Where Can You Find 8 Great Holiday Gifts Under $20?

Do you need to trim your holiday spending this year? You may be stumped at what to give your loved ones and friends that shows some thought, yet doesn't blow your lower budget. Fear not. Find cheap gifts for the holidays quickly by consulting this handy guide on what to buy and where to find it all. Whether you are doing your holiday shopping online or venturing into the stores, tasteful gift ideas under $20 abound this year. Some of these gifts are so appealing that you might start wishing for some of them yourself.

For Men or Women:

1. Magic photo mug - This is no ordinary photo mug. The "Magical Snapshot Photo Mug", available at Walmart for around $12, changes color to reveal your photos when you pour in a hot drink.

2. Set of coasters - These could accompany a mug-or not. A set of photo coasters can be had from Target for only $10. Slide in 5 photos and you've got a highly personal and useful gift.

3. Winter weather gear - Gloves or a scarf, if chosen well, can show the people in your life that you care-unless they happen to live in Florida. Knit or fleece gloves can be found for $10 or less at places like Sears, and you may be able to get a nicer, warmer pair in the $10 range if you look out for sales.

4. Movie passes - Cheap gifts can sometimes come in small packages, and any movie buff will be glad for the chance to see a movie that they may enjoy and remember for years. There is a good chance that many people in your life would prefer seeing a movie to getting another tie or pair of socks. Stop by a theater or buy gifts online through sites like Fandango or amctheaters.com, starting at $5.

5. DVD or Blu-Ray Disc - If you know what shows and movies your recipient likes, you have abundant options here from which to pick. If you aren't so sure what to get, you can buy a gift subscription to Netflix, an online DVD rental service with subscriptions beginning at $4.99 for one month.

6. Music - Options here are multiplying with the on-line marketplace. Apple iTunes will allow you to gift some of the songs or albums of your choice. Or, if you aren't sure, you can buy a gift certificate or gift card, with minimums of $10 to $15. An old-fashioned CD of a favorite group or artist is still an possible route as well.

Tip on knowing what to get: If you are considering gifting music or a movie to someone, try asking for a long wish list, from which you choose one or two items. My husband keeps an ongoing wish list and is always happy and curious to discover what I select to get him in a given year. While women may like the thrill, men often don't need to be as surprised by a gift. Books or other wished-for items can be included on the list too.

What Men May Like:

7. Swiss army knife and LED light set - LED lights are all the rage. And why guy doesn't like tools, especially a set that includes the ever-handy bottle opener? Get it at Target for $19.99.

8. Universal remote - Give him the gift of ultimate control, of the T.V. anyway. Costing between $10 and $15, remotes are available at almost any store selling televisions, from Target to Best Buy to Radio Shack. A remote is a practical gift that can extract a grin from almost any man.