Tis the Season to Give and Receive

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Tis the Season to Give and Receive

Written by: Donna Ann Peck 482 views

Before you head off to the mall without a clue, peruse this list for gifts you can give this holiday season—and receive—if someone special asks you for your wish list.

To find out the hot gifts this season, I surveyed my colleagues for their shopping to-do lists, then added a few of my own. Gifts that provide lasting pleasure to the productive on-the-go type range from a portable GPS (global positioning system) to a mountain-climbing vacation.

Digital Readers $259—$399

If you want one new item for your bookshelf, make it a digital reader. Even book lovers are switching from printed books to gigabytes. Once you start downloading books and periodicals wirelessly, you’ll be hooked on this portable alternative to printed books. You can search online and download content on the go over 3G networks, which cover most of Europe, South Africa, and Australia. You could be reading Pride and Prejudice and Zombies in 60 seconds. You can also load the reader with your own files formatted in Microsoft Word, HTML, PDF, and RTF. Sony and Amazon make the best devices. Amazon’s Kindle has a 6-inch screen and a row of buttons. There are no monthly wireless bills for the global network but international downloads cost $1.99 a book. kindle

The Sony Daily Edition, a high-end digital reader has a 7-inch touch screen and is this season’s hottest gift. The touch screen has the semblance of a printed book because you touch the screen corner to turn pages. The Daily Edition supports the ePub format and open file format. Sony has a partnership with OverDrive: an e-book provider that works with a network of public libraries.

Netbooks $345

Netbooks provide a pleasant internet experience in a small compact design. Four pounds makes a difference when you tote a laptop around all day. Netbooks typically weigh 3 pounds when loaded with a 6-cell battery. If you want to go lighter, ask about the 3-cell battery. Let the keyboard determine which manufacturer and model you choose. Acer is the favorite among netbook cognoscenti. The keyboard on the Acer Aspire One D250 is 89 percent of standard size. The 10.1-inch model has an Intel Atom processor, 1GB of RAM and a 160 GB hard drive. The Acer Aspire One AOD150-1920 also has a similar configuration.

If you don’t mind extra service charges, netbooks also provide on-demand web browsing. AT&T is adding the 10.1-inch HP Mini 110 to its 3G network. The necessary plans include either a 200MB, $35 per month plan or a 5GB, $60 per month option. The HP Mini case is imprinted with flowers and animals from Dutch designer Tord Boontje. Very cute!

Pocket-size camcorder $99 to $149

Record the action as it happens on a high-definition video camera that fits in the palm of your hand. The camcorders on the market now offer improvements over the first-generation models. They come with a 2.4-inch LCD screen and instant upload to YouTube using a USB cable. The expandable SD/SDHC card slot holds up to 32 GB. The Flip MinoHD Camcorder is selling well as is the new Kodak Zi8 HD pocket video camera. With film-editing software, you can edit and add music.

Portable GPS for iPhone $9.99 a month

The iPhone is the Swiss-Army knife of digital gadgets. GPS service for the iPhone 3G or 3GS turns the iPhone into a portal GPS unit. AT&T Navigator provides voice-guided and visual turn-by-turn GPS driving directions with automatic reroute, full-color maps, and real-time traffic alerts. I tested the service for free for 30 Days, then decided it was worth $10 a month. I bought a classy mount for my PT Cruiser.

Laptop lifter $58

Levenger makes a line of handsome lap desks, laptop lifters and laptop anglers. In today’s modern home, you’ll find laptops in kitchens and family rooms. People use laptops to listen to music and check news, weather, traffic, movie times, and the family calendar. These ergonomic products also turn a writing desk or table into a workstation. The most useful Levenger models adjust to 14-, 17- and 19-degree angles so you can work at a comfortable height when sitting or standing.

GTD workflow map $49

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One map to rule them all. The GTD Workflow diagram guides people as they organize their workday. The map is the most up-to-date graphic representation of GTD (getting things done).

All the key steps for gathering, clarifying, organizing, and reviewing appear on one visual. Follow the guideposts as you shift your focus from organize to reflect to work.

The map includes decision making and horizons of focus so you can navigate the day with control and perspective. Two sizes (one for an office wall, one for an at-hand reference) are included for $49. David Allen coaches you on how to use the map on the enclosed DVD.

A multisport vacation $4,000 to $10,000

Travel companies offer canoeing, fly-fishing, kayaking, hiking, and mountain biking in national parks and wilderness areas in the U.S and abroad. Backroads is a well-established company with a roster of spine-tingling adventures in Croatia, Bhutan, Switzerland, New Zealand. If mountain climbing is your peak experience, climb Kilimanjaro with Mountain Travel Sobek.

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On the Sobek website, click the activities to see which destinations provide the sports you are interested in.

If you want to roam pristine countryside, Country Walkers and Wayfarers are the top tour companies. Each year, they add new destinations and innovative routes. In 2010, Wayfarers added a two-week walk through the Indian state of Rajasthan.