By DANIEL MEYER

While nostalgic sights and sounds of the holiday season - images that include chestnuts roasting on an open fire and carolers proudly belting out the lyrics of "Silver Bells" - are considered by many to be true signs that Christmas is upon us, it is the buzzing, beeping and bee-bopping from the latest high-tech toys and gadgets that gets some folks in the holiday spirit.

After all, we can all admit that deep down, we really are kids at heart, and what kid doesn't like being able to receive a gift that can bring you great satisfaction either personally or professionally?

There are plenty of high-tech items of interest available this year, many of which feature more bells and whistles than most of us can't even begin to comprehend.

So while traditional toys and gadgets are still alive and well, the tremendous growth in all things electronic has resulted in a growing interest in a wide variety of high-tech products.

Say cheese

It is estimated that by the end of 2008, more than 60 percent of households in the United States will own at least one digital camera, just another sign that the popularity of the digital-photography industry continues to grow year after year.

There are many different types of digital cameras out there from which to choose, so when it comes to purchasing one as a gift, you need to identify at what level of photographic skill the recipient is when it comes to what to look for when choosing the right camera.

Here are some general guidelines to use to figure out what camera to buy:

• Point-and-shooter -The most basic digital camera for the photographer who doesn't want to have to hassle with anything. This is for your basic snapshots; just smile and push the button. The price for these types of cameras generally runs between about $100 and $250.

• Seasoned veteran - This is for people who truly enjoy taking photos and want to be able to use their computers to download, save and improve the quality of their photos. With the ability to have an optical-zoom feature, semiautomatic controls and other adjustable settings, this is definitely a step up from the basic model. Costs for these types of cameras will likely run from $300 to $750.

• Grizzled professional - This is for people who want to have the closest thing to film quality that is available. In some cases, this is an investment for someone looking to take photos for either a part-time or full-time job. With semiautomatic and full manual controls, a wide variety of focus modes and the ability to save customized settings, you are in the market for a full-service camera. Prices start at approximately $800 and can rise into the couple-thousand-dollars range.

Never get lost again

As more people spend more time in their vehicles, the desire for a global positioning system or the more high-tech portable navigation device is becoming a need. This is especially true for people who have to deal with long commutes or are looking for real-time road updates to help avoid traffic jams, construction zones and fender benders.

As with digital cameras, the wide range of GPS units can be mind-boggling. Some things to think about as you try and find the right GPS for that special someone:

• Just the basics - For someone who wants to use the device simply for getting from Point A to Point B. Prices range from $90 to $200.

• A step above - More access to the unit's advanced internal memory and a color touchscreen. Prices start at around $175 and go up to around $300.

• Intermediate - In addition to the color touchscreen, there is iPod connectivity, a built-in FM transmitter and average memory. Prices range from $200 to $450.

• Advanced - Expect everything that the intermediate model possesses, with a larger touchscreen, above-average memory and text-to-speech capability. Costs run from $500 to $675.

• Cream of the crop - All the previously mentioned bells and whistles, along with memory-card expansion, FM traffic updates, advanced 3-D navigation and an LCD antiglare touchscreen. Prices start at $700 and can run up to close to $2,000.

Gadgets for guys

• Hot hands - For the truly unique gift for someone who enjoys either downhill or cross-country skiing, consider the handful of new ski gloves that have Bluetooth connectivity built right into your ski gloves. With a microphone and a speaker built right into the phone, you can take your professional and personal lives with you whenever you hit the slopes. Most styles of the gloves have both a microphone and a speaker built right into the phone, allowing you to connect the gloves to your cell phone using Bluetooth technology so you can answer and disconnect, giving you a whole new meaning to the term "handheld device." Prices start at around $450 for a pair of gloves.

• Fearless flying - For a toy that can be used by anyone between the ages of 9 to 99, there are some different versions of remote-controlled helicopters. Designed for indoor use, the sizes range from 10 to 18 inches long and feature digital proportion control. Prices start at around $40 and increase to about $150 for the most advanced chopper.

• Fore you - No matter what your handicap may be, a golf-swing-analyzing watch may be the ideal gift for any duffer. These high-tech wristwatches record various statistics about your swing, including your tempo, rhythm, the length of your backwing, the actual speed of your club and the total time it takes you to strike the ball. Prices start at $400 and increase to close to $600 for the most technologically advanced watch.

• Shaken or stirred - A hot new item for people lucky enough to have a bar in their basement is the professional electric martini maker. Considered to be the ultimate bartending assistant for convenience and class in your own home, most of the different models available online have stainless-steel cocktail shakers with a built-in strainer. Prices range from $99 to $225.

Daniel Meyer is a freelance writer from Hamburg.