Last-Minute Christmas Gifts and Stocking Stuffers You Can Still Get

It seems like Christmas falling on a Monday would make life easier, because you have two full days off right before to go shopping, right? Yeah, along with the rest of the known universe. I don't know about you, but I hit CVS yesterday afternoon and swore that was my last brick-and-mortar shopping attempt. Then I went home to order more stuff from Amazon and realized that even there, my options for gifts arriving before the 25th were shrinking. But never fear! Here is a list of items that can still be purchased in stores or delivered before the 25th.

CVS

CVS is my absolute go-to for stocking stuffers. Dental floss, lip gloss, chapstick, hair accessories, funny socks, small toys like wind-up cars and action figures, travel sizes of everything, candy and gum. I literally just wander up and down the aisles grabbing stuff that's just a smidge higher-quality than what the recipient would get for themselves: Burt's Bees lip balm instead of boring old Chapstick, Neutrogena moisturizer instead of store brand, character band-aids instead of sheer, nice gel pens instead of Bics, Lindt chocolates instead of M&Ms, etc. But don't forget to check out the seasonal aisle for other, larger gifts that you might not have thought of. I found a great Nerf game for my son and a super-cute miniature stuffed animal keychain for my daughter. They do a great job of bumping up their toy selection at Christmas, so this is a great place for one-stop last-minute shopping. Here are a few of my particular favorites:

• Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer, $4.27
• Tonka Toughest Toy Cars, $9.99
• Doc McStuffins' Doctor Bag Set, $19.99
• Avocado and Oatmeal Facial Mask, $2.99

Target

Target is my go-to for last-minute kids clothes. Their Cat & Jack line is well-made, cute, and reasonably priced. I can always find a handsome (but not dorky) sweater for my son and a cute top or dress for my daughter. Target is also great for accessories, so pick up that belt, purse, necklace, gloves, socks, or scarf to polish off an outfit or add one more (bulky!) thing to that stocking. Their toy selection is the best, so grab a family game, some sports equipment, a puzzle, a stuffed animal. Great items still in stock: Hatchimals, Zuru Fidget Cubes, tons of Lego kits, multiple styles of cell phone grips and stands, great art supplies, and even gifts for your pets, in case Fido accidentally got left off your list. Some examples:

• Mega Construx Pokemon Set, $11.99
• Star Wars Rogue One Action Figure Set, $39.99
• Men's Cashmere-Lined Leather Gloves, $17.41
• Boy's Cat & Jack Pullover Sweater, $16.00

Amazon

If you're a Prime member, take advantage of the free 2-day shipping to get those last few items. Here are some examples of items that can still arrive in time for Christmas:

• Dashboard cell phone mount, $17.47
• Gorgeous hand-blown wine decanter, $29.95
• Leakproof travel mug, $6.39
• Non-stick BBQ mat, $13.85
• 4-pack of charging cables, $11.16

JC Penney

Online or in-store, Penney's has lots of great last-minute deals. Their costume jewelry selection is always excellent, and the clothing department, from pajamas to fancy dresses to sweaters to socks to hats and gloves, is terrific. Right now you can get a 30% off deal online for all of the following:

• Men's sweaters, various styles
• Girls' leggings, various styles
• Twin-size sheet sets (other sizes still at excellent prices)
• Protocol brand luggage, sets and individual pieces
• Kitchen-Aid stand mixer (!!!!)

TJ Maxx

TJ Maxx is a great go-to for last-minute clothes, accessories, and kids' toys. They don't have a huge toy selection, but what they do have is high-quality and reasonably priced. I love them for men's accessories like gloves and neckties, plus the occasional sweater or pajama set. Their kids' clothes are also a small selection but good quality and prices. And their collection of random stocking stuffers and small gifts is always unusual without being weird. Here are some of their current winter clearance items:

• Adrienne Vittadini Laptop Tote, $28.00
• 3-in-1 Hooded Jacket, $39.00
• Jan Brett Board Books Boxed Set, $12.00
• Christmas Train Snow Globe, $15.00

The Paper Store

I'm not sure how extensive this chain is, but there's one near me and it's fabulous for slightly unusual gifts. They're not cheap, but if you're looking for a unique piece of jewelry, book, or article of clothing that has a bit of personality, it's your store. They have terrific kids' books, charming tchotchkes, and weird but cool stocking stuffers. Here are a few of the items they have available at my location:

• Light-up karaoke microphone and speaker, $29.99
• Mermaid Color-Changing Sequin Journal, $9.99
• Sno-Scapes Snow Coloring and Stencil Kit, $18.99
• K'Nex Building Set, $32.99
• The Essential Scratch-and-Sniff Guide to Becoming a Wine Expert Book, $19.99

Walmart

Don't scoff; you can shop in-person, order online with 2-day delivery, or order online for in-store pickup in time for Christmas. They have everything you could possibly need, including the following items, currently in stock:

• Pie Face Showdown Game, $14.82
• Kids' Bikes, starting at $54.99
• Lightweight Ozark Binoculars, $6.86
• The Secret Life of Pets DVD, $16.94

So if you still have some last-minute shopping to do, go do it now! Don't waste time! Don't be one of those crazy people still shopping on the 24th!

Christmas Gifts for the Person Who Has Everything, 2014 Edition

I know it’s a bit early for Christmas shopping for most of us, but you know how you always have that ONE person who’s impossible to buy for so you start looking for Christmas gifts in, like, February in the hopes of finding something cool that they don’t already have? Or maybe YOU’RE the hard-to-buy-for person and everyone in your family is bugging you for some good gift suggestions. Here is my list of ten unusual Christmas gift ideas which I guarantee that neither you nor anyone on your gift list has already.

You’re welcome.

Flavors of America Salt Collection ($60, uncommongoods.com)

11 corked test tubes of salt from throughout the United States, including smoked, flavored, and infused varieties, all presented in a base of “reclaimed American cedar.” And once you’ve used up the salt, you can “use the test tubes as a delightful bud vase.”

2015 Bubble Wrap Calendar ($25, uncommongoods.com)

Yes, a “bubble wrap calendar” is exactly what you think it is. If you can restrain yourself to popping a single bubble every day, this is the calendar for you! Plus “the weekends are in bold for quick reference.” There’s a selling point for ya.

Meteorite Moon Rock ($39.99, gifts.com)

This 12 mg specimen of genuine meteorite comes in a lovely gift box with “a [sic] high resolution artwork [which] may vary in design.” Considering that the box itself is roughly 2 inches by 1 inch, and I’m pretty sure the small object inside the white circle shown on top of the “artwork” is the rock itself, you may want to consider throwing in a magnifying glass as well.

Monogrammed Steak Branding Iron ($59.95, gifts.com)

You know what I think every time I toss a steak on the grill? I think, “Gee, I wish I could burn my initials into this piece of meat before I cook it.” With this personalized branding iron, now I can. Plus it comes with a lovely cedar gift box. AND your choice of bandana. (The bandana does not seem to be monogrammed, but you can easily rectify that, now that you have a personalized branding iron.)

Virtual Bartender Scale and App (Brookstone; they don’t seem to be sharing the price online…hmmm)

Love to drink but can’t mix a decent cocktail to save your life? Hook this little scale up to your tablet or smartphone, download the free app, punch in your cocktail of choice (or type in the ingredients you have on hand and let the app make a suggestion) and start pouring. The screen will tell you what to add and even show you a virtual glass indicating when to stop pouring – but it’s okay if you overpour, because it will recalculate the ingredients accordingly. (Just be sure you have some really big glasses on hand.) Cocktail shaker, cable, and cute little stand for your phone all included.

Hidden Message Collar Stays ($45, redenvelope.com)

Love notes are so passé; instead, engrave your 30- and 35-character messages of love (or whatever) on these 12 stainless steel collar stays, presented in a lovely “black bonded leather carrying case lined in red faux suede.” They even suggest a few messages to get you started, like “do or do not. There is no try.” (Apparently nothing says romance like quoting an ancient alien Muppet while misusing capitalization.) But don’t even think about talking dirty, as “orders that use inappropriate language may be cancelled.”

Hammer Time Wall Clock ($39.50, cafepress.com)

If this item requires any kind of explanation at all, then this is not the gift for you. Move along; nothing to see here.

Planet Plates ($42.95, amazon.com)

This set includes eight 10” melamine plates, each depicting a different planet (sorry, Pluto). And they’re dishwasher safe! But don’t put them in the microwave. Mercury would probably be okay but Neptune would definitely melt. (Insert your own Uranus joke here.)

Spidey-Sense Shirt ($40, thinkgeek.com)

This electronic proximity detector lets you live out your wildest superhero fantasies! Well, you can’t fly, or bend iron with your bare hands, or run faster than a speeding bullet, or see through walls, or – okay, never mind that stuff. Clip this (not-so) little device on the back of your collar and you'll develop a Super-Spidey Sense all your own as it vibrates whenever someone comes within five feet of you! Not recommended for use in crowds or elevators. Cheap T-shirt included at no extra cost.

Sunglasses made from old vinyl records ($435, Vinylize.com)

Your kids won’t even understand what’s unusual about these sunglasses, which are manufactured in Budapest from old phonograph records. Sadly, they do not seem to come with any kind of certificate letting you know whether you’re wearing Hootie and the Blowfish, Nickelback, or Lawrence Welk. They do come with a glasses case made from a single 7-inch vinyl record, however, which is presumably identifiable.

So there you have it: an entire list of gifts that you can bet no-one you know already has!! As to whether anyone you know WANTS them, I'll leave that determination up to you. Merry Christmas!

The Christmas Shopping Countdown

As of today, there are 18 days till Christmas. Only 18 days till Christmas???? Wait, if I order stuff online and want free shipping, I have to allow 8 days, but that’s business days (I think) so I really have to allow more like 12 days, so in reality it’s only 6 days till Christmas. Plus I need three days to sort and wrap, so it’s really only 3 days till Christmas. But we’re doing one of the family gift exchanges on Christmas Eve, so it’s really only two days till Christmas. And there’s no way I’ll be able to get my orders in the system before 5 o’clock today so OH MY GOD CHRISTMAS IS TOMORROW AND I HAVEN’T FININSHED MY SHOPPING YET!!!!

OK, it’s not really quite that bad. But trying to get my Christmas shopping done with taking care of two small children and rehearsals and performances of the Christmas show filling my schedule is not an easy thing. Online shopping is practically a miracle for a mom with two small children. If you’ve never been shopping with a small child, you can’t even imagine the difficulty of wrangling one in a toy store at Christmas time. You might think that having lots of toys to look at and play with would be a good thing, but you must remember that at some point you will have to leave. And that’s when the weeping and tantrums begin. Wrestling a squirming, screaming 40-pound two-year-old while carrying a 4-month-old is not a task for the faint of heart. So being able to shop from the comfort of my computer desk while said two-year-old is playing safely and happily in the next room and the 4-month-old is sleeping or playing in her exersaucer is an unparalleled blessing.

But the hardest part of Christmas shopping, in my opinion, is not even the actual shopping part. It’s coming up with gift ideas. In some cases, like my husband’s, the difficulty is finding things he would like that a) he hasn’t already bought for himself, and b) don’t cost a thousand bucks. (What can I say, the man has good taste. Expensive, but good.) And in some cases, like my son’s, it’s deciding which of the thousands of things I know he’d love that I should buy. So having online wish lists has been a huge help.

I’m fortunate that I have a relatively small family, so my list of people to buy for is quite limited compared to some people that I know. But it still takes time, and I always want to buy just the right present for each one. So I guess I’d better get cracking on my shopping. After all, Christmas is tomorrow!!