Gadget Gifts to Fit Your Holiday Budget
December 08, 2011, By Michael Sheehan 0 comments
Shopping for others is rewarding but can also be a challenge. It's important to remember the art of giving during the holidays (starting with giving thanks and then giving gifts to those special people in your life). I'm actually a pretty bad gift giver because I don't plan ahead. But the gifts I give are usually pretty good, or so I like to think.
When it comes to gadgets, I'm somewhat of an expert. But with so many gadgets out there, which ones should you look at? (If you are hoping for something for yourself, be sure to read my 5 Tips on how to get the gadget you want for the holidays.) Also be sure to think about the "upgrade trickle-down effect" when you do make those technology purchases.
I'm not going to recommend any specific devices (unless there are clear leaders), but I will talk about "types" or categories of gadgets you might want to consider. The easiest way to group them is by price, so here are some ideas to kick-start your shopping.
$25 and Lower
- Gift Card (Amazon, iTunes, etc.)—let them get the things they want.
- Video Game—you can find some older games in this price range, or newer ones for the smaller game systems.
- eReader Light—for those eBook readers that use eInk (non-backlit displays), you can get a clip-on light that won't break your budget.
- Smartphone Case—ok, not exactly a gadget, but you need to protect your investments!
- Movies—you can even get Blu-ray's at a good discount now.
$25 to $150
- Bluetooth Keyboard Case—if you have a tablet, these Bluetooth keyboard cases are very nice to have; however, you may find the better ones in the $50-$150 range.
- Popular Video Game—this is where you find the latest and greatest games.
- Bluetooth Headset—some of these headsets are getting pretty darn good at noise cancellation. Also, look for speakerphone versions that work in you car.
- Low end GPS—you can get an entry-level GPS or one for your smartphone. (I like the smartphone route because then you have the GPS with you at all times.)
- Handheld HD Camcorder—sure, you can capture video on your smartphone, but sometimes it is better to get it on a dedicated device.
- Wifi Router—I will bet that you are on an older router, not running the latest WPA2 protection and not benefitting from faster throughput via different protocols.
- InkJet Printer—these have come down in price while speeds and quality have increased dramatically. Look at the all-in-one models as they offer the most value-to-function ratio.
- Webcam—get an HD one or a wireless one (for baby monitoring).
- Portable DVD Player—if you have kids, I always recommend getting a portable DVD player for those theaters on the go, wherever you are.
NEXT: $150 to $500
