In desperate times, you can’t really put a lot of thought or effort into gifts. Instead, you should follow a reliable template i.e. pick gifts which are safe and time-tested. Here is a list of some such gifts:

1. Logitech T650 Touchpad – The Logitech T650 is a rechargable, standalone touchpad which works extremely well with Windows 8. The new OS from Windows supports a variety of enhanced touch features and hence, this glass topped touchpad makes for a wonderful gift. It will be extremely functional in the near future, promising to provide a high quality, Mac-like experience. The surface area is quite large and it is topped with glass, while the sleek and suave look is quite like the final icing on the cake.

2. iPad Mini – The iPad Mini was one of the most sought-after gadgets this year. The USP of this tablet is the size, the 7.9-inch display is considerably smaller than the regular iPad. If you were one of the people who had an issue with the size of regular tablets(and there were quite a lot of them), the iPad Mini might just do the trick for you. It is light enough to be held in one hand and it is equally competent with the Ipad in many ways. Even though it is more expensive than its competitors like the Google Nexus 7, it is an Apple product after all. Need we say more?

3. Otterbox Defender iPhone 5 Cases – Every year, thousands of people lose their iPhone to physical or liquid damage. A case is the best way to protect your phone against any form of damage whatsoever. So, if one of your friends has recently bought a new iPhone 5, you can get them an Otterbox Defender Case. Otterbox is a well-known name in this field and the Defender series cases are strong and sturdy. Even if its not a fancy gift, it will definitely be useful for your friends.

4. Samsung Galaxy S III - If you are willing to splurge on a special loved one, get him or her a Samsung Galaxy S III. In the world of smartphones, this model from Samsung is among the very best, next to only Apple iPhone 5. Among other things, it comes with a dual core processor, Android 4.0 ICS and an 8-megapixel camera. Besides its price, nothing should deter you from buying the Samsung Galaxy S III this holiday season.