Ho Ho Ho! Its almost Christmas time, that means it was shopping season when the turkey was eaten up and black friday just started. I know why you're here though, you ladies want to know some great gift ideas for your boyfriend, husband, or son. What makes me an expert? Well, I'm a guy whose 23 years old so I fit somewhere in that median. I know what I would like for Christmas and at an affordable price range that would leave me satisfied that someone didn't overspend to buy my happiness. Thats a story for another day though, lets get to some good yet affordable gift ideas shall we.

• An Apple iPod Nano 2GB, 4GB, or even a 8GB special edition. For the music lover or the casual music listener Apple's iPod Nano would be at the top of my list if I didn't already own one. I take this little baby with me everywhere I go because the batteries last fairly long between charges and I always need something to listen to or read during those long commutes to work or school. The price sure is right at about $139-149 for a 2GB Nano depending on where you shop. So shop around eBay, BestBuy, or the Apple store. They usually will have holiday discounts, rebates, or bundles during the holiday season. It comes in black and white. The 2GB Nano can fit about 400-500 songs depending on the size of the song of course. The battery life is about 6-7 hours continous play on average and its so tiny that it weighs basically nothing.

• Cost: $139-149 for the 2GB version ( If you're a student in a University you might be able to get a student discount at the Apple store ).
• Style: Very stylish, comes in many colors black, silver, green, blue, red, and white. Super slim, were talking 5mm.
• Durability: Excellent, unless he plans on consistantly dropping it.
• Warranty: Not good at all, Apple pretty much blames you for everything thats wrong with it even if its their fault. So make sure he doesn't abuse that Nano.

• A Sony PSP or Nintendo DS Lite. Yes, us guys love video games. The Sony PSP plays games that were once released on the Sony PlayStation console and also plays digital media. The Nintendo DS is a game system which has a ton of fun games to play for that guy who just can't seem to grow up. Both are portable systems and both taylor to their specific groups. The Sony PSP is more for that hardcore gamer who likes the violence, sex, and action in games. The Nintendo DS features games such as Mario Kart, Sonic Rush, and Animal Crossing: Wild World, meaning games that they'll have alot of fun in but not in that hack/slash and shootem up kind of way. Of course I'm not going to speak for all game titles on each system like its a stereotype, but thats how it has turned out for the most part. I myself own a Nintendo DS and have reviewed it already. Lets jot down some important details:

• Sony PSP, price: $199.99.
• Style: Excellent, its so sleek. Comes in black and white.
  
• Durability: Great with a case, Horrible without one.
• Warranty: Excellent unless you download a virus onto it, then you're screwed. Atleast it'll make a nice looking paperweight.
• Noteworthy games: Metal Gear Portable, Madden 07, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City stories.

• Nintendo DS Lite, price: $129.99 you can also pick these up at the same places as the PSP.
• Style: The DS Lite is very stylish and less bulkier than the original DS and is more compact than the PSP.
• Durability: Very durable, the screen is LCD encased when you close the system and forms a rectangler box. You won't need a case to protect it like you would a PSP.
• Warranty: Excellent as well.
• Noteworthy games: Mario Kart DS, Metroid Prime: Hunters, Animal Crossing: Wild World.

• But maybe he has everything listed already? Lucky guy isn't he? What else could he want, well in the interest of time I will list some quick gift ideas and for the type of guy they would best fit.

• The North Face backpacks, prices vary for different models from $39-129. For the college student or the guy whose always using the same old bag everyday. Good choices for guys include the Hot Shot and Recon ($79 each) models. The cheapest model is the Vault at $39 (far right).

• Maybe he needs a new watch? Great brands such as Seiko, Tag Heuer, Citizen, Nautica, Nike, and many more. Prices of course vary depending on the style of watch you buy. I recommend purchasing a Titanium watch instead of stainless steel. And one that is automatic so you don't need to change the batteries. Obviously these types of watches will fetch around $200+. Still, I'm sure he'll love it.
  

• Maybe you know his favorite sports team, purchase a team jersey or cap in his size. Atheletic apparel stores and team stores have sales staffs that can help you with the sizing. The best sports item you can buy for your loved one is an authentic jersey of his favorite team preferably with the back of the jersey without the name or the name of his favorite player. The price of course will vary depending on where you shop, probably in the range of $80-120.
  

So get out there ladies! Its not too late to grab that perfect gift for your men.

-Kirbanator