Gift Giving Guy

Not done with your Christmas shopping? You’re not alone. According to a recent Consumer Reports survey, about one-quarter of shoppers will wait until today, Dec. 23, 2007, or later to complete their shopping. About 10 percent will finish up on Christmas Eve.

To avoid the crowds at brick-and-mortar retailers, try a few online gifts. The shipping deadlines for most online shopping sites have passed, so these gifts will arrive as e-mail. You choose whether to send directly to your giftee or print out the gift certificate and give in person.

The clock is ticking, so quickly consider these 25 online gift-giving options.

1. Amazon Gift Card
   Choose a simple e-mail message or a holiday-themed e-card to the “Earth’s Biggest Selection.”
2. CafePress “Gift This Cart”
   Shop for quirky tees that your giftee would love, adding them to your cart. Then at checkout, write your gift message and click the “Gift This Cart” button to complete payment. CafePress will send the list of paid-for gifts to your recipient, who may choose to accept your selected presents or shop from the amount of the cart. Or you can just send a regular e-mail gift certificate.
3. iTunes Gifts
   If you and your giftee use iTunes, you can select songs, albums and videos to send. Or you can e-mail a gift certificate sent via the iTunes Store.
4. JustGive.org
   Donate online to a charity that matches their passion or let them choose the charity with an online gift certificate. See my post on this topic.
5. GiftCertificates.com
   E-mail a SuperCertificate letting your giftee select from a variety of gift cards. However, avoid the MasterCard gift cards — here’s why.
6. OneShare.com Gift Announcement
   The stock certificate will not arrive for a few weeks but a printable gift announcement will. See my post on this gift idea.
7. The Gift of Flickr
   Upgrade a Flickr photo sharing account to pro status. Read my post for details.
8. Restaurant.com Gift Certificate
   Give online certificates to restaurants near your giftee at discounted rates, such as a $100 gift certificate for $40.
9. Sephora.com e-Gift Certificate
   Allow your giftee to shop online for favorite cosmetics and fragrances. Please note the gift certificate cannot be redeemed in Sephora stores, only online.
10. Lenox.com e-Gift Certificate
    Lenox is renowned for its china, crystal, flatware and vases. My wife and I love our Lenox Courtyard Platinum china set we received as wedding gifts.
11. Uncommon Goods E-mail Gift Certificate
    A great source for eclectic gifts and unique home accessories. E-mail gift certificates ship within 24 hours.
12. Ticketmaster Printable Tickets
    Order and print concert tickets using TicketMaster’s ticketFast service.
13. Cabela’s Electronic Gift Certificate
    If you know someone who enjoys the great outdoors, they know Cabela’s outdoors outfitter. Give an e-mail gift certificate towards hiking, boating, hunting, fishing and camping gear.
14. Lego e-Gift Card
    Legos are among my favorite toys. After all, the package does read “5 and up.” At the office, I keep a small Lego set in my top desk drawer to help break through mental blocks. Lego offers an e-Gift Card valid for LEGOshop.com or phone orders, arriving within four hours after placing your order.
15. Bed and Breakfast.com E-mail Card
    Send an e-mail card announcing your lodging gift to more than 4,000 B&B and inns in the U.S. and Canada.
16. Southwest Airlines Gift Card
    Give travelers an e-mail gift card for airline tickets.
17. Fandango Movie Bucks
    Treat your giftees to a movie at a local theater with these e-mail movie bucks. Check the zip code search on the Fandango web site to make sure local theatres accept Fandango Bucks.
18. Broadway.com Gift Certificates
    Broadway fans who frequent the Big Apple will enjoy a gift certificate good for any current Broadway or off-Broadway show in New York City. Each of these e-mail certificates cost $145.
19. Netflix Gift Subscription
    Delight the film buff on your gift list. Choose the number of months for the Netflix online DVD rental service. Six months costs $53.94. A one-year subscription is $107.88. Then print the certificate or send via e-mail.
20. Eddie Bauer E-Gift Card
    You have until 4 p.m. Central time on Christmas Eve to send an e-card to this clothing store favorite.
21. Callaway Golf E-Card
    Offer golf fans a choice of accessories from the online Callaway Golf Store with an e-card.
22. L.L. Bean E-mail Gift Card
    Select from boots, outdoor clothing, backpacks and tents from this classic mail order company in Freeport, Maine. No expiration date or added fees for this e-mail gift card.
23. Nike Store Digital Gift Card
    Give Nike athletics shoes and apparel with a swoosh via e-mail.
24. DisneyStore.com Online Gift Card
    Recommended by Scrooge McDuck for those Mouseketeer gifts.
25. NFLShop.com Online Gift Certificate
    Rally football fans with e-mail gift certificates that reach e-mail in-boxes within hours.