10 Great Gift Ideas Under $25

Dec. 18, 2008— -- You don't have to break the bank to find the perfect holiday gifts for your friends: just get creative! Here are 10 gift ideas, all under $25, to help get you through the holidays. This list has a little something for everyone, from quirky gadgets and sentimental stocking-stuffers to eco-friendly options, along with links to Web sites so you can shop online. Here's to (last-minute) holiday shopping made easy!

iTunes Gift

Remember burning CDs of all your favorite songs for your friends? The customized iTunes Gift allows you to give the same gift of music, 21st-century style. Handpick songs from the iTunes store, create a custom playlist, and send it as a gift to your friends. You can send songs, movies, or television episodes.

Cost: $0.99 per song at http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1354#4

Customized Mug

Cold, muggy weather can take a toll on any college student. Help your friends endure the winter weather by adding a personal touch to an old standby. Customize a mug for them by adding a meaningful picture, or one of your friend's favorite quotes to lift their spirits. Throw in a packet of their favorite tea or hot chocolate.

Cost: $12.95-$19.95 at www.zazzle.com

Wi-Fi Detector T-Shirt

For your tech savvy, gadget-loving friend on-the-go who hates having to check for Wi-Fi at every new location, ThinkGeek has provided the perfect solution. The Wi-Fi detector t-shirt allows you to check for Wi-Fi signal in style, without having to open your laptop. Glowing bars on the front of the t-shirt change with the surrounding signal strength, and, best of all, it's machine washable.

Cost: $19.99 at www.thinkgeek.com

Ticket Stub Diary

This is the ideal gift for any sentimentalist. For friends that save everything and enjoy paging through scrapbooks and reminiscing, the Ticket Stub Diary is a cute and convenient way to save the ticket stubs from their favorite movies, concerts, sporting events and more. The book comes with clear sleeves to fit any ticket size and lined margins to write notes.

Green gifts are a great, eco-friendly option for the holiday season. The Gaiam tote bag is great for groceries or for carrying your books around campus. The bag also folds up and snaps shut in a compact form. The cute and simple design makes it the perfect accessory for any environmentally conscious friend, looking to carry their heavy load in style.

Cost: $19 at www.realgoods.com

"Saved by the Bell" DVD Set

Every college student has fond memories of Mr. Belding and the gang from Bayside High. This gift combines the perfect combination of quality entertainment, nostalgia and Screech Powers! For an unexpected gift and a great addition to any student's DVD collection, log on to amazon.com and choose from several seasons.

Cost: $9.25 and up for a new copy at www.amazon.com

iPop My Photo

Looking for a fun and creative way to spice up your friend's bare bones dorm room? iPodify their look with an iPop photo gift! Just visit the iPop photo website, upload an image, choose your color and caption preferences, and the iPop artists will "iPodify" the image to make it look just like the ones from the iPod ads. You can create a personalized poster of your friend for his or her room.

Cost: $19.95 at http://ipopmyphoto.com

NCAA Basketball Trivia Game

Test the knowledge of your favorite college basketball fan with this DVD-operated trivia game, just in time for basketball season! The DVD trivia game includes highlights and questions from the most famous NCAA basketball games, and keeps score for you. Your friends can get together and play on the weekend.

Cost: $24.99 at www.snaptvgames.com

Ionizer Desk Lamp

The Eastern Heritage A230 Desk Lamp puts the average desk lamp to shame. The incandescent lamp provides mood and area lighting, and the ionizer reduces pollutants, odors, allergens and dust in the air. You can also customize your own blend of potpourri for aromatherapy—a great gift for the dorm room.

Cost: $14.99 at http://www.buymebuyme.com

Coupon Book of Favors

Strapped for cash but still want to do something special for your friend? A coupon book of favors is a thoughtful gift that can be used over time at your friend's convenience, and, best of all, it's free! Just think up some helpful favors like cleaning their room, doing a laundry load, or cooking dinner, and create several coupons that they can redeem for your services throughout the year. There's just one hitch—you have to do the favors!

Cost: Free