amount. They also have gift cards that can be personalized with photos, which would make an otherwise impersonal, last-minute gift seems more intentional. Barnes and Noble gift cards can be used online or in the physical stores.
eBook Reader Covers, Cases, and Skins
Even if someone already has an ereader case, the gift a waterproof case or a cover that has a space for some money and a passport would be welcome gifts for someone who travels or is planning a trip. Decals and skins adds some flash and color to ereaders. Since skins are removable, people can change the look of their Kindles and Nooks quickly and frequently.
Some companies to consider for covers, decals, and skins include:
- M-Edge
- Trendy Digital
- Decal Girl
- Gelaskins
Prices can range from a few dollars for screen protectors to $80 for a high end case. Some cases have built in lights, but most do not.
Clip Lights for eReaders
The Mighty Bright Light and Mighty Bright micro clip are safe bets for any ereader. The mini sized micro clip light is really handy, because it is about the size of a keychain. It clips on to a cover, and provides enough light to read by without interfering with reading. The Mighty Bright Light can clip to an ereader cover or a nearby shelf for reading. Mighty Bright lights for ereaders are popular and cost under $20.
It is not necessary to buy a very strong light for an ereader. If the LED lights are too bright, they will reflect off of screen protectors in in an annoying way. The Nook Color has a touch screen, which means it will be slightly more reflective than a regular Nook or Kindle screen.
Travel Chargers for eReaders
Barnes and Noble has a Nook car charging kit available for $25. It comes with cables for the Nook Color, the Nook 3G, and the wi-fi Nook. BN.com has Nook chargers in black for $25 and in white for $15. Anyone who uses a portable ebook reader will find an extra charger to be a useful present.
For people who take their Kindles to work or who travel frequently, the iGo charger is a very useful accessory. There are actually two presents necessary for this gift to work. The iGo Everywhere Universal Wall (AC) and Auto (DC) Charger with Retractable Cable sells for about $25, and the package comes with a charger that plugs into the wall and a car charger. The tips that personalize the charger for the ereader need to be purchased separately, and they are under $10.
It is important to be sure that you are buying the size accessory for the right model of the Amazon Kindle. For present ideas for first generation Kindles, read Christmas Gift Ideas for Kindle 1 Owners. If you are shopping for someone who is using a second generation Kindle, read Christmas Gift Ideas for Kindle 2 Owners. If you are buying accessories for the current generation of Kindle, read Christmas Gift Ideas for Kindle 3 Owners. Whatever the future holds for handheld ereaders, there will always be accessories to make the ereading devices more fun, more convenient, and more useful.
Sources
Accessory prices were found on November 4, 2010.
Alex Sharp - Alex Sharp is a teacher who has been keeping Suite101 readers up to date with the latest in audio- and e-book gadgetry since 2008.
