Did it at the Last Minute

This would be a really good place (and time) for us to share suggestions for last-minute Christmas gifts that don't appear to be last-minute. Sure, there's always the desperation-obvious li-hing gift pack, or the extras you picked up at the craft fair, but what about for those people who are a bit closer than third-tier gift-receivers?

The suggestion I always offer, when anyone asks, is an assortment of hot sauces or salsas from It's Chili in Hawai`i, which doesn't have its own website, as far as I can tell, but there's a nice write-up here. Everyone knows someone who loves his or her food dragon-breath-hot, and the really nice guys who own It's Chili will let you sample just about any of the sauces.

If you happen to drop in on a Saturday (but if you're doing Christmas shopping this Saturday, you're crazy!), you might catch their "open house," where the proprietors whip up some hot-sauce-friendly foods for sampling--usually quesadillas. The store carries a hundred (or so) varieties, as well as cool chili-pepper accessories (neckties, aprons, and other cool stuff. I mean, hot stuff).

Magazine subscriptions are always nice, too--you can find some great discount brokerages online (I have spent more money than I'm proud to admit at MagazineValues, which has kept my mailbox nice and full for the past year or so. The nicely discounted subscription prices mean you get spam once a month or so, but it's actually quite helpful, as far as spam goes.

Make sure you pick up a magazine-rack copy of the magazine, so you have something to wrap and leave under the tree.

So, I showed you mine! Show me yours!

Comments

I'm afraid your creative thinking puts me to shame. My last-minute gift is almost always an Amazon.com gift certificate. Or a Victoria's Secret gift certificate. Or a ... well, you get the idea.

For the geek on your list, though, there's always the cool domain name.

The gift certificate, perfect for when you dont want to go through the trouble of having to pick out a gift. Equal to cash but not as insensitive.. I like gift certificates, on the giving and recieving end.

Being new to Hawaii, I always see the perfect gift idea for my Family on the mainland but this year I decided to send everyone a Christmas card. Next year I'll send out the perfect Hawaiian gifts, (not certificates) actual gifts.

I don't have a suggestion for, but I sure as heck have one against; do not go to Longs in Pearlridge if you want checkout stands that are open. The place has 9 or 10 registers, but never more than 3 open, no matter the number of customers. I always forget that when I need something that can most easily be gotten at a drugstore, and I always go mad there.

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