Take the stress out of shopping for tech gifts this holiday season

I am a gamer and lover of all things tech. I spend more time then I should drooling over the ads featuring the newest gaming equipment, iPads, or anything else under the sun. Unfortunately, that makes me hard to shop for. Because I am so in to technology and all the latest gadgets, I tend to be a bit picky if you will, when it comes to my gifts.

Shopping for the Tech lover on your list doesn't have to send you running for the nearest exit. With a few easy steps, you can easily shop for every tech lover on your list.

Compare Ads: Check your local sales ads before going into the store. A lot of tech gifts have different specs. There are 2 different Xbox 360s and multiple bundles. Write down what it is you are looking for.

Check price match policy: Call the stores you want to shop at and find out what their price match policy is. Wal-mart will match prices. Sears matches prices and then gives an additional 10%. Take a few extra minutes to see which stores offer the best prices.

Check the online vs in store price policy: Some items are cheaper online then they are in stores. Will the store match the online price? Wal-mart offers free site to store shipping. Order it at the online price and pick it up in store. Make sure you are clear on the policies before you go shopping. 

Ebay is not always the way to go: It used to be that Ebay was your one stop shop for anything you could want. When it comes to tech gifts, however, they are usually way overpriced. Stay away from Ebay and opt for a retail store.

When in doubt, buy a gift card:  Not sure which iPod to buy? Grab a gift card for the purchase amount and let your recipent chose which gadget they want. It will save you time and a headache. :)

(I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Staples blogging program, making me eligible for a $50 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here)

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