All the Ways iFixiters are Re-thinking Gifts This Year

The holiday season is in full swing! This year, we’re encouraging you to fix the way you gift—to think of more sustainable ways you can show your love to your friends and family.

One of our favorite options is, of course, the gift of repair. Our exclusive holiday bundles are the perfect gifts for someone who just wants last year’s devices to run like new, or for replacing a drifting Joy-Con instead of buying a whole new controller (or console). Plus, two of our toolkits just became registered carbon neutral products!

Not sure which toolkit is the best one for the recipients on your list? Still need some ideas for climate-conscious gift giving? Never fear: we talked to 9 iFixiters about their fix-minded gifts, fixes, and tips for anyone looking outside the “buy new” box. Here are their tips:

Nick Galardi

What you do: Materials Engineer Intern

What iFixit tools are you giving?  I’m giving the Essential Electronics Toolkit because it is versatile, compact, and well… essential.

What’s something you repaired this year? Upgraded a laptop (RAM,SSD) , upcycled a binder for school

What tips do you have for rethinking the way you gift? Avoid plastic as much as possible, order ahead of time to avoid using expedited shipping options which create more CO2 emissions, and keep newspapers and weekly ads for wrapping paper/tissue paper for packages.

Sarah Westberg

What you do: EDU Associate

What iFixit tools are you giving?  I love the Pro Tech Toolkit! It’s my favorite and it’s what I use for repairs. I’m thinking about giving it to my brother-in-law for Christmas!

What’s something you repaired this year? I did a whole series of repair guides for the Lenovo ThinkPad T480

What tips do you have for rethinking the way you gift? Recycle gift bags, or use old newspaper or paper bags for wrapping paper. Another idea is a homemade gift certificate to help with a repair plus the cost of the part for whatever it is the recipient might need .

Kevin Purdy

What you do: Writer/Editor

What iFixit tools are you giving? The EET + Magnetic Mat bundle. I think next year is the year that everybody has to replace their own phone batteries. This gets you there.

What’s something you repaired this year? The awful console in my car

What tips do you have for rethinking the way you gift? Shed the shame of giving used. In your home, there are almost certainly books, gadgets, and things that you don’t use as often as you thought hanging around. Some of those things can be fixed up and made useful for other people. If it doesn’t feel like “enough” of a gift, throw in some homemade cookies or treats. Nobody really dislikes treats.

Raven McDaniel

What you do: Software QA Tech Lead

What iFixit tools are you giving?  I generally give the Pro Tech Toolkit because it covers the largest amount of repairs that people I know are likely to do.

What’s something you repaired this year? A Kindle, two Joy-Cons, made a hat fit perfectly that was too big.

What tips do you have for rethinking the way you gift? Make something out of things you would have otherwise thrown out. That T-shirt with a tear? Make a decorative patch-based design. Got a stain? Use permanent fabric pens to cover it, or even work it into a design.

Kyle Smith

What you do: Technical Writer

What iFixit tools are you giving? The Moray Starter Bundle because it has everything you need to get started on small household and electronics repairs. The notebook and project mat are great for writing down repair notes while you work.

What’s something you repaired this year? I removed a worn-out battery from my laptop!

What tips do you have for rethinking the way you gift? If you’re gifting clothing, try to buy the most durable option. You could also include a small sewing kit with the gift!

Kristen Gismondi

What you do: Education Facilitator

What iFixit tools are you giving? The Pro Tech Toolkit! It’s come in handy so many times—even if you don’t think you’ll need all the tools in it… you eventually will when you least expect it. 

What’s something you repaired this year? Drifting Joy-Cons

What tips do you have for rethinking the way you gift? I love shopping for gifts at local used book stores and reusing the wrapping paper I’ve stashed from last year. We need to normalize giving secondhand gifts!

Craig Lloyd

What you do: Director of Content Operations

What iFixit tools are you giving? Manta Gaming Bundle! The Manta has all the bits you’d ever need, plus the tools and materials for upgrading or rejuvenating your gaming PC or console.

What’s something you repaired this year? I replaced a fraying clutch cable on my motorcycle

What tips do you have for rethinking the way you gift? Honestly, the most sustainable way to gift is no gift at all. Spend time with your loved ones and the people you care about the most. That’s the best gift of all.

Sam Goldheart

What you do: Opinion-haver

What iFixit tools are you giving? I’m torn between the Moray bundle and the Maintenance bundle for my brother. He works in HVAC and already has a Pro Tech. I may grab both and save one for his birthday!

What’s something you repaired this year? We’ve been replacing a lot of batteries, mostly in noisy toys. Even when they don’t need to be replaced, my son requests we open the battery door. He loves screwdrivers SO much.

What tips do you have for rethinking the way you gift? I love gifting, and requesting, non-electronic gifts for kids. LEGO, Green Toys recycled options, wooden toy food, and lots of books! For wrapping, we reuse a lot of diaper boxes, and it’s always cute to use paper grocery bags as kraft wrapping paper—dress it up with some ink stamps or baker’s twine!