Creative and Affordable Gift Ideas for the Shopping-challenged

It's time to post some gift ideas, which is my contribution to Christmas shopping karma (I think I just created a paradox). You see, I have sought out other gift idea lists and it's only fair that I share some of my own. Keeps it all in balance and I need that, considering that I've mixed Christmas with karma.

So here are some of my favorite things. Are they gifts I purchased? Maybe - or maybe I needed a little present for myself. Nonetheless, I'll try to ID the items I've seen first-hand versus the ones I only saw online (the ol' reality vs. concept approach).

First, here's the Gorillapod from Photojojo. As stated on the website, the Gorillapod is a "...fun and pocketable tripod supports a Point & Shoot camera just like a mini version of a traditional tripod. But bend its tentacle-like arms it'll stand on uneven surfaces, wrap around poles, tree branches, or railings, and grab onto nearly any object in sight." Only $23! For SLR camera owners they also offer a Gorillapod SLR Zoom for $50. Photojojo is an amazing website for photography lovers, so check it out and sign up for the email newsletter.

Fred Flare has some great bargains right now, with free shipping if you spend $75 and great bargains. It's one of my favorite go-to spots for stocking stuffers... for example, the Breakfast Floss, which they call "the most important floss of the day." Three different flavors come in the $12 set - waffle, bacon and coffee. Yum. (I even got one for my stocking)

A newcomer to my list of online shopping sites is Click! Design that Fits, a great little shop in Seattle. I found this awesome Night Carafe (made in Japan by Tampopo) for people like me who always take a glass of water to bed. Just $15 (yeah, I got one of these for me, too).

I have more gifts and shops to suggest, so check back. Happy shopping!

More Great Gift Ideas

Here are more gift ideas for the holidays. As in the first post, these items are interesting, uncommon, clever, affordable and sure to delight the people on your gift list.

Niaouli Butter Stick - I've never run across an ointment or cream that smells as wonderful as this butter stick. It's a blend of oils and butters in a soy base that quickly absorbs into skin to moisturize and heal. This and other Skin Free products are ideal for delicate and sensitive skin, and are cruelty-free, vegan and contain no perfumes or harmful chemicals; I recently took some to my Mom when she was in the hospital and it was very calming to her dry skin and helped erase the "hospital smell." A one oz. stick is $7.99 and free shipping is currently available for purchases of $25 or more at skinfree.net

Capri Blue Zip ID Case - Vera Bradley remains a popular brand of handbags, totes, umbrellas, stationery, travel gear and more. My 15-year-old daughter and her friends like it; I own a toiletries set and wallet; I see college students carrying the backpacks. Obviously, the appeal extends across ages and lifestyles. Although the Zip ID usually costs $10 (a great price for a popular brand), the Capri Blue design is being retired and has been marked down to $5 (the Capri Blue Clip Zip ID is only $4). Take a peek at verabradley.com

"Procrastinators" t-shirt - A great t-shirt is always a good gift and some of the best I've seen in ages can be found at threadless.com. I'm a big fan of the "Type Tees" - be sure to check out the haiku shirt! Prices usually run $12 - 15.

Cinnamon Toothpicks - Looking for a nostalgic gift? Experts tell us that the more senses you affect, the stronger the impact you make. Cinnamon toothpicks instantly transport me back to 9th grade, when my best friend and I used to make these by soaking wooden picks in cinnamon oil. If we didn't have time to make them, we'd buy a small paper packet of 15 or 20 amd chew on the toothpicks till our mouths burned. Take your walk down memory lane at oldtimecandy.com, where a tube of 15 toothpicks is 99 cents or a box of 20 tubes (each with 15 toothpicks) runs $15.99. The website also sells oldies but goodies like Necco wafers, Fruit Stripe gum and wax lips.