If you're anything like me you find buying the right Christmas gift almost impossible. Between making you spend an appropriate amount of money and finding something the receiver would like but doesn't already have it's no wonder that people find Christmas such a stressful time. Over recent years electronic gadgets have become increasingly popular. After all, who wouldn't like the latest mobile phone or messaging device?

The problem with gifting a mobile phone, BlackBerry, HipTop2 or similar is that they have an ongoing financial commitment. That means that the gift you give becomes a financial burden to your loved/liked one that they feel they can't give up (because it came from you).

When planning to buy a mobile phone for someone think long and hard about what this means to the receiver. My advice is that if you're committed to buying a phone that you look at pre-paid systems. With these, you have to buy credit on the number's account. When the credit runs down the owner can't make any more calls. To make calls they'll need to top up their account. The nice thing about this is that there are no surprise bills and credit can be purchased in small increments.

Sony Ericsson Z530i from Boost - Great value and a bargain price

In the past, pre-paid phones were limited to the cheapest handsets but this is expanding to include some decent handsets. The Boost Music Phone is a Sony Ericsson Z530i. For $179AUS you get a mobile phone with Bluetooth, Internet access, memory card slot and a set of stereo headphones for listening to MP3s.

Remember, a mobile phone is like a pet - it's not just for Christmas.