Last Minute Christmas Gifts You Never Thought of

Now is the time of sharing, of giving and hoping for a prosperous new year, but trying to find a gift that won't be "re-gifted" or returned can turn holiday cheer into holy terror.

Instead of feasting the eyes on all things marketed to the nth degree, why not present something more unique to that standoffish coworker, fusspot of a friend, or smiling tyke who owns a stack of toy chests?

For the man or woman who seems to have it all, how about a Video Spy Pen? At Brookstone in either Woodbridge Center or Menlo Park Mall, these clever new gadgets are in plentiful supply.

For $100, the gift recipient will likely be eternally grateful to find out he or she not only received a handsome pen, but can place the item in a shirt pocket to record color video. Of course, no one needs to be secretive about its use, but then again, it is called a spy pen. How fun will that be at the office party?

Should a visit to Menlo Park Mall be in your future, why not pick up a gift certificate at Oriental Therapy. Who doesn't enjoy a massage? The cost is $1.00 a minute for a minimum ten minute Hong Kong deep tissue massage plus tax. And if the gift recipient is quite the Grumpy Gus, buy a gift certificate for the maximum massage time: 90 minutes. He or she will thank you for it - or at least not yell at you for a few hours.

For finicky folks, a gift for Fido may be more in order. Visit either of the Coach stores in Woodbridge Center or Menlo Park Mall to order a magenta, silver khaki gold, silver khaki punch, or black dog leash ranging in price from about $70 to $80. This item can be shipped to the store for $10, but cannot be guaranteed for Christmas day. Then again, isn't it the thought that counts, especially at those prices?

Don't fret if an item is not in stock and must be ordered by a local store. A belated gift can be meaningful just because it can mean so much to the recipient.

Take for example the Standers CarCaddie. Stop in at the Woodbridge Medical and Surgical Supply store on Rahway Avenue and place an order for a modestly priced device that can be attached to a car window to allow a passenger to maneuver himself or herself in and out of a vehicle. An aging grandparent would surely appreciate such a gift.

To brighten up the holidays for someone who prefers the finer things in life visit one of the many local Indian jewelers on Oak Tree Road in Iselin. At Raj Jewels of London, 22 karat gold jewelry is sold, as is customary in Indian culture. Why settle for less when everyone can be impressed by what could possibly be the priciest gift of them all?

For those more inclined to keep this Christmas debt free, a trip to Le Gourmet Chef in Woodbridge Center may be in order. Show concern for saving the environment by purchasing a Norpro 1 Gallon Ceramic Compost Crock. Toss coffee grounds and other organic waste into the countertop item and voila, garden compost is born.

What would Christmas be like without shopping for kids? Isn't that oh so fun? Visit the Game Room Store in the Lord & Taylor wing of Woodbridge Center to buy the vintage Mattel game, "Rock'em Sock'em Robots" for $29.99.

And don't despair if the store runs out of games: more can be shipped to the store at no cost to the consumer in time for Christmas. But make sure to place an order no later than today if you plan on gifting it in time for the big day.