One of the biggest pressure points during the festive season is finding time to identify the perfect gift for your partner, family or friends – 'How much should I spend? How big should the gift be? Or will they like it?' - are all questions that add to the stress of any gift shopping experience. One way to alleviate the stress is to put gadgets and new tech products at the top of your Christmas shopping list, according to eBucks, the popular rewards programme for FNB and RMB Private Bank clients. "December is all about gift giving and spoiling your loved ones with that special gift you know they've been wishing for the whole year. eBucks has consistently found gadgets, and other newly-released tech products, to be very popular gift options during the festive season, and we suspect the same will apply this year," says Adrienne Bewsher, Operations Executive at eBucks.

According to eBucks, the most popular items this festive season will include:

1. Tablets
   A wide range of tablet computers have been launched this year, with almost every vendor creating an answer to the market's demand for mobile computing - the Apple iPad 2 (64GB, 3G plus Wi-Fi) device is expected to top the list. Featuring an entirely new design that is 33% thinner and up to 15% lighter than the original iPad, the next generation of the ultimate productivity and connectivity will be sure to "blow the socks off" the receiver of this gift! Browse the web, read and send email, enjoy photos, watch videos, listen to music, play games, read ebooks and do much more with this versatile device where the sky - and the iTunes Store - has no limit. Other tablets that are expected to be popular include the BlackBerry Playbook (16GB Wi-Fi) and the Samsung Galaxy Tab.
   
   
2. DStv Drifta Mobile Decoder
   The Drifta takes mobile TV viewing to a whole new level, letting you enjoy a selection of popular DStv channels on your laptop, iPhone, iPad or iPod touch, anywhere, anytime. Sports fans are sure to be thrilled that they can watch that all important game– whether it's on holiday, on a lunch break, or under the table at one of those many weddings you need to attend during the year. It's worth noting though, that the price for the Drifta excludes the cost of a DStv subscription.
   
   
3. Smartphones
   The new generation smartphones enable connectivity to the Internet, mobile shopping and banking, instant messaging, social media and so much more. Innovation has also made smartphones more accessible in 2011, with Google's Android operating system helping to make these devices more affordable. Make your choice between an iPhone4 or iPhone 4S, BlackBerry, the Nokia N9 or any HTC phone to give the gift of 24/7 connectivity.
   
   
4. 3D LED TVs
   For remarkable realism, superior sound quality and a never-before-seen home theatre experience, 3D LED TVs are sure to be high on the family's wish list this festive season. The Hisense 42" full HD 3D LED TV is so much more than a crystal clear TV – it's a smart hub, with Skype and an Internet browser to enhance your home's digital experience. The Samsung 40 inch Full HD LED TV is another LED option, which includes a number of impressive features such as wide colour enhancer plus, as well as a digital noise filter.
   
   
5. XBox Kinect
   The XBox Kinect gets you off the couch for a next-generation gaming experience, while offering so much more than simple entertainment. In addition to its built-in Wi-Fi and removable internal hard drive that makes it a media centre as well as a gaming device, the Kinect's groundbreaking technology means that it tracks your body's movements within the game: you don't need to hold any controllers or be connected with any cables to make the most of this active gaming device. Suitable for the whole family, from the littlies to the little old ladies, the XBox Kinect is sure to make you a winner.
   
   

eBucks members have the opportunity to purchase these devices, via the eBucks store (www.ebucks.com) – no long queues and bustling malls! Members needn't worry about not having enough eBucks as they can now pay using their eBucks, rands OR a combination of eBucks and rands for their purchases.

"With technology becoming increasingly more affordable, and accessible, South Africans are eager to join the technology revolution and benefit from the connected world. The wide range of 'cool tech products' recently released in South Africa and available through the eBucks shop, will more than likely make an appearance on one of your loved ones ' festive wish lists," Bewsher concludes.

About eBucks:

eBucks, the rewards programme offered by First National Bank (FNB) and RMB Private Bank, is acknowledged as one of South Africa's leading rewards programmes with highly active members spending in excess of 80% of the eBucks earned in any given month.