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Consumer electronics products are expected to generate $48.1 billion in fourth quarter sales this year, representing 22 percent of all gift purchases, according to the survey. In fact, on the list of top five gifts desired by adults, computers finished first, before peace and happiness. Rounding out the list were a big screen TV, clothes, and money. The big screen TV moved up to number three in 2007 from 11th place in 2006. Teens' top five gift items were the same as in 2006: Clothes, MP3 player, video games, computer, and cell phone. "Accessories are very strong," noted Pareti. "One person can buy the main gift and other family members or friends can give the accessories." Laptop or notebook computers, digital cameras, memory cards for cameras, DVD players and recorders also are high on wish lists. Both MP3 players and digital cameras have practical applications for students and teachers, Pareti said. “MP3 players can be used to Podcast lectures and they can store data,” she added. “Digital cameras also can be used in assignments.” School administrators may also be putting high-tech devices on their wish lists. Several administrators told Education World (see Principals Who Can’t Live Without Technology) that handhelds and calendaring tools are among the new tools administrators either have or want to have to do their jobs better.
TIRED OF LOOKING AT A SCREEN?Also popular gifts this holiday season are books and music, both of which allow for personal gift-giving without blowing the budget, according to Ann Binkley, spokeswoman for Borders. “These are always known as great holiday gifts,” Binkley told Education World. “People think of the price and it is a very personal gift. If you know someone has a favorite author and that author has a new book coming out, you get it for them.” The same can be said for music. When it comes to books, shoppers always have good choices, whether they are buying for mystery or history buffs. "There are great collections out there," Binkley said. "And we all know teachers like reading and the arts -- gift cards also are good gifts for teachers." As for the youngsters on your list, the toy recalls make books an even more appealing gift for children, she said. Some children's books are good choices for adults as well. "I think there is always a child inside of us, and there is nothing wrong with reading Alice in Wonderland or the Wizard of Oz. You can always give the gift of a classic," added Binkley.
WHAT TO GET TEACHER?It’s also gift-buying season for teachers, and many parents worry about spending too much or too little, sometimes not realizing that teachers like the same things as “regular” people. So rather than wrapping up the usual teacher mugs, soaps, stationery, powder, or chocolate, parents might want to consider gift cards, a handmade gift from their child, or a present for the classroom. While the National Education Association (NEA) does not have an official policy on giving teachers gifts, the organization does offer these tips: Check the school policy. Some district policies discourage buying gifts for teachers to prevent feelings of inequity or concerns about favoritism. In such cases, consider making something. Bake cookies or cupcakes or send a handwritten note. “A note from a parent saying ‘My child has never been so excited about science before, and I can’t thank you enough’ is a gift that any teacher will treasure,” says NEA President Reg Weaver, a veteran classroom teacher of more than 30 years, who still keeps copies of some of the notes parents and kids wrote to him. Don’t break the bank. Remember that giving a present is optional. Teachers appreciate gifts, but they do not expect them. If you choose to buy a gift, keep it simple -- extravagant gifts are unnecessary.
Buy a gift certificate. Sometimes it’s nice to buy something just for the teacher, rather than classroom supplies and materials. Treat your child’s teacher to a night at the movies, a trip to a favorite bookstore, or a visit to the spa. Indulge an interest or just plain indulge! Bag the apples. It’s guaranteed that every teacher has accumulated a multitude of items -- from soaps and socks to mugs and oven mitts -- engraved with every kind of apple imaginable. Try a unique spin on “an apple for the teacher” theme: a bottle of sparkling cider. Give the gift of time. Give the teacher a book of coupons that can be redeemed for volunteer hours in the classroom. You don’t have to spend any money to find that perfect gift for a teacher. Your child’s class could benefit from your time and attention more than anything. TIME TO CHILLIf you need a break from shopping, or a diversion to keep you from getting started, think about popping a movie into the DVD player. The holidays are prime time for renting and buying movies, according to Randy Hargrove, a spokesman for Blockbuster, Inc. “The holidays are busiest time of year for us,” Hargrove told Education World. “A lot of the movies that were on the screen in the summer are out for sale and rental in the fall. A lot of people like to give and receive DVDs.”
“Also, most businesses are closed those days -- but we’re open,” Hargrove said. Among the films already released or due out on DVD this holiday season are lots of sequels: Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End; Shrek the Third; Spider-Man 3; and The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause. If you want to read some opinions of a movie before renting or buying it, you can log onto The Movie Review Query Engine for reviews of hundreds of thousands of films. Need a classroom fix during your vacation? Or want to remind yourself things could be worse? Education World readers named their Top Ten Picks for Great Teacher Flicks. So kick back and grade some of those! ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Article by Ellen R. Delisio Originally published 11/22/2006; updated 11/26/2007
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Hot for Winter: 
Indeed, the shopping season did get off to an earlier start than usual this year. Jittery retailers, well aware of the slump in housing prices, the higher cost of gasoline, and rising consumer debt, started rolling out the sales a few days after Halloween. Many feared that consumers would be cutting back on holiday spending.