Smart Last-Minute Santas Finish Up With One-Gift-Fits-All Plan

With less than a week left until Christmas, Santa faces not only dwindling dollars but days.

Those major family-and-close-friends “budget busters” already have been rounded up, but there are still the “gotta get” gifts for the semi-significant, and the pesky stocking stuffers for the tots.

Weary of toting that charge to gift those babes?

Make the rest of the quest as easy as possible by avoiding any shopping mall that makes you feel like you’re approaching LAX, and by buying in bulk.

When the shopping gets tough, the prudent punt. Find something that everyone left on your list likes, and buy, buy, buy.

Such as chocolate.

You can walk into An Affair With Chocolate in Sherman Oaks and kiss your troubles goodby.

Tell the folks here how much you want to spend for each person on the list, hand over the mailing addresses and you’re home free.

Well, practically.

They will make trays or gift baskets for $24 to $120 each, but their secret of success is that they also offer the best deal in town on a new car.

For $15, they will create a chocolate Mercedes, Jaguar, Rolls, BMW, Ferrari or you name it. For $25, you get a limousine.

Another Estie in Northridge will send out hand-sculpted chocolate roses. Alissa’s in Sherman Oaks sells long-stemmed chocolate chip cookies, and at the Candy Jar in Agoura will make up special baskets for $15 to $90.

At many of these places, you can simply hand the salespeople a list of names and addresses and the money, and they’ll be happy to take care of the rest.

Because most gift recipients are predisposed to eating treats, you can seldom go wrong with food.

This is why most markets carry those brimming-with-gourmet-goodies gift baskets this time of year. They’re made for just for Santas like you.

Gelson’s in Studio City, Encino and Tarzana; Mrs. Gooch’s Natural Foods Markets in Northridge and Sherman Oaks; and the Irving Ranch Market in Woodland Hills will also make baskets to match your specifications and price range.

“We can work in the price range of $20 to $500,” says Steve Teeple, “basket honcho” at the Woodland Hills Ranch Market, the price difference depending on whether you want tea and cookies or champagne and pate.

Stationery stores, such as Tam’s in Northridge and Panorama Stationers in Panorama City, are good for picking up inexpensive, fun and useful stocking stuffers, including bunches of brightly colored pens, personalized note pads, diaries or note paper.

And most of them, such as Jim’s Office Center in Woodland Hills and Alexander’s in Canyon Country, have gifts for a favorite teacher or business friend, whether you want a budget-bending Mont Blanc pen or a gold-filled Cross with the recipient’s initials on it.

For the sporting, places such as Canoga Sporting Goods in Canoga Park, Athlete’s Sports Center in Agoura and Sports Ltd. in Woodland Hills are easy to shop.

Although it would be madness for Santa to guess at something as personal as skis or golf clubs or a tennis racquet, golf or tennis balls would certainly be a quick pick. So would a number of other items for skiers, skaters, and golf and tennis fanatics who might like headbands, shirts, gloves or hats.

Bookstores such as Dutton’s in North Hollywood, Books Etc. and An Affair with Books in Newhall are Santa’s last-minute shopping salvation because there is something for everyone: bestsellers, crossword puzzles, mysteries, children’s books, how-to books, books on sports and the arts, books of maps, cookbooks, as well as books that come with videos, books on tape and blank books just waiting to be filled.

Bookstores are also good places to buy defensively for the surprise bin to be used when people give you an unexpected gift. After the surprise gift-giver springs his gift, you go pull one from the surprise bin for him. The gift doesn’t have to be fancy, just there. Good choices are a nice Sierra Club or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or Monet calendar, pre-wrapped.

A magazine is a gift that keeps on giving, and many subscription departments will send your recipients a card within days of your gift request telling them the first issue is in the mail. If you are really pressed for time, there is usually an 800 number--listed in the magazine’s index box--to call for fast service.

For teen-agers, college students, the baby-sitter or the relative who never seems to like anything, gift certificates are a safe bet.

Homemade items make for good giving, especially simple things such as cookies, candy or pictures.

Personalized gifts are special, but most of us don’t think of that anymore. No time, for one thing, but you can buy goodies that are as good as homemade at places including Mrs. Beasley’s Muffins and Giftbaskets in Tarzana and Miss Grace Lemon Cake Co. in Encino.

Now that the days have dwindled to an alarming few and Santa’s brain has gone south for lack of ideas, some people stop shopping altogether and start giving promises as gifts--a written invitation to share a trip or meal or adventure.

Making promises is fun and easy, and Santa can promise any kind of an adventure he wants.

The most important thing, however, is to remember to make a date and keep it because it is not just the thought that counts.

Santa has to deliver.

Where to Find Them * An Affair With Chocolate, 4495 Van Nuys Blvd., Sherman Oaks, (818) 789-7376.

* Alissa’s Creations, 4495 Van Nuys Blvd., Sherman Oaks, (818) 907-7988.

* Another Este, 8248 Louise Ave., Northridge, (818) 705-8311.

* The Candy Jar, 5637 Kanan Road, Agoura Hills, (818) 706-0406.

* Gelson’s Markets, 4738 Laurel Canyon Blvd, North Hollywood, (818) 906-5743; 16450 Ventura Blvd., Encino, (818) 906-5708; 5500 Reseda Blvd., Tarzana, (818) 906-5752.

* Mrs. Gooch’s Natural Foods Markets, 9350 Reseda Blvd., Northridge, (818) 701-5122; 12905 Riverside Drive, Sherman Oaks (818) 762-5548.

* Irvine Ranch Market, 6401 Canoga Ave., Woodland Hills, (818) 704-0485.

* Tam’s Stationer, 9310 Reseda Blvd., Northridge, (818) 886-6255; 19701 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills (818) 705-0370.

* Panorama Stationers, 8540 Van Nuys Blvd., Panorama City, (818) 892-7264.

* Jim’s Office Center, 22039 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills, (818) 884-0610.

* Alexander’s Stationery Store, 20655 Soledad Canyon Road, Canyon Country, (818) 252-1151.

* Canoga Sporting Goods, 21813 Sherman Way, Canoga Park, (818) 340 2880.

* Athlete’s Sports Center, 5741 Kanan Road, Agoura Hills, (818) 889-1664.

* Sports Ltd., 22642 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills, (818) 346-3330).

* Dutton’s Books, 5146 Laurel Canyon Blvd., North Hollywood, (818) 769-3866

* An Affair with Books, 22700 Lyons Ave., Newhall, (805) 259-6566

* Mrs. Beasley’s Muffins and Cookies, 19572 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana, (818) 344-7845

* Miss Grace Lemon Cake Co., 16571 Ventura Blvd., Encino, (818) 995-1976.