Spend Some Real Money Virtual Shopping
No need to change out of those pajamas. Just pull up a chair, log on and get ready for some heavy-duty Net shopping. A few suggestions from our cyberSanta:
Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com offer thousands of book titles and gift suggestions. Reel.com has movies galore, including the American Film Institute’s top 100. Plug in the title of a favorite flick, and find a match that’s similar. Blockbuster.com has movies and music for sale online, or build a custom CD one song at a time at CDnow.com or Customdisc.com.
REI.com stocks gear for any sport, from camping to snowboarding, while Store.ESPN.com has league-licensed sports memorabilia, as well as your favorite team gear, both college and pro. Justballs.com is just that: balls in any size, including sports balls, fitness balls and toy balls. Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa Fotoballs are just $7.99.
Girlshop.com offers the latest in trendy fashions and accessories for women from Pixie Yates, Cynthia Rowley, Jussara and others. JCrew.com, EddieBauer.com, LLBean.com and Gap.com have sportswear selections for men, women and children, and Coach.com carries leather goods, including belts, bucket bags and briefcases.
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For cosmetics and bath products, try Bobbibrowncosmetics.com, Clinique.com, Perfumecenter.com and Bodyshop.com.
For teens, collegiate-inspired looks from Abercrombie and Fitch can be found at Abercrombie.com, while JustNikki.com, Delias.com, Alloyonline.com and Moxiegirl.com offer hipster wear and cool gifts like Tarot card sets and inflatable furniture.
Egift.com and Etoy.com carry tons of toys, software and kids’ videos. Visit the Disney Store at Disney.com and F.A.O. Schwarz at Faoschwarz.com, browse a selection of Fisher Price products at Fisherprice.com and a Barbie bonanza at Barbie.com.
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The next best thing to sharing a toast is sending one. Sendwine.com offers wines, ports and champagnes in one- and two-bottle gift sets.
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For gift certificates to retailers nationwide, check into Giftpoint.com.
Avoid the mall crowds by visiting department stores online: Macy’s at Macys.com, Nordstrom at Nordstrom.com, Bloomingdale’s at Bloomingdales.com, Sears, Roebuck and Co. at Sears.com and Neiman Marcus atNeimanmarcus.com.
And once you’ve finished shopping for other people, send your own wish list to Santa at santaclausonline.com or northpole.com. Web mail, interactive activities, animation and games are available from both sites.
