Chrome truck accents are a great way to please the truck lover on your Christmas list. Not only do they add flair and shine, but they also can add protection to high-use areas.

Some men are just fine getting ties every year for the holidays. Others cherish a new set of golf clubs or season tickets to their favorite sports team's home games. But your guy is a truck guy, and the only gift that will make his holiday season bright is one that celebrates his great vehicular love.

Fortunately, you don't have to shell out big bucks for a new set of tires or an awesome stereo system to please your truck guy. It's possible to make his eyes sparkle as brightly as his truck's high-polish paint job for less than $100. The secret is chrome.

"Nothing says 'happy holidays' quite like chrome," said Frank Turner of Lund International, makers of automotive accessories. "In this economy, it can be hard to get a fair value for your truck if you're thinking of trading up. More truck owners are keeping their trucks and tricking them out instead of taking a hit on a trade."

A classic, timeless bit of bling, chrome has been beloved since it first graced bumpers decades ago. Bumpers are now high-tech plastic contraptions designed to improve crash safety, but chrome still holds its place of honor as the granddaddy of all truck upgrades.

Here are some ideas for chrome improvements that are sure to please:

• Vent visors. If you've seen the cheap plastic versions of these on a truck, they might make you shudder. Sure they're functional — vent visors fit onto a truck's door frame above the window, allowing you to leave windows partially open to reduce interior heat when parked and they keep rain and road spray out when you're driving with the windows cracked for some fresh air — but it takes a chrome version to elevate these accessories.

• Hood shield. A full-height, wrap-around chrome hood shield says "I've arrived" and is the perfect enhancement to any decorative grill.

• Door handles. Chrome is not only a great-looking accent for door handles, it's a smart, durable solution for protecting against scratches in an area of the vehicle's body that's most prone to them.

• Mirror covers. Mirrors are another necessity that can be turned into an enhancement with the addition of chrome. Chrome mirror covers fit exactly over a vehicle's side mirror housings, creating a custom look for minimal cost.

• Fuel door. High gas prices might have your truck guy hating the sight of his truck's gas cap. But chrome plating can turn that simple flap into a thing of beauty.