Blakely Thomas-Aguilar

Top 10 Technology Gifts for the Last Minute Deals Shopper

You’ve waited for the last Christmas minute (alongside 12% of the population) and need to find a gift for the technology lover in your life. But the stores are picked over, your options are dwindling to nothing and you’ve gotta find something better than a handheld Yahtzee game. You’re in luck! Here are PGI’s top 10 last-minute (but still awesome) technology gifts ideas for 2011.

1. Nook: The Kindle might be a more popular eReader, but for last-minute shoppers, the Nook is the clear winner. Barnes & Noble’s popular eReader is available in three varieties depending on your budget ($99 for “e-ink” and $249 for a full tablet) and is in-stock at Barnes & Noble, Staples, OfficeMax, Best Buy and more.

2. Roku: The future of media is all online, and Roku offers dozens of streaming video and audio services, including Hulu, Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, MOG, Pandora and HBO Go. Unlike its Apple and Logitech competitors, Roku offers three different players from $49-$99.99 and is readily available at Best Buy and Walmart for last-minute pick-up.

3. Pandora One: If your buddy is a music fan, there’s nothing better than getting them the ad-free version of this popular streaming music app. For just $36, you can give a one-year subscription for Pandora One, which also includes the desktop version, and simply email the gift notification. You can find similar deals with Spotify Premium, Rdio Unlimited and MOG Basic or Primo.

4. Gamefly: If your techy’s vice is gaming, look no further than Gamefly, Netflix’s video game cousin. Starting at $15.95 per month, the recipient will receive rental games in the mail — perfect for that gamer who is won and done. You can even customize the notification email to include a personalized holiday message.

5. Hexbugs: For the little boys on your last-minute holiday list, you can’t go wrong with Hexbugs — especially because the little toys are everywhere from Walmart to the local drugstore. And as a Toy of the Year nominee, these little electronic bugs are guaranteed to be on every little guy’s wish list.

6. Password Journal: Help the little girl on your list keep her secrets safe from prying eyes with a password journal. These last-minute gifts are available from multiple manufacturers and are at nearly every store, including big-box and drugstores, so you can snag one just in time for Christmas morning.

7. Tech accessories: Every smartphone, tablet and eReader owner loves the gadgets that go with their favorite tech tool. Whether it’s a Droid, iPad or Nook, grab a cool protective cover, carry case, stylus, earphones, dock or wireless keyboard/mouse pretty much anywhere —from the mall to the convenience store.

8. Digital picture frame: For us techies, digital frames are so last decade. But for last-minute gifts for Grandma and Grandpa, it’s the perfect gift, especially because they come in a variety of pricing options and they’re everywhere — even the truck stop. Load it up with some pics and you’ll be Grandma’s golden child.

9. Movies, music and TV: Instead of buying a BluRay or CD, give the gift of music and videos this season — digitally. The iTunes Store will send an album, TV series, playlist or a movie electronically or you can simply print the certificate. It’s the perfect way to show you care at the last minute.

10. Gift cards: Nearly every major retailer has a gift card offering of some sort. These are perfect for the last-minute shopper because you can buy them all over the place — even online. For those of us who never made it to the post office, electronic gift cards are amazing and offered by the most popular tech stores, including Amazon, Best Buy, iTunes, Game Stop, and more.

Good luck on your last-minute shopping trip, and don’t forget to actually enjoy the holiday spirit on your frenzied gift-giving spree. If you’re a successful last-minute shopper, what’s your secret? Any great last-minute tech gifts we missed?

 

Leave a Reply