Online shopping is a great way to escape the crowds, the noise, the lack of parking spaces, the overworked sales clerks and all the other “joys” of holiday shopping at the mall. Online shopping is a great way to escape the crowds, the noise, the lack of parking spaces, the overworked sales clerks and all the other “joys” of holiday shopping at the mall.
But logging on can be just as overwhelming. Where to go? What to buy? You can easily be sucked into searching and browsing for hours, and you don’t even get the benefit of a good mall walk to help fight off the holiday pounds.
Never fear, put our holiday guide to online shopping to use. Then go for a walk around the block and reward yourself with a few holiday cookies.
FOR THE LITTLE ONES
– Kid O (www.kidonyc.com): Kid O promotes itself as “the leading resource for products that cultivate creativity, learning, and development in children from birth to age 6.” The site is great for anyone into the Montessori learning philosophy. Our picks: the Schliech model animals ($3-$18), hand-crocheted alphabet blocks ($130) and Siku cars and trucks ($15-$40).
– Land of Nod (www.landofnod.com): Land of Nod, the children’s furniture store owned by Crate and Barrel, offers a wide range of unusual toys and gifts including arts and craft products, doll houses, kitchen sets, puzzles, games, ride ons and musical instruments. Our picks: George of the Jungle beanbag toss ($29), Funky Monkey stuffed monkey ($39), personalized artwork ($89-$119) and Nod’s Baby Gift Bag (filled with goodies for newborns, $69-$149).
– eBeanstalk (www.ebeanstalk.com): The recently launched eBeanstalk is the fruit-of-the-month club of the baby world. The company offers gift series for children ages 0-5. Children are sent four gifts a year, or one every three months. You can also buy items individually (including the Melissa and Doug Sushi Set, $25). Our pick: the Premium Too series for newborns (Night Light Soother, Tummy Play Trainer, Knock Knock soft blocks and the Mozart musical cube, $156).
FOR BIGGER KIDS
– Kidrobot (www.kidrobot.com): According to the site, “the products sold at Kidrobot merge urban street trends and pop art to produce limited edition, collectible toys and apparel.” There’s a strong straight-out-of-Tokyo-techno-cool vibe that’s hip for tweens and teens. Our picks: Robot head hoodies ($165), do-it-yourself Munny (colorable figurine, $24.95) and Icebot phone charms ($3.95).
– Back to Basics Toys (www.backtobasicstoys.com): Proving that they do make toys like they used to, Back to Basics Toys has an immense selection for kids of all ages. Especially impressive are the toys promoting active play for elementary and middle-school kids. Our picks: the archery set ($39.99), the balance board ($57.99), the ballerina mat and bar ($32.99), and moon shoes (allowing kids to jump with anti-gravity effects, $39.99).
FOR THE ARTIST (OR ART AFICIONADO)
– MoMA store (www.momastore.org): The Museum of Modern Art has a fantastic online store with everything from holiday cards to modern furniture and is a great shopping stop for any fan of modern art. Our picks: the slate vase/bowl ($125), Eames dot-pattern coasters ($15) and the two-strap wrap watch ($240).
– The Met store (www.metmuseum. org/store/): Not a fan of modern art? Check out the selection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s online store. There’s a good selection of kids’ products, Judaica, jewelry, scarves, art supplies and Christmas ornaments. Our picks: shoe ornaments ($17), the Metropolitan Museum architectural tie ($48) and the bok choy teapot ($75).
– Haven’t satisfied that art craving? Check out The Smithsonian Store (www.smithsonianstore.com) or the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (www.mfashop.com).
FOR YOUR FAVORITE GEEK
– ThinkGeek (www.thinkgeek.com): According to the site, “ThinkGeek started as a way to serve a market that was passionate about technology.” But this is much more than just cool electronics. ThinkGeek offers toys, T-shirts, gadgets, caffeine (yes, caffeine products), and home and office accessories. Our picks: cubicle play sets ($3.99-$12.99), the “I Love My Geek” baby-doll tee ($17.99) and the iJet iPod LCD remote ($99).
FOR THE FOODIES IN YOUR LIFE
– Zingermans (www.zingermans.com): Zingermans has a vast selection for food lovers of all stripes including olive oils, breads, vinegars, cheeses and sweets. Check out their holiday gifts page for great ideas at all price points (from $10 sausage to $500 100-year-old balsamic vinegar, on sale from $700). Our picks: chocolate sourdough bread ($8), the Brownie Sampler Gift Box ($35-$50) and The Z Club (a food club for the “Indiana Joneses of the culinary world,” $175-$600).
– Usinger’s (www.usinger.com): For the carnivores in your family, check out Usinger’s sausages. From bratwurst to braunschweiger (a liverwurst), and kielbasa to headcheese (don’t ask), the company offers a great selection of sausages and deli meats. They also put together a mean gift box. Our picks: “Pabst” Beer Bottle Shaped Beef Salami ($6.99 per pound) and The Wurstmacher gift box (salami, summer sausage, braunschweiger, old-fashioned liver sausage, Swiss and cheddar cheese, and a sausage knife, $24.50).
– Harry and David (www.harryanddavid.com): Known for their juicy pears and their sweet Moose Munch popcorn, Harry and David offers an impressive selection of goodies. Gifts include fruit-of-the-month clubs, towers of sweet treats, all-occasion food baskets. Our picks: the Deluxe Christmas Basket (pears, cookies, cakes, breads, chocolates and Moose Munch, $99.95), Christmas Classic Tower of Treats (pears, Moose Munch, chocolates and cheese, $44.95) and the 12-month Fruit of the Month Club ($289.95).
FOR THE SPORTS JUNKIE
– Sports Addictz (www.sportsaddictz. com): Sports Addictz offers authentic memorabilia and merchandise, including autographed merchandise that comes with a certificate of authenticity. You can shop by event, team, type of merchandise or even “game used” items. Our picks: 1969 Cubs Team Signed Wrigley Field Seatback ($638), Dale Earnhardt Jr. 14-inch bear ($25.43), Brett Favre Autographed Football ($344.95).
FOR THE READER
– Levenger (www.levenger.com): Levenger’s tag line is “tools for serious readers,” but the company also offers desk accessories, wallets, briefcases and a bevy of organizational products. Our picks: Single Sheet Newspaper Cutters (great for clipping articles or recipes out of magazines or newspapers, and great stocking stuffers, $14), the Clockweight Bookweight (to keep the pages of your book open, hands-free, $38) and the True Writer Fountain Pen ($52).
– Audible.com (www.audible.com): Especially good for the want-to-be avid reader who just doesn’t have time to pick up a good book, Audible.com allows you to purchase and download audio books, as well as magazines, radio shows and podcasts. Click on “gifts” at the top of the home page for information on gift certificates (in amounts from $10-$250). Our pick: A $50 gift certificate, which covers an audio book (average price: $30.95) and a magazine subscription (average price: $18.95 a year).
FOR THE GLOBALLY/ ENVIRONMENTALLY AWARE
– Viva Terra (www.vivaterra.com): Viva Terra (meaning “living earth) offers eco-sensitive, organic items, many of which are handcrafted. There are products available for the home and garden, bed and bath, dining room and kitchen, as well as food, jewelry and apparel. Our picks: the Root of the Earth bowls (made from discarded root balls, also available filled with organic fruit) ($35-$185), the Twig Flower Holders ($62-$119) and the Veggie Parchment Bowls (bowls made from sliced vegetables, $42-$119).
– RED (www.joinred.com): U2’s Bono and Bobby Shriver created RED to raise awareness and money for The Global Fund by teaming up with well-known brands to create RED-branded products. A percentage of the proceeds from each sale is given to The Global Fund, which helps women and children affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa. You can’t directly buy on this site but are provided with easy links to the brand sites. Our picks: the RED iPod nano ($199-$249) and Gap’s RED T’s ($28).
FOR THE PERSON WHO HAS EVERYTHING
– Uncommon Goods (www.uncommongoods.com): Uncommon Goods promises “anything but ordinary.” The site offers a variety of gifts from jewelry to housewares and has a good search engine that allows you to shop by price, recipient and occasion. Our picks: the musical washboard ($16), Wash Away Your Sins bath set ($30) and recycled record ornaments ($18 for three).
– Excitations (excitations.com): For the person who has every THING, Excitations gives experiences – from skydiving to spa weekends. Gift packages are not cheap, and they are only available in the New York, D.C., Chicago and Philadelphia areas (though they would make a good gift for anyone traveling to those cities). Our picks: the Lighthouse tour of the Chesapeake Bay ($180) and the Extreme Stock Car Diving Experience (from $415).
