Do you have a techie in your life -- or just someone who you think would benefit from the convenience of smart home technology? The holiday season is here, and there are plenty of gifts for a smarter home that won't break the bank, but will spread the holiday cheer to family and friends. Here's a look.

Streaming Devices

If your friend still can't manage to make the break from cable, perhaps any streaming device will help! You can plug an Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku, etc. into the TV's HDMI port, and you can stream Netflix or other subscription services straight from your smartphone or tablet. It's a good, low-cost alternative to a smart TV for someone who's not ready for the upgrade.

Smart Speakers

Smart speakers like Google Home or Amazon Echo has really taken the world by storm lately. Who doesn't like asking Alexa to play their favorite music or make them a reservation? The little device sits out of the way, but ready to respond to your requests. Smart Speakers can tell you the weather, make phone calls, offer cooking tips, turn off your lights... and that's just the tip of the iceberg.

Smart Plug

There are a few companies that offer smart plugs, and they all work very similarly. You plug the smartplug into the outlet and your appliance into the smart plug. Then, you can control the appliance like you would a smart appliance! It's easier to give your friend a smart plug and let them find their own use for it rather than guessing at which specific smart appliance they might like the most.

Rain and Radio Showerhead

Look for a smart rain shower head with a Bluetooth speaker! Your recipient can connect the speaker showerhead to their phone and give it commands to play their favorite music. In most models, you can also detach the speaker and use it outside of the shower.

These gifts for a smarter home are versatile and a good choice for most any recipient. For more helpful holiday season advice, check out our post "How to Keep Your Holiday Lighting Safe and Fun."