The Gift Your Friends Never Dared Hope for: A Life-Size Statue of You

It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas--with shoppers mauling the malls to find those last-minute gifts. Some of this year’s hot sellers include a musical calculator that comes with its own sheet music, and Lady Di and Prince Charles slippers. (There’s also a Ronnie and Nancy version). For $125, Seeger People at Newport Center Fashion Island will photograph you, then mount five photo sculptures--up to life-size--on black acrylic stands. The musical calculator will play tunes while you are paying after-Christmas bills. Some other suggestions: beaded sneakers ($75), a flying replica of the Goodyear blimp ($48), and a remote-control fire engine ($100), all at Neiman Marcus at Fashion Island. If you are stuck for what to send the relatives in South Dakota, Bullock’s at South Coast Plaza will produce a videotape with you singing “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” in a rock band accompanied by Santa and his elves ($19.99 for one copy). Cartier at South Coast Plaza has 18-karat gold electroplated sunglasses with sapphires on the temples for $680. Then, of course, there are those items people never think to ask for--like ironing board covers, Charles Colson’s autobiography or brass collar stays.