Frazzled? Try these for unique last-minute gifts.
value conscious, a bargain hunter, a busy person, practical, fascinated by diversity
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DEC
11
2008
THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
www.usps.com
www.usps.com
The P.O. gift shop is unique. It's easy to open an account there for easy choice and purchase of stamps and gifts. And where else can you get the Inauguration Day Official Commemorative Souvenir for a zealous Obama-ite or favorite history buff?
The Inauguration folio is 11" X 7" folded. Inside is a collectible stamped envelope with silk portraits of President-Elect Obama and Vice President-Elect Biden and a colorful commemorative postmark. Photos, bios, brief commentary on inaugural tradition and history, and the presidential oath of office are also included.
The Inauguration folio is 11" X 7" folded. Inside is a collectible stamped envelope with silk portraits of President-Elect Obama and Vice President-Elect Biden and a colorful commemorative postmark. Photos, bios, brief commentary on inaugural tradition and history, and the presidential oath of office are also included.
The folio will be sold starting January 20, but I'd suggest you do two things now: 1) Put in your order at $14.95 each promptly [USPS says a limited quantity are available] and 2) Copy the enlargement of the folio on the P.O. site, roll it up, tie it with a pretty ribbon and present it to your recipient at Hanukka, Christmas, or Kwanzaa. How nice for your recipient(s) to have something to look forward to!
As for you? Your credit card will not be charged until January 20th.
As for you? Your credit card will not be charged until January 20th.
NASCAR fans will know the USPS and Team Brewco Motorsports-sponsored car, and some will appreciate NASCAR souvenirs available from the P.O. shop. Included are heavyweight cotton tees, jerseys, polo shirts, diecast cars and trucks and a NASCAR #66 cap. Prices start at $9.95.
Lovers of Disney have many choices. "Art of Disney, Imagination" and "Art of Disney: Romance" sets go for $14.95. Each one includes four 8" X 10" prints and four stamps ready for framing. Already-framed Disney art toys, and various configurations of Disney stamps can also be ordered online.
Hurray for Hollywood and the 1000-piece Movie Star Puzzles featuring legends Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, Humphrey Bogart, Audrey Hepburn, Lucille Ball, and John Wayne. Each 20" X 27" puzzle portrait goes for $12.95 -- a good gift for laid-back retirees or for placing on a holiday table so that anyone passing through can work on it.
Honor a family veteran with the framed Our American Hero. This 15.5" X 17.5" work has room for your hero's 4" X 6" photo set against the Flag and Statue of Liberty, a 39-cent stamp issued in 2005. Other framed art honors vets of Iraq, Vietnam or Afghanistan and features maps of the countries on which Tour of Duty information can be added.
What would I order for myself? A full pane of 16 different 42-cent, cancelled stamps honoring designers/architects/artists/filmakers Charles and Ray Eames. Many of our '50s vintage items, now very pricey, were once the regular output of their studio. This would be fun to frame.
Lovers of Disney have many choices. "Art of Disney, Imagination" and "Art of Disney: Romance" sets go for $14.95. Each one includes four 8" X 10" prints and four stamps ready for framing. Already-framed Disney art toys, and various configurations of Disney stamps can also be ordered online.
Hurray for Hollywood and the 1000-piece Movie Star Puzzles featuring legends Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, Humphrey Bogart, Audrey Hepburn, Lucille Ball, and John Wayne. Each 20" X 27" puzzle portrait goes for $12.95 -- a good gift for laid-back retirees or for placing on a holiday table so that anyone passing through can work on it.
Honor a family veteran with the framed Our American Hero. This 15.5" X 17.5" work has room for your hero's 4" X 6" photo set against the Flag and Statue of Liberty, a 39-cent stamp issued in 2005. Other framed art honors vets of Iraq, Vietnam or Afghanistan and features maps of the countries on which Tour of Duty information can be added.
What would I order for myself? A full pane of 16 different 42-cent, cancelled stamps honoring designers/architects/artists/filmakers Charles and Ray Eames. Many of our '50s vintage items, now very pricey, were once the regular output of their studio. This would be fun to frame.
PUPPETS UNIVERSE
www.puppetsuniverse.com
Go straight to finger puppets. The prices are reasonable and the variety of animal finger puppets may make it hard to stop ordering. I saw the skunk, the chipmunk, the possum (with his velcro tail extension), the mouse, and more at the Huntington Library and Museum Gift Shop just outside L.A. The ordering line was excruciatingly long, however, so I went home and found this Google site.
These puppets are great for teachers and youngsters of all ages. Order at least two for "good conversations".
Or order a fistful! They're darned cute, generously sized, and most are in the $5-$8 range.
These puppets are great for teachers and youngsters of all ages. Order at least two for "good conversations".
Or order a fistful! They're darned cute, generously sized, and most are in the $5-$8 range.
TRADER JOE'S
Anywhere there's a Trader Joe's, there's a friend or family member just salivating for a gift card. Statistics (and personal experience) tell us that a huge number of gift cards aren't redeemed every year. Trader Joe's Gift Card could not be one of them.
I get several from students every holiday, and I hoard them until I'm ready to shop experimentally. My TJs cards are for things TunefulPal and I have never tried. We usually stretch the cards out over the six to eight months after Christmas.
Now that's the kind of pleasure a gift card should bring!
And do give the gift of TJs fun to the homebound. Fill Trader Joe's decorative shopping bags with goodies they can try now and after the holidays.
I get several from students every holiday, and I hoard them until I'm ready to shop experimentally. My TJs cards are for things TunefulPal and I have never tried. We usually stretch the cards out over the six to eight months after Christmas.
Now that's the kind of pleasure a gift card should bring!
And do give the gift of TJs fun to the homebound. Fill Trader Joe's decorative shopping bags with goodies they can try now and after the holidays.
Christmas Shopping is recommended by TunefulGal
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