For some, if a gift doesn’t light up, make a sound or play a game, well, it might as well be socks. When it comes to the tech-obsessed, Christmas gifts retain much of their child-like wonder for many, many years, albeit often at substantially higher price points. But hey, we’ve been good this year, right? Unless otherwise indicated, all gift pricing is in (sometimes adjusted) Canadian dollars; no pricing includes S&H fees.

CLICK HERE FOR THE 18-CATEGORY OVERVIEW OF DailyXY’s 2011 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

Shure SE535 In-Ear Noise Isolating Headphones 
Friends don’t let friends listen to stock iPxd earbuds. Perfect for noisy environments like the plane, train or office, Shure is my favourite audiophile-approved in-ear headphone. Boasting beautifully accurate sound reproduction, these tiny wonders will have you ripping lossless MP3s the minute you hear what you’ve been missing. $429

Nikon D7000 DSLR Kit
If you still haven’t boarded the DSLR train, or if that old D50 is looking a little rusty, now’s the time to upgrade to Nikon’s newest consumer flagship model. With a whopping 16.2 megapixel sensor, full 1080p video recording and a flexible 18mm – 105mm 5.8x zoom lens, it can turn even the most inept shutter-masher into the next Mazucco. $1,495

Apple 27″ LED Thunderbolt Display (pictured)
Now that you’ve preserved your family’s memories in all their high-resolution glory, you’re going to need a bigger canvas to view and edit your oeuvre. For retina-searing colours and contrast, not to mention more pixels than you can shake an SD card at, we’ll take Apple’s stunning 27-inch 2560×1440 LED Thunderbolt display. Cutting-edge IPS display technology ensures wide viewing angles, while the gorgeous aluminum and glass design makes for a captivating centerpiece in any office or studio. $999

The Mozart Stereo System 
There’s a reason why Bay Bloor Radio’s exclusive Mozart stereo system has been a best-seller for over 20 years. Custom assembled with a Yamaha RS300 receiver, Yamaha five-disc CD changer and elegant PSB speakers, the sound experts at BBR adeptly strike pitch-perfect balance between value and quality. Now that it’s bundled with a “free” Yamaha iPod dock, it makes for a massive upgrade for anyone who’s been plodding along plugging their portable device into most any all-in-one unit. $799

Sony PlayStation Vita 3G
Even though it won’t be officially available in North America until shortly after Christmas, globe-trotting shoppers can find Sony’s newest handheld console on sale in Japan as early as December 15. Still, what avid gamer would complain about knowing the most powerful portable video game system in the world was already on pre-order for them? Not to mention, it’s one less thing for you to wrap. $290

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Image courtesy of brendanlim.