As deadlines approach (see post below) I will start to focus on last minute gift ideas. Given the nature of the last minute shopper we need all the help that we can get.
So share your last minute gift ideas in the comments section. We promise not to give you any gifts based on your ideas. Really.
Start commenting folks.
Ok, for some of us the clock is really ticking. If your target day is Christmas then it gets trickier this year as the day falls on a Monday. So shipping deadlines are earlier, too (Amazon's standard shipping deadline for Christmas arrival is 12/18- for others you are already into the express delivery zone).
Dealhack provides detailed vendor info on shipping times. Very useful.
Or you can shop locally and ship it yourself-
FedEx Kinkos locations: http://fedex.kinkos.com/locations/
UPS Store locations: http://go.mappoint.net/ups/PrxInput.aspx
Energizers's Energi-To 
(their spelling, not mine) uses two disposable batteries to give your phone a three to six hour charge. Your mileage may vary. The packaging is clearly labeled by phone type and allows you to match connectors with phone. You just have to steal your loved-one's phone and take it to the store. Learn more here.
is best placed in the glove compartment or emergency kit
for just that: emergencies. Connect to your phone and crank for a couple of minutes and you will have a charge time measured in minutes. While it doesn't offer the long duration of the Energizer product this could be invaluable if your car is dead, power and phones or out, etc. and you need to make a quick call for help.
Who wouldn't want this gift in their stocking? Ahnold not your style? Then visit groovyglobes.com and choose tourist flung from cable-car, hippies, or caffeinated Seattle-its.
Each globe has a bonus haiku.
A few years ago I went on a couple's camping trip and, since I was employed at REI at the time, brought along a bunch of great gear. We camped among the redwoods and experienced early twilight thanks to the sheltering giants around us.
Dinnertime rolled around and it was time for me to fire up the stove. To keep my hands free for food prep I wore a headlamp. It's like putting on a pair of old jeans to me but generated laughter from my fellow car campers. But not for long. By the time the pasta water was boiling folks were lining up to borrow my headlamp as they searched dark tents for odds and ends.
And everyone wanted one when they made the long walk to the darkened restrooms.
Headlamps aren't just for campers. Great for the home improvement type, late night book lover, or anyone who has tried to hold a flashlight in their mouth during a blackout. Especially good for new parents staggering around while they warm a bottle without waking up the rest of the house.
The Petzl Tikka Plus is my current favorite. I've owned this one for three years and its great battery life, adjustable brightness and comfortable fit make it perfect. Its little sibling, the Tikka, is another great choice.
Here in California we are constantly reminded of the need to prepare for earthquakes, floods, fires...let's just say that we aren't as prepared as we should be.
Adventure Medical makes high quality first aid and survival gear. Here are some highlights:
Pocket Survival Pak
- small enough for purse, backpack or glove compartment, this small kit provides the basics needed to help you in staying found and remaining comfortable.
Wear a Mirrormeteez shirt and get a positive boost everytime you look in the mirror.
Never settle, no excuses, respect yourself...good year round but especially helpful when you are facing mall crowds.
Contributed by a visitor - thank you!
For only $6.99 you can convert your video into a portable, eco-friendly media player.
It's called a flipbook, folks. Mine are already on order.
How does it work?
1. Visit www.flipclips.com.
2. Upload your video.
3. Choose the book of your choice and order away.
Check out the website for a video demo.
This makes a great stocking stuffer, creative intivitation, party favor or unique way to propose marriage. Surely you can think of even more ideas.
Order by December 18th to guarantee delivery by the 22nd by express mail.
The folks at quikpod.com have an interesting new twist on the traditional tripod. If you like what you seen you must make your purchase by December 8th to get their special gizmodo deal.
I have three on order.
The Quikpod extends your arm so that you can take natural looking self-portraits capturing your forehead. The special deal give your $4.95 off the Pro Kit that converts your Quikpod into a standard tripod. All this for $25 plu shipping.
To get the special deal visit quikpod.com and search for gizmodo or follow this link: https://shop.quikpod.com/categoryNavigationDocument.hg?categoryId=2
My three year old received a Fisher Price Digital Camera
exposure is good. Flash fires automatically and the delay between photos is reasonable. and Walmart have it in stock -act fast.
The Spinmaster Aero Ace has developed a cult following online through enthusiastic reviews and a growing YouTube presence. The plane is easy to fly and takes a fair amount of abuse. Controls are simple and a flight time of around 10 minutes is great.
I scoured the web and couldn't find it in stock anywhere. Toys R Us has one model in stock right here. Given the attention that they have received some enterprising folks are selling them for over $50 on eBay.
Or a young adult. Or someone with alot of friends.
A digital camera. Why? Teenagers want to take pictures of their friends and shoot video that they can upload to YouTube.
What do they want? A small camera that looks good and is easy to use.
But their phone has a camera? Sure, with a tiny lens that takes mediocre photos. Get them a real camera and they might even say thanks.
What to choose:
1) Canon Powershot SD450 
2) Casio Exilim EX-S600
My money goes with any Canon camera. Their customer satisfaction is very high and they offer a great variety of models. The price drops as you get into larger point and shoot models.
If you are buying a digital camera then don't forget key accessories - details here. Seriously, get them an nice big memory card and some extra batteries. Oh, and a case.
Let's face it- there are times where not every mom wants to feel like MOM. She wants to shed the on-the-go, supportive, "Here let me wipe your face" persona just for a bit. ( I know that this can apply to dads, too - just work with me).
This means that your gift to her should have nothing to do with the kids. She still loves them but will relish mental (and maybe physical) time apart from the little darlings.
The List:
1) Full on treatment at a day spa. Go with her or send her solo.
2) The gift of time - you will watch her kids while she revisits life before children.
3) Housecleaning: step 1- get her out of the house. Step 2- get someone to clean the house and have dinner waiting when she returns.
4) Cooking class for two - learn together and then YOU cook for her. She sits back and drinks wine.
5) Visit your local spa/beauty supply/CostPlus and create a spa kit for her. Fill a basket with lotions, bath salts, loufa, bathtub pillow, etc. Include a custom made DO NOT DISTURB sign for the bathrooom door. Mom will hang it while enjoying your gift. Kids stay out.
More ideas? Toss them in the comments section.
If you are of a certain age you will no doubt remember the importance of the mix tape. Like sharing a playlist but requiring more effort and care. Don't get the importance of a mix? Watch "High Fidelity".
Take the mix tape idea and bring it into the 21st century with Microsoft Photo Story. This free download allows you to easily create a photo slideshow complete with transitions, the Ken Burns effect and the audio track of your choice. The final version plays in Media Player.
Make a slideshow for grandma, mom or (as most inspired mix tapes were made) for the object of your affection. Add images from when you first met, first dates or images that will make your soon-to-be sig other happy.
The delivery: copy the final draft of the slideshow onto a quality flash drive (Sandisk is good) and give a gift that is unique and lasting.
Get the free download right here.
OK, I'm not a huge fan of WalMart. The big box hasn't landed in my neighborhood to suck in more traffic and close down other stores - yet.
If you can't wait for Walmart to arrive you can get some of their stuff shipped to you for 97 cents plus item cost. The 97 cent page is right here.
Flash drives are everywhere and the prices have brought them into the stocking-stuffer price range.
The idea: fill a flash drive with custom content and make it a gift. Copy music, pictures or video over the flash drive and pop it in the mail. Great gift for someone who wants to carry a little bit of your life with them. Grandparents, folks serving overseas or those with slow Internet connection will love this gift. Make sure that their PC has a USB port.
My 3 year old received a digital camera for his birthday.
There is another, more useful lesson in buying a digital camera: buy the camera that suits your needs. The best camera for a three year old can be dropped, thrown and has color coded buttons.
If you are giving a camera as a gift think about the needs of the recipient. Is this their first digital camera? Do they love technology or are they confused by the buttons on a blender? Do they take pictures of wildlife or your wild family? Thinking about HOW this person will use the camera will lead you to make a good choice.
Get started by reading my Digital Camera Buying Guide.
Giftadvisor.com does it again with thought provoking details on gifts for women. Before you buy flowers read this post. Good stuff.
http://www.giftadvisory.com/2006/07/more-from-the-women/
KodakEasyShareGallery (I miss the brevity of Ofoto) offers an original method to display a large selection of photos. Their photo collage is available in sizes ranging from 5x7 to 20x30 inches. You can change the color and size of the border as well as check the "shake it up" box to give the collage a slightly random effect.
While you are on the site consider buying a photo mouse pad-then you get a small collage for free.
Take the classic Father's Day necktie gift and customize it at giftsrus.com. Tread carefully and select images that will look good tile across a long piece of silk.
The fine folks at Photojojo have put together a crafty video tutorial that results in a great photo puzzle/conversation piece/art/kid gift. All you need is a photo, rubber cement, x-acto knife, linoleum blocks and (optional) gel coat. Great results. Find it all at Photojojo (thanks to lifehacker).
Graduation gift? Father's Day gift? Late Mother's Day gift? You decide.
tags: gifts diy photo
This gift idea has served me well many times over. Fill a Nalgene (or similar) bottle with items that would thrill the recipient. It is important to use the wide-mouth version to make the gifts easy to add and remove. Nalgene bottles are far superior than the colorful imitations that are on the market. They are durable and resist both freezing and boiling. My dad still uses some Nalgenes that are over 30 years old.
This is a great gift the traveler, outdoors enthusiast, or anyone who wants to be a little better prepared.
What could you fill it with?
>energy bars
>good hiking map
>matches
>whistle
>GU
>small flashlight
>bandana
>first-aid supplies
Of course, the contents need not be so practical...fill it with candy, money, jewelry hidden at the bottom...the contents are yours to choose.
tags: gift, graduate, outdoors
So the window for overnight mail has passed and you are wondering WHAT DO I DO for Mother's Day?
Here are some ideas:
-Plant an Amaryllis bulb in stones or water. Choose an attractive vase that will outlast the flower. Go the extra mile and refill the vase with fresh flowers once it is empty.
-Still live with mom? Or maybe the mom is your house is also your wife? Then make cinnamon rolls for her and let the aroma wake her after she has slept in late. This gift will be even more precious if you involve the kids in the creation. If you are a cook then you know what to do-otherwise, go for the grocery store Pillsbury style rolls. Easy and the icing is in the can.
-Find a neighborhood spa or massage therapist. This is a two part gift. Part one is to buy a gift certificate for time or a particular service. Part two is to make sure that she actually goes. This might mean that you watch the kids/do the chores so that she goes. Better yet- driver her to the appointment and treat yourself.
-Give her your time. That is the best gift. Time at her house. Time at brunch. Time to put the screens in for summer. You know what she needs and you (may) have dodged the chores all weekend.
The folks at Sci-Fi Tech have ten more but the clock may have run out on some of these fine ideas.
Give a kid, or someone else, their very own business cards as a reward. Vistaprint.com is a great place to start.
Imagine an eight year old handing out their very own biz cards at the next reunion. Or use them to motivate someone to finally start that business and strike out on their own.
KodakGallery.com has a slew of ideas for Mother's Day. If you act fast and are willing to pay $$$ for shipping, here are some good bets:
Kodak's Photo Mug takes one photo and creates a collage all over the mug. Choose either the horizontal or vertical design, upload a photo, and you are ready to go. There are also travel mug designs and layouts that use one large image instead of the collage effect.
Kodak's calendars make a great gift. Once the year has passed you can grab your scissors and you get 12 (or more) photo quality prints.
