#1 - The New iPods, The Best Made Better ($200 - $400)
The iPod was and is the #1 portable music player in the world and with good reason. Only Apple has seamlessly integrated the interface, music management, connection, and music store into an effortless cohesion of what would otherwise be four completely separate applications.

The fact that Apple didn’t just rest on its laurels of its #1 status, but chose to completely do away with its #1 selling version, the iPod Mini, and replace it with the amazingly small and powerful iPod Nano. They then followed that up with a revamp of the standard iPod lineup to incorporate a bigger screen and video playback capability. The new iPods are absolutely stellar, particularly the Nano, which is perhaps the best iPod of all time.

The new iPod Nano is offered at $199 for 2GB (500 songs) and $200 4GB (1000 songs) in black or white. To say the Nano is small is an understatement. The commercials don’t come close to doing it justice. It’s not until you hold it in your hand do you truly appreciate the small size of the iPod Nano.

For those stepping down from the larger storage capacity of the standard iPod, the smaller size more than makes up for the change. Also, the smaller storage gives you yet another reason to refine your music playlists.

The standard iPods offer more features, but it’s really the added video playback capability that overshadows all. You can buy TV shows from iTunes or convert home video to iPod-sized video. Essentially it’s an upgrade from the previous version that offers much more capabilities and more storage at the same price as the previous model. More features for the same price… nice!

The iPod isn’t just good for listening to music on the run; it also makes a great jukebox for your home theater/stereo. Which makes the iPod a great home theater gift.

#2 – DVDs ($10 - $300)
This may seem obvious, but DVDs are a great gift to allow the home theater nut you’re buying for enjoy the fruits of their labor. Of course, any movie you get should be widescreen and preferably anamorphic / “enhanced for widescreen TVs”.

Sitcoms and TV shows may be harder to get in widescreen format, as many simply were not shot that way. Many new shows are, as are many made for HBO. So while you can get a pristine DVD set for “24”, “The Simpsons” on DVD is all 4:3.

#3 – Equipment ($50 - $????)
Buying equipment for any home theater nut could be a very bad idea, but giving a gift card so they can get the gear they want can be a great present.

The trouble with buying any piece of equipment for a home theater nut is that only they truly know what they want, or what’s the next step their home theater needs. Buying and searching for the best product is also part of the experience of the home theater hobby. While it may seem like a good idea to have a new Plasma TV to play with over the holidays, you may end up getting one that doesn’t fit the needs of the person receiving it.

Don’t get a specific item unless you pre-shop with the individual of whom the gift is intended, and they’ve told you specifically the gear they want. Otherwise, opt for the gift card. The possibilities of home theater nirvana the gift card presents will bring a smile to their face.

#4 – Props ($30 - $????)
Every home theater nut undoubtedly has a few favorite movies, actors, directors and so on. Giving a movie prop or prop replica can be a great showpiece for them to display in their home theater.

Prices vary among props. Star Wars Lightsaber replicas can start at $360, while some autographed photos of actors can start at $50. Actual props used in movies go for thousands of dollars. With props the sky is the limit as far as prices go, so do your research before you shop.

Match your prop to their décor. Give a movie poster only if they have a place to display it. Otherwise, your gift may just end up in storage even if it’s appreciated.

#5 - Create an Audience / Party ($0 - $????)
Besides enjoying their home theaters, hobbyists also like to enjoy / show off their theaters to others. Setup a movie time with them and others to get together and put their home theater through its paces. This may seem like an obvious gift, but with how busy schedules get around the holidays it can be hard to just sit back, relax, and enjoy the show. After all, that’s what the home theater is there for.