Quirky Ideas for Your Holiday Gift Buying

I woke up today and realized that Christmas is less than 60 days away! I turned on the television and the shopping channels are already running Christmas product marathons. I went out shopping and the stores have by-passed Thanksgiving and are already stocking their shelves with Christmas goodies. All of this means that I am feeling the pressure to get my shopping done early.

If you are like me every year I say that I am going to finish all of my shopping and wrapping before December gets here. If you are like me you struggle with what to get your friends, family, and neighbors that seem to have everything. If you are like me every year I am up late Christmas Eve wrapping those last minute gifts that I picked up. This year will be different. Here are TEN unique gifts that are sure to please almost anyone on your list. Happy shopping and take time to sip a wassail.

1. Is your grandmother in her eighties and always reminiscing about her youth? What do you get someone this age? They've had eighty years to collect everything that they could ever need. I've found a great magazine that will allow them to relive some of the great memories that they have being raised in the early 1900's. For $19.97 you can give a one year subscription to Good Old Days magazine and a year full of smiles for your gram. Check on-line magazine sites for even better deals.

2. Every man loves his steaks! What could be better than a nice juicy t-bone on the grill? A nice juicy t-bone on the grill that has his initials or even his favorite team's name branded on it. Check out the meat branding iron for $26.99 at www.after5catalog.com. It comes with 52 letters and spaces for unending grilling fun.

3. The political races are heating up and everyone has an opinion about who they would like to win. We all know someone who takes those opinions to the next level. Do you have a Hillary hater in your life? Or even a Hillary lover? This item could perhaps go both ways. Visit www.overstock.com to buy the Hillary Clinton nutcracker. At $29.99 it's only a fraction of the price of the federal deficit.

4. Do you know anyone messy eaters? You know the ones that leave a pile of crumbs where they were sitting. Make their lives easier by picking up the animal mini tabletop vacuum for them this year. This cute item is also functional. They can store it in a drawer and after every meal take it out for easy clean-up. Choose the appropriate animal at www.wrapables.com for only $14.95.

5. We all know someone who absolutely loves their dog. We also probably know someone who likes a good drink every once in awhile after a hard days work. Do you have someone who fits both of these? I have the perfect gift for them, the martini shaped dog bowl with squeaky olive and matching place mat. Now that special person can enjoy both of their favorites together. Do they prefer a less potent drink? Check out www.amazon.com for the margarita version. Get either one or maybe both for $24.99 each.

6. Do you live miles from your mother and she rarely sees her grandkids? Try snapping a picture of them and turning it into a great photo scarf for her. Her eyes will water when she opens this Christmas morning and finds that she can carry her grandkids with her wherever she goes. Visit your local Walmart or their photo center on-line to order this. For $17.96 you get an 8" x 48" polyester scarf in one of the six colors that they offer.

7. We all like to think that we are doing our part to save the environment. Al Gore has told us that every little bit helps. Purchase one of these twist and spouts and help that special person in your life do their small part. These are great for the gardener in your life or even anyone who has plants in their home or office that need watering. These spouts come in two sizes and fit most water or soda bottles. In just a few twists they have an environmentally friendly watering can. Go to www.perpetualkid.com to pick one up. At $4.99 you can buy one for everyone on your list without breaking the bank.

8. Have you ever gone somewhere for a BBQ, the host puts the burgers on the grill, and a few minutes later they realize that the propane has run out? This is the gift for them. Brookestone offers an easy to install, easy to read propane gauge. Visit them at any of their stores or on-line to buy this nifty gadget for only $24.95. Your friends and family will thank you for it.

9. We've all heard that we need to drink more water. We are now also hearing that it is better to buy a reusable water bottle instead of going through all those disposable ones. LL Bean offers a great gift idea with this in mind. Visit www.llbean.com to see their selection of Nalgene water bottle gift sets. These are bright and durable 32 oz. bottles filled with lots of goodies. The prices range from $19.50 to $29.50, and the themes range from the spa to chocolate to outdoor survival.

10. Have you read numbers 1-9 and are still at a loss about what to get that one last person on your list? Are they a kid at heart? A little eccentric? Interested in retro items with a modern edge? Here is the perfect gift....the space age ant farm. Yes, the ant farm is back but with a futuristic twist. Although it does not include the ants it does come with everything else that you need. This farm is filled with a blue gel that holds all of the nutrients the ants will need while building their network of tunnels through it. Go to www.geeks.com to order yours today at $17.50.

Well, I don't know about you but I feel alot better about my Christmas shopping. Now I just have to find someone who's willing to wrap all of these things for me.