Don't Forget The Batteries: Tech Gifts

The gift buying season is upon us. Every year I sit down and make a list of the people I need to buy for and struggle to match that list to gift ideas. Face it, some people are harder to shop for than others. Since I'm probably not the only one with this problem, I thought I would share some of my ideas. It seems like every year new technology comes out just in time for Christmas. It can be a hit or miss adventure. Today's list is about tech gifts. Check back often throughout the month for more gift buying ideas! Good luck shopping! May the deals be plentiful, your cart overflowing, and your wallet not emptied.

Here's some of my top tech gifts that should be a hit:

• Cameras. I love cameras and taking pictures. I love the simple point and shoots and I also love my SLR. Nikon came out with their SLR D5100 that takes pictures, video, and offers special effects for the pictures right from the camera. I love my Canon, but I've had my eye on this one since it came out. UPDATE: Canon has their own version out now too! DM FYI: SLR stands for Single Lens Reflex. These cameras generally are larger in camera body and lens size. The lens can be removed and a different one placed on. You can also manually focus or auto focus the camera. When buying a SLR, make sure it comes with the lens and the body! Many are sold body only.

• Video Camera. These keep getting smaller and smaller. I love it! I still remember the huge one with VHS tapes that my parents had. I received a Flip as a Christmas gift a few years ago and it still works great! It easily fits in my purse.

• iPad or Mini iPad. Hubby and I don't really exchange gifts at Christmas; we usually buy a gift for the family or the house. Last year it was an iPad. I love this thing for so many reasons: it can fit in my larger purse because it is thin, it keeps the kids busy when we are standing in line or waiting at a restaurant, there are bunch of free apps (for kids and adults), I can work on blog posts while I am waiting at my doctor's office...the list goes on and on. We bought the basic model (iPad WiFi)that picks up surrounding WiFi signals, but doesn't have it's own service. There are versions that have their own internet service (iPad WiFi +3G). Also, the camera works great outside or in bright light, but gets grainy in dim light.

• LeapPad by LeapFrog. Bernardo had really wanted one of these last year and used the birthday money he received to buy one. These things are great. There are games (mostly educational) and books you can download onto the computer. The LeapPad reads the books to the kids and highlights the words as it goes. This is also a great way to keep the kids busy while waiting somewhere. The LeapPad Tablets have wi-fi.

• Now that Bernardo is older, he got a Nintendo DS for his birthday. He got a regular DS, not the 3DS, but he loves it. There are a lot of games and it's great for keeping them busy just like the LeapPad used to do. I don't see much in terms of education games, but he still has fun with it.
• Nook or Kindle. I have a slight addiction to books. I have run out of room on my bookcase. A few years ago I bought the Nook and love it. I still love holding a paper book, but the book readers allow you to have lots of books stored on one small device. They also have WiFi, so you can check out your favorite websites like Daily Messes! There are a lot of varieties: larger sized, color, glow-light, HD (soft glow for night time reading). There is also the Kindle Fire for kids, which comes with a case and 2 year warranty.

• iPhone or other smartphone.
• Car holder for the smartphone. It makes a huge difference in my car! No more trying to glance down to see how close the street is to turn onto, the Maps/Waze apps are now in eyesight range.
• Bluetooth Home Phone. There are a few options available. One option is to have a land line and a cell phone. The Bluetooth land line phone can link to the cell phone and when you are in range of the home phone, calls from your cell phone can be answered on the home phone. If you do not have a home phone/land line, another option is to have a cordless handset that links to the cell phone. It looks and acts line a regular cordless phone, but it connects to and uses you cell phone minutes.
• Ring Doorbell 
• Yi Security Cameras: We use these inside to keep track of the dog when we are not home. The work great and even have night vision so we can still keep an eye on J with the lights out.

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