Holiday Gifts

Need a baby boomers guide for holiday gifts? Youngsters adopt new gadgets on a whim. Baby boomers buy gadgets when we need them. We buy cell phones, media/MP3 players, digital photo frames, software and other digital items, but we buy them after duly considering their usefulness – a green idea, when you think on it. It doesn’t all end up in a landfill once we tire of it.

Here are 12 holiday gifts -- Christmas (Hannukah, Kwanzaa…) for digital grandparents:

iPod Touch – iPhone is too much for me. I’d be happy with Jitterbug – the one that doesn’t take pictures or Web surf, can’t text and has buttons THIS BIG. But I like touch technology and spend a lot of time with my music and media files. For me, iPod’s newly retooled Touch is a perfect present. It’s light, easy to figure out, has all the media capability I need. The screen’s terrific – bright and clear.

Apple says “apps” for iPod are the thing – you can download jillions for Touch, my top pick holiday gift. Games, stock quote widgets, calendar apps. Web surf wirelessly. Buy music right through iPod’s Touch. Between $219 and $400 for 8GB Flash to 32GB.

Zen Mosaic player from Creative – You can’t be too rich or have too many media players. Love this newest little sparkly player. The size of a Zippo lighter, it has enough memory to store all the music you need for traveling and it goes anywhere. Beautiful display, easy controls, sophisticated look. For audio books, music, podcasts, video. Try Creative’s Zencast site for tons of free downloads. Under $100.

Nintendo brain workouts – DS Lite handheld is my favorite activity while waiting in the doctor’s office. Newest brain exercises? FlashFocus - a cool sports-based collection of eye/vision exercises. BrainAge 2 (includes tons of Sudoku games) isn’t as robust as its prequel, Brainage, but still fun. You’ll feel like you’re doing something productive. For Wii fans needing a break from Wii bowling leagues – give them MarioParty 8 or Zelda Twilight Princess.

Adobe Photoshop – Adobe Photoshop Elements/Premiere Elements package – the best for editing/sorting photos on your PC. For real serious photographers, Adobe Master Collection (about $1800) or any of the new editing packages are good investments. Look into a photoshop.com membership to store, share and work with your images online. Free to $50 annual membership.

Dragon Naturally Speaking 10 – voice software. I use it to write all my assignments. Cuts my error rate to almost zero, reduces back, neck and shoulder strain. A must-have for anyone with carpel tunnel, vision issues or hearing deficits. About $140 -- and worth every sou.

Mamma Mia – Universal’s ode to joy is a couple hours of awesome family fun. Abba music, all star cast. Meryl Streep. If you’re a boomer and you aren’t sucked in by this movie, I’ll be amazed. Around $22.

Non-Digital, Cool Last Minute Stocking Stuffers:

Zevro’s reusable vacuum sealable plastic containers – Zevro, home of innovative kitchen products, is featured often in Alton Brown’s TV kitchen. I like these new Ruby brand storage containers that come with a pump to remove air from the container and extend life of leftovers. A very green product. Prices vary.

Tappening sport bottle – another “greeny” for water-bottle baby boomers. Tappening says, “The money we, as a nation, waste on bottled water could insure every single uninsured child in America.” They have an attractive, new BPA-free bottle in green or blue. Good for you – good for the planet. $14.95.

Joico haircare for mature, gorgeous women. This upscale firm has a line called, re:nu for mature hair. I like the products. Their re:nual Serum claims to reduce the production of gray hair. I dunno about that, but the products work well, smell good and make me feel special. Wrap them pretty. Give them to your best digital grandmother.