If you havent heard of the iPod, you must have been in a cave for the last 7 or so years. Released in October, 2001 the Apple designed MP3 player has changed the way we think about portable music, but also style. The iPod has gone through various design changes and is currently operating as a touch screen model with upto 32gb capacity for your songs. There is also a huge number of games and add-on applications that can be purchased from the Apple store, which add dramatically to the usability of the phone.

The player itself works with a multi-touch interface that can sense your figure movements on the screen, and selects the desired song. The initial set up is easy for both Mac and PC and works by by importing MP3 music files from your computer, which you can listen to on the move. This makes a perfect christmas present for boys, girls, young and old – it really can be bought for anyone! The iPod Touch is in its ‘2nd generation’, which has increased its storage capacity, stability and performance. The 16GB 2nd Gen Touch retails at around £205. I highly recommend this for any music, or indeed technology fan!

The revolutionary controller design offers unique motion-sensitive gameplay options and comes with built-in Wi-Fi that delivers free online services and gameplay. You can also play with up to 4 players at home if you have enough controllers on popular games like Mario Kart, Tennis and Bowling ( both found in the Wii Sports package) popular games to play.

The controllers are quite battery hungry, so i would recommend purchase the battery packs and chargers to keep the controllers charging when not in use. This also prevents the signal becoming weak during play. The Wii itself is a very sleek and narrow white console, and the stylish controllers are easy to get used to. Don’t forget to use the hand straps supplied to save your precious television screens! Although these may be seen as suitable only for a boys christmas present, these really are a family gift! Adults and kids alike can enjoy thse games so don’t hesitate to buy one – make sure you are quick as there only a few days left!

Although the helicopter can be quite fragile, it flies quite convincingly the controls take a little while to master, so practice on a field or somewhere with soft ground at first. Although this would probably be recommended for a boys christmas present, this would be an equally good present for a girl too.

The Super Micro Helicopter is made of an expanded Polypropylene foam, a features a bright blue LED strobe light allowing for flights in the dark (although i wouldnt recommend this!), and incorporates an auto stability system to make for smoother flights in windy and calm weather alike.

Specs:

* Product Dimensions: Main Rotor Diameter 130mm (5.25″)
* Length 170mm (6.5″) excluding rotors. Rear Rotor diameter 30mm (1.25″)
* Product Weight: Only 10g, including Flight Battery
* Rechargeable Flight Battery: High capacity integral Lithium Polymer battery

Super Micro RC Helicopter

* Charger: Integral Transmitter/Charger supplied with LED indicator/Auto shut off
* Simply plug in and charge, with easy to use connections
* Charging Time: 20-30 minutes for full charge
* Flight Duration:10 minutes or more between charges
* Batteries Required: 6 x 1.5v AA Alkaline Batteries for Transmitter/Charger
* Control Specification: Supplied completely assembled and already charged ready-to-fly, with pre-installed 2 Channel Proportional Infra Red Control System
* Take off, hover and descend, turn left and right
* Range: Up to 10m (30ft). Frequency: Infra Red Control System – Bands A, B & C allow up to three Super Micro Models to be flown together
* Age Recommendation: 8+ Adult supervision recommended for operation
* Colour may vary between blue, red and yellow

Samsung S760 Digital Camera for £50

with a face recognition function that detects the face of anyone infront of camera. Although this may seem pointless, it helps the picture by automatically adjusting the zoom to give a clearer picture of the face. The dual image stabilisation reduces blur, for a clearer shot. The Samsung S760 digital camera is compatible with SD memory cards, and comes complete with power cable, CD and manual.

Setup is relatively easy, just ensure the camera has a good charge before its first use to maximise battery performance. Overall, for a first time digital camera user this is perfect christmas present – with a high 7.2MP quality, and robust build – im sure they wont be disappointed!

The Annabell doll is recommended for children ages 3 or over.

Baby Annabell Baby Doll

Baby Annabell is:

The magical baby doll that will react to you!
She drinks from her bottle, closing her eyes, and burping afterwards
Rub her stomach to soothe away gripes and calm her down
She reacts to sounds and rewards care and attention, make a loud noise and you will have to sing her back to sleep!
Her eyes and mouth move:
Size 46cm (18.1)
Requires 4 x AA batteries (not included)

The baby retails for under £30 in the UK. Expect high demand!

The popular Nintendo DS Lite in White

The DS Lite is alot sleeker than its predecessor, and can be found for around £99.00 without any games. Their was a short-lived deal for a DS lite and brain training for £99.00 but was probably closed after such high demands! The DS is a suitable christmas present for both boys and girls, with an array of games aimed a different sexes. Nintendogs or High School Musical may appeal to girls, whereas Super Mario Bros could be a great xmas game for a boy.

The console itself runs on a rechargable battery that is expected to last around 500 charges, after that the performance is expected to drop somewhat. However that performance has been improved greatly on the older DS, so is still a great unit to use. You also control the DS with a Stylus, or classic D-pad for a varied, interesting playing style. The stylus allows for writing and other advanced game features.

Some of the technical specs:

* Dual Screens open up new possibilities – use the touch screen as an inventory reference for role-playing games, to view maps for your favourite strategy game, or see racing action from two perspectives at once
* Navigate menus or access inventory items simply by touching the screen with stylus or fingertip
* Tough film over touchscreen protects it
* Advanced 3D graphics engine and 16-channel audio, for graphics and Sound that are superior to other portable game systems
* All-new PictoChat feature allows DS users to write messages with an on-screen Keyboard or the stylus and send them wirelessly
* Built-in Microphone port for voice control of games, or for voice chat with other DS players
* Less than two-thirds the size of the original Nintendo DS
* More than 20 percent lighter than original DS
* 4 adjustable brightness levels to extend battery life
* Repositioned microphone and LED lights
* Stylus has been redesigned–now 1cm longer and 1mm thicker
* Repositioned start and select buttons
* Available in 3 cool colours

Swim to me Puppy - He loves Water!

* He’s the cute little stray that swims all day.

* He walks, then begins to swim when placed in water.

* Includes goggles and towel.

* Fill out and register the adoption certificate.

* Requires 3 x AAA batteries (not included).

* For ages 3 years and over.

* Awesome in the bath-tub for kids bath time.. will make things more fun!

The Swim To Me Puppy has a hollow brown plastic body with a wonderful detailing on the fur and head, with adorable rubber ears. Dont’ mistake the puppy for a cuddly toy, it’s designed for the water. It requires 3 x AAA batteries, and you will need a smaller-sized Phillips screwdriver to open up the puppy and fit them.

Once the batteries are in, the puppy will happily enough walk around on the floor. The puppy is not as suited to carpet, and works best on a solid smooth floor, like a table or tiled floor. The toy itself can be started with a simple press of a button and will then wobble along at a slowish pace. Overall, this is a great alternative to the classic rubber duck for bath-time and be a great idea for a xmas stocking filler.

We will start off with Digital Cameras, which in these examples come in Pink!:

Pink Fuji-Z100FD Digital Camera

FUJI Z100FD in Pink available from Currys – Around £99

This first gift is the simple, elegant Fuji Z100 FD. With 8MP, Optical Zoom – 5 x, and a 2.7″ digital screen on the back to view images this would be suitable for a first time digital camera user. Other technical specifications include:

Memory Type – XD and SD
Battery Supplied – Rechargeable
Face Detection Software
A 54mb Memory Card
Image Stabilisation
USB Connection
Video Output

Vtech Kidizoom Digital Camera

VTech Kidizoom Digital Camera from Early Learning Centre – Around £50

Second up, we have the tough and easy-to-use Vtech Kidizoom digital camera. As the name suggests, this camera is aimed at younger children, and is robust enough to take knocks and bumps along the way. At a modest £50, this can be a fantastic gift idea this xmas.

Your child can take photos, make videos and play games, which will offer hours of entertainment. You are also able to edit photos with stamps and frames or record voice tags. Easy to link to TV or PC. With 16 MB memory, flash, 4.6 cm colour screen, carry strap and TV/PC cables.

Requires 4 x AA batteries.

The Fuji Z20 Digital Camera in Pink

Fuji – Z20 Pink Digital Camera from Dixons – £95.04

Similar to the Z100, this digital camera from Fuji is a compact, high resolution camera at a low price. Some of the technical specifications are as follows:

10 Megapixel Resolution
3 x Optical Zoom,
2.5″ Screen Size
Memory Type – XD and SD,

Type of Battery – Rechargeable NP-45
Motion picture recording, LCD Screen, Continous shooting mode, USB Connection, Video Output.

IXUS 80 IS Digital Camera in Pink

Canon IXUS 80IS in Pink: Around £130

This digital camera has 8 megapixel resolution, 4x digital zoom and 3x optical zoom.  The focal length is 38-114mm and the ISO range is 80-1600.  The IXUS 80IS is SD memory card compatible.  Face recognition and an image stabiliser software is built into the camera itself to help sharpen the images and deliver better photos. This Canon provides automatic exposure, auto focus, auto flash and self timer.  The IXUS 80IS pink digital camera has a video record feature which is great for capturing those embarassing chistmas moments!

The videos and images are viewed on a clear 2.5″ LCD screen. This camera comes with a Li-ion rechargeable battery to save on those expensive Duracels!

Have you ‘Got the Moves’? Well this dancemat will teach amazing dance routines with four songs straight from the High School Musical 3 movie! The HSM 3 toy is suitable for dancers of all ages as it incorporates three different difficulty levels, so is great for dancers of all ages! (Even the parents can have a go !)

Some requirements recommended for the High School Musical Toy:

high school musical dancemat

- Requires 4x AAA batteries (not included)
- Manufacturers recommended age: 6 years and over

Elmo Live from Fisher Price

Elmo Live can wave his arms, cross his legs, sit and stand and play games. Elmo will even tell you jokes and short stories – perfect for kids bedtime. Activate Elmo Live by pressing his foot, stomach, back, nose or even tickling tickling him. Overall, the Elmo toy is probably suited to children between 2-7 years of age and can be bought as a present for both boys and girls.

Elmo Live Requires 6 “AA” batteries, included. He measures 12″ tall. Minimum age recommendation of 18 months.