Get 'Em Before They're Gone Gifts

When the going gets tough, the tough-minded consumers go bargain hunting.

And the hunt is already on.

Consumers are no fools: Everyone knows that wallets will be a bit thinner everywhere this holiday. That means that the savviest consumers are already making that age-old trade-off of time versus money. With fewer dollars to spend, shoppers are putting together their holiday lists earlier than ever, intent on finding the best bargains for their dollars.

Early surveys indicate that many consumers are starting their holiday shopping before Halloween -- and more than half of U.S. shoppers will be in full bargain hunting mode before Thanksgiving.

What they'll be looking for: the best values on electronics, toys and personal fashion items.

For instance, Elmo Live!, a talking, dancing, joke-cracking doll that retails for $60, is already commanding as much as $1,000 on eBay. And on backorder already at Toys "R" Us is U-Dance, a wireless game that lets kids and teens show off their dance moves.

Nintendo's Wii remains in high demand. That's in part because historically consumers have stocked up on videogames when other forms of entertainment seem too pricey. Nintendo's Wii has another pull, too: It's become a form of digital entertainment for people who are not hardcore gamers. Wii Fit, which debuted this past year, and the latest, Wii Music, are expected to be in hot demand. In fact, Toys R Us is including Wii Fit among its 15 hottest toys this holiday season.

But if you're planning on adding the Wii to your holiday gift list, you'd better put in your order now -- or start searching your Facebook "friends" list for someone living in Japan who will be willing to ship one to you.

Top Treats

Digital televisions will also continue to be a big item, particularly as the U.S. phases out traditional analog service by next February.

"With prices at all-time lows and not all wanting to deal with signal conversion boxes we could see some good news here," says Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst at The NPD Group.

About half of holiday shoppers plan on buying clothing this year, NPD predicts, a choice that combines styles and practicality. Long-wrap scarves of all hues and fabrics will be big in stores ranging from Target to Neiman Marcus -- and prices from $4.99 to $400.

"It's going to be important that you're able to defend your purchases this year," said Kathy Deane, president of the Tobe Report, a fashion consulting company based in New York. "We don't expect customers to be buying as many wonderful items as they did last year or the year before, but they don't want to go from 10 to zero, either," she says, adding that customers will be looking for "emotional pick-me-ups" from little indulgences this year.

"Sunglasses will be this year's handbag," says Cohen. "The younger market is all over them, and the bigger the logo the better." Fur vests, both real and fake, are also expected to be popular items, according to NPD.

Those who do shop will likely be turning to the Internet, where they can compare deals and snag special bargains from e-retailers. According to IMRG Research, 68% of shoppers said they are more likely to shop for presents online this year.

That's a good thing -- the last thing shoppers will want to do is spend their precious pennies on gas.