With 65% of Americans feeling financial pressure this season, Verizon offers a strategy to secure top-tier tech, including the new iPhone 17, without the premium price tag.
Sponsored Content
There’s one gift that seems to come with the holiday season no one is thankful for—financial anxiety. A new Beyond Finance survey reveals a stark reality: 65% of Americans feel it’s “nearly impossible” to know how much they can safely spend this year. Furthermore, two-thirds report feeling a deep cultural pressure to overspend, succumbing to “guilt-giving” and “FOMO-spending.”
The good news is that it doesn’t have to be this way. Verizon is giving you the gift of choice on how you give tech, without stressing yourself or your budget. Enter holiday tech under $100!
The Verizon Advantage: Premium Devices “On Us” For those trying to maximize their holiday spend, the biggest wins aren’t found in the bargain bin, but in Verizon’s holiday bundles. You might be thinking, “Wait, I thought we were talking about tech under $100?” But frankly, you can’t get better than “on us.”
Whether you’re a new or existing customer, or an Apple or Android person, you can get a qualifying phone, tablet and watch on us. This offer is available with a new phone line and service plans required for each device without the premium device price tag. And these aren’t last year’s models. We’re talking about the iPhone 17, Google Pixel 10 and Samsung Galaxy S25. You can keep them all for yourself to upgrade your own tech ecosystem, or split them up and give them as gifts. The choice is yours. The best part? No trade-in is required.
Bundling for Big Savings The real gift isn’t the new device, it’s the long-term relief Verizon provides when it comes to managing your monthly budget. Shoppers can unlock significant savings by combining their mobile plan with Verizon 5G Home Internet.
Plans start at just $35 per month, and customers save an additional $15 monthly when they combine bundle mobile and home services. Beyond the bill, this combination bundle opens the door to Verizon’s “Perks,” including the ultimate holiday entertainment package: a bundle of Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ for just $10 per month. Those are savings you’re not going to find elsewhere.
Connected Kids and Parental Peace of Mind Managing screen time is a challenge for every parent, especially when kids feel left out of the tech craze. For families not ready to hand over a smartphone, Verizon offers Forbes’ recommended best overall smartwatch for kids: the Gizmo Watch 3.
Available directly from Verizon, this watch strikes the perfect balance. It gives children their own piece of cool tech while offering mom and dad peace of mind through parent-approved contact lists and real-time location tracking. To help parents put this under the tree, Verizon is taking $75 off the Gizmo Watch 3 when you add a service plan.
Unique Stocking Stuffers Under $100 For the finishing touches, Verizon has curated a selection of high-quality accessories that fit perfectly into a stocking—and your budget.
AirFly Pro 2 (under $60): It’s perfect for the frequent flier in your family. Plug it into the in-flight entertainment system, connect any bluetooth headphones, and enjoy your favorite in-flight entertainment hands-free!
JBL Clip 5 portable speaker (under $80): Clip it onto your backpack and enjoy up to 12 hours of battery life. Plus, it’s waterproof.
Moft Snap Phone Tripod Stand and Wallet (under $25): This is great for on-the-go. Just open the tripod, place your magsafe phone on the stand, and video chat with family this holiday season. It’s half off right now at just $24.99!
How to Get These Deals Stop guessing about your holiday budget and start optimizing it. Stop by your local Verizon store to take advantage of these offers. And don’t forget, Verizon’s got your back. Bring your AT&T or T-Mobile phone bill from the past 45 days to any Verizon store and get a better deal with us. It’s the gift that keeps giving all year long. verizon.com/deals
Movies like Home Alone, Elf, Christmas Vacation and The Santa Clause are staples in many households, but what if modern technology had been available? Could some character conundrums been avoided with the help of today’s gadgets?
Here’s how the latest tech could alter the plots of four timeless holiday movies. From tracking whereabouts to simplifying holiday preparations, these films would be much different in 2024.
1. Christmas Vacation: Streamlined Holiday Lights
Clark Griswold’s obsession with creating the ultimate Christmas light display is admirable; however, his efforts led to tangled cords and power outages. Today, Griswold’s outdoor decorating would have been a breeze with the right tools.
Using a Google Pixel smartphone and Wemo WiFi Smart Plugs, Griswold could have automated his display. Additionally, if Clark had fallen, a Google Pixel Watch 3 could have detected the impact and alerted emergency services, potentially preventing a major mishap.
2. Elf: Navigating New York City With Ease
Buddy certainly would have had a smoother trip to New York City and fixed Santa’s sleigh on time if he’d had the Apple gift bundle. With the iPhone 16 Pro, Buddy could have used Maps to navigate to The Big Apple, as well as utilized AI to search for an appropriate gift for his dad. Plus, with the Apple Watch, he could have had real-time notifications that Santa was heading for NYC and be aware of any changes to his route.
3. Home Alone: Tracking Kevin in Real Time
In Home Alone, Kevin McCallister’s parents forget him on their trip, leading to a series of frantic and comedic events. In 2024, with the Verizon Gizmo Watch 3, ranked the best smartwatch for kids by Forbes, Kevin’s mom could have monitored his location in real time via the Verizon Family App, saving her a lot of panic. With the Gizmo Watch, Kevin also could have immediately contacted his family, keeping everyone informed and safe.
4. The Santa Clause: Preventing Exhaustion
In The Santa Clause, Santa was exhausted after a long night of toy delivery. Tech could have helped him avoid that. With the Ultrahuman Ring AIR, Santa could’ve tracked his sleep index, cardio age and overall health to make sure he was in peak condition for the big night. This would have helped him prepare for his journey and feel well rested before, during and after.
The Takeaway: How Technology Could Have Improved Classic Holiday Films
In a world where smart devices can solve so many problems, many moments that have become part of holiday film lore would likely have been avoided in 2024.
As you settle in to watch these classic holiday films this season, it’s fun to imagine how technology could have transformed the plots. After all, who needs to face holiday chaos when the right tools are just a tap away? For more information on the latest tech gadgets featured in these scenarios, visit verizon.com/holidaymediahub or stop by a local Verizon store.
If you were born to be a planksta, YogaSix is opening on Hillsborough Street—its fourth NC location (!), with two more expected to open in the state soon—shining its light via sensory yoga experiences across six core classes. Namaste bendy! 621 Hillsborough St.
Two of Raleigh’s leading ladies in fine estate decor have opened a new location for their Two Girls Antiques & Estate Decorstore. For those who love a good bargain hunt, you’re gonna wanna peruse the vast collection of furniture, home decor and more. 5301 Hillsborough St.
We hope you aren’t afraid of sharks… or dead bodies. Amanda Lamb’s newest novel, No Wake Zone, focuses on main character Maddie Arnette as she tries to unravel the secrets of a mysterious coastal town in NC. May 31, amazon.com
Black Dollar Corp.’s creator’s space, The Factory, is officially open to the public! Any small business owner can join to take advantage of small manufacturing equipment like T-shirt printers and press machines, coworking desks, crowdfunding, workshops, training sessions and more. 811 W. Hargett St.
After a successful pop-up at Downtown’s Pop-Up Shops at Martin Street, Sir Chance’s Vintage is relocating to a permanent location on Wilmington Street. Featuring a curated collection of vintage and secondhand clothes, it’s the perf spot to grab some new (er, thrifted?) ’fits. 206 S. Wilmington St.
Can you hear me now? Verizon has gone… mobile?! In an attempt to get customers up to speed—and offer flexibility for those who prefer to shop online but don’t want to wait for next-day delivery—the wireless carrier company has added 250 (and counting!) Express Pickup Locker retail locations across the country, including one right here in Raleigh. 14811 W. Maple Road
