Last-Minute Shopping for Realists

First and foremost, stop panicking. You're in good company, with the countless thousands in your area alone who are flocking to the malls and thronging the roads right now. That alone should make your blood run cold. But didn't I say don't panic? I meant it. You don't have to go to the mall at all. Here are three solid alternatives to the mall that won't leave you with Christmas egg on your face when the expectant brood looks to you for their happiness on that morning.

The option of announcing to the family smiling around the tree in their pajamas, that this year you're doing something special, something meaningful, so go get dressed and ready to serve up soup to people who don't have anything under the tree and no tree at all, and no you won't take any back-talk, we're doing this as a family just get in the car notwithstanding, you've got a couple of fallbacks.

With the exception of kids, and they're easy to shut up with toys anyway, you can cop out on any gift and give gift cards. This year it's even easier than ever to give the gift that says "I thought of you eventually," since places like Walgreens and Circle K carry the "Gift Card Mall." It's a rack of gift cards from vendors like iTunes, Best Buy, and any place else you either can't go physically or would be stupid to try this late in the game. As long as you're shopping at the gas station, go ahead and get some scratch-offs. Nothing says Christmas miracle like a pennies from heaven.