Holiday Gifts for College Kids and 20somethings ($50 and up)

The iPad, Apple's insanely popular tablet computer, is the hot item this year. They're so hot, colleges are exploring iPad textbook options, and companies with a heavy 20-something sales force are using them to reward high performers. You can download books, music and video onto the glossy gadgets, surf the Internet and send e-mails. They're all kinds of fabulous. They're also a little pricey: iPads start at $499.

DVDs and college kids go together like camping and s’mores - and DVD sets of television series such as Lost, Family Guy, Dexter, and HBO’s sexy True Blood, the Emmy-nominated vampire series set in Bontemps, Louisiana, are particularly popular. The critically acclaimed series has enough thrills, chills and sexy vampires to thrill even the casual viewer. Time this gift right, and you’ll get to watch it too. ($45 and up for season two on Blu-Ray)

Hankering to whip up some Tikka Masala? Perhaps Pad Thai? Or simply a lesson in how not to burn toast? There’s a cool cooking class out there for everyone, from kitchen newbie to culinary master. Get a cooking class gift certificate for your college kid or 20something from one of the major gourmet stores, such as Viking Home Chef or Sur la Table, or any small indie foodie boutique. Just remember, no one wants to go alone, so make it a truly memorable gift for both of you. Sign up for the class too, and you can do it together. ($65 and up per class)

Help your college kid drown out her roommates’ snoring, gabbing or headbanger tunes with a pair of high quality, noise-canceling headphones.($115 and up) They do such a good job of insulating the wearer from outside noises, there will be no need for her to turn up her iPod to eardrum shattering decibel levels.

A global positioning system, such as the Garmin Nuvi ($126 and up), makes sure even your navigationally challenged teen gets home. And it will keep him from using his cell phone – while driving - to get frantic directions along the way.

We’d all like to think our teens and college kids don’t drive while chatting - or texting – on their cell phones, but the reality is that they do. Now with the push toward hands-free cell phone laws, a Bluetooth headset, such as the sleek Plantronics models, is a good way to get two hands on the steering wheel. ($35-$160)

Whether your favorite 20something is heading for another year of college or he's off to grad school, his laptop will need protection. There's a slew of possibilities out there ranging from solid color Neoprene padded sleeves, to versions that look like a Van Gogh, an interoffice envelope or an old leather-bound book. The latter, dubbed the BookBook, is made by Twelve South and it looks so very real, even the zipper tabs resemble bookmarks. Still, it's best not to leave even a disguised laptop unattended at the library.  It might get stolen. Or reshelved. Prices? $80-$90.

That towel-wrapped midriff routine gets old real fast. Protect your college kid’s modesty – or his or her roommates’ delicate sensibilities – with a big, spa-style, fluffy bathrobe. ($50 and up) They’re cozy and warm, and perfect paired with spa-style toiletries or a gift certificate to a spa or mani-pedi place near campus or home.

Check out 89 more holiday gift ideas for college kids and 20somethings too.