This guest post comes from Dessert Lover at Will Work For Dessert, a blog about a young woman’s career changing journey from finance to culinary arts.

With 18 shopping days left, are you prepared?  Perhaps you have some friends that you’re not quite too sure of what to get them.   We all know that it’s the little things that count, and quite frankly, they’re much better than a thoughtless gift card.  If you’re anything like me, you’re certainly trying to watch your pocketbook this year.  So I wanted to share some great gift ideas that will bring a smile to anyone on the other side of the exchange.  The best part about it is that they are all UNDER $20.

1.  Cyber Clean Electronics Cleaning Putty – $7.99

Clean freak geeks rejoice! This putty will clean your keyboard from germs, dirt and grime.

2.  MagnoGrip – $14.99

For your friends who are always tinkering with things. This magnetic bracelet wrap will hold on to any nuts and bolts while you’re screwing in the other nuts and bolts lost from your head.

3.  Crabble Folding Iphone Stand – $3.99

For your iPhone fanatic fiends friends.  Share your favorite YouTube video without having to hold it in your hands for optimal viewing angle while sitting down.

4.  Titanium Spork – $8.99

Need I say more?

5.  UV Monkey – $9.99

While it isn’t an IRL monkey, this charm will let you know when you’ve had enough sun. Perfect for your beach loving friends, let them know you care about their sun exposure.

6.  2010 Japanese Panda Calendar – $12

Who doesn’t love pandas? This way your animal loving friends can have the panda keep them company on their desk or table and let them know what month it is.

7.  Booksling – $4.99

For your Kindle-deprived friends. This is one of those inventions where you think, they took my ghetto idea and made it better. I used to use a binder clip with a rubber band to mark my pages and keep a pen handy.

8.  Zip-Zac® Towel – $12.99

For your gym or spa-going friends, get them this towel that has a pocket for key and ID.

9.  Mobi Charging Valet by Umbra® – $4.99

Have a friend like Zen who is always misplacing his iPhone and keys? This is one of the smaller charging valets around. And while I can’t promise your friend will remember to put their iPhone and keys in the valet, at least you tried.

10.  Handbag Hook – $7.99

Here’s the dilemma for your friend girls. You go out to lunch at a nice place and they seat you at a table where the chairs have rounded backs. You can’t hook your purse to the back, because it will just slide off. And sticking the purse behind you on your seat is irritating. Here’s where the purse hook comes in handy. Place it on the table, and you can hook your bag under the tabletop.

11.  Purse Organizer – $19.99

If you’re anything like me, I hate being a girl. I hate having a purse and can never find anything in it. You feel around for minutes in what seems to be a never ending black hole for your keys, wallet, glasses, or phone. This pouch system will keep everything in place and prevent it from going into the never-ending black hole.

12.  Made From Whole Grains Flask – $18

For your friends who are health conscious.

13.  Trick iphone Camera Lenses – $8

Attach these lenses to your iPhone and trick out your photos to anyone of these five effects: wide angle, sparkle, kaleidoscope, heart or sunburst.

14.  How To Be Happy, Dammit Book by Karen Salmansohn – $10.17

Also found online at Barnes and Nobles, Borders, and Urban Outfitters.  For your cynical friends out there.  You know you have one.

15.  F U Penguin Book by Matthew Gastier – $10.20

Also found online at Barnes and Nobles, Borders and Urban Outfitters.  Cute animals beware, we’re onto your scheme!

16.  Shredding Scissors – $8.99

For your paranoid friends, stop identity thieves and make confetti!

17.  Storvino® Nero Wine Storage System – $19.95

Vino lovers gift that doesn’t stop giving. This storage system can work as a crate like carrying system to transport wine, but you can also turn it on it’s side to store wine.

18.  Pixable Photo Book – as low as $7.95 (available online only)

Send your FaceBook friend a photo book of their memorable vacation or get-together moments in a nice book format.

19.  Stila Kitten Collection – $18

It’s not really kitties, sorry. But if you have a friend who loves simple glam.  Kitten is Stila’s best selling eye color.

20.  Dior Show’s Best in Show Mini Mascara Duo – $18

There’s nothing like a girl’s nice long lashes batting at you.

21.  Baby Einstein’s Baby Van Gough – World of Colors DVD – $18.99

For friends with young children. I can’t say for sure that these DVDs make babies geniuses, but it doesn’t hurt to give them a jump start.

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Hopefully this will give you a few new gift ideas for friends.  Good luck in your shopping endeavors.

Happy Holidays!

Photo Credit: Bonkura32design

Related posts:

1. Zen’s Personal Christmas TO DO and NOT TO DO List