Each year, technology takes another step forward, and 2008 was no exception: High-definition video found a champion in Blu-ray, wireless gaming became the standard, and sharper, more affordable point-and-shoots made granting friends first rights of refusal on all snapshots virtually mandatory.

But there’s only so much room under your Christmas tree - so Minyanville begged, borrowed and stole (hey, man, it’s a recession) to bring you the season’s 7 must-have gadgets - products guaranteed to enrich your hopped-up materialistic existence.