Digital Journal — Buying gifts for friends and family can be more stressful than endless Error 404 messages, but we’re here to make the holiday season a bit easier on the brain. Below is Digital Journal’s 2006 Gift Guide for practically everyone in your life, from the geeky dad to the politically active sis to the TV-obsessed love of your life.
Tech-Savvy Dad
He might know the specs for every camcorder and cellphone under the sun. He might scoff at flip phones. But he’ll slobber at the technology behind the Nokia N93 phone ($700 US, n/a CAN), whose 3.2 megapixel CCD captures video worthy of YouTube glory. Dad will enjoy the triple-jointed LCD that not only flips open normally, but also swings sideways to become an adjustable preview screen during video shoots.
A more luxurious gift would be the Sony Vaio N-series laptop, particularly the VGN-TXN15P/W ($2,100 US, $1,300 CAN). Outfitted with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, this so-thin-it’s-anorexic laptop blows away the competition by sporting nine-hour battery life. You can’t go wrong with extra frills such as a DVD burner, an 80GB hard drive, and a screen so bright Dad might have to wear shades. This gift would hurt your wallet, but it could be worth it just to see the ol’ man’s face light up on Christmas morning.
Gaming Brother
If your bro is into gaming — as in video games, not a Vegas addiction — then the top choice this holiday season belongs to the Nintendo Wii ($250 US, $280 CAN). Nintendo’s contender in the heated next-gen console wars comes out a winner with its motion-sensor technology, allowing the gamer to swing the remote to replicate a tennis swing or golf stroke. The picky brother might be disappointed by the Wii’s blocky graphics, but he’ll be swinging his bat in Wii Sport‘s baseball game like a young Mark McGwire.
As for mind-blowing games, the best pick of 2006 goes to Xbox 360’s Gears of War ($60 US, $70 CAN). It’s not just another war-campaign shoot ‘em up; this graphics-rich badass is so intelligent, the bro will be extremely satisfied with a bull’s-eye sniper shot after taking cover — the CPU is that adept at blasting gamers who aren’t smart enough to duck behind concrete slabs. And how can you go wrong with a weapon called Hammer of Dawn, an orbital satellite that disintegrates enemies with a fiery beam?
Politically-Active Sister
She watches Bill Maher, protests overseas sweatshops and hangs with friends named Jaymz and Sunshine. Rest assured, though, that the socially conscious sis will stroll into a mainstream record store to find a disc for those road trips to anarchist meetings. Enter the headline-grabbing CD, Neil Young’s Living With War ($19 US, $20 CAN). The rock-folk troubadour indicts the U.S. government for lying to the American public, even including the choir-backed track “Let’s Impeach the President.” No other CD released this year has provoked incensed reaction from right-wingers, which should make the sis hungry to show off Living With War to all her leftie friends.
Another solid find for the sister with a conscience is Al Gore’s docu-warning, An Inconvenient Truth ($30 US, $37 CAN). The 100-minute DVD bluntly states the hard facts: Global warming is real. Media is warped by disinformation campaigns. Mankind should do everything possible to curb the use of fossil fuels. Not as boring as it sounds, this environmentally conscious documentary also includes bonus goodies like an update from Gore, director commentary and the making of the film. And talk about a “green” DVD — its packaging is made from 100 per cent post-consumer waste-recycled paper.
Fun-Lovin’ Children
Kids just want to have fun, but parents want them educated, too. Combining the best elements of both is LeapFrog’s Leapster L-Max ($100 US, $113 CAN), a handheld learning system that lets kids use a touch screen whose results transmit to a nearby television. For instance, the child traces letters on the L-Max, and a TV character uses them in an animated story. It’s the best gift for the more gadget-friendly kid.
Remember Teddy Ruxpin? The loveable teddy bear is back for the connected generation, complete with the ability to encode stories as MP3s. The new Ruxpin ($70 US, $80 CAN) has a detailed face that moves in time to the story being told. This gift could creep out younger kids but, on the flip side, children in the five-year-old range will probably be enthralled by the bear’s fantasy stories.
Athletic Friend
He’s got the latest sneakers, the hippest waterproof watch, and a kayak that doubles as a tent. But that outdoorsy fitness-loving friend probably would appreciate a techie personal trainer known as the Garmin Edge 305 ($380 US, $430 CAN). Marketed for cyclists, this gizmo monitors heart rate, clocks pedaling speed and includes GPS to map routes. Now the fitness freak can know when he’s due for a Gatorade break.
Ideal for winter sports nuts, Elan’s Speedwave 14 skis ($1,125 US, $1,275 CAN) won’t be too inconspicuous under the Christmas tree, but the science behind these snow-shredders is worth it. The 14s feature rippling bumps that make the skis flex up and down when flying over moguls while minimizing lateral movements, so their edges don’t break free in turns. Also, the athletic buddy will dig the stylish design painted on the surface of the skis.
That Special Someone Obsessed with TV
If your lifemate can’t pull away from that cathode ray glow, why not make it a couple’s night with a show both of you can enjoy? One of the punchiest cartoons for adults is the reigning Family Guy, and its Season 4 DVD ($40 US, $55 CAN) doesn’t disappoint. Complete with soon-to-be-classics like “Brian Goes Back to College,” the 14-episode collection keeps the laughs coming even as it exposes the social dysfunction in American families. The bonus 40 deleted scenes and the hilarious commentary from creator Seth MacFarlane will also make a “night in” a smart decision.
But maybe the love of your life is tired of the same old set perched in your living room. A thoughtful gift — albeit, an expensive one — is Sharp’s 32-inch LCD TV, codenamed the LC-32D40U ($1,300 US, $1,475 CAN). Win relationship points by introducing a sleek, curvy flat-screen into the home, along with impressive specs such as “native resolution of 1,366×768” and “4:3 aspect ratio.” Basically, all you need to know is that this LCD displays clear images of HDTV quality. The Office will look so freakishly real, you’ll think Steve Carell is actually bossing you around while you’re spooning on the couch.
Now that you’re well-armed with our catalogue of the best picks for 2006, go shopping with a renewed sense of direction. And since these gifts are so hot, you might forget about your shopping list and end up buying these presents for yourself. Who said Christmas was all about giving to others, only?
