Some people plan their holiday shopping out over the year, so that by the time December rolls around, all they have to do is work on making pretty bows out of organza and fret about whether or not it’s legal to offer carolers hot cider anymore. I, however, tend to forget that the holidays are coming until I’m hit in the head with a Salvation Army bell. So, if you’re a kindred soul still looking for that perfect something to put under the tree or next to the menorah or on the terrace of the Caribbean hotel room you took to get away from spending the holidays with your in-laws, here are some great solar gift ideas. (We’re not endorsing anybody here–I’ll give you some links to example products on Amazon.com just so you can click through and see what I’m talking about.)

• Solar Powered Christmas Lights. This is a nifty invention: all day, the net of lights you’ve thrown over your yew hedges, or the strings you’ve wrapped around the life-size Elvis statue on your lawn, charge themselves via a wee photovoltaic collector staked nearby. When night falls, the lights have enough juice to light the way for easy sled landings. Plus, no extension cords! You can find these treasures in many formats, just like regular lights. There are strings (like this one), nets, icicles, and so forth. ($10+)
• Solar Garden Lights. A great gift for gardeners or anyone with a really long driveway, solar-powered walkway lights have been around for ages. But they keep getting better, and their charm hasn’t worn off. Not that much more expensive than other garden lights, and no batteries to change or power cords to sink. ($20+)
• Solar Radio & Flashlight. Keep it in a trunk, a workshop, the basement: powered by the sun, batteries, AC power, or even hand-cranking, you can have a strong safety light and hours of clear radio reception anywhere you are. ($20+)

There are a bunch of different solar chargers out there, available in every size, for every budget.

• Solar Mobile Device Charger. With one of these on hand, you’ll always have extra power for your dying cell phone or mp3 player. Leave it on the dashboard of your car or a sunny office window, or take it camping. Some models (like this one) can also take a regular AC charge if keeping the charger sun-lit isn’t an option. These ones are pocket-sized (below are some bigger takes on the same theme.)
• Solar Messenger Bag. Bike around town and provide power as you go to your iPod, or set it beside you on a bench while you eat lunch or study on the quad. These bags look great in addition to powering small devices–and the panels catch light at night like reflectors. ($100+)
• CIGS Solar Charger. It’ll run you a couple hundred bucks, but think of the joy on their faces as your favorite gadget lovers unroll this light-weight, sexy bundle of thin-film solar panels! Let it lie out in the sun and use it to charge mobile devices (powerful enough to handle even laptops) and–the kicker–car batteries. It works even in cloudy conditions. Perfect for the GPS-addicted avid hiker. ($250+)

You know what’s my favorite though? It costs less than $50 (and as little as $20), would be as perfect for your geeky kid brother as for your sister on the science team or even a fun boss, and I would totally come over and play with it:

• Solar-powered toy car kit. Available from many sellers, models can be as simple as a pair of wheels with a board on top and a solar panel on top of that, all the way to this Jetsonian-looking version.

Happy Christmakwanzika season, everybody!