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November 2001

Present Perfect

As Christmas approaches, we all begin the wild goose chase of finding presents for loved ones back home. Even when you find the perfect gift, the cost of shipping packages from Germany is exorbitant. Credit card purchases made over the Internet—from retailers in and to addresses in the United States, the U.K. and Australia—are a less expensive and more convenient solution. Before heading to the obvious online department stores, you may wish to try more unusual cyber gift shops:

UNITED STATES:
www.collectiblestoday.com: Holiday well-wishers will find teacups, music boxes, plates, and other housewares adorned with images of animals and nature. In the Santa Claus shop, shoppers will find ornaments, flags, dolls, and candle holders decorated with the jolly man in the red suit. www.maineholidaywreaths.com: Exquisitely handcrafted Balsam wreaths made in Maine. www.2girlsandadog.com: For animal lovers and their pets, this site carries a huge selection of magnets, key chains, journals, nightlights, hand-painted bowls, collars, treat jars, etc. In addition, a portion of the online pet store’s earnings is donated to animal rescue organizations. www.mainelobsterdirect.com: A complete Maine lobster dinner can be shipped overnight. www.harryanddavid.com: A novelty food giant, the shop offers gift towers and baskets brimming with Yuletide goodies. Scrumptious Christmas cookies are packed in glossy red presentation boxes. Fresh fruit from “high-altitude orchards” is also on offer. www.chocolatevault.com: Chocaholics will delight in a gift from this “old-fashioned ice cream parlor,” coffee and candy company. www.gingerbreadhouse.com: Shop for personalized gingerbread houses. www.offthedeepend.com: “Shopping therapy for the culturally depraved” has everything from faux flamingos to funky lunch boxes. www.dharmarose.com: Any and every gift designed to honor the greatest classic rock bands of this century. www.webundies.com: Send a “boxer gram” to your honey, courtesy of the Internet’s largest collection of novelty boxer shorts.

UNITED KINGDOM:
www.first4fruit.com: Create beautiful gourmet baskets filled with your choice of fruits, cheeses, preserves, candies, dried fruits and nuts. www.pepperama.co.uk: Hot chili pepper sauces of every strength and kind. www.audiostreet.infront.co.uk: This is the site for all your recorded music needs including a fabulous selection of Christmas albums. www.chickenshop.co.uk: This cyber costume shop sells dozens of masks, wigs and costumes of all our favorite Christmas characters as well as a special Harry Potter section. www.irish-gifts-online.co.uk: An eclectic array of Christmas gifts includes items for golf fanatics, Celtic and Irish watches and Irish lace and linen fashions. www.christmastreeland.co.uk: Christmas trees deliver the scent of the forest to your door. www.orders.mkn.co.uk/xmas: A potpourri of gifts include flowers, specialty foods and beverages and teddy bears. www.colestrad.co.uk: Traditional Christmas foods, such as mincemeat, puddings, cakes, and rum and brandy butters, can be found at this appetizing site.

AUSTRALIA:
www.petnetwork.com.au: Novelties and accessories for pets and their masters. www.ant-gift-ideas.com: Find a variety of Christmas presents at this exclusive gift store that caters to Australia and New Zealand. www.aboriginalartonline.com: Here you can purchase and have shipped quality paintings, limited edition prints, didgeridoos and contemporary pottery pieces from the Kimberley, Tiwi Islands, Arnhem Land and selected desert communities of Australia. www.balloons.net.au: Creative balloon arrangements are shipped overnight. www.gascp.com/index.htm: A wide selection of collector’s items include Australian fast food toys and Harry Potter and Simpsons memorabilia. www.bushphotos.com.au: Photographs of the landscape, nature, people and wildlife of Australia.


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