As the winter holidays approach, many kids and adults across Canada are likely starting to think about the presents they're going to be opening under the tree or around the menorah. Many people like to ask for the latest gadget to have hit the market, though this might not always be the best strategy - what if the technologies are just flashes in the pan or what if the gift-giver doesn't know enough about the products to make an informed decision?

That being said, one gift that's sure to be a great investment this holiday season and will likely be the focal point as people open their presents is the tablet. These innovative gadgets have proven their staying power on the market, and because so many Canadians are active online, they'll probably a highly-valued gift for those who receive them.

After all, since the Canadian Internet Registration Authority revealed in early 2013 that 8 in 10 Canadians use the Internet regularly, it would make sense that many of these individuals might like to make these connections on a device that's wireless, light and quick.

So, for Canadians who want to wrap a tablet up for a loved one this season, which of the many options should they go with?

iPad Air
The latest tablet to hit the market, Apple's iPad Air, is sure to be a favourite for shoppers in the next few months. The Huffington Post Canada said this gadget started shipping out on November 1, and is going to run shoppers $519. The draw to the device is the fact that it is much thinner and lighter than previous versions, without sacrificing quality.

In fact, the iPad Air is said to be even faster than its predecessors, The Associated Press reported, and experts are already predicting that sales will be very strong during the weeks before Christmas.

Amazon Kindle Fire
The Kindle is not just a term synonymous with e-readers - it's no much more now. A full-blown tablet, the Kindle Fire HDX recently emerged as one of the coolest new gadgets out there. According to ZDNet, this tool comes in both 7-inch and big 8.9-inch versions, depending on what the shopper is looking for - a sleek tablet or one that is specially-built to show a more vivid picture.

The source said that it's a great competitor to the iPad, as it runs on the ultra powerful Fire OS 3.0, and has battery life of more than 11 hours. Moreover, prices are notably lower than those for iPads, so this could be a great gift from fiscally responsible shoppers.

Samsung Galaxy Note
A constant favourite for those who don't gravitate toward Apple, the various versions of the Samsung Galaxy Note are great alternatives. ZDNet reported that the latest offering, the Galaxy Note 10.1, comes equipped with the newest and greatest of tablet features, like the Android 4.2 Jelly Bean operating system, as well as a high-performing quad core processor and 10 hour battery life.

Plus, unlike many other tablets, Samsung's comes with the S Pen stylus, which the news source said makes navigating a number of applications much simpler.

Whichever tablet shoppers choose, they really can't go wrong, given the fantastic technology that's on the market now.