Thanksgiving is over, and it's back to the work-a-day week, but with an eye toward that happy holly holiday beckoning at the end of the month. Stores are awash in a sea of green, red, and gold, and you can't swing a cat without knocking over a Christmas display of some sort (not that I would swing a cat, mind you...).
Generally, I resist much of the holiday fo-la-la-derol preceding Christmas, especially when it means Santa is hanging out with the ghosts and ghoulies on Halloween display shelves. But it's December now--the cauldrons and cobwebs

are safely in storage, and all that's left of Thanksgiving are a few lingering leftovers--so I think we're safe to haul out the holly. Black Friday and Cyber Monday are just behind us, and folks are in the gift-buying spirit, so let's talk gifts!
Over the next month, I'll blog on a few different gift ideas for the travel-minded recipient. But because it's a tight economy, let's start with gifts under $25.
Believe it or not, you can outfit your favorite jet-setter with all sorts of nifty accessories and bags without busting your budget. Just a few days ago, I blogged about innovations in travel products that I'm most thankful for, and one of those were packing accessories. Surprise! They're also inexpensive. You can purchase an
Eagle Creek Pack-It Folder, or
Pack-It Cube for $25 and under. If it's a businessman on your list, pair the Pack-It Folder, which keeps button-up shirts laundry-room fresh, with a
Travelon Tri-fold Tie Case to hold all those ties he'll get from everyone else!
The ladies will love the
Travelon Messenger Shoulder Bag, available in six different colors. The bag fits close to the body for a sleek line. And with an external cell phone pocket, an expansion panel, and a hidden rear zippered compartment, it's feature-rich for stream-lined trips through the airport.


Unique items that will work for anyone include the
Millenium Leather Passport Jacket or the
Seiko LCD Travel Clock. Quality-constructed
umbrellas, and nice
grooming bags also make thoughtful gifts that don't cost much.
Creativity is the key when shopping on a budget. Keep your recipient's needs in mind, and find items that fit his or her personality, while adding your own personal flair--you can't go wrong.