What did you get for Christmas this year?
Maybe you were the lucky recipient of a shiny new tablet or gaming console.
Or, maybe St. Nick didn't deliver every tech goodie that was on your holiday wish list.
It's never too late to be your own personal Santa Claus. Here's what to buy during the big post-holiday sales, including some must-have accessories for your new gadgets.
1. A handy USB hub
You'll need a simple way to keep all those new gadgets charged and ready to go. Pick up a good USB hub like the Sabrent 4-Port USB hub ($5.99)
It's got four ports on one side, so you can kiss cable clutter goodbye. Plus, it's an easy solution for families looking for a central spot to plug in and charge multiple phones and tablets at once. Or if you want to get creative, poke around online and you can find alternatives, from the businesslike to the goofy.
2. A powerful surge protector
Keep your new gadgets safe from unexpected power surges with the Seiki Kit with Surge Protector and HDMI Cable ($29.99).
Along with a six-outlet power surge protector, this essential accessory also comes with a six-foot HDMI cable. You can easily hook up your gadget to view photos or high-def video on a TV or monitor.
Also included is a three-ounce bottle of screen cleaner with a microfiber cleaning cloth. That will help you keep those gadgets looking like new.
3. Video on demand with Google Chromecast
When it was released a few months ago, the Google Chromecast ($35) quickly became the must-have video-streaming gadget of the year.
It plugs into an HDMI port on your HDTV and connects to Wi-Fi so you can stream high-definition Web video right from your smartphone, tablet or computer. It takes a few seconds to set up, fits in your pocket and has a price tag everyone can love. Click here for my full review of the Google Chromecast.
One caveat – note that this is an HDMI connection. If you haven’t used all of the ones your TV has, great. If you don’t, you’ll have to do a little cable swapping to use it.
And be sure to read my must-read tip on how to ditch cable and save a bundle without missing your favorite shows.
4. A new smartphone
If your wish for a new smartphone didn't come true this Christmas, there's still time to snag your dream upgrade. You can find a high-end smartphone like the LG G2 for as little as $99 with a two-year contract. Click here to see prices and specs using my handy smartphone comparison chart.
You can even find a decent smartphone for free - with a two-year contract, of course. Click here to see your options in my free smartphone comparison chart.
5. An ultra-fast charger
Being caught away from home with a dead phone or tablet is never fun. It doesn't help that it can take some time to get all your gadgets back up and running.
That's why I rely on the myCharge Hub 9000 Power Bank ($139). It can charge up to three phones, tablets, ereaders or other mobile gadget at once. Plus, it has ultra-fast lightning, micro-USB and USB ports, so it's compatible with almost every mobile gadget you can name.
6. The perfect tablet
OK, so maybe you didn't find a shiny new tablet under the Christmas tree. That doesn't mean you can't treat yourself to one! Learn how to buy the best tablet for your money in this tip.
The best-selling tablet in the world is still the Apple iPad. The new iPad Air ($499) is thinner, lighter and sleeker than its predecessors, weighing in at less than a pound. And it packs more speed thanks to the new A7 64-bit processor.
If you need a low-cost option that offers decent quality, check out the Barnes and Noble Nook HD tablets. These Android-based tablets can easily handle light Internet, social media, email and ebooks. Thanks to price cuts, you can snag one for less than $150.
7. A multimedia gaming console What better way to get the whole family together than with a brand-new video game console? If you're looking for a powerful multimedia hub that can handle gaming, streaming and TV integration, the new Xbox One ($499) is your best bet.
The PlayStation 4 ($399) uses a high-performance memory, so it's a good choice if your family plans on playing lots of graphics-heavy games.
Nintendo's Wii U ($300) isn't as powerful as the Xbox One or PS4. But it has a large selection of kid-friendly titles and comes with the GamePad portable controller.
