Top 10 Christmas Gifts for Apple Watch Users (2025)
The ultimate gift guide for the Apple Watch enthusiast in your life. From apps that unlock new motivation to premium accessories and workout essentials, we've got every budget covered.
You're Shopping For an Apple Watch Enthusiast
They wear their Apple Watch everywhere. They close their rings religiously, they check their heart rate randomly throughout the day, and they've probably turned you into a competitor whether you wanted to be or not.
But what do you get someone who already has Apple's most powerful wearable?
The answer isn't another watch (they're loyal to Apple, and upgrades are expensive). It's about making their Apple Watch experience even better - adding fresh motivation, protecting their investment, or supporting the active lifestyle their watch enables.
This guide focuses on gifts that either make their Apple Watch more engaging and fun, personalize and protect their device, or complement the fitness habits their watch tracks so well.
The Top 10 Gifts for Apple Watch Users
#1: Premium Apple Watch Bands (3-Pack) — ~$25-60
Why it's perfect: Their Apple Watch is more than fitness gear - it's jewelry they wear 24/7. A variety pack of bands lets them match different occasions: Sport Loop for workouts, Braided Solo Loop for everyday, leather or metal for dressy events.
What to look for: Third-party bands from reputable sellers offer great quality at fraction of Apple's price. Make sure you know their watch size (40mm, 41mm, 44mm, 45mm, 49mm) - bands aren't universal. Get a mix: one sporty, one casual, one nice.
The win: Instant personalization. They'll think of you every time they swap bands to match their outfit or activity.
#2: Motion Hero — Apple Watch Supercharges Your Motivation — $77.94 or $129.99
Why it's #2: Their Apple Watch tracks everything brilliantly. Motion turns all that data into a game they'll actually want to play.
Motion syncs with Apple Health (which their Apple Watch feeds into) to create:
- Friend challenges that turn daily activity into weekly competitions with live leaderboards
- Virtual pets that thrive on your movement (surprisingly motivating, even for serious athletes)
- Adaptive weekly goals that adjust to real patterns (not the same rigid rings every day)
- Effort-based scoring so busy weeks don't kill your streak
It's the social accountability and gamification layer Apple Fitness+ doesn't offer. While Apple Watch gives you rings and badges, Motion gives you reasons to actually care about filling those rings - because your friends are watching, your pet needs you, and your weekly challenge is tied.
Best for: Anyone who loves their Apple Watch data but needs fresh motivation. People who've gotten bored with closing rings. Competitive types who thrive on leaderboards.
Gift 6 Months → | Gift 12 Months → | Learn More About Motion Hero →
#3: Apple Watch Charging Stand — ~$30-60
Why it's perfect: That flat charging puck is functional but boring. A proper charging stand turns their Apple Watch into a bedside clock, keeps the cable organized, and makes Nightstand mode actually useful.
Look for: Belkin Boost Charge Pro (charges Watch + iPhone + AirPods), Nomad Stand One Max (premium materials), or Elago W3 Stand (retro Mac design). Make sure it supports fast charging if they have Series 7+.
The win: Functional elegance. Every night they'll appreciate not fumbling with cables.
#4: AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) — ~$200-250
Why it's perfect: Apple Watch users are active people. AirPods Pro are the perfect workout companion - seamless pairing, controls from the watch, transparency mode for outdoor safety, sweat/water resistance.
What makes them special: You can leave your phone behind and still get calls, music, and podcasts directly from the watch. Noise cancellation for gym focus, transparency for running safety. They just work together.
Budget alternative: Regular AirPods (3rd gen) for $150-180 if Pro is too steep.
#5: Water-Resistant Armband — ~$40-50
Why it's perfect: Some workouts need phone-free freedom, but you still want easy access. The Twelve South ActionSleeve is a water-resistant armband that holds essentials (keys, cards, cash) and keeps everything secure during runs, hikes, or gym sessions.
Alternative option: FlipBelt or SPIbelt for runners who prefer waist storage. Both work great with Apple Watch users who want to leave the phone behind.
#6: Portable Battery Pack with Apple Watch Charger — ~$50-80
Why it's perfect: Travel, long workouts, overnight trips - sometimes their watch needs juice and there's no outlet nearby. A battery pack with built-in Apple Watch charging means they never have to choose between tracking their activity and having battery for later.
Look for: Anker PowerCore or Belkin options. Make sure it's MagSafe-compatible if they have newer watch models. Bonus points if it charges iPhone too.
#7: AppleCare+ or Premium Screen Protector — ~$50-80
Why it matters: Apple Watches get banged up. Screen protectors (LK tempered glass multi-packs) are cheap insurance. AppleCare+ is better - it covers accidental damage, battery replacement, and gives peace of mind for their $400+ device.
The choice: Screen protector = practical, immediate. AppleCare+ = comprehensive, valuable. If they're active or clumsy, AppleCare+ wins.
#8: Nike Sport Band Collection — ~$40-100
Why it's great: If they love the sport band feel but want variety, Nike's Sport Bands come in exclusive colors and patterns you can't get from Apple. Reflective versions are perfect for night runners.
Look for: Multi-packs or limited edition colors. The reflective Nike bands are especially thoughtful for anyone who runs/walks in low light.
#9: Workout-Specific Apple Watch Face Setup Guide — Free (or ~$5 on Etsy)
Why it's surprisingly valuable: Most people use default watch faces and don't realize how much they can customize for specific activities. A guide (or just spending 20 minutes helping them set up) can unlock huge value from their existing watch.
What to include: Running face with heart rate zones and pace, gym face with workout complications, daily face with activity rings and weather. Teach them about complications, modular faces, and shortcuts.
Make it a gift: Create a printed guide, pair it with a new band, or offer to set it up together over coffee.
#10: Insulated Water Bottle with Apple Watch Hydration Tracking — ~$30-50
Why it's perfect: Apple Watch tracks workouts, sleep, and activity - but proper hydration is the missing piece. Water bottles with time markers (HydroJug, Owala FreeSip, Stanley IceFlow) pair perfectly with fitness-focused Apple Watch users.
Smart upgrade: Some bottles now have Bluetooth tracking that syncs with Apple Health. If budget allows, look for HidrateSpark or similar smart bottles that automatically log their intake.
The win: Completes their health tracking ecosystem. Active Apple Watch users need proper hydration, and visible tracking helps.
Why Motion Hero Deserves Special Attention
Look, their Apple Watch is incredible. It tracks everything, nudges them to stand, celebrates when they close their rings. It's a phenomenal device.
But here's what it's missing: Real human motivation.
1. Competition That Actually Matters
Apple Watch has sharing and competitions, but they're clunky and most people forget to set them up. Motion makes competition the main event - weekly challenges against friends, live leaderboards that update throughout the day, effort-based scoring so everyone can win regardless of fitness level.
Suddenly closing their rings matters because they're 500 points ahead of their coworker, or 200 behind and need to go for a walk.
2. Virtual Pets That Need You
This sounds goofy until you try it. Their digital pet thrives on their activity. Skip a day? Pet gets sad. Hit a big workout? Pet levels up. It's surprisingly powerful motivation, even for people who "don't need gamification."
3. Adaptive Goals That Actually Work
Apple Watch sets the same rings every single day. That's terrible design for real life. Motion looks at their patterns - hard workout Monday, rest Wednesday, busy Friday - and creates weekly goals that challenge without burning them out.
They're not failing by missing rings on busy days. They're succeeding by hitting realistic weekly targets.
4. Works With Their Apple Watch, Not Instead Of
They keep their Apple Watch. They keep Apple Health. Motion just syncs with it and adds the social layer Apple forgot to build. No new devices, no switching ecosystems, no extra tracking.
Who It's For
- Apple Watch users who've gotten bored with closing the same rings every day
- Competitive people who want real challenges with friends, not just badge collecting
- Anyone who says "I should move more" but struggles to stay motivated
- People who love their Apple Watch data but wish it was more... social
How Gifting Works
- You buy a 6-month or 12-month gift subscription
- You receive a gift code via email (instant or scheduled for Christmas morning)
- They redeem the code, sync their Apple Health, and start their first challenge
- Takes 2 minutes - they don't need to enter payment info or buy new hardware
Price: $77.94 (6 months) or $129.99 (12 months, better value)
Frequently asked questions
If you have anything else you want to ask, reach out to us.
What's the best gift for someone who already has an Apple Watch?
Focus on enhancing their experience rather than replacing their device. The best gifts either add motivation (like Motion Hero for social challenges and adaptive goals), personalize their watch (premium bands, charging stands), or support their active lifestyle (AirPods Pro, armbands, hydration tracking). Apple Watch users are loyal to their device - they want tools that work with their watch, not compete with it.
Should I get them Apple Fitness+ or Motion Hero?
They serve different purposes. Apple Fitness+ is excellent if they want guided workouts, yoga classes, and professional training content - it's a workout library subscription. Motion Hero is for people who need motivation to be more active in daily life - it turns their existing activity data into social games and challenges. Many people use both: Fitness+ for structured workouts, Motion for daily movement motivation. If they already work out but struggle with consistency or need accountability, Motion is the better gift.
Can I give a digital gift for Christmas morning?
Absolutely! Motion Hero gift codes are delivered via email instantly (or you can schedule delivery for Christmas morning). You can print the email or create a card that says "You've been gifted Motion Hero!" with the redemption link. Many people pair it with a small physical gift (like Apple Watch bands or AirPods) so there's something tangible to unwrap. Digital gifts are perfect for last-minute shopping - no shipping stress, no wrong size, instant delivery.
Do all Apple Watch bands fit all models?
No! Apple Watch bands are size-specific. There are three main sizes: smaller watches (38mm, 40mm, 41mm) use one size, larger watches (42mm, 44mm, 45mm) use another, and Apple Watch Ultra (49mm) uses its own bands. Before buying, check which model they have - look at the back of their watch or check Settings → General → About. When shopping, make sure the listing specifically mentions compatibility with their model size.
What if they've gotten bored with their Apple Watch?
Super common - the novelty of closing rings wears off after a few months. The fix isn't usually upgrading the watch or buying Fitness+, it's adding social motivation. Motion Hero is specifically designed for this - friend challenges, live leaderboards, and virtual pets turn their Apple Watch data into a game they play with others. Many users say Motion brought back the excitement they felt when they first got their watch. The other option: get them into group fitness or find them a workout buddy. Apple Watch tracks brilliantly, but humans need humans to stay motivated.
Are these gifts suitable for someone new to Apple Watch?
Most of these gifts assume they already use and love their Apple Watch regularly. If they just got their watch this year, give them a month or two to establish habits first. But if they've had it 2+ months and are closing rings most days, these are perfect "level up" additions. Motion Hero actually works great for beginners because it provides structure and accountability when they're still building exercise habits - the challenges and virtual pets help form consistent routines.