It’s that time of year again!  Black Friday and Cyber Monday have come and gone and the holiday shopping season is in full swing.  Approximately $60B was spent on black Friday (+$8B from 2011) by approximately 160M shoppers with mobile phones accounting for 16% of shopping.  Whether you shop in-store, on your PC, or on your phone, Microsoft has a variety of great, new products that will surely be at the top of many holiday wish lists. 

Here’s my Top 12 for 2012 Microsoft Gift Guide that’s sure to please everyone on your shopping list:

1.  Windows 8 – Everybody needs Live Tiles and SkyDrive!  For a limited time, download the Windows 8 Upgrade for only $40!  So check this off as a stocking stuffer for everyone on your list.  
   2.  Help your friends get ahead on their New Year’s Resolution to get fit with Nike Kinect Training. 
   3.  Touch….check!  Swipe….check! Tap….check!  Delight any tech enthusiast with a Touch Screen Monitor.
   4.  What do you get the person that’s hard to shop for? The New Windows Phone HTC 8X or Nokia 920 .  The Windows Phone comes alive with the things people care about—people, places, songs, photos, and apps – but allows an experience as unique as the person you give it to.
   5.  You will have the whole family dancing Gangnam Style with the new Dance Central 3. 
   

 6.  Need to keep in touch with the grandkids?  Get them a LifeCam and never miss a moment with the all new, fast and beautiful Skype for Windows 8.
   7.  Who wouldn’t love the new Microsoft Surface?!?  It’s thin, light and ready-to-go anywhere.  The only decision is what color will you choose – red, pink or blue? 
   8.  Get the music lover on your list an Xbox Music Pass.  It’s the all-in-one music service for your tablet, PC, TV and phone.  Music is more amazing with Xbox!  And download Xbox Smart Glass to wow your friends with your connected screens. 
   9.  Need to keep visitors entertained and informed over the holiday break?  Shop the Windows Store for the latest Apps.  Netflix, Oprah, Angry Birds, Amazon Shopping – there’s an app for everyone.
   10.  Brand new and all about YOU!  Get that very special someone a new Windows 8 PC and experience Windows reimagined and reinvented. Check out a few of my favorites: the Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga, Acer Aspire S7, and the Dell XPS 12.
   11.  Master Chief is back and Halo 4 is the must-have Xbox game this holiday season!
   12.  Last, you are sure to take lots of photos this holiday season so purchase Skydrive Pro to access your photos and files from almost anywhere, store them, and easily share them.

What a great line-up of products we have available this holiday Season - encourage your friends and family to visit a Microsoft Store, a Holiday store, or their favorite retail store for a jump start on their holiday shopping.  What’s at the top of your wish list?

Happy Shopping,

Allison