Kerre Woodham: 'Tis the techno season

So what do you want for Christmas? Santa better be a techno-geek this year.

Toy stores appear to have been left in the dust as children from five to 25 embrace the genius gadgets and technological innovations born from the creative minds of Bill Gates' elves.

PS2 and Xbox are top of the hit parade, along with cellphones, iPods, MP3s and Robosapiens. Alan Bollard must feel like King Canute trying to turn back the tide of consumerism as parents around the country do their level best to ensure all their darlings' Christmases come at once.

And despite the promises we make in January with the arrival of the Visa bill, we're doing it all again. And that's probably because we love giving. According to a survey out this week, New Zealanders are among the world's most enthusiastic gift-givers. We may not spend a great deal on each gift, but we buy lots of them. And we love being with our families, and eating food that's fattening and delicious.

At least once this Christmas we'll play beach cricket together, or watch teenage children cleaning up after the feast, or witness an eight-year-old showing an 84-year-old great grandparent how a Nintendo game works.

And the Christmas fairy will sprinkle her love dust upon us and we'll remember that this is why we do what we do every year.