Alright, let's face it: getting actual gifts and gadgets for the holidays has been seriously reduced, down to getting money and gift cards. This is especially true if you're a gadget or audio/video freak like me, and people are afraid to buy you something for fear of getting the wrong thing. Hey, there's nothing wrong with gift cards!

So, instead of giving you a guide of what to get other people, here's my guide for what to get yourself with that stack of gift cards and cash:
Samsung 30" Widescreen HDTV: $899
I saw this puppy listed over on brother site HD Beat earlier this week, and this looks right-on for the money. Sadly, I don't have an HD set yet, and my entertainment center won't exactly fit something all that much bigger than this. For something that'll give me some serious bang for the buck, without breaking wallets, this looks pretty sweet.

The Original Television Christmas Classics: $25.99
Your holiday DVD collection is incomplete (INCOMPLETE, I say!) without two items: A Christmas Story, and this collection of five classic TV specials. Included in this DVD: Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, Frosty Returns, Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town and The Little Drummer Boy. Why wait for these to air on the networks when you'd have them right in the palm of your hand?

40-hour Series2 TiVo with 1 Year subscription: $29.99
I already have two TiVos, so this is just a recommendation I'm giving. It really is true what they say about a DVR: you don't know you really need it until you get one. I would be totally screwed as far as catching up with TV shows without a DVR. Sure, torrents exist, but I don't have time to wait for them to download.

New Video-capable iPod: ~$299
With all of the TV shows available for the new iPod, these are very tempting for TV geeks. I have an Archos GMini player, and while it's very nice, the screen isn't remarkable. At least with the iPod, anyone can very easily get many TV shows on their player without jumping through hoops to convert formats.

Logitech Harmony 890 Advanced Universal Remote: ~$400
EBay has these cheaper, but yes, it's an expensive remote. But it's so very cool. And what's more, it's finally something easy for the non-techie people in the household to understand. The video screen has easily identifiable icons for accessing multiple components. The remote is also IR and RF capable, meaning you can hide your stereo components

Veronica Mars -- Season One: $44.99
Although I've already seen it, I like keeping around old shows that I have a place in my heart for. This would feel right at home in my video library. I'd also throw in the soundtrack ($13.99) for good measure.

And then let me add one thing not to get...yet: The XBox 360. Firstly, they're like impossible to get. Secondly, it's too early. There are too many reports of bugginess in these units to warrant running out and buying one, and I suspect we'll hear a lot more complaints after Christmas once people open their shiny new XBox 360 boxes they got as gifts. I'd wait it out until maybe March when there are new titles and possibly an updated model. You could also wait until April for the Playstation 3.