Holiday Gift Guide: Part 1, The "I've Got To Spend Something" under-$150 gift for everyone on your list.

This is the first installment of a Holiday Gift Guide series which will be continuing throughout the upcoming weeks.

I totally get it. You're running out of time, you're not particularly crafty or adept at making things and, for that matter, you cannot think of anything to make that's doesn't hearken back to the Popsicle-stick jewelry boxes of your youth; sometimes, recession be damned, you're just left with no option but to get out there and spend. On the other side of the spectrum, stuff is, well... expensive, recession be damned or not; if the people on your gift list are as discerning and costly in their preferences as the people on mine, you're naturally feeling as though you're between a rock and a hard place.

So I've come up with a few ideas as to how one can overcome this particular hurdle. While you may not have the financial means to present the gadget-loving man (or woman!) in your life with a brand-new MacBook come Christmas morning, you do still have some pretty awesome and viable options.

Today's Subject: The Gadget-Loving Boyfriend/Husband/Brother/Dude/Person

The problem: Given the fact that common, store-bought technology has been updating at an exponential pace throughout the past couple of years, it's only natural that more and more of these types have been coming out of the woodwork. You probably have one in your life and, if you don't, you're undoubtedly acquainted with a few. I find these individuals the hardest to shop for when on a budget because let's face it: the things they appreciate don't come cheap.
My under-$150 gift solution #1: Sure, he's not particularly fond of clothing or home decor, but what if you found a way to parlay these types of items into gadget-related gifts? Thankfully for us, the brilliant geniuses over at Throwboy.com have done exactly this. Show the Machead in your life the above photo and watch them squeal and coo like a fashion blogger does over pictures of the latest Rodarte collection. Available for purchase here, at $29 each or $149 for the set of six as shown.

My under-$150 gift solution #2: If you've ever heard the words "If it doesn't have an LED screen, I probably don't like it" uttered by this person, you'll know that often the calibre of gadget is less important to them than the fact that the item in question is a gadget or computerized device of some sort - I have, in the past, made the mistake of doubting this and figuring that everyone appreciates a nice $600 designer coat when this is in fact NOT THE CASE. Above note an assorted variety of small, inconsequential electronic devices which are sure to please this person on your list far more than that pair of expensive jeans you were eyeing for them. Plus an array of presents under the tree is just fun for everyone, isn't it? Clockwise, left-to-right: Fruit Powered Clock $18, LED Umbrella $24.99, Giant Ear Bud Speakers $40, Electronic Bubble Wrap Keychain $9.99, Rocket Alarm Clock $20, Portable Electronics Charging Station $29.99

Stay tuned for the continuation of the gift guide on Sunday, at which point I'll be covering off the next subject of interest: The "I-Only-Wear-Manolos" Best Friend/Mother/Sister/Person...