Flat-screen TVs and mobile phones are still popular choices for Christmas-season buying, but cash-strapped shoppers are likely to shun anything closely linked to entertainment in the home or car because such electronics are seen as dispensable in an economic crisis, according to a Reuters report.

That includes audio speakers, desktop computers and even GPS navigation systems made by companies such as TomTom and Garmin, the new service said.

A popular item as recently as last year, GPS gadgets may fall by the wayside, since they can be pricey and not viewed as essential, according to Stephen Baker, an analyst for research firm NPD. Likewise digital photo frames ­ a big hit last year, but looking increasingly dicey in the current season.

A recent eBay survey says the dubious distinction of least desirable holiday-season gift belongs to Bluetooth headsets: “thumb-sized devices beloved by some for their convenience and ridiculed by others as odd looking”.

The online survey also found that only 5 percent of those who wanted personal electronics desired a Blu-ray disc player.