I think for the amount of money you're willing to spend you'll be able to find a nice sporran online. I looked online for a sporran for my wedding this past summer, but didn't find anything I liked. The main reason was that I wanted a dress sporran with light gray fur, but no spots on the fur. I couldn't find such a one online and there was always the disclaimer about the actual item differing from the picture shown. If I'm spending up near $250 I want to know exactly what I'm getting.

So what did I do. I actually saw a great sporran at our local Scottish Shoppe and bought it. Yes it was $425, but hey, this was my wedding. My wife got a dress that was way more expensive than that so I thin it's only fair. Have I had an opportunity to wear it since? No, but I know when I do get the chance that not only will I have a great looking sporran, but it will be a great sporran period.

My advice is if you can find one you like in person for $250 absolutely go for it. If not, I'd wait until after Christmas to see how your budget is. I'm lucky, even though I'm 28 my grandparents still like to spoil me at Christmas time (or anytime really) and I get a fairly sizable cheque. I don't know what you and your family does for Christmas; if you exchange gifts or not, but if you do you could always ask that instead of gifts they help you buy the sporran you want. I would buy online as a last resort, myself.

Well that's my two cents.

-Will