There's only 2 more shopping days until Christmas (you're welcome!) and if you're like me (living la vida better late, than never) you need to get some serious last minute holiday shopping done, or enlist the aid of a personal gift-giving guru, right about now, yes?
EXCELLENT!
You'll be pleased to know that The Present Professor is in the house and has been kind enough to offer up some of her best gift giving advice, just for us!
[breaths a sigh of relief]
Now, here with her guest post, it is with extreme pleasure that I introduce you to Carli Entin (a.k.a. The Present Professor)
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Unless you're one of those people planning on buying all your gifts at
11:59 on Wednesday night, consider this your official warning: The last minute
is here. Whether you've got that one nagging gift left to buy or haven't cleaned
up your kitchen from Thanksgiving yet (let alone started holiday shopping), now
is crunch time. If you're not willing to pay exorbitant amounts of money to have
online purchases delivered overnight, you're going to have to brave the stores.
Here's a few last-minute gift picks for you to carry into battle:
If you're strong enough to walk into the wasp's nest that will be Toys R Us
over the next few days, check out some of the 2009 items now making their debut.
"Star Wars Guess Who?" puts a Jedi spin on the classic question and answer game
($19.99, ages 6+). And the LEGO Power Miners vehicles (starting at $19.99) have
rugged, tough-guy names like "Claw Digger" and "Thunder Driller." For girls,
check out the Baby Alive Go Bye Bye doll, now priced to go Bye-Bye at $14.99
(orig. $24.99).
Target also has some nice last-minute deals, including faux-fur throws for
$18.99. Throw blankets are my go-to gift, because just about everybody can use
one. And don't forget the special holiday sections at Target and other big-box
stores such as Walmart and Kmart. Tins of hot cocoa, boxes of biscotti, and
other tasty gift treats await.
Gift cards can be lifesavers for the chronic procrastinator. You're not
saying you don't care enough to pick out an actual gift; you're saying you want
to make sure the recipient gets something they'll love, and you're just not sure
what that is. Just try to match the card to the recipient. Everyone can find
something at Walmart, but I doubt there are many 8-year-old boys asking Santa
for money to burn at Macy's. And avoid pricey, useless "gift card holders."
These are a huge gift-giving pet peeve of mine, because for the same $2, you can
affix the card to a small box of chocolates or $1 calendar or hide it inside a
small pair of gloves or slipper socks.
Liquor is another great last-minute option, but don't automatically go for
the ubiquitous bottle of wine. There's nothing wrong with gifting your loved
ones with, say, a six-pack of beer. Look for fun winter varieties of their
favorite brew or find a unique brand they've never tried before. Or keep it
simple--I'm giving my dive-bar buddy Garry a case of recession-friendly Pabst
Blue Ribbon. I may even stick a blue ribbon on top of it. I know he'll love it
more than he ever could a Merlot.
Speaking of things that are ingestible and make great gifts, don't forget
the treasures awaiting you at the grocery store--jars of honey and real maple
syrup, bags of Dunkin' Donuts or Starbucks coffee, pretty bottles of olive oil
and balsamic vinegar, and gourmet chocolate bars perfect for stacking and tying
in a ribbon. If you have access to a Whole Foods-type shop with lots of gourmet
and all-natural foods, all the better--but any decent supermarket should have a
nice selection.
And should you be looking for something a little more tailor-made for your
husband, wife, child, boyfriend, gas station attendant, favorite monkey at the
zoo, etc., feel free to email the Present Professor ([email protected]).
And just think: On Thursday, you'll have a 365-day jump on next year's shopping.
And just think: On Thursday, you'll have a 365-day jump on next year's shopping.
Carli Entin is "Professor of Giftology" at PresentProfessor.com
Happy Holidays, everyone!!!
© 2008 This Full House and This Full House Reviews - All Rights Reserved.
