Have you finished your holiday shopping yet?  If you haven’t finished yet - you’re seriously running out of time.  I actually found this season a little challenging when it came to finding a good techie gift that’s not going to leave your wallet completely empty.  Let’s face it, we don’t all have hundreds or thousands of dollars to drop on a new computer or tv.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t get some good stocking stuffers or other reasonably-priced gifts.  The good thing about these ideas is you should be able to find them in stores - which is always a good thing for you last-minute shoppers out there!

I was a little surprised to hear this, but mp3 players are still topping wish lists this year.  I know, the term “mp3 player” is almost synonymous with “iPod” these days, which translates to big bucks to a lot of people.  But remember, Apple isn’t the only one making mp3 players - they’re one of many.  And they happen to be one of the most expensive. You can still get a very good quality mp3 player with video capabilities for as little as $50. And since it’s still a must-have in the holiday season, you can be sure whoever you buy it for will be very happy indeed.

Speaking of mp3 players and iPods, here’s an easy gift - an iTunes gift card.  Gift cards can sometimes be tricky because if you buy one for a clothing shop, you have to be sure they like the clothes the store has to offer.  But with an iTunes gift card, it’s a pretty safe bet that your gift recipient will like SOME kind of music.  So, you can just pick your price, pick up an iTunes gift card and be good to go.

Here’s one you may not have thought of - how about a bluetooth headset? Cell phone use in cars will be banned in BC starting early in the new year.  So this hands-free gadget is definitely something people not only want - but will need.  And they’re not that expensive - You can get a very good quality bluetooth headset for around $50.

In 2009, I’ve talked about a few other gadgets that could be good ideas for gifts, but you may need to shell out a bit more.  How about the LiveScribe Smart Pen for a student?  Or how about a time-lapse garden camera for a gardener?