Sure enough, the holidays have crept up, and you’re still hemming and hawing over what to buy your best friend. And mom. And dad. And … well, let’s just say you still have a lot of shopping to do. In a crunch for time? Rely on these great and oh-so reasonably priced gift ideas.
For the brooding artist
Buddha Board, a laptoplike device featuring a screen that you can paint with water. $34 at The MCA Store, 220 E. Chicago Ave., mcachicago.org
For the glamor girl
Smashbox Cosmetics’ Troubadour Fairy Lip Gloss Collection, cinnamon-, apricot- and spearmint-flavored lip glosses organized in a faux-leather, pearlized pouch. $32.50 at Sephora or smashbox.com
For the bookworm
Lumatec’s Everest Mini, an ultra-thin, portable light that clips to a book and can run continually for 70-plus hours. $14.95 at lumatec.com
For the avid cook
Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet grilling rubs in flavors like Za Za Barbecue Rub, Big Boris Pepper Rub and Motor City BBQ Rub–all made for seasoning food just minutes before it hits the grill. $29/set of 3. $49/set of 5 at 800-868-1699 or kalamazoogourmet.com
For the outdoor enthusiast
Yaktrax Walker, a slip-on, shoe traction device that makes it easy to walk on snow and ice, thanks to a gripping coil design. $19.95 at The Walking Company, Water Tower Place, 835 N. Michigan Ave., or yaktrax.com
For the spotlight hog
Tap Dancing Kit, a box of essentials needed to get hoofin’–heel and toe taps, a CD and an instruction book. $14.95 at The Wild Pansy, 5739 N. Clark St.
For the fashionista
Old Navy’s sequined wristlet, which is super-lightweight and easily stores a slim wallet and her favorite lipstick. $9.50 at Old Navy stores or oldnavy.com
For the game lover
Deluxe Pente, the latest version of the classic ’80s game of skill (get five stones in a row or capture 10 of your opponent’s stones to win). $24.95 at winningmoves.com
For the do-gooder
Donorschoose.org cards, gift cards that allow recipients to select from among numerous Chicago Public School projects to donate the money to. Buy them for any dollar amount at donorschoose.org
For the urban dandy
Banana Republic’s circular cuff links made of natural mother-of-pearl. $38 at Banana Republic stores or bananarepublic.com
For the material girl … wannabe
To some, Madonna is a real piece of work. Now she is a real piece of artwork. Giclee prints have been hand-painted and issued in a limited edition of 500. The 4-feet-square wrapped canvas pieces include “Confessions,” “Bustier” and “Madonna Face.” They’re pricey, but she, or he, will love you for it; $699 and available at Z Gallerie stores or zgallerie.com
