A Christmas Guide to the Best Harry Potter Gifts

Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling's tremendously successful fantasy series, has come to a close with the final book: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows. But everyone you, your friends, or family, or kids don't have to live without Harry for the rest of your lives. The series has spawned a mass of related products, including movies, board games, video games, action figures, etc. This short guide will help you wade through the mass of products and decide what is best for who, and where to get it-just in time for Christmas.

Books:
Obviously, the books are a must-have. For those of you who haven't read the series, or have only watched the movies, you are missing out. Head over to Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, or your local bookstore to pick up all seven books, beginning with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and ending with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows. If you are on a budget, try eBay or CheapBooks.com. These are good for people of all ages. Plan on spending between $5-$25 per book, depending on whether you buy it used, new, paperback, hardcover, etc.

Movies:
Hollywood picked up on the major success of the Harry Potter series. Warner Brothers Entertainment produces and distributes the films. Currently, the first five books have been produced as movies, up through Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. DVDs are only available for the first four. The movies have high production values and are critically acclaimed as some of the best family series made in recent years. Head over to Best Buy, Wal-Mart, or any local movie shop-you'll find them everywhere. The movies are priced between $10-$20, depending on where you buy them. Like the books, they are appropriate and fun for people of all ages.