Fifteen Coolest Sites for Online Shopping

There are lots of reasons why people shop online. Avoiding the crowds and traffic, and the convenience of having your purchases shipped directly to the recipient probably being chief. There's another draw to online shopping, though, that may be even more important: the incredible, interesting and totally unique things that await at just the click of a mouse.

Whether you are looking for things to impress a teenager or a sophisticate there are a myriad of sites that offer an array goods you would be hard pressed to find in any brick and mortar store. Even for the person who has everything. Check out these sites for your holiday shopping.

UncommonGoods.com- A collection of handmade and interesting goods from around the world. From elegant to fun there is something for nearly everyone- teens to adults. Jewelry, accessories, decorative and functional.

Etsy.com- Etsy is a really great place to shop. It's basically an online craft fair that offers unique, hand made items that never cease to amaze with their inventiveness. Just looking is entertaining.

Elsewares.com- Beautiful handmade artisan items and nicely designed pieces. Clothing, jewelry, house wares, decorative and accessories.

Greenergrassdesign.com -Sophisticated design: "an ever-changing product range including some larger production items, some limited edition along with design originals."

Baronbob.com - Youthful, fun novelties. This is a great place to shop for the person who's known for a sense of humor. Your source for must-have items like the 'Christmas Story' leg lamp and the 2008 Butt Crack Calendar.

Artafax.com- Cutting edge, innovative design. This site features beautiful, chic, artistic objects ranging from decorative to functional. The emphasis is on clean, modern lines.

Fly-bird.net -Funky clothes, accessories and house stuff. "Curious items for the happy home, body and mind." This site is a hipster paradise with lots of retro-inspired gifts.

Shanalogic.com- All the cool kids want a gift from Shanalogic. Indy design, handmade items including clothes, accessories and more. If you're shopping for a teen with an individualistic style, stop here.

Individualicons.com - Features very stylish jewelry in sterling silver. Not cheap, but incredibly urbane. All designs are by Rhode Island School graduate LeeAnn Herreid, including the compass ring, thermometer pendant and more.

Fredflare.com - Another great place to shop for the hip teen on your list. Categories "Big in Japan," and "Disney Couture," capture the kitsch fabulousness of this site.

Perpetualkid.com - Promises to "entertain your inner child." Another fun place to shop for the goof-ball on your list. Take, for example, the "already been chewed" cookie cutter which will make your gingerbread men look like they've had a bite or two taken out of them.

Curiosityshoppeonline.com - Specializes in unusual kits and crafty items as well as some great decorative things. Very affordable items like the dishware decals would be perfect stocking stuffers: interesting designs transfer to boring dishware transforming it from drab to fab. The carved wood deer head is at the top of my wish list.

Pylones-usa.com - This site features super bright wildly designed house wares and decoration for that person on your list who has a flair for the unconventional. It has to be seen to be appreciated.

Urbanoutfitters.com - This is a long-time favorite packed with great gifts. Front page is youthful clothing, but items for the home are great.

Scientificsonline.com - You will find some great gifts here
or the intellectually inclined. Many categories includeing physics, astromonomy and electricity.

There is just so much variety online, it's getting more and more appealing to shop from the comfort of your desk. Happy clicking.