Last Minute Holiday Shopping

.: Gifts That Entertain :.

From the art and culture enthusiast to the obsessed Gossip Girl fan, there isn't a person out there who doesn't enjoy some form of entertainment. Give them what they really want this year: a means to indulge in their favorite hobby.

Nothing raises the spirits better than a few stanzas of silvery-toned notes crooned to a well-harmonized accompaniment… or at least to some timely synthesizer beats. While you might not have the time to compose something yourself, an iTunes Gift Card will have that same uplifting effect. Have a card shipped by the 21st, or if you're really in a rush, go into the iTunes store of your own account, click "Buy iTunes Gifts" on the upper right hand side, and have the option of printing a certificate or sending one through email.

If you know that a much anticipated movie of his or hers will be coming out in the next few months (perhaps a certain 'Sex and the City' flick), or you at least know that the person likes going to the movies, Fandango Bucks are a popular stocking stuffer and are very emailable as well.

Send them to a live performance -- always a special treat. Broadway.com offers a gift certificate that can be redeemed for any Broadway or Off-Broadway show currently playing in New York City, (you can even throw in a dinner voucher). If you don't live near Manhattan, Ticketmaster will have you covered for plays and events going on in your town.

Perhaps a fabulous night at the opera, the symphony, or the ballet is more to their liking. Performing arts houses like Lincoln Center offer certificates as well as yearly memberships.

A museum membership is also a gift that can last all year round and is available from any big museum in your city. At the Met, for example, memberships offer great perks for art lovers like use of the Trustees Dining Room, invites to special exhibition previews, discounts at the museum shop, and best of all free admission anytime.

Lastly, you can't go wrong with a magazine subscription. Print a customizable gift card from Amazon and wrap it up with a current issue.

 

.: Gifts That Beautify, Accessorize, and Help Keep New Year's Resolutions :.

After a few weeks of demanding relatives and stressful shopping, who wouldn't need a little primping, pampering, and even a pushup or two? Here are some ideas that will help you give all that relaxation, motivation, and joy in mere minutes.

Every hard working woman deserves a spa day to refresh and rejuvenate herself. If you're not sure which spa treatment Mom would want, give a Giftybox that comes with a guide full of specific treatments and spas to choose from. As always, there is a trouble-free gift certificate.

Most people's New Year's resolution has something to do with their body weight. Give them a kick-start on their training with a personal training house call from ExtravaGift.

As much as we're sure you'd love to, buying your best friend her dream Chanel purse is probably not in the cards again this year. All hope is not lost, though. You can still give her the experience of carrying one around for a week with a Bag Borrow or Steal Gift Card. She'll be thanking you when she needs something fabulous to bring to her ex-boyfriend's wedding or an intimidating job interview.

 

.: Gifts That Give Back :.

This time of year tends to bring out the altruistic nature in us and (hopefully) in many others. So we have put together a list of top-of-the-line non-profits that support great causes and people with needs a little more dire than the new Herve Leger Bandage Dress.

The Conservation Fund has teamed up with iVillage to create an online forest where you can virtually plant trees (and even decorate them). For every tree planted online, The Conservation Fund will plant a real tree in one of the protected parks or national wildlife refuges across the country to help stave off this Global Warming thing. Plant a tree or a whole forest for someone special (it's five bucks a tree) and send him the link to it with the special dedication that you've written for the occasion. 

Remember all of those fun school trips and great classroom activities you used to enjoy as a kid? Unfortunately, many kids will never have those experiences because neither their schools nor their parents can afford it. On DonorsChoose.org, you can actually do something about that. Browse through lists of teachers' dream requests; whether it be the funding to take their students to a Broadway play or simply giving a classroom set of dictionaries, there is something in everyone's price range. 

While you're gearing up for a big holiday, remember those who are a world away from their homes this Christmas. Although many organizations support the troops, The Yellow Ribbon Fund provides injured service members and their family members basics like rental cars, hotel rooms, apartments, and meals as well as tickets to sporting events and concerts to help make life a little cheerier.

Finally, a cause near to every gal's heart--there can never be enough money put towards cancer research. Order one of these beautiful cultured pearl and Swarovski crystal bracelets from BNPink and have it priority shipped. 20% of proceeds go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.