That Last-Minute Gift
Buying the perfect gift--even at the last minute--can be accomplished by following one simple rule:
It has to look like you put a lot of thought into it.
And pay no attention to people who say not to buy a woman a gift with a plug or a man something that has instructions. Such stereotypes will only slow you down on your quest for the perfect, quick gift.
Big Shots owner Glen Cordes would be glad to conspire with you. He can personalize T-shirts, mugs or mouse pads in about a day at his Thousand Oaks shop. Just bring in a photo print of any size, and he has the technology and know-how to blow it up and crop it. The T-shirt along with either the mug or mouse pad costs $35.
You can put any catchy phrase you want on the T-shirt, including “My dad last-minute shopped and got me this cool personalized T-shirt.”
Cordes also sells life-size cutouts that begin at about $200. These are usually ordered by businesses for trade shows and such, but individuals can buy them, too. For about $100, you can even get a cutout of someone’s favorite pet for them.
Department stores are also willing accomplices in making it look like you put a lot of thought and effort into a last-minute gift.
Robinsons-May in The Oaks and Pacific View malls in Thousand Oaks and Ventura have beautifully wrapped gifts in their cosmetics and fragrances department for men and women.
But do a little legwork first: Buying a fragrance can be tricky, and you could blow your thoughtful cover if you purchase something your recipient has never worn before.
Furthermore, it’s no use smelling samplers to find the right scent, since perfumes often smell different once they mix with someone’s body chemistry.
Find out what the person likes to wear or get a different gift. And remember, if they don’t wear fragrance at all, they might be allergic.
The same goes for buying clothes. If you don’t know the size, don’t buy clothing. It’s not flattering for a person to get a too big or too small sweater. Either way, your thoughtfulness quotient will go way down.
Something fun and easy to give is a big 64-fluid-ounce champagne bottle of bubbly. And you don’t have to worry about the year or if it’s imported or domestic, because it’s actually wild berry bubble bath and costs $9.99 at Robinsons-May.
Knowing just a few likes and dislikes can be helpful.
Mike Dunham, owner of Sports World Collectibles at The Oaks, said he gets a lot of business from women buying for their husbands, boyfriends and bosses.
All Sports World shoppers have to know is what team the person they are shopping for likes, and Dunham can find them something, from a $5.95 collectible pin to a $749 Magic Johnson Jersey.
He has baseballs, photographs, jerseys, helmets and other sports paraphernalia, all signed with documentation and at various prices. A Dick Butkus jersey is $349.95, for example, and a Steve Young is $449.95.
Someone with a grandchild too old for toys might find something at Reel Stuff in The Oaks, which sells collectibles such as Beanie Babies, Pokemon and first-edition “Star Wars” action figures.
These items are good for kids who are technically too old to play with them because they are worth more if they are kept in the package or gently touched.
Beanies start at $5 and go up to $140 for the Ty Britannia Bear not released in the United States.
Hasbro Pokemon Beanies sell for different prices, depending on their popularity, with Charizard going for the most at $24.95.
For the best shot at getting a mall parking space, we suggest you go early or late in the day. Or use the valet parking at The Oaks or Pacific View for a quick entrance and getaway.
But the last-minute buyer doesn’t have to hit the mall. For those who refuse to shop where hordes have gone--and picked through--before, there are less-traveled places that still have plenty of gifts, depending on what you are looking for.
Such as the hardware store. Those family ones around the corner or the big chains like Home Depot or Orchard Supply have plenty of big machinery--with plugs and instructions--for do-it-yourselfers.
Realizing that last-minute shoppers do not have time to inventory every gift recipient’s tool shed, it’s best to stick with unusual items, such as the large waterfall that sells at OSH for $599.99 and can be used indoors or out.
Or an outdoor 28-inch bonfire for $109.99 that burns real wood and could make a patio cozy in cold weather.
A novelty item that has not found its way into every home yet is a Brinkman Turkey Fryer.
The gas cooker fries a 10-pound turkey in 30 minutes and costs $99.99 at OSH. An experimental cook who doesn’t mind wearing protective clothing would love such an item.
Or maybe the person on your list likes to garden. A manicure gift certificate would be nice, or you could buy a pair of thorn-resistant garden Wonder Gloves for $7.99 at Armstrong Garden Center in Thousand Oaks.
They also sell Dramm Rainwands with a lifetime guarantee for $25.99 in bright colors to make watering more enjoyable. Your gardener might also enjoy rubber clogs for $29.99.
Green Thumb manager Vera Villasenor said the Ventura nursery sells a lot of Felco pruners for $42.99.
Now, one last tip for those truly desperate shoppers who need a one-stop idea. Drugstores dispense more than medicine, thermometers and ointments.
At Longs Drugs, which has stores in Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Westlake Village, Camarillo and Ventura, you can get something for your cough and pick up a pot of dancing flowers.
The silk flowers twirl around and move up and down to various tunes, including “I Can See Clearly Now” and “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.” They cost $16.99.
Tired shoppers can also find Dr. Scholl’s Feet Spa for $21.99 at Longs.
But don’t get greedy and plug it in yourself when you get home, or you’ll be heading back to the store for yet another gift.
Nancy Kinsey Needham can be reached at nancy.needham@ reporters.net.
