Wish List 2020: Gift Ideas for Your Social Bubble and Beyond

The trouble with wireless chargers is you often need to place your phone in just the right spot to initiate the power flow. Nomad's pad eliminates that pain. Eighteen charging coils inside the pad provide enough coverage to wirelessly rejuice imperfectly aligned phones. There's room for three devices—charge two phones and a set of AirPods simultaneously.

The lack of floppy cables makes wirefree earbuds less troublesome to wear on runs, and their charging cases mean it's easy to stow them for a quick, on-the-go power-up. But let's be honest: Most of these tiny nubs don't fit well. If your auditory meatus is particularly picky, try these buds from 1More, which slip easily into even the oddest ears. The battery lasts six hours, they sound great for the money, and as the name implies, they come in four fancy colors.

The tubelike NASA logo lovingly known as the “worm” was born in 1975 and initially retired in 1992, only to make its triumphant return in May on a SpaceX rocket. This coffee-table-worthy collection of some 200 images from indie publisher Standards Manual shows an eclectic mix of photographs from NASA's archive that celebrates the launch, flight, and reentry of the most famous logo in the galaxy.

The folding M40 pocket knife is based on an original design by the legendary frontiersman Kit Carson. Rather than fiddling with a frame lock—where you squeeze the knife frame to open and close it—you push a button on the hinge to rotate the blade on a simple ball-bearing pivot. The nylon and aluminum handle is strong, light, and textured for a sure grip.

Makers of great-sounding (and great-looking) turntables, Pro-Ject knows that when a record player vibrates, even your most meticulously maintained discs will sound like trash. The company's latest turntable is packed with clever schemes for keeping sound-degrading intrusions at bay: a rumble-negating carbon-fiber tonearm, a vibration-quelling plastic ring inside the platter, and a motor that's suspended above the deck.

Sure, your ancient GoPro still “works,” but you should really upgrade to the Hero9 Black. Why? GoPro's latest action cam adds a front screen, making it easier to grab the perfect selfie while hanging off the side of El Capitan. Frame your shot on the 1.4-inch front display, then start recording with a tap on the 2.27-inch rear touchscreen or a barked voice command. Your results will look better too; the Hero9 can capture 20-megapixel stills and stabilized 5K video at 30 frames per second.

Carve on nature's winter splendor while also being kinder to it. The cores of these backcountry skis are made from layered strips of aspen and polyurethane synthesized from algae, making them gentler on the environment than the solid wood cores of traditional skis. Bio-based epoxy holds it all together.

Your partner doesn't have the heart to tell you, but they're dog-tired of those bland chicken skewers you serve every other weeknight. Reinvigorate your lockdown menu by dosing that bird with this “barbecue-ish” sauce from Japanese American chef Justin Gill. Made in small batches, the blend of sweet teriyaki and smoky tomato flavors works great as a glaze, marinade, or drizzle. Vegan? So's the sauce, and it performs miracles on veggies and cubed tofu.

A wave of the hand opens the lid of this sensor-laden 58-liter trash can. And if your arms are full of messy takeout containers? Just say “Open can” and up pops the lid—all without Alexa, Siri, or even an internet connection. It does require power, but don't worry if you don't have an electrical outlet nearby; six AA batteries will power it for up to two months.

At 35 pounds, the Turbo Vado SL is light for an ebike. It's also slender enough to swing over a shoulder, with the 320-watt-hour battery, powerful motor, and pothole-eating shock absorber all hidden in the frame. Still, the bike's range is a whopping 80 miles, and it tops out at a brisk 28 mph. Connect to Specialized's Mission Control app and the algorithm will crunch your ride data to provide just enough assistance to make it feel as if your pedaling is doing something.

Staff Pick: “I love being able to pass spandex-sheathed road bikers while I'm wearing jorts.” —Adrienne So

Houdini's light fleece embodies a concept called circular design: It's made from recycled fabric that is also recyclable. Wear it as a mid layer while climbing misty mountains or as an outer layer on chilly dog walks. In the washer, the Houdi sheds 80 percent fewer microfibers into the water than regular fleece. When the jacket falls apart, mail it back to Houdini to be upcycled into a new one.

Timbuk2's pleated, washable, two-layered cotton jersey masks fit comfortably on any face—they come in two sizes, and they're kept in place with straps that tie behind your head instead of elastic that pinches your ears. The front panel has a filter pocket as well as a slot to hold a bendable wire (or pipe cleaner) over the bridge of your nose.