Probably The Last Post of the Year but Probably the Most Useful

Been too busy at work lately to even consider hitting the sidewalk in search of some well-deserved christmas gifts for your loved ones? You’ve been so active on Facebook that you didn’t bother ordering everything on amazon to avoid the holidays craze in the brick-and-mortar stores (wow, that expression sounds so pre-1st-internet-bubble)?

I hear you, I’m in the exact same position. I could blame the American Santa Claus for my Godson but I’m not sure that the excuse will work for anyone else on my list.

OK, no time to waste, here is a quick list of last minute gift ideas:

Borders developed a really awesome tool to help you in your selection. A very playful microsite that I highly encourage you to browse, even just out of curiosity, especially if you look for ideas to develop a new diagnostic for your site. You’ll be offered a selection of books, DVDs and CDs according to the recipient’s tastes and habits. Thanks Paul for the tip.

Thirty years on this planet and I still don’t understand why women are so crazy about expensive jewels when they could save the money and do something else like travel or buy cupcakes everyday. But hey, if you want to spend you hard-earned pesos on rocks, head to Gordon’s Gift Finder, answer few questions like “Is she a party animal?” or “Is she Mac or PC?” and you’ll be presented with a selection of shiny things that will make her feel special and you relieved.

You probably know Etsy for their crochet blankets and über-personalized cushions that make great wedding gifts, handmade by independent artists all over the world, but were you aware that they offer a directory of their local stores from Hoboken to Aberdeen, Lisbon to Lyon? Check it out, if you’re into kawai arts and crafts.

Don’t order the items listed below online, I doubt that Santa will be delivered on time. But I’m sure you can find them somewhere in your city. Don’t blame me, you had to think about it before!

USB Mix Tape: Mixing yesterday’s packaging with today’s technology, make someone you love a mix tape.

Emoticon Magnet Set: Because their fridge can be in a bad mood too.

QuikPod Pro Handheld Tripod: Help them improve those Facebook pictures by losing the double chin.

Domo’s USB key: For the cute geek in your life.

Eye-Fi SD Card: It is almost 2008 for God’s sake, who needs cables and computers to upload pictures on flickr and facebook?

Too late already, the gift opening is in less than one hour? I see two options:
1/ You’re screwed.
2/ You buy something online that doesn’t need to be wrapped. A card would be nice though:

Your friend is a photo enthusiast and you buy him a one year subscription to the best photo site on the planet: flickr

For the serious music fan, a subscription to eMusic, the #2 online music store behind iTunes but #1 in my heart, with the best selection of indie but not obscure bands and labels for a monthly flat fee, for up to 30% of the price of your regular price, and with no DRM. They have Arcade Fire, Jens Lekman, Spoon, The National, Of Montréal, Pink Floyd, Johnnie Cash, Cat Power…

And if on top of being late, you’re also cheap, well, you still have the Facebook’s Free Gift option. But beware of retaliation next year.

More ideas on Coolhunting and NotCot. Good luck and Happy Holidays, we’ll be back on January 3rd. Hopefully chocolate truffles and champagne will have disappeared from our body by then and we’ll have taken the resolution to spend less time on Facebook. One can dream.