This Year's Most Popular Holiday Gift Items

In case you didn't receive the memo--it's November. Already. And that means we don't have much time left before the holiday season is upon us. Holiday shopping is now at the top of my priority list--how about you? So, today, I made my Christmas buying list. (Psst...Retailers everywhere just jumped for joy.)

Princeton, N.J.-based Opinion Research Corp. recently released its latest survey to uncover what Americans want for the holidays this year. The survey took place in October 2008 and included 3,307 individuals 18 years of age or older. So, are you ready?

Get out your pen and paper, because you're going to want to take notes on this. But, before you do--do not--I repeat, do not, get anyone you know a tie, flowers or candles. Apparently those are considered the worst gifts ever.

 Without further ado, here are the survey's findings on the most desired gifts:

 -Gift Cards Are No. 1
Let's face it; the best gift is one we get ourselves. So stop worrying about what to get the people in your life and just get them a gift card. Less hassle for you and they'll be thrilled.

-Apparel & Shoes
This, I cannot understand, but 48 percent would like clothing for the holidays. Unless my fashionista 24-year-old sister is buying, I don't want anyone else buying my clothes. You with me?

-Consumer Electronics, baby!
Men, more than women, (shocker!) prefer consumer electronics, with 20 percent lusting after the HDTV, 10 percent wanting an LCD TV and 7 percent in need of a Blu-ray DVD player. Twenty-six percent of women prefer digital or video cameras, while 9 percent still don't have iPods. Oh, and 26 percent of survey respondents want a laptop.

-Get Game
Forty-three percent want a Wii, while 31 percent want a Sony PS3. Not up for that big of a holiday investment? Instead, pick up Dance Dance Revolution, Guitar Hero, Wii Fit or Rock Band--they're all big game hits.

-Cell Phones Rule
Well, more appropriately the Apple iPhone rocks the house. Thirty-five percent want one of their very own, while 47 percent love the Blackberry.

-Property Purchase?
If you're really loaded, most survey respondents reported that they would love to have a new home. Wow, some people don't mess around with this gift thing, do they?

And just in case you were wondering, your mother-in-law is not the worst gift-giver in your life. Turns out that 32 percent reported it was actually their spouse/significant other, sibling or parent that gave them the worst gifts. Okay, we've got to change that. So, make your list, don't bother checking it twice and just get out there and shop! What are your favorite gifts for the special people in your life? Leave your favorites here.

--Heather Strang