Hey! Hola! sorry to have been so scarce. DEADLINES at this time of year are merde! (or murder)
So how’s it going on the holiday circuit? Going well? Barely going? Can’t get that motor started?
I am with you sister!! (or bro!).. It’s hard this time of year and somehow the holidays crept up sooner than I anticipated.
Here are some tips to get you started… if you can do this
1) check out the LA Story blog for ideas for shopping online. Lots of places are giving discounts or free basic shipping for a miniumum purchase shipment (see the LA Story piece for details) and PAY the extra for the upgraded shipping. Make sure you do your shipping and get it done by say noon ttomorrow and if you can do a chunk tonight– DO IT!!
I would also suggest any phone orders that you can place because you talk to a live human body wh can tell you if something is in stock and advise you on the best shipping method. Bloomingdales has a great deal with a sale going for online and upgraded shipping for only 13 dollars more. Yeah. it’s a chunk of dinero but if you have it all shipped to you, that saves you stress, wear, tear, and a few grey hairs. Drugstore.com has an extended shipping time too with 3 or 2 day shipping and you can order by Tuesday (3 day shipping 10 AM PST ) or Wed (2 day shipping by 1 PM PST) .. and yes it costs but it gets there.
Plus you can get great choices!!
Oh.. wait, you are having trouble with ideas on what to buy!! OH .. Ok. Gotcha. That’s what I am for!!
Virtually everything I will mentions is IN STOCK and available RIGHT NOW at drugstore.com and I suggest them or heading over to your larger Savon, Osco, Rite-Aid, Walgreens and checking out what they have in stock-particularly since these retailers are open VERY early in the AM and very late at night so you can buy your vitamins, pick up a prescription or toothpaste and snag holiday gifts too.
If the net’s your game, here are some way cool suggestions!
FOR HIM:
Ok. not everything for guys is going to be grooming..
If i you are looking for guy stuff that’s not your typical fare, you might want to check out the Sonicare Toothbrush – the Elite model rocks and your teeth never had it so good!
For the biggest kid or the car race junkie, the Front Porch Classics Raceway 57 tablettop game is a game suitable for adults and kids and actually looks 1) good on the table 2) fun to play and 3) is actually easy to play for even the dorkiest non-car person. There’s even a trophy for the winner!! *yay!!
If he’s more a golf, baseball or darts sort — or even more competitve than the Raceway Game crew, then he should have the Magnetic Darts Golf and Baseball Editions. Safe enough to be played indoors and beaning someone in the head with the magnetically weighted dart shouldn’t kill anyone but don’t try it Eyes are precious commodities ya, know what I mean? But it’s fun and would be great as an after- holiday dinner sort of game. Fast, easy and inexpensive. Makes a great stocking stuffer too.
Because he was probably up late wrapping or building some toy — or if he is single,out with the guys (or you?), try this kit from Kama Sutra. The Massage Oil Set has five flavors/scents of silky, sensuous massage oil that can be used as bath oil or directly on the skin while your hands soothe those kinks and knots from him being so macho helping you do whatever you needed done– including last minute holiday shopping. *(you could be using it on him now while you help him shop online.. Massage his neck and shoulders and whisper in his ear how great he smells and how soft his skin is and … oh wait!! Sorry! This is a SHOPPING colunn. Ooops. My bad!! )
I am BACKK! yeah. you are so glad.right? Please don’t hurt my feelings and say wrong! Santa’s watching out for who’s naughty and nice!
Let’s pick up where we left off. We will move on from generic guys to kids.. after all they are there and even if they aren’t yours, it’s always nice to give them something specifically because of the way their eyes light up when they find something cool.
For Moms with babies, this is a great gift. California Baby has a tote of SEVEN aromatherapeutic bubble baths, ( non toxic, non irritating, NO tears baths) along with the perfect rubber ducky and the plastic tote!
7 No Tears, Non-Toxic Bubble Baths – 2 fl. oz/60 ml Each
Calming™ Aromatherapy – Relaxes & ensures a good night’s sleep.
Chamomile & Herbs™ Aromatherapy – Soothing, turns restless into relaxing.
Colds & Flu™ Aromatherapy – Relieves congestion and stuffiness.
I Love You™ Aromatherapy.
Light & Happy™ Aromatherapy – Stirs imagination and creativity.
Overtired & Cranky™ Aromatherapy – Changes mood from cranky to sweet.
Super Sensitive™ No Fragrance – For those who cannot tolerate fragrance
There is a aromatherapy fragrance for every baby situations and realize that Mom will love you since she can borrow the bubbles when she is having an "overtired and cranky" day too!
The Marshmallow Shooter is just about the PERFECT gift for any kid– male/female regardless of age or size. It levels the playing field between adults and kids without risk of hurting anyone. It shoots mini marshmallows over 30 feet rapid fire style thanks to a pump action trigger with a precision that’s amazing (or maybe it’s because their eyesight is better than ours?)
Scene It DVD games are great fun and this one marries the best of DIsney with the Scene It Concept for a trivia game that even little kids can play. Why? Because they watch the movies over and over and over and over… well you get the story.. and they do too.
Scavenger Hunt for Kids is the perfect indoor game when it’s too wet/snowy/cold to be outside. Kids have TWO minutes to hunt for all all types of things found around the house– a funny hat, a specific colored shirt, anything that could possibly be found indoors. The players move their piece around the board based on the number of "found" objects.
100 Cards
4 Pawns
1 Game Board
1 Two Minute Timer
1 Spinner
It’s a perfect game for kids who are bored– or for the entire family!
Unisex gifts
For the hard to buy for people on your list because you have no idea what they like or maybe they have everything, there are a few things you can snag for them from drugstore.
For those who love candles and great fragrances in the home Aromafloria is a great choice. These are home fragrance beads in Pomegranite that will scent your home for months- without the use of a candle
Or if candles are your fave, then try this great Mistletoe candle from Archipelago.
If entertaining is their gig or you know they like to have parties, these adorable coasters and plates done in flavored martinis make a great gift.
Another great gift would be some bath products that both could share– or perhaps a E-Gift Card that would be used for future purchases.
For Her
Drugstore.com has great gifts for her and here’s just a couple—-without crossing over to the beckoning Beauty.com website of more prestigious brands
Kama Sutra’s Honey Dust is luscious and edible and gives a soft honey colored shimmer. It comes with it’s own feather duster applicator.
For the "natural" or organic girl, check out the Indigo Wild Zum Gift Set. This natural line of personal care products works well for anyone and any skin type. Filled with "fragrance matches", natural lip balm, Goats Milk Soap in a sandalwood-citrus scent (yummy!), Liquid Soap in Frankincense & Myrrh and Shea Butter and Meadowfoam Seed Oil Body Lotion in Lavender Lemon, this makes a sweet set for any one — whether for the guest bathroom or personal use.
Fragrance is always a welcome gift providing the fragrance isn’t overwhelming. A popular scent at the drugstore level has been Shania from Shania Twain with a soft floral that is rather fun. For holiday gift giving, check out the Shania 3 piece Gift Set which includes a 1.7 oz Eau de Toilette Spray, Shower Gel (my fave way to use fragrance) and Body Lotion which for this time of year is absolutely crucial since the weather’s so cold and drying,
HIt Drugstore.com or any major drugstore or mass merchandise store to find these reasonably priced gifts. If you go to Drugstore.com, they are all in stock at the time of this column posting. Plus if you order today, you get free shipping on $49 purchase or more– so definitely upgrade to faster shipping to have it in time for the big day! Order by 1 PM ET on TUESDAY 12/20 and pay less than 10 dollars for 3 day shipping. Wait till Wed 12/21 and it’s 15 dollars.
Happy Holidays to you, Merry Christmas, Merry Christmakus and whatever you celebrate, have a great time.
Stay tuned for my holiday favorites!
See you at the drugstore counters!
Stevie
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