| Over 80% percent of households in the UK own a | | | | routine, who are you to argue? |
| mobile phone, roughly 30% an MP3 player and 20% a | | | | If you are considering giving a gadget as a Christmas |
| DAB ("Digital Audio Broadcast") radio. Many other | | | | gift, October is the month when, traditionally, products |
| gadgets are also extremely popular. Their popularity is | | | | and special offers directed specifically towards the |
| no longer restricted, as it once was, to men aged | | | | Christmas market start to appear, in the shops, and |
| between 16 and 34, with many women spending a | | | | online. There are so many different gadgets, ranging in |
| significant proportion of their income on gadgets of one | | | | price from a few pounds, to hundreds of pounds, to |
| form or another. | | | | choose from that you will, undoubtedly, find something |
| Gifts and Gadgets for Christmas | | | | suitable for any recipient, and any budget. |
| "Big boys' toys", including GPS ("Global Positioning | | | | Gadget Safety |
| System"), navigation systems, and speed camera | | | | Gadget safety is paramount, especially if you are |
| detection systems, for motorists, is one category of | | | | buying a gadget as a gift for a younger person. Most |
| gadget that is expanding, in terms of market share and | | | | reputable retailers provide a comprehensive description |
| popularity. Mobile phones, VoIP ("Voice over Internet | | | | of a gadget and its intended purpose, along with a |
| Protocol") phones, portable media players and all the | | | | recommended age range, and any appropriate |
| associated accessories, including headsets, and the like, | | | | warnings. Good quality gadgets will bear the BSI |
| can also be included in the category. Some computing, | | | | Kitemark, and/or the CE mark from the European |
| and networking, products - particularly those operated | | | | Union, as an indication of their safety, and suitability for |
| via the USB ("Universal Serial Bus") port of a computer | | | | the purpose for which they are designed. |
| - also have a definite, practical application. | | | | Conclusion |
| That is not to say that all gadgets are, necessarily, | | | | If you are buying a gadget for someone else, try to |
| entirely practical. Some may, indeed, be of limited | | | | make sure that they will derive a good deal of benefit, |
| practical value, but are, instead, appealing because of | | | | or pleasure from it. If the recipient is the sort of person |
| their quirky nature, as fun and novelty items. Exactly | | | | who takes delight in anything new and quirky, then |
| where the line is drawn, between useful and downright | | | | almost any gadget (within reason) is likely to provide |
| silly, is often highly subjective, and a matter of personal | | | | hours of entertainment. Other, perhaps slightly older, |
| taste and preference. If your best friend was to argue, | | | | recipients may find that the "novelty" of a novelty item |
| for example, that Sudoko toilet paper and a USB | | | | soon wears off, and may be better suited to a gadget |
| toaster are a necessary part of his, or her, daily | | | | of a more practical nature. |