Ten at the Wire

Okay, people. We are definitely down to, and maybe even smooshed into, the wire at this point.

Here are 10 design deal daily ideas for last minute gifts. Please note - pretty much all of these options guarantee shipping by 12/24 if you place your order pronto. So get on it. And if nothing else, you can a) deliver a day late or b) get some ideas for when you rush around madly trying to get those last items checked off the gift list this weekend...

This is a lovely gift for just about anyone; a set of beautifully designed, 100% organically-grown bamboo, natural food-safe wood oiled utensils. Each piece is 12". I'd want to display them just as shown - far too cool to shove in a drawer.

Bambu Utensils, set of six, $24, branchhome.com. Order as late as 12/22 for delivery 12/24.

West Elm really does come through some times. I figured they'd have last-minute shipping options, and of course, they do. They also have some cool gift ideas. I really like these gallery frames, that come in black and silver. Unusual sizes, and cool pre-matted options, like an 18" square frame (silver only) that holds a 4" x 6" photo ($34). Everyone can use picture frames, especially streamlined, stylish ones that are really reasonably priced.

West Elm Gallery Frames, $12-$44, westelm.com. Order as late as 9 am PDT 12/22 for delivery 12/24.

I think this should be obvious. Anyone, I mean anyone, would enjoy receiving a real lacquer bunny. In brown. Or white. Or maybe a pair of bunnies - they like to multiply, I hear.

Wetter Indochine lacquer bunny, $28. RoseandRadish.com. Order by 10 am PDT 12/21 for 12/24 delivery.

 

I'm biased on this one because I love my Chuck T. slip-ons so much. But I think a gift certificate to create your own version would be a damn cool gift. You get to choose every detail, right down to the stitching, racing stripe color and typeface for your identity. That's  my next pair over there.) Best of all? It's an electronic gift certificate, so you can buy it pretty much whenever you want, as long as it's before they start opening presents Tuesday morning...

Converse One "Create Your Own" Shoes email gift certificate, $60, converse.com

De Kooning bio, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways. 1) You have a gorgeous cover, even for a paperback (you should see the sexy spine). 2) Your writing is compelling, novel-like - and incredibly deep. 3) You explain the mysteries of an oft-misunderstood, frequently harshly-labeled artist. 4) You make anyone who receives you as a gift instantly feel erudite and dashing. 5) You're reasonably priced and available for fast shipping.

de Kooning: An American Master, by Mark Stevens and Annalyn Swan, $17.13, Amazon.com

Have you tasted Vosges Haut chocolates? They are up to some wild stuff over there in this high-falutin' Windy City chocolate factory. Chocolate isn't about design until you give the gift of  the Vosges mini flight case, with 9 of their exotic bars in a chic Vosges-purple case.

Vosges Mini-Flight, $24, UnicaHome.com. Overnight shipping available.

MOCA/MoMA/MASS MoCA Museum Gift Memberships: one of my favorite gifts of the last few years was a one-year membership to MOCA here in LA. Not only did it grant me & mine free museum admission, I also got the coveted members' discount at the MOCA shop. This tends to be true at most museums (the store discount bit), and given that many museum gift shops have become de rigeur design destinations, that's a great gift in itself. I've only done a little research, but it seems museums like to send a new gift membership package via mail rather than email. So what - you print out the membership benefits page from the website of your museum of choice, paste that into a clever holiday card, and voila! Sexy, cultured Xmas gift.

Museum gift memberships, generally between $75-100 for couple/household. Consider MOCA (LA), MoMA (NYC),MASS MoCA (the Berkshires), etc.

Okay, it ain't my most inventive idea, nor is it on sale. But if you get an iPod Shuffle from the Apple Store online, you'll get it by Christmas - and the shipping is free. Too late for engraving, but I bet you could take it to a store post-Xmas and do a little convincing to add it later...

iPod Shuffle, $79, store.apple.com. Order by 12/21 for 12/24 delivery.

These black rocks glasses are definitely not for everyone, but I think they're sort of rad. They'll also arrive on time. I like black on a table - especially if you just use a little of it. It puts food and all your simple, chic white plates in relief. These are great for water or would be very sexy for cocktails...

Black rocks glasses, set of 6, $29.95, hsn.com  Order by midnight 12/21 for 12/24 delivery.

Fun for the whole family - a bag o' wishbones. Perfect if you're running really late - these make a great gift to kick off the new year, too. I can see people fidgeting with these around the conference table, making calls, etc. What better message than good luck - which is what I now wish you as you head into holiday mayhem. Good luck, merry Christmas, and may your shipping be blessed...

Bag of Wishbones, $11, RoseandRadish.com. Order by 10 am PDT 12/21 for 12/24 delivery.

Comments

[Christina McGrath]

These are great ideas! I want the bunny!

[Emma]

You're a life-saver, I just ordered a set of the bamboo spoons for my vegan friends!

[Emma]

And, um, I just went back and ordered one of the walnut bird mobiles for another last-minute gift... and tonight will be giving my mother-in-law a set of those melamine plates you suggested as a hostess gift a few weeks back. You've single-handedly made my gift-giving life a breeze!

[Ducky]

Thanks for the heads up on the Chucks!

Heading over there now to get me a customize pair.