The Logitech Harmony Hub is one of the best Alexa-compatible accessories out there, and it basically comes with a free Echo Dot right now.
If you aren’t familiar, the Harmony Hub is a little puck that blasts out RF signals like a TV remote to control all of your devices (Logitech’s database has nearly 300,000; it’s pretty comprehensive). Normally, this would work with a Harmony remote to control devices that are hidden behind cabinet doors, but it’ll also work with just your voice if you own an Alexa device.
So, for example, you could say “Alexa, turn on the TV” to turn on your TV, change to the correct input, turn on your cable box, or whatever else you programmed it to do. The same holds true for your smartphone; just open the Harmony app, and you’ll have full control over your entire home theater.
The Harmony Hub costs about $90 on Amazon (though it’s sometimes bundled with a barebones remote for about $70), but right now, that same amount of money will get you the Hub and an Echo Dot to control it. Or, if you already have all the Echoes you need, just give the Dot away as a holiday gift, and keep the Hub for yourself.