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The Eastern Echo Sunday, July 27, 2025 | Print Archive
The Eastern Echo

Gift-giving doesn't have to stress

The year’s holiday products make appealing gifts for anyone on the list

With the holidays come final exams. It’s a simple, though unfortunate, fact of life. Who really has the time to put the effort required into shopping around for the perfect gift for everyone on their list? Not many people.

But who wants to look like they put a lot of time and effort into their gift buying? Probably a lot more. Well, in order to help out, we’ve put together a list of just a few options for some of the hottest gifts this year for everyone from your kid brother to your significant other.

Books

“The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins. This trilogy has sky rocketed to popularity within the recent months and with good reason. Collins’s epic tale of society’s worst side maybe qualified as young adult but would be devoured by readers of any age. Buy the trilogy (“The Hunger Games,” “Catching Fire“ and “Mockingjay”) for $34.99 on Amazon.

“The Millenium Trilogy” by Stieg Larsson. Ask people if they’ve heard of the “Millenium Trilogy” and you’ll probably hear a no, but they’ve undoubtably seen and heard about the novels causing a stir in dozens of languages around the world.

“The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” “The Girl who Played with Fire” and “The Girl who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest” have become a worldwide phenomenon with both the books and subsequent films in the novel’s original language of Swedish.

Follow the adventure of outsider Lisbeth Salander and journalist Mikael Blomkvist from the beginning so you’re not out of the loop when the American adaptations (starring Daniel Craig) hit the screens next year. Get the deluxe boxed set (including a fourth volume about the author) for $39.50 on Amazon.

“Shadow Tag” by Louise Erdrich. This author, who’s last novel was a Pulitzer Prize finalist, brings us yet another literary masterpiece with “Shadow Tag,” the story of a family falling apart. Carefully blending first and third person narrative, she weaves a story that makes for a good read. Get it in hardcover for $17.15 on Amazon.

Movies

The “Toy Story” Trilogy by Disney/Pixar. What better way to reflect back on childhood with your family, friends or significant other then with something like “Toy Story?” This collection of nearly perfect animated films cronicles the tale of a close knit crew of toys and the adventures they go on all in the name of friendship. Get the ten disk Blu-ray/DVD collection for $64.99 on Amazon. Rated G

“Inception” by Chirstopher Nolan. Get one of this year’s highest grossing summer blockbusters for the movie fan in your life and you’re almost sure to please!

This star packed action film brings Nolan’s visionary ideas to life in a mind boggling way. Get the three disk Blu-ray/DVD combo for $17.99 on Amazon. Rated PG-13

“Harry Potter” Years 1-6 by Warner Brothers. With what is possibly the most epic tale of our generation coming to the end of its film run, what better gift is there for a Potter fan?

Watch Harry and company go from kids to young adults while saving the wizarding world from evil along the way over and over again. Box set of “Harry Potter” Years 1-6 is $44.99 on Amazon.

Net Books

ASUS Eee PC. This netbook comes equipped with an Intel Atom N450 (1.66GHz, 512 KB L2 Cache), 1 GB DDR2 SODIMM memory, up to four hours of battery life and much more. The ASUS Eee PC 1001PX-EU17-BK 10.1-Inch Netbook is priced at $272.99 on Amazon.

Acer Aspire. This computer features a 10.1” display and an Intel Atom N450 processor with a duel-core processor. The Acer Aspire One AOD255-2691 10.1-Inch Netbook is $279.99 on Amazon.

HP Mini. The HP netbook has a 2-in-1 memory card reader, HD audio and a mini webcam with digital microphone. The HP Mini 110-3130NR 10.1-Inch Netbook is $299.99 on Amazon.

E-Readers

Kindle by Amazon. The Kindle features free wifi (or wireless service, depending on the level of the device) to download books, uses digital ink so there is no glare and can hold 3,500 books, all in 8.5 ounces. Six inch Kindle WiFi is $139.00 and six inch Kindle 3G wireless is $189.00, both on Amazon.

Nook by Barnes and Noble. The Nook features an E Ink display, 2 million books avaliable for wireless download and can store up to 1,500 books, with the option to add a memory card. The Nook starts at $149 at Barnes and Noble.

Digital Reader Touch Edition by Sony. This six inch touch screen turns pages with a finger swipe and features both a virtual keyboard and freehand note taking features. Six inch Sony Digital Reader Touch Edition is $197.99 on Amazon.

Gaming Systems

Xbox 360. The 360 features 4 GB of memory, built in Wi-Fi and comes Kinect ready. For the most up to date gaming experience, pick up a Kinect and maybe Call of Duty: Black Ops. Microsoft Xbox 360 4 GB Console, $199.99 on Amazon.

PlayStation3. The PS3 features 160 GB of space, a Blu-ray player and built in Wi-Fi. Also grab a PlayStation Move Starter Bundle which includes Sports Champions to make for a more indepth gaming experience. The Sony Play Station 3 is $299.99 on Amazon.

Wii. This system is perfect for the family and game time with friends. This motion control based system is great for staying in shape, hanging out with friends or playing Mario Kart with your little sister.

Grab Just Dance to add to the gaming experience. The Wii Hardware Bundle is $199.99 on Amazon.