Tech Holiday Shopping Trends and Tips

Each year the gift of technology gets more popular on holiday shopping lists and this holiday season is no exception. The increased interest in buying and giving tech related gifts causes the non-tech savvy consumer to become intimidated by the vast array of product choices and prices that are associated with this type of purchase. To make things easier (especially if you've waited until the last minute...which, if you're reading this, you have), here are the top six tech gifts (and buying tips) that your loved ones may want to receive wrapped in paper and topped with a bow during this seasons holidays.

1. Digital Photo Printers-Nothing beats the instant gratification associated with digital photography. Unfortunately, the cost of digital photo printing can become expensive. When shopping, look for digital photo printers that offer the convenience of portability (not needing a computer to run them and small size) and ask the sales counselor what the average price per print is for the printer you are considering. If it is more than $.29 a picture (average cost including cost of ink and paper), take a pass on it. There are now digital photo printers that offer per print prices and photo quality on par with professional photo labs.

2. Portable MP3 Music Players- Contrary to popular belief, there are other MP3 music players available other than Apple’s iPod. While Apple manufactures a terrific product, most people (with the exception of teenagers) don’t have the time to download a library of 4,000-10,000 songs to these digital jukebox gizmos. Save money on the MP3 player you are buying by cutting down on the memory space (a unit that holds 4-8 hours of music should be plenty for most adults) and put your savings into a nice set of ear/headphones. Unfortunately, most of the listening devices included with MP3 players fall short on sound quality and comfort.

3. DVD Recorders- Now almost half the price of last holiday season, DVD Recorders are an affordable and easy way to record your favorite television shows without the bulk and complexity associated with VHS machines. Some models even include an internal hard drive (similar to a TIVO) that allows you to record your favorite programs and then transfer them permanently to a blank DVD! If you have tons of VHS tapes collecting dust in your home (including your family videos), there are affordable machines now available that allow you to easily transfer your VHS tapes to a DVD with the push of a couple buttons.

4. Home Office Products- Many of us take work home or run some type of business from home. Home Office Products are notorious desk space hogs. "All in One" Home Office Machines (they include a computer printer, telephone, fax machine, scanner, and copier) have become much more reliable and affordable. Expect to pay between $89-$159 for a decent name brand model. Many manufacturers are offering rebates on these products, so don’t forget to ask your sales associate if one is included with your purchase.

5. PDA's (Personal Digital Assistants) - Once relegated to functioning as glorified digital day planners, PDA’s now offer the same features and functions as desktops computers. Offering "bells and whistles" that include wireless email/internet access, a cell phone, and the ability to sync to your home computer, PDA’s are now considered total organization and communication product solutions. If you are considering purchasing a PDA that offers cell phone access, make sure you shop around before you commit yourself to a long term plan. The savings could be considerable especially since certain PDA models limit you to specific cell phone service provider.

6. "Do It Yourself" (D.I.Y.) – It seems like every major TV network and cable channel has at least one show that features everyday people taking on the task of remodeling their own homes or a crew of people that offer to do it for them. This TV trend has created a renewed interest in buying gifts to allow the recipients to pursue their decorating dreams. Buying a powered on hand tool like a cordless drill or an All-In-One Tool Set (including the toolbox) is not a gift idea limited to men anymore. Many woman have been bitten by the "Do It Yourself" bug, too. Manufacturers even create tools that come in different colors to appeal to their growing group of female consumers. This D.I.Y. craze has created many new weekend handymen as well as handymams across the country!