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The holiday season is fast approaching in many parts of the world, and with it comes the search for great gifts. Technology gifts are always popular because almost everyone relies on technology on a daily basis. Plus, for many, tech gifts are just fun. This year, though, frugality is foremost on the minds of many gift-givers. But there’s good news: There are plenty of worthwhile technology gifts that will still be sure-fire winners but won’t break the bank. Here are a few.

Mobile accessories

Almost everyone these days is attached to some mobile device — cell phone, iPod, MP3 player. Find out which device your recipient carries, and you’re well on your way to a great gift idea. Most mobile gadgets can be accessorized with LCD protectors, carrying cases, car chargers, or speaker docking stations that allow the device to play music in a bedroom or living area. Even spare batteries are a great idea. All of these items are typically inexpensive, too.

Software

Windows 7 is out, and most of the early adopters are quite happy. If a person on your gift-giving list doesn’t already have Windows 7 — or if he or she needs another copy, Microsoft’s new operating system is sure to be a hit. To save some money, look online for “OEM” copies of Windows 7. OEM copies generally sell for less than half of full retail copies, but the OEM versions cannot be transferred to another computer once they are installed and registered on one. Still, for someone who does not often upgrade or change computers, the OEM version of Windows 7 represents a bargain.

Other software titles can be good gifts, too, but you’ll need to do a bit of digging to learn the interests of your gift recipient. The latest tax preparation or financial software package — including Quicken — is often a good idea. Most people put off buying this until later in the year. Game titles, too, are always sure-fire hits among kids, adolescents, and young adults.

Hardware

Computer hardware is appreciated by almost everyone, including those who already seem stocked to the gills with the latest technology. Few techies, for instance, have upgraded their workstations with wireless components. Wireless computer mice or keyboards, for example, can help to reduce the clutter around a workstation and provide greater flexibility in how or where your recipient sits. And many have yet to discover the many benefits of Web cams. They’re great for video chats online, and they can even be used as cameras for both still and moving images.

For notebook users, inexpensive hardware accessories are plentiful. A USB flash drive almost always comes in handy, for instance and today manufacturers are paying more attention to the design of these tiny storage units, making them easier to carry on a key chain, for instance, and integrating the lanyard, or USB cap, into the flash drive itself.

Look, for example, at the Kingston Data Traveler, the A-Data S-805, or the LaCie iamaKey. All are designed to fit unobtrusively on a key chain. You’d also be surprised at how many notebook users do not have a carrying case. Find out whether your gift recipient does. If not, that’s a sure-fire hit.

If you have a larger budget, the coveted hardware gift this year might just be a new netbook. These tiny portable computers generally run from $300 to $400, weigh less than 1.5 kilograms, and can be slipped easily into a small book bag. Battery life is typically phenomenal; it’s not uncommon for a netbook to be able to run for six or more hours. Look at the Toshiba Mini, one of the hottest new models.

Gadgets

For music lovers, this year’s hot gift idea is the iPod Shuffle, a diminutive MP3 player that’s big on sound quality and features. The headline feature of the Shuffle is “VoiceOver,” which tells you the name of the song and artist currently playing. The other headline feature is how small this device is, no bigger than a small portable lighter.

Digital voice recorders can be great gifts for students and business people. These tiny devices can be handy not only for taking personal notes by voice but also for recording conferences, seminars, and lectures. Most digital voice recorders today can easily be plugged into a computer for transferring files, and some even come with voice recognition software that will turn recorded voice into editable text. Look for models from Olympus and Sony.

Subscriptions

Technology fans typically love reading about technology, yet they often will not take the trouble to purchase a subscription to a tech magazine, either online or in print. Find out what the tech fan in your life reads or like to read, and buy a gift subscription.

More services and sites on the web these days are fee-based as well, so you might also treat your recipient to a subscription to a favorite gaming or download site. This option will require a bit of digging in order to find out what someone on your gift list might like, but the effort will likely be rewarded.

Gift cards

If you’re not sure what gadgets or accessories those on your gift-giving list might like, but you are sure that technology gifts will be appreciated, you cannot go wrong with giving out gift certificates. The higher the face value of these certificates, the more fun your recipient can have, of course, but even gift certificates of modest sums can represent several hours of online shopping fun. Gift certificates are very easy to purchase. Most online shopping sites offer them these days, every place from Amazon to Newegg.com.

Deutsche Presse-Agentur