To coin a familiar phrase, 2013 is 鈥減eering out from around the corner.鈥?And the first shocker of 聽2013 is that in North America alone, annual tablet sales are expected to surpass notebook sales for the first time in our wireless device history (according to NPD Display Search). Translated into big numbers we can鈥檛 even process, that鈥檚 80 million tablets vs. 63.8 million notebooks.

Let鈥檚 assume that to ring in the New Year you鈥檝e convinced yourself you need an iPad. That is, of course, if you don鈥檛 already own one. Then alongside your purchase comes some other trendy and pretty much 鈥渇un鈥?things. These are what I like to call 鈥淧adding-Your-iPad鈥? That鈥檚 right. It鈥檚 all one word. It鈥檚 the moment when you and probably your loved ones decide which iPad accessories are an absolute must-have.

First, there鈥檚 the iPad dock that lets you use your iPad while it鈥檚 upright. This way, you can shoot video, take photos, play music, send and receive email, and browse the web while grilling a steak. Then there鈥檚 the iPad keyboard dock or alternatively, a wireless keyboard. The keyboard dock combines an iPad-optimized version of the no-keypad keyboard with a sturdy dock base. But if you prefer, you can get a wireless (Bluetooth) keyboard. And if you鈥檙e not sure, well then, just buy both.

Now, let鈥檚 throw in a 10w USB power adapter. After all, at some point, you鈥檒l want to seek out an electrical outlet and plug in. There鈥檚 an iPad camera connection kit. Your new friend doesn鈥檛 come equipped with a camera, but it does support all kinds of cool graphics. Next, you can add a mobile digital TV (MDTV) accessory to turn your iPad into TV on-the-go. It doesn鈥檛 need an Internet connection and you can watch lots of free-to-air TV stations. We鈥檙e not done yet. For dessert, you鈥檒l need an iPad case and I mean not just a cover 鈥?a convertible pop-up table stand that can match your eye color or your favorite designer sweater or be embossed with your family crest.

As for me, I haven鈥檛 quite decided what I want for Christmas this year. But maybe it鈥檚 not up to me. The tablet rise to fame can be easily explained. Tablets are new and tablets are hot. And you know what most kids want for Christmas this year? About half of U.S. children aged 6-12 surveyed by Nielsen say they want a full-sized iPad聽and 36% want an iPad Mini. I guess I鈥檓 going to be leaving lots of 鈥減adding鈥?in my kids鈥?Christmas stockings.