By Gregg Ellman, Tribune News Service

Just like that, we’re in the homestretch for holiday shopping, which can lead to stress and impulse buys. To help out — and hopefully cut down your time in return lines — here’s a simple list to spark ideas for fun tech gadgets, including popular and practical picks. Choose a few favorites and you’ll be wrapped up in no time.

Divoom’s Times Frame interactive digital frame ($199.99) is fully customizable to fit your personality, environment, style, occasion or room. Divoom said it well on their website: “One device for every mood.” Someone’s birthday can be celebrated or customized for a holiday dinner party. Whatever you choose, there’s no right or wrong; it’s easy to control and change with the companion app.

With the app, you can write a note, welcome guests to your home, or display reminders, which are displayed on the 10.1-inch high-definition transparent IPS screen with a smudge-free, scratch-proof triple-layer tempered glass and a backlight design for a 3D-like feel. Up to 700,000 photos or 6,000 minutes of video can be stored on the internal 64GB of storage.

Transfers and connections are made via Wi-Fi 6 with your smartphone, tablet or laptop. There’s an internal speaker so you can play your playlists and let the Times Frame work as a standalone speaker.

There are more than 400 clock faces to choose from; you can watch your stocks and weather, load widgets, check your calendar or download the ever-expanding library of pixel art. You’ll have access to the Pixel Art Community online gallery, which has over 3 million members and over 10 million pieces of art to choose from.

The operating system is user-friendly and referred to as a smartwatch-style system. Controls are done with the dual control knob or the app. The first review on the Divoom site said it well: “One of the coolest gifts I’ve ever given — and he’s obsessed!”

divoom.com/products/times-frame

Soundcore’s Liberty 5 true wireless noise-canceling earbuds with Dolby Audio have superior sonic quality. The base-heavy sound is crystal clear from the stem-style earbuds, which have a budget-friendly price ($129.99) considering all the high-end features.

The adaptive ANC 3.0 has an AI algorithm that adjusts the sound to your surroundings three times per second. Cell phone calls are heard on both ends with extreme clarity with the AI algorithm, six built-in microphones and Bluetooth 5.4. Inside each earbud is a 9.2mm wool-paper diaphragm driver.

A single charge provides 8 hours of playtime, and you’ll get another 32 with the included charging storage case. A 10-minute charge yields 5 hours of playtime for the IP55 water- and dirt-resistant earbuds.

soundcore.com/products/a3957-liberty-5-tws-earbuds available in black, white, navy blue and apricot

Skullcandy’s Push 720 open-ear clip-on earbuds let your audio world and the world around you blend in your ears. Open-ear earbuds sit on your ear and direct the sound into your ear without actually blocking your ear canal. This design lets you hear both your playlist and the outside world, making these ideal for use where you don’t want to tone out your surroundings.

The Push 720s ($99.99) are IP67 sweat- and waterproof-rated. You’ll get 6 hours of battery life off a single charge, and another 24 with the wireless charging pouch. Once clipped to the side of your ear, you’ll never know they are there except for the great sound and hands-free calls from the 12mm drivers on each side of the Bluetooth 5.3 earbuds.

skullcandy.com/products/push-720-open-earbuds

If you want the latest and greatest, go for the hot-off-the-press Soundpeats Air5 Pro+ true wireless earbuds. Each ear produces great sound from a MEMS driver and a 10mm dynamic driver, powered by an XAA-2000 Aptos Class-H amplifier in each ear.

Powerful AI Adaptive ANC features a hybrid ANC system that monitors the earbuds and the surrounding environment to adapt automatically. It includes noise cancellation with up to 55dB of noise reduction. They will play for up to 6 hours on a single charge and up to 30 hours with the charging case. A 10-minute quick charge gives you 2 hours of playback.

Other features in the stylish Air5 Pro+ TW earbuds ($129.99) include multi-device connectivity with Bluetooth 5.4 for seamless switching between devices.

soundpeats.com

Aurvana’s Ace 3 earbuds ($139.99) impressed me right out of the box, first and foremost with great sound. They feature a personalized sound in real time with Mimi Sound Personalization. Parent company Creative Technology describes the process this way: “Mimi technology assesses your hearing and adjusts playback in real time, revealing layers of music — from subtle harmonics to crisp background vocals — with newfound clarity.”

A hybrid xMEMS + dynamic driver system is in each ergonomic-styled earbud to deliver music with outstanding clarity and a nice amount of bass. They have smart wear detection, so when you take off an earbud, the music pauses. Put it back on, and it plays.

Hybrid Adaptive Noise Cancellation will adjust the music to your current environment to help eliminate unwanted sounds, ensuring the music remains the top priority. They have Bluetooth 5.4 inside and give you 26 hours of playtime with the included charging case.

us.creative.com/p/headphones-headsets/creative-aurvana-ace-3