Computers are what Americans really want this holiday season.

According to an annual survey by the Consumer Electronics Association, the consumer electronics industry's largest trade organization, computers outrank peace, happiness and clothes this year as the most wished-for gifts.

"Consumer electronics will be the shining star of holiday retail sales, accounting for 22 percent of all gifts given," said CEA Economist Shawn DuBravac. "Two of the top 5 items on adults’ holiday wish lists are consumer electronics, and four of the top 5 items on the teen list are CE devices, so today’s hottest technologies will be on every holiday shopper’s mind."

Last year, the most popular answer to the survey's open-ended query about respondents' holiday wishes was clothing, followed by peace and happiness, money and then computers. This year, after computers, peace and happiness came in second, followed by a big-screen TV, clothes and then money.

The CEA forecasts enthusiasm for computers, TVs, as well as other electronics, will help drive electronics sales up 7 percent to $48 billion in the fourth quarter from nearly $45 billion a year ago.

"While overall holiday spending will increase, we found consumers are cutting back on decorations, home purchases and travel, but not gifts, especially electronics. The average CE gift giver will spend $358 on those gifts this season," said DuBravac.

The top five CE gifts adults wish for are MP3 players, notebook/laptops, video game systems, digital cameras and any type of TV. For teens, MP3 players, digital cameras, notebook/laptops, computers and any type of TV round out the top five items on their wish list.