If you are anything like most of the people I know, you most likely have some technology geek on your holiday gift list, who seems to have everything. Here at Whim's we will try to catch you up on your Christmas shopping, without blowing your budget into next year.

The first thing I'd put on my shopping list is blank CD's. Computer geeks, always have them, but always can use more of them. It doesn't take long to run out of cd's when you burn everything your friends ask you to burn as well.

The next thing I'd buy is film. This is a little tricky because you need to know if their camera is advantix, standard, or digital. If it's a digital camera, forget it. Otherwise, a 4 pack of film is usually inexpensive, thoughtful and useful.

Other small inexpensive items worth getting include zip disks, floppy disks (10 pack is fine), photo quality paper for a printer, an extra black printer cartridge if you know what kind of printer they have, and if they have a laptop, Wal-Mart sells a retractable modem cable which is VERY useful. There are also cans of compressed air, screen cleaners (Endust for Electronics rocks!), and of course, batteries! AA, AAA, are used in lots of electronic toys, and everyone I know runs out at the worst times. Most batteries have 5-8 year shelf lives, so even if they aren't needed now, they can sit for later.

Before I go, I'll throw in one tempting technology item to avoid! Unless your loved one collects them, or has specifically asked for one, whatever you do, do NOT buy a mouse pad. Mouse pads last for years, and we geeks usually have the perfect pad already. It was very embarrassing for one of my relatives one year when they bought me a mouse pad, not realizing that my computer is a laptop, which has no need for a mouse pad!

We at Whim hope these suggestions help you in your shopping for gifts this season. Just remember, if it's practical, it will be useable.