If you have a tree-hugger on your list, or someone that just loves the newest and the coolest, solar gadgets may be the best gift of all.

Solar gadgetry has come a long way in the past few years and there are solar powered thing-a-ma-bobs in nearly every description and type.  From Toys to electronics there is a solar powered something out there to make the greenest recipient tickled pink.

Be sure that you read descriptions carefully.  It is easy to skim over an important detail, like it requires a $500 part...sold seperately.  Read carefully and check out any available reviews on the item.  Try to keep in mind the hobbies or interests that the recipient has and buy something that fits that, rather than just grabbing somehting because it is cool looking and solar powered.

Here is a slideshow of a few of the items available.  Links and descriptions follow.  Remember, for Amazon, most things can be ordered through December 19th with super saver shipping and still arrive on time. 

O.k..so this isn't the most practical gift ever, but is there a better way to give your favorite greenie the Luck o' the Irish? There may or may not be a pot of gold at the end but this solar gadget results in some pretty cool special effects.

Place in a window that gets plenty of sun and the solar powered motor turns the Swarovski crystal resulting in glittery, dancing rainbows all over the room. 

This isn't a gadget exactly but it is a great way to encourage your kids to create gadgets and learn about solar power.  My kids had one of these kits and they just loved it.  Make all kinds of solar things, do experiments and learn about solar power and alternative energy in a fun way.

Activities include:

• solar furnace
• stroboscope
• moire patterns
• electronic thermometer
• photosynthesis
• solar energy mobiles
• producing electricity components
• DC electric motor
• solar cells
• galvanometer
• solar water heater

There is alot more than that.  It is a great kit for the price. 

This is the coolest thing.  A portable solar charger for your Blackberry, Nokia, iPhone and other electronic devices.  If the power is out it doesn't matter, you can still recharge your phone.

Not only is this a cool gadget it is great in emergency situations where the power may be out for days.  As long as there is some sunlight you can charge up and make the calls that you need to make.  Robinson Crusoe needed one of these! 

Timex is not the most sought after, status watch on the market but it has been aorund a long time for a reason.  It is a good watch.  Now, you can forgo all those battery changes with the solar powered watch.  No need to change batteries, you will always know what time it is. 

No moe scraped mirrors or bumpers with the solar and laser combination technology.  This solar gadget helps you park the car accurately every, single time. This is designed for two cars to use. 

Two solar powered vehicles and five feet of track...add a sunny day and a couple of kids and you have at least a couple hours of quiet to read your facorite book.  The kids will spend hours in competative racing watching these things fly down the track. 

This is a great gift for many reasons.  For the sports enthusiast and outdoorsman it provides hours of news and weather, as well as light, in the most primative conditions.  If there is an emergency situation then it is perfect to keep up with breaking news and important updates.  It has several different power supplies including solar so ther ei snever a need to worry. 

This briefcase opens up into a solar generator to get you the epower you need to for laptop and other electronic items no matter where you are in the world.  It can serve as a battery maintainer for a bote, power up a sattelite telephone or power a cordless drill.  This is another one of those items Robinson Crusoe needed!