Lifestyle

Holiday gift ideas $5 and under

If you missed the flyover or parade through Los Angeles, see the shuttle at the California Science Shuttle. The exhibit, which opened Oct. 30, is accompanied by a companion show, "Endeavour: The California Story," which includes displays and artifacts. Price: $2 service charge per ticket; admission to the California Science Center is free Where to find: California Science Center, 700 Exposition Park Drive, Los Angeles; reserve tickets online at http://www.californiasciencecenter.org/Exhibits/AirAndSpace/endeavour/endeavour.php --JL

If you missed the flyover or parade through Los Angeles, see the shuttle at the California Science Shuttle. The exhibit, which opened Oct. 30, is accompanied by a companion show, “Endeavour: The California Story,” which includes displays and artifacts.

Price: $2 service charge per ticket; admission to the California Science Center is free

Where to find: California Science Center, 700 Exposition Park Drive, Los Angeles; reserve tickets online at

http://www.californiasciencecenter.org/Exhibits/AirAndSpace/endeavour/endeavour.php

--JL   (Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)

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By Jenn Harris, Dianne de Guzman, Jason La, Lora Victorio and Alice Short

There’s art to the gift of giving. Some folks have mastered it; others not so much. It starts with a good eye and an understanding of your own budget. Worried that you might not have what it takes? Not to fret, we’re making things easy this season. From reliable stocking stuffers to hard-to-find items, we’ve got gifts for everyone on your list. Here are 100 gift ideas for under $100. | | | | | |

Beanie Baby

These inexpensive stuffed animals were wildly popular in the ‘90s, causing buyers to line up outside of toy stores as they awaited shipments. Interest eventually declined, and the company announced it would stop producing them in 1999. That “shut down” lasted a few months; the company resumed production in early 2000. Little kids (among others) still love them.

Price: About $4.99 each

Where to find: http://world.ty.com/catalog/catPage.cfm?status=Current&lineid=3

--JL   (Michael S. Green / Associated Press)

Duncan yo-yo

Yo-yos have been around for centuries, and Duncan Toys Company has been making them for more than 80 years. How can you go wrong?

Price: $3.49 to $4.99 for Classic series yo-yos

Where to find: https://www.yo-yo.com/index.php/site/categories/yo-yos/classic

--JL   (Jason La / Los Angeles Times)

Emergency clown nose

This foam clown nose was created by professional clowns, so no need to worry about your loved ones making a fool of themselves when they put it on. (Seriously, it was designed by professionals!) One size fits all.

Price: $5

Where to find: UncommonGoods, http://www.uncommongoods.com/product/emergency-clown-nose

--JL  (Jason La / Los Angeles Times)

Straw broom

They’re colorful, cheap, extremely practical, and widely available in Chinatown shops and some Asian supermarkets.

Price: About $2, depending on location

Where to find: Los Angeles Chinatown; for location of home stores: http://www.chinatownla.com/businesses.php?c=1&categoryId=27

--JL   (Jason La / Los Angeles Times)

"Cleopatra: The Exhibition"

This exhibition, which ends Dec. 31, contains the largest collection of Cleopatra-period artifacts from Egypt ever assembled in the U.S.

Price: $2 service charge per ticket; admission to the California Science Center is free

Where to find: California Science Center, 700 Exposition Park Drive, Los Angeles; reserve tickets online at

http://www.californiasciencecenter.org/Exhibits/SpecialExhibits/Cleopatra/Cleopatra.php

--JL  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

TAP Card

It’s time to give your family and friends the gift of public transportation. The Expo Line connecting downtown Los Angeles to Culver City debuted this year, and more extensions are scheduled for the next few years.

Price: $1 for the card and $1.50 for each ride

Where to find: Purchase at any Metro station, http://www.metro.net/

--JL  (Richard Hartog / Los Angeles Times)

99 Cents Only tie

The 99 Cents Only Store in Garden Grove carries a surprisingly wide variety of ties, including traditional, skinny, whimsical and serious. The merchandise changes, so call to make sure they have ties in stock.

Price: $.99

Where to find: 99 Cents Only Store, 9920 Westminster Ave., Garden Grove

--JL  (Kathy Pyon / Los Angeles Times)

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