By Lori Kozlowski, Mary Forgione, Jason La, Rene Lynch and Deborah Netburn
So, you waited until the last minute. Forget the guilt and the worry. Instead find fine ways to laud your loved ones with our handy last-minute gift guides. Where to go, what to get, right at your local corner store.
STARBUCKS
Classic Press Set, $39.95
For the ex-pat in your life or maybe just the coffee snob, a French press is pretty ideal. This box set comes with: 8-cup French press, 8.8 oz. of
STARBUCKS
The music sold at Starbucks ranges from the traditional carols we all know to funky B-side beats. Here’s a sample of albums you can find at the counter:
TRADER JOE’S
Sure, you can run in and buy some flowers, or a mini-Xmas tree, or a bottle of booze. But that just reeks of last-minute-gift-buying desperation. TJ’s has a variety of holiday-themed gifts that are wrapped and ready to go. For the neighbors or company from out of town: European cookies in tins and canisters (including one that’s over two feet long), a gingerbread house kit, and Belgian dark chocolates – all less than $10. Instead of wrapping, At checkout, spring for a $1.99 reusable bag to deliver all your gifts: You can guarantee it will be used well into 2009. (Ric Francis / Associated Press)
Advertisement
RITE AID
Knott’s Boxed Gift Set, on sale for $12.50
Going to spend the night at your mother-in-law’s? Grab a Knott’s boxed gift set complete with pancake mix, biscuit mix, boysenberry syrup, and two types of jam--it will look nice wrapped up and you’ve brought a festive breakfast with you. The sale price is 50 % of $24.99. Not bad. (Deborah Netburn / Los Angeles Times)
RITE AID
Beauty Glam Girl Fashion Fantasy Kit, $9.99
If you have young nieces or friends with little girls, grab a Beauty Glam Girl Fashion Fantasy Kits. It’s pink and sparkly and contains lip glosses and eye shadows. For only $9.99 you will make some little girl’s week, maybe even month. (Buy two and the second one is 50% off). (Deborah Netburn / Los Angeles Times)
99 CENT STORE
Series Finale of “Friends” on DVD, $.99
What better way to say, “I’ll be there for you” than a DVD of the series finale of your favorite sitcom from the ‘90s? You said goodbye to them in 2005. Now you can relive that moment again and again in DVD quality. The DVD comes with extras, including the 1994 pilot episode and a music video of the show’s theme song, “I’ll Be There For You” by the Rembrandts. (Jason La / Los Angeles Times)
99 CENT STORE
iSox, $.99
Can’t afford to get that special someone in your life an iPod? How about something to put an iPod in? iSoxs are like fashionable socks for your iPod. The iSox will keep your iPod from getting scratched, but it lacks a window, so accessing the buttons on your player may be a little difficult. The container says they fit all iPod models, but I think an iPod Nano would feel a little too roomy in the iSox. But hey, it’s a buck and the snazzy packaging makes it look like it costs more. (Jason La / Los Angeles Times)
Advertisement
7-ELEVEN
Lucky Lotto tickets
Give a little luck in the form of instant-winner scratch-off tickets. How thoughtful that the California lottery made one just for the holidays: Jingle Bucks ($2 each). Get the California Crossword for the braniac on your list ($3 each) and 14-Karat Gold for bling mavens ($2 each) (Mary Forgione / Los Angeles Times)
7-ELEVEN
Stuffed doggie and chocolates
Something for the kid (or kid at heart?) on your list: A feel-good doggie or teddy bear that comes with a collar and “Hug Me!” tag. This stuffed animal goes for $8.99 but $2 goes to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Top it off with two quality Green & Black’s organic chocolate minibars (I chose milk chocolate and bittersweet dark) for $1.99 each. (Mary Forgione / Los Angeles Times)
7-ELEVEN
Deck of politically themed playing cards
In this political and historic of all election years, Politicards ’08 seem the perfect gift selection ($2.99). Barack, Hillary, McCain, Arnold, they’re all there--and a surprising number of newly minted cabinet selections like Bill Richardson. Hey, who stacked the deck? (Mary Forgione / Los Angeles Times)
7-ELEVEN
Monster Energy Juice
Forget the token bottle of wine or bag of tony coffee; this stuff goes straight to the bloodstream. With 21 grams of sugar and 200 mg of ginseng, it might be a great way to get that party started! Caveat: I didn’t taste this stuff, but was won over by the Goth-like four-pack boxes. This one is called Khaos--what more perfect holiday message? Cost: $6.99. (Mary Forgione / Los Angeles Times)
