There’s Still Time! December 20, 2008

Less than five days until Christmas Day, do you know where your gifts are? If you’ve not finished your shopping, fear not! We’re posting stores that will help your purchase get to you before Santa without spending all your money on expedited shipping!

Lands End’s holiday shipping details. For free shipping & handling until the end of Sunday (Dec. 21) use the code FAST and the pin 00007895. It will get your package to you on Christmas Eve, unless you request monogramming, hemming, or other personal touches.

Zappos.com gives you until 1:00 p.m. PST on December 23rd to order for free delivery before Christmas. They are known for their customer service, free shipping (even return shipping), and their shoe selection, but they also have clothing, handbags, tableware, cookware, and much more.

Neiman Marcus is thrilling customers with free delivery by Christmas for in-stock merchandise ordered online no matter the price! Simply enter the code QUICKNM in the promotion box on the shopping bag page. The link above is to the details on the deal, here is a link to the main Neiman Marcus store page.

Pottery Barn gives 2-day expedited shipping service for the price of standard shipping if ordered before 10:00 a.m. PST on December 22nd (Monday). Here are the details on their shipping options. They also have a wide selection of items that ship for free!

Also look at… The Company Store, Wolferman’s English Muffins, Overstock, and Harry & David.

In-store pickup may just be your best friend! Here are some retailers that offer a chance to buy online and pick-up at their nearby retail store:

The Container Store lets customers shop online and collect the purchase at one of its local stores. That translates to free shipping and they call it GoShop! Click & Pickup.

Circuit City has in-store pickup options just 24 minutes after you make the purchase online. I suspect you can pick it up after 24 minutes too since not everyone can get to the store in that amount of time.

Crate & Barrel has same day in-store pickup. This may have started as a convenience for travelers who can purchase an item and then get it at a C&B store at their destination, saving the bulk of traveling with the gifts or shipping them.

Tiffany & Co. offers in-store pickup for its Fifth Avenue and Wall Street stores. Manhattan shoppers can create a Christmas miracle with sparkles in spite of procrastination.

Kay Jewelers gives buyers the option for in-store pickup to enjoy free shipping. Your purchase is shipped to your nearby store UPS 2nd Day Air. Definitely talk with a Kay customer service associate to figure out if it works for your time frame and location. Gift wrapping can be taken care of when you pick it up.

Photo by: Porto Sabbia

Over the River and Through the Woods December 20, 2008

Cozying up by the fire only happens after you arrive at your destination, but what about in the car on the way there or on the sofa as you try to figure out how the fireplace flue opens. For those chilly moments, cuddle up under a Cashmere Blend Travel Throw from Lands End. It is available in Camel Heather, Deep Rose, or Moss Green and on sale for $55.99 (originally $135). The blanket itself is made of cashmere, wool, and silk for maximum warmth and softness. When spread out it is an ample 50 inches wide and 60 inches long, but folds to fit in its 8″x10″ traveling case. The case is made of matching fabric and can be monogrammed (for free!).

This would make a thoughtful new home or hostess gift if monogrammed with the family name (such as Darcy or McGyver), a perfect wedding gift if monogrammed with the couple’s initials, or an ideal off-to-college gift when embroidered with the student’s first name (or university initials, like CHC or SCU).

Why not treat your family’s littler travelers to a Travel Pack from Bam Designs. For $30, it includes a 34″ x 41″ blanket, 11″ x 17″ pillow, and a 18″ x 24″ drawstring bag for portability in bright colorful prints. The bag offers more space than needed for the blanket and pillow, perfect for a special stuffed animal friend or pair of PJs to stow away. It is something of their very own and will keep them cozy on the long drive or flight over the river and through the woods.

Cashmere Blend Travel Throw from Lands End