Last minute gift ideas for the home

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After spending my life in retail, I can spot them in a minute, those poor, desperate souls who are up a tree because they've waited until the last second to begin their holiday shopping. Coursing with adrenaline, they rush about the store looking for something -- anything -- to wrap up in a jiff.I know the telltale signs because I have also been up a tree many times. You'd think that since the Christmas season starts in July for me, I'd have plenty of time to get just the right gift for everyone on my list. But the truth is, I often wait to the last nail-biting minute, too.If you're nodding your head as you read this, chances are you have more people on your list than minutes left to shop. If so, check out some of my sure-to-please, last-minute gift suggestions.STOCKINGS I'm crazy about Christmas stockings and all the styles they come in, from super sophisticated to raucous and fun. You'd be surprised by how many people love the tradition of hanging a stocking with care for Santa, yet don't actually own one. Why not pick out a stocking for the merry-makers on your list? For extra fun, fill it with little gifts or a lump of coal.HURRICANE LAMPS One of my new gotta-have decorating tools, hurricanes make fabulous gifts for folks who love to feather their nests. You can find beautiful hurricanes in every price range, size and style, from delicate etched-glass masterpieces to simple, clean-lined beauties that look perfect just about anywhere you place them.FIGURINES More like sculpture, today's figurines are so cool and sophisticated, they're a perfect way to add punch and panache to your tabletop tableaus. I adore figurines fashioned out of everything from bronze to concrete, and in all sizes, from 6 inches to 3 feet. Some of my favorites depict animals, like wild stags and Scotty dogs.TASTY DISHES Everyone loves tasty treats during the holidays, so why not pair some yummy food with the corresponding dishware? Wrap up dip mix with a beautiful platter. Or find a gorgeous ice bucket and fill it with a bottle of bubbly.KITCHEN GADGETS Kitchen gadgets are all the rage today, as folks look for fun tools to make their time behind the stove more enjoyable. Right now at Nell Hill's, we're selling a bird-shaped lemon squeezer that customers are so wild about, we can't keep it in stock. How about giving the chef in your life some brightly colored measuring cups? Or spoil the domestic goddess with a toile-covered ironing board or rubber gloves trimmed with ruffles?TABLEWARE As a confessed dishaholic, I love anything that will make my table prettier or more distinct. Lately, I've had a soft spot for saltcellars, the petite bowls our ancestors used to hold salt before saltshakers were the fashion. I'm also gaga over silver-plated knife rests, which hold up the blade of a butter knife so as not to muss the tablecloth.2008 DESK CALENDAR Last year, my friends swooned over the "A Song in My Heart" 2007 desk calendars I gave them for Christmas. This year, I can't wait to present them with the 2008 version of these delightful date books, "Seasons" or "In Tune with Nature" by Jean Lowe and Greg Johnson. Every bit as yummy as last year's version, the 2008 date books feature original collage art made from old postcards, musical scores, fabrics, ribbons and buttons.UMBRELLAS It never fails: It's raining cats and dogs, and you can't find an umbrella. Help your loved ones through the storms of life by giving them a distinctive umbrella. Find one with a gorgeous silver handle or one that sports a playful or chic fabric. Unlike socks and underwear, this practical gift is loads of fun to receive.Mary Carol Garrity is the proprietor of three successful home furnishings stores in Atchison, Kan., and is the author of several best-selling books on home decorating. Write to Mary Carol at nellhills(at)mail.lvnworth.com. For more stories visit scrippsnews.com