In times like these, Christmas should be practical. Each dollar spent ought to be for something your family or friends need or can put to good use.

I suspect a lot of families are thinking that way, so I want to butt in and suggest a way to add some frivolous Christmas joy to the sweaters, underwear and warm winter jackets piled up under the tree.

TECHNOBUDDY

E-mail Bill Husted

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A few reasonably priced toys can do just that. Sure, they’re totally impractical high-tech gadgets, good for a few cheap smiles. Don’t worry, though; I’ll do another column soon on practical high tech gifts. If you read both, you can mix and match the practical and the downright silly.

With one exception, most of these gifts are in the $25 range and some are much cheaper. So the cost of failure is not budget-busting.

EyeClops Night Vision Goggles

Let’s start with the highest-priced item on my list. It’s just the thing for penetrating the darkest secrets of the holidays — a pair of night vision goggles. It’s sold as a toy but grown-ups are buying these things, too; there’s quite a buzz on the Web. And they really work. Put them on and see in total darkness. They aren’t up to military standards by any means but, for $68.88, it may be worth a try. Check online retailers like Amazon or the manufacturer’s site: www.eyeclops.com/.

Plasma Mug

Electrical charges inside create fascinating patterns of light, and flickering lightning-like plasma fields react when you touch the sides. This is marketed as a beer mug but it’ll work just fine with Coke or coffee. Get one for $25 and add some charge to your drinks: tinyurl.com/2czf85.

Spacewriter from GyroScope.com

Want a laser gizmo that can literally write your Christmas sentiments in the air? You better hurry because you’ll need to order this from overseas. GyroScope is a U.K.-based firm but its Web site converts prices to dollars and offers affordable shipping. The device uses light to write short messages in the air — it’s basically the same method kids have used for ages to write in the air with a fireworks sparkler. Price fluctuates with currency rates, but as I write this the cost with shipping is $17.05. You’ll find the Spacewriter at: tinyurl.com/5cyx6j.

Fly Stick Van de Graaff Levitation Wand

Unlike most magic wands, this one really works. It uses a tiny static electricity generator to load the wand with a static charge. That charge will attract and “levitate” small objects. It’s just $27, a bargain even if it fails the toad-and-princess test. Find it at: tinyurl.com/6kcwu7.

Flying Fly

Well, you’d expect a fly to fly. But this one is a toy. It costs just $7.99, so it won’t have to fly very well to earn its keep. Don’t expect a fancy remote-controlled flying machine here. Instead, add batteries and get an odd, cheap toy that’s good for a laugh on Christmas morning. Find it at: www.kleargear.com/1811.html.

Electronic Drum Kit Shirt

Little Drummer Boy? More like Little Dumber Boy. This is a shirt that contains the electronics and a speaker — all built-in — that will let you make drumming sounds by tapping your chest. I am NOT kidding. But, hey, I said we’d get a little silly. Check it out at: tinyurl.com/6h4ex2. Just make sure you have permission before tapping anyone’s chest if they have one, too.

Electronic Bubble Wrap Keychain

I used to sit in a newsroom near a guy who delighted in popping bubble wrap. It sounded like being in a machine gun nest. Perhaps you know someone with a similar affliction. This electronic key chain duplicates that sound when you press one of the eight buttons. Buy this at: tinyurl.com/ywu8a8 for $10 and you may soon wish for a real machine gun.

OK, I’ll bet you haven’t seen these items in stores — and there may be a good reason for that.

Anyway, we’ll get back to reality with a look at practical high-tech gifts soon.