Continuing AtAT's series of fabulous yet frugal holiday gift ideas, today we'd like to remind you that the online Apple Store is running a special promotion on iPods right now: order anytime up through a week after New Year's and you can get that 'Pod engraved with a custom message for the low, low price of just $19.95. The engraving option is nothing new, of course-- it debuted with the original 10 GB iPod back in March-- but this special holiday pricing represents a solid $30 off the usual going rate. As such, we advise you to take advantage of it while you can; thirty clams is thirty clams, and not to be trifled with.

After all, an iPod is just an iPod-- but slap a personal message on its back, and suddenly that hunk of circuitry and shiny stuff has been transformed into a thoughtful gift of deep and moving sentiment. Remember, when you get an iPod engraved, you've got two 27-character lines to work with, so be creative and make it count. Unfortunately, Apple's apparently taken a page from the DMV playbook and rejects swear words, so anything the state won't let you get on a license plate probably isn't going to wind up on your iPod, either. As such, you might have to get personal without actually getting dirty. (Yes, we're told it is possible.) To make sure you impress that special someone with your thoughtfulness and willingness to go that extra mile, may we suggest this time-honored sentiment? "I paid an extra $20 to put this phrase on here." Simple. Elegant. Classy as all get-out.

Of course, we realize that not everyone might be able to afford to buy iPods for everyone on their gift list this year, especially given that the economy is over there in that dank corner huddled in a fetal position and making pathetic little whimpering noises while it quivers and chews on wet cigarette butts. For those people, we recommend buying the engraving without the actual iPod. That way you're only paying $19.95 by defraying the cost of the iPod itself, and your loved one still gets your thoughtful personal message delivered in a tasteful Apple box. Thrifty, but still every bit as special! (Please note: an AppleCare Protection Plan that extends your engraving's 90-day warranty coverage to three full years is just $249 more-- a small price to pay for peace of mind.)