As the annual round of consumer frenzy and high street mayhem swings into action, retailers will be attempting to second-guess the public's appetite for gadgetry as gifts.

From kitchen utensils through to MP3 players all the way up to widescreen TVs, the industry is ripe with products that allow electrical retailers to capitalise on the gift market. Socks and ties may be the more cliched gifts, but the reality is that more and more people are anticipating waking up to presents made from silicon chips rather than silk.

Judging which products are going to be the hot items in the last few months of the year is crucial to maximising the opportunities that the festive season provides. In fact, this time out, as Neil Meredith, managing director at accessories company Exspect explains, consumers are practically begging for you to take their money.

He comments: "There are some amazing opportunities this year. The focus groups told us that consumers want to be sold to. They want to see theatre in retail. It's very clear that they get engaged by hardware when they are in stores, but with accessories it's not happening. Eye-catching packaging, great features that retail store staff can demonstrate are crucial."

Considering what products are going to be leaping off the shelves and doing that DVD style mega-bucks level of business, Mr Meredith comments: "The iPod from Apple has had an incredible year and it's clear that the whole MP3 category is going to be huge at Christmas. One of the biggest messages from our consumer research was that iPod users wanted a stylish solution to protecting their music! Cases need to give the consumer everything they want in terms of material, functionality and style, but most of all it enhances the product rather than distracts from it."

It's not just the little things in life that are likely to succeed in these crucial months. Some manufacturers are confident that the higher ticket price items are equally as likely to sell, as Nigel Catlow, Philips CE brand marketing manager explains.

"Although still more aspirational than the typical stocking filler, flat TV, as the fastest growing area in consumer electronics, will certainly be a top choice. And as companies like Philips now offer everything from a 7in to 50in screen size, the dream of a 'hang on the wall' flat TV has never been so accessible. At the top of the range, sets feature Philips's award-winning Pixel Plus 2 and innovative Ambilight backlight. These offer both an excellent trade-up opportunity and demonstrative in-store features.

"DVD Recordablelhard drives will also be significant sellers for Xmas. More affordable than ever before and offering the combination of Hard or DVD recording there's an option for everyone. Philips has just announced more new models with a choice of hard drive or DVD recording with higher end models offering substantial storage capacity, I-link and other added value features such as the EPG feature that makes programming recordings as simple as ABC.

"Consumers wanting to enhance their home entertainment experience will also choose Christmas to upgrade or replace their existing systems, and by doing so, ensure that all the family can make the most of the festive TV schedules and movies. One-box solutions offer consumers the most affordable and convenient package that include the highest quality of audio and video technology."

Mr Catlow also outlines some of the ways in which the population has been prepped for the MP3 invasion.

"With faster internet connections, more affordable digital storage and access to a growing choice of legally downloadable music, the affluent and style conscious youth market will continue its obsession with portable solid state and hard drive audio products. The segment has exploded and Philips has enjoyed a strong position with its portable hard drive range of products. A response to the young consumer who wants to capture, record and share music content on the move.

"With increasing numbers of health and fitness conscious consumers, fitness gadgets are also going to be high on the Christmas list this year. Hence products such as the Philips Nike portable sports audio designed specifically for wearing during sport. The innovative Philips Nike MP3RUN product can actually help people train by relaying workout speed, distance and time through the headphones."

Justine Clark, marketing communications manager at Oregon Scientific is also predicting big things for the little digital audio devices.

"The MP3 market has really taken off and Christmas is going to be a big time for it. Smaller models will make a significant impact as they're ideal gifts and not so cost prohibitive. Plus smaller electronic gadgets, such as weather stations, slim digital cameras and projection clocks make popular presents."

When it comes to running such devices, people are going to need a large haul of battery power. Indeed, the increase in the number of portable audio devices and digital cameras has led to an increase in sales of battery chargers.

Tim Clark, marketing and communications manager at Panasonic batteries explains what's on offer.

"In the battery market rechargeable batteries are always popular for those new Christmas toys. Panasonic Batteries new range of Power Pro+ rechargeable batteries and rechargers has been specifically designed for the latest modern gadgets. The new technology contained in the Power Pro+ makes it possible to store two to three times as much active material in the same size battery as a traditional nickel-cadmium battery. This makes it the perfect battery to meet the energy demands of the latest digital equipment, such as MP3 players, digital still cameras, portable CD players etc.

Available in 800, 1600, 2100 and 2400mAh capacities, these rechargeable batteries do not suffer from the 'memory effect' where the battery will not fully charge if its charge has not been exhausted, as many other rechargeable batteries do. This means that the batteries can be recharged before they are completely empty and still hit 100 per cent capacity."

For those in the family who are either going to be unimpressed or simply confused by the latest digital technology, there are plenty of other gift options around. As healthy eating continues to grow in popularity, people are welcoming gifts that allow them a decent stab at working off that post Christmas bloat.

Last year Kenwood's New York Smoothie maker experienced a great deal of success, with huge sales over the Christmas period. The company is looking to repeat this success this year thanks to some new additions to the Kenwood Smoothie family--the hi-tech Smoothie Pro and the Smoothie Concert, both of which are expected to generate the same level of interest as last year.

Kenwood is also expecting big sales in the coffee machine market thanks to an extensive PR campaign supporting the launch of the BrewMaster coffee machine. When it comes to making the most out of these products, Grant Race, trade marketing manager at Kenwood offers the following tips: "The best advice to give to a retailer is good clear ranging with clear step ups, prominent positioning of key lines and use of POS where supplied. As always with independents, good knowledge of the benefits and features of the products is also key."

Other gift ideas include beauty products, with Morphy Richards being one of the companies planning on doing well out of the Christmas gift market.

I Create, Morphy Richards latest range of hair appliances was designed by a team of experts to incorporate special features which allow women to achieve professional looking hair styles at home.

Product group manager Michelle Edgar says, "When we prepare to launch new hair appliances we need to look at many factors, including the latest hair trends. Last year, the style was for super-sleek bobs worn by celebrities such as Geri Halliwell and Jennifer Aniston.

"In 2004, those celebrities and many others unveiled wavy locks, which led to a new demand for appliances to create curls and add volume. This year we saw 125 per cent growth in value and 95 percent in volume terms for curling tongs."

Ms Edgar continues: "Straighteners are still by far the leading sector of the market growing by 65 per cent in value and 32 per cent in volume this year. It is now common to see celebrities switch from straight and sleek by day to vampy volume at night and now women want to be able to achieve these same versatile looks with ease in their own home."

Looking to capture a similar section of the Christmas gift market, Nicky Clarke is launching a number of gift sets aimed squarely at the Christmas market The professional straight and curl gift set from Nicky Clarke comes complete with a Pro-Thermal ceramic straightener and styling tongs, as well as a full set of haircare essentials.