Are you on a tight budget this season, looking for the tech gifts you love, but with minimal funds to accomplish? As a mom with lots of kiddos, I'm always watching for the best deals, and I don't rush to invest in the latest model, but I do keep a keen eye out for bargains worth noting whether it's on tech items, or any other gift idea.
Starting with our budget breakdown of tech gifts and price ranges, you can get an overview of prices on the major tech possibilities. As well, you can peruse the articles on this blog, for overviews of some of the popular options, with pro's and cons.
As you consider tech gifts, evaluate your goal in purchasing. Is it simply to meet a wishlist item, or is there some greater purpose? Educational value? Balance these with costs in both the short, and long term.
Many of the latest releases in tween tech items are going to have better options than older models. However, those older model tech gifts are still really good devices. If you can find those older models, your tweens may be perfectly happy. Many tweens are oblivious to the specs, and simply are interested in the function.
This is especially true with digital camera choices for tweens. My tweens were happy to have cameras, and it didn't matter that they didn't have the most megapixels possible. Perhaps you recall a decade ago, when a 3 megapixel digital camera was hundreds of dollars. You'll find a 7.1 mp digital camera perfect for a tween, and priced at a song (image in linked article). Save those more advanced models for birthdays, when your finances aren't stressed by gift costs for the whole family, or for teenage years, when your child's interests are more refined.
Ereaders are particularly competitive this year, and both Barnes and Noble and Amazon have dropped prices on their basic ereaders for tweens. Meanwhile, their tablet ereader choices have provided a great alternative to the iPad at 40-50% of the iPad cost.
Finally, be cognizant of holiday and Black Friday deals. You may see some outstanding costs on tween computers and tablets, as well as other tween tech gift items, but consider the usefulness of these items. As companies market and plan for new models of video game consoles, and other tech devices, you will notice drops in prices of the current models, and perhaps even Black Friday liquidations.
