Most Adults Want Computers Under the Christmas Tree

All the shopping madness begins after Thanksgiving, which is really just around the corner. The best thing you can do right now to lessen the stress that comes with the holidays is to start your shopping early. If you shop online now, you'll probably find better prices and shipping rates than if you wait a few more weeks. Just in case you really don't know what to get for those loving members of your family, take a look at this quick survey.

The Consumers Electronics Association surveyed 1,003 adults and 501 teens by telephone and found that electronics are at the top of the list. Last year, clothing was a popular choice among adults, but today, that's been replaced by their need for a new computer. The survey found computers, peace and happiness, a big-screen television, clothes, and money were the top five items on the adults' holiday wish list. That probably means more adults are ready to upgrade their computers and replace their television sets before the transition to digital signals, so I can see why those two items were among the top choices.

On the other hand, tech-savvy teens are putting clothes at the top of their gift wish list, followed by MP3 players, video games, computers, and cell phones--in that order. It's good to know teens still have their priorities straight. Most of them probably already have all the other items anyway, so this year opt for those Gap gift certificates.

According to the CE Holiday Purchase Patterns study, over $22 billion will be spent on consumer electronic gifts this holiday, up from $21.7 billion last year. Personally, I'm with the teens on this one. Give me clothes this year for Christmas or just some of those yummy chocolate-covered pretzels. I'm just happy to be alive and surrounded by family I love during the holidays. Besides, I buy so many electronics all year long, my house feels like the inside of a Best Buy store.

What about you? What do you want for Christmas?