MAIN Home Life Holidays Christmas Last-Minute Gift Guide

Call it the Lazy Shoppers Guide to Holiday Giving...

For those who wait to the the last minute every year, e-gift certificates and in-store pick-up might be the two most beautiful phrases of the holiday shopping season.

Both options are available at major online stores which offer the harried shopper a chance to look good in the eyes of friends and loved ones with only a quarter of the effort.

(Remember those popcorn tins and discount gift sets you bought at midnight last year? We know who you are. We've done it.)

How to : Now, through the magic of in-store pickup, you can easily browse the shops online, pick the gift you want, and have it ready for you at the customer service counter. Just remember to bring a form of ID, plus the e-mail they sent with your verification code.

No muss, no fuss, no waiting in line - and you didn't have to sacrifice your last nerve to give the gift of a lifetime. Of course, your friends and family don't have to know that...

In-Store Pick-Up

Circuit City In-Store Pickup - The online electronics dealer with thousands of products ranging from laptops and digital cameras to televisions and portable DVD players. With a guarantee of having your order ready and waiting in under a half-hour.

CompUSA In-Store Pick-Up - PC's, laptops, notebooks, electronic accessories and lots more for ordering online - then pick it up at the nearest store within 15 minutes of placing your reservation.

Linens 'N Things In-Store Pickup - The virtual U.S. housewares department offering everything for house and home, including gift ideas with easy instructions on ordering and pickup.

Best Buy Store Pickup - Movies, games and electronics to office furniture and refrigerators await, with instructions on in-store ordering and a promise of being ready in under an hour.

Sears Store Pickup - Complete instructions on how to shop the retail giant and have your purchase delivered to your car within minutes of arrival at their door. Same day or next day availability, but only on items marked with the Blue Star.

Online e-Gift Certificates

With this option, last-minute shopping is polished to a fine art.

Snooze late into Christmas morning and still have all of your holiday shopping done by noon.

How to : Simply log-on to your computer where major online stores offer electronic gift certificates, which can be sent instantly to your recipient's e-mail address with your best wishes.

Usually, recipients are issued special claim codes included in the e-mail with instructions on how to begin their shopping spree. Then your recipient enters the code to checkout their holiday gifts - which have already been bought and paid for - by YOU...

And what a sweet person you are.


Amazon.com Online Gift Certificate - Find toys, books, electronics and just about anything else at this pioneer online retailer offering e-gift certificates redeemable online.

Barnes & Noble Online Gift Certificate - e-gift certificates for gift books, CD's, DVD's and more.

Sephora Online Gift Certificates - Bath and body gift sets, makeup and skin care products for men and women in e-gift denominations from $10 to $250.

Genius Babies.com e-Gift Certificates - Send them your best with these e-mail gift certificates for baby and kids' gifts and toys in denominations from $25 to $300.

Mrs. Fields - Her famous cookies, and other e-gift treats in denominations from $15 to $150.

Lenox.com - Spend big or small on fine china and crystalware redeemable in amounts starting at $25 or whatever amount you choose.

also see -> Holiday Planner | Clothing & Fashion Shopping

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