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<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   Related Stories • What a snowy mess we're in 12/23/08   CONTACT THE HERALD Mike Benbow, Business Editor benbow@heraldnet.com   Published: Tuesday, December 23, 2008 Two days left to shop for gifts: How to make the most of them By Michelle Dunlop Herald Writer Have all the snow and ice made a mess of your holiday shopping plans? With just two shopping days until Christmas, there is still time to put presents under the tree. Your means of doing so, of course, will depend on whether you're willing to venture out onto the snowy roads. Even if you're snowed in, you can still make things happen. Before you get started -- be it online, on foot or on the roads -- make a list. With so little time left to shop, you may only get one shot to hit the malls or to place an order online that will be delivered in time for the holidays. Efficiency is essential. Try to consolidate your shopping to one or two retailers -- it could save you either shipping costs online or hassle on the roads. Shop online If the snow has you homebound, shopping online may be your only option. Several major retailers and online shopping sites can deliver your gifts by Christmas Eve. But you'll need to act quickly. Here are a few online retailers and their shipping schedules: Amazon.com: Next-day shipments, to arrive Dec. 24, can be made until 3 p.m. today for qualifying items. Sears: For next-day shipping, order by 9:30 a.m. today. Toys "R" Us: Order items by 9 a.m. today, for overnight, Dec. 24, delivery. Apple store: Standard items such as non-engraved iPods and iMacs are eligible for next-day shipping if ordered by 10 a.m. today. Borders: Order by 7 a.m. and ship items overnight for presents to arrive Dec. 24. Check with retailers for restrictions. Online shoppers can also purchase gift cards at their favorite retailers. Many will send the recipient an e-mail notification. Visit the grocer Can't make it to a major shopping center? Chances are you'll still venture to the neighborhood grocery store or pharmacy. And there are probably more gifts lurking in these stores than you might think. Most grocery stores offer an abundance of gift cards from retailers including Barnes & Noble or Footlocker; restaurants such as Olive Garden and Red Lobster; airlines such as Southwest; or local sports teams, including the Mariners. Nationally, the sale of gift cards is expected to drop this year as consumers are taking advantage of deep discounts at local retailers. But more people say they'd like to receive them. Nearly 55 percent of consumers who responded to a recent poll said they'd like to get a gift card this year, the National Retail Federation reported. Besides gift cards, grocery stores offer the perfect opportunity to make a gift basket for friends and co-workers on your list. Grab a gift bag or basket and get started: For wine lovers, package a bottle or two with crackers and cheese or a corkscrew and bottle stopper. Try making a similar gift basket for the beer drinker on you list. Many grocery stores carry a small selection of glasses -- look for steins or freezable mugs. Create a coffee or tea-themed basket. Many stores have mugs along with higher-end coffees including Starbucks or Tully's. Diffusers for tea also are readily found at most grocery stores. Add a package of biscotti. Italian dinner theme: Make a basket using a colander filled with bags of specialty pasta and sauces. Throw in a small cheese grater and a block of artisan Parmesan from the deli. Chocolate delight: The selection of chocolates varies from store to store. But keep in mind that Starbucks introduced its line -- truffles, bars and chocolate-covered coffee beans -- to stores this year. Add in hot chocolate mixes or cookies. Several grocery stores in Snohomish County are located near dollar stores, where you'll find stocking stuffers and items to complement your gift baskets. Heading to a pharmacy? Walgreens and Rite-Aid and others carry many of the same items as major retailers, just in limited selections. For children, you'll find stuffed animals, toy cars and games. These stores also offer designer perfumes, electric razors, alarm clocks, digital picture frames and cameras. Shop late Many of those same pharmacy stores not only are open 24 hours but also will be open on a limited basis on Christmas Day. Most malls and major retailers also have extended hours today and open early Christmas Eve. Some shopping centers have been forced to close early because of the bad weather. Call before you go if you plan to stay late. Everett Mall: 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. today; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday. Alderwood mall: 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. today; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday. Seattle Premium Outlets: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday. Target: 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. today; 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday. Kmart: 6 a.m. to midnight today; 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday. Best Buy: 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. today; 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday.

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