This is what’s known as crunch time. Thankfully for online shoppers, with next-day air shipping, the gifts you order today will arrive just in time for Christmas. (Phew.)
One of the sites that I think offers the most reliable overnight shipping is Amazon. You can order as late as Saturday, December 22, at 1pm PT. So my final post for this Gift Guide is going to focus on books. And if you’re not an Amazon shopper, you can probably find most of these at your local bookstore. (All prices rounded to the nearest dollar.)
For Followers of Good Design
Heath Ceramics: The Complexity of Simplicity ($20)
After visiting the Heath factory in Sausalito, CA, I wanted to cover every surface in my home with their gorgeous glazed tiles. And – don’t tell my husband – but I wanted to throw out all of my wedding china and start collecting the Heath tabletop pieces. They are simple and timeless. This book is all about the ceramic company that Edith Heath founded in the 1940s.
Humble Masterpieces: Everyday Marvels of Design ($15)
This book proves that there is beauty even in the most mundane things.
For People Who Love to Look at Pretty Homes
Amy Butler’s Midwest Modern ($23)
Amy is known for her fantastic fabrics and, while the book does include plenty of photos of her textiles, it also showcases her beautiful home in Ohio. It’s just like the title implies – a place in the Midwest that is infused with a modern sensibility.
For Bloggers
No One Cares What You Had for Lunch ($14)
I have been a longtime reader of Maggie Mason’s blog, Mighty Girl, and as soon as I heard that she was releasing a book, I had to pick one up. It’s filled with lots of wit and, of course, great ideas for things to write about.
For the Biz Lady in Your Life
Craft, Inc. ($12)
This is a no-brainer. Get this book for anyone you know who is thinking about turning a passion of theirs into a business.
For Crafty Types
I first came across the Petit Pattern books at the Tate Modern in London and, once I returned to the Bay Area, went on a mission to complete my collection. The books include dozens of cool patterns – and there’s a CD so you can print them out and put them to use in various crafty ways. Amazon currently has three in the series: Kids & Toys ($23), Japanese Style ($30) and Flowers & Leaves ($30).
For the Chef-Friend
Chocolate and Zucchini: Daily Adventures in a Parisian Kitchen ($13)
Here’s another great blogger-turned-book author. Clotilde Dusoulier developed such a massive following – even among people like me who can’t cook! – it was no surprised that she landed a book deal. (Pssst, she’s got another book due out in April 2008!)
For the Eco-Conscious
Do Just One Thing ($10)
This is actually a one-a-day calendar from green lifestyle guru Danny Seo (I love that guy!). This is a great gift because it lasts an entire year, and the tips are things you can actually accomplish any given day. Plus, at the end of 2008, the recipient can send in the calendar base and it’ll be recycled.
For Anyone Who Likes a Good Laugh (who doesn’t?)
Our Dumb World: The Onion’s Atlas of the Planet Earth ($17)
If you’re familiar with the parody news publication, The Onion, then you know this is going to be a funny, funny read.
For the New Homeowner
Cath Kidston: Dream Home Journal ($14)
I wish someone had given this to me when I bought my house! (To be fair, it wasn’t published until this year.) This organizer is broken up into eight sections, so each room of the house can be tracked. How smart are the little pockets that can be used to store swatches and paint chips? And there are worksheets so you can keep a record of purchases and jot down notes.
For the New Parents
The Baby Owner’s Starter Kit ($16)
Informational and humorous – to hopefully put new parents (or parents-to-be) at ease. Or at least make them giggle just a little.
For the Newly Engaged
The DIY Wedding ($10)
As the title suggests, this is a guide to planning a wedding that is personal and unique. (Hey, if Natalie over at Craft zine recommends it, it must be good!)
For the Magazine Lovers
Give a subscription. A couple of years ago, I presented a friend with a subscription to ReadyMade. I rolled up a current issue in a tube and attached a tag that let him know that he should be expecting future issues in the mail.
Sure, overnight delivery is probably going to be pricey. And, as you’re staring at the cost that appears before you on the computer screen, you may tell yourself: “Never again! Next year, I’ll start my shopping sooner …” But even if you don’t, that’s okay. Maybe this Last-Minute Gift Guide will give you some hope that, despite procrastinating, you can still score some great stuff out there. Even as the countdown to Christmas approaches zero.
