For Her

It's getting down to the wire on holiday shopping and maybe you've been procrastinating. (I know nothing of procrastination! NOTHING!)

We all know we can go the gift card route, whether it's drugstore, department store, or of the beauty emporium type. But in a last-minute jam, I also rely on a few standbys to prevent any shop-'til-you-drop moments: Purchase empty compacts (or bottles, à la Prescriptives) along with a gift certificate so your loved one can fill with colors of their choice. Or think about customizing, whether it's with their initials/monogrammed or color palettes selected specifically to fit their features. Of course, you could just go all out and give a palette with colors galore. Check out my widget below to get the ideas rolling, and be sure to check out all of our Holiday Gift Guides for more inspiration.

If you're anything like me, you've got lots of shopping left to do, but little time and a limited budget to work with. That's why, to make both of our lives easier, I've compiled my favorite bargains for under $25.

My friend Jaime who loves the grill will be delighted by this classy oil brush and jar set; Katie, always more of a baker than a cook, can use this cookie press; and Steph, who lived in Europe and loves breakfast, will flip for this steel crepe pan.
For more gift ideas, browse the selection below and check out all the gift guides on HolidaySugar.

Welcome back to my Buzz Gift Guide series for all the entertainment lovers in your life. Many of us eventually become last-minute shoppers, so it's good to have some quick gift options ready to go. I already dug up some of my favorite entertainment-related gift cards, and today I've got some more thoughts on what to do when you're in a time bind.

I love making mix CDs: They're simple, personal, and often expose people to new music. If it's too late to burn a CD, you can create and purchase a custom playlist for your friends and virtually hand it to them via iTunes. Or you can leave the tunes up to them and just email them iTunes gift cards.

A magazine subscription is a great, easy idea as well. You can purchase the subscription online (Amazon is good for these) and then find a hardcopy in the store to wrap up. Movie lovers will be thrilled to receive some Fandango bucks, and it's always quick to give the gift of Netflix.

Finally, tickets to local events, concerts or museums make easy and thoughtful gifts. Giving someone a night out on the town or a Sunday at a special exhibit is something everyone can appreciate.

Check out HolidaySugar for all of our holiday coverage and gift guides.

In case you've imbibed in one too many of Grandma's rum balls or eggnog and you get caught under the mistletoe, here are some fun lip balms that will make any makeout session all the more interesting. One thing's for sure: The person on the receiving end will get something more than just a boozy smooch.

• Count down the 12 days of Christmas with this cute set. Not Soap, Radio's 12 Days of Christmas Lip-Stravanganza ($24.00) is packaged up in a FAA-approved bag with two each of following: brown sugar lip scrub, day and light lip treatment, matte gloss, clear gloss, hazelnut cocoa butter lip balm, breath mint lip balm. Yum. (If you celebrate Hanukkah, check out the 8 Days of Luscious Lips set ($18).
• The classic Tchaikovsky ballet inspired this environmentally friendly trio. Anti-body's Nutcracker Sweet Collectible Lip Balm Set ($7.95) includes: Strawberry (Clara), Chocolate Hazelnut (Nutcracker), and Plum (Sugar Plum Fairy). Better yet? The do-good company helps create sustainable jobs for workers in developing countries.
• I've been rather impressed with Wet N Wild these days and these little lip cuties are no exception. Packed with peppermint oil (hello, fresh breath), Wet N Wild Mint Infusions Lip Tint SPF 15 ($5.99) provide a cooling sensation with a hint of color, and come available in Crystal Mint, Cherry Mint, and Berry Mint.

It's holiday gift-buying crunch-time. If you haven't finished your gift purchases (or started, ahem), then it's time to start thinking of ideas that can be bought or delivered quickly — and when I say start thinking about, I mean, I'm here for you. Here are a few ideas that don't rely on overnight shipping or getting your butt to a store.

• Your best bet is the much pooh-poohed but fabulously well-received (in my experience) gift card. iTunes gift cards are crowd-pleasers since they can be redeemed for music, movies, and apps for iPhone and iPod Touch users.
• I seem to give at least one Netflix gift membership each holiday, and 90 percent of the time, the receiver has decided to keep subscribing, and then I look awesome.
• Amazon's emailable gift cards are the best, and can just be sent to someone's inbox. They also offer a printing option if you want something physical to give.

And for more gift ideas, be sure to visit HolidaySugar!

Shopping for a couple who recently got married can be difficult because chances are, they've received a lot of kitchen gifts at their wedding. Look for original and creative gifts that wouldn't necessarily be on a registry. A couples cooking class allows them to learn something new together. A subscription to Food and Wine magazine will inspire them to get into the kitchen on a regular basis. Artisan, handcrafted chocolates are a welcome addition to an understocked pantry.

For more newlywed gift suggestions, browse below. To check out the gift guide bonanza, head to HolidaySugar.

You probably have a friend who is super emo — you know, the gal who cries at phone commercials and gets all welled up at the drop of a hat. So be gentle to your sensitive pal and treat her to some. . . what else? Sensitive-themed products.

No doubt, she'll become overwhelmed with emotion from your touching gift(s). Check out my widget below for some inspiration, like (of course) care package gifts, along with a few luxe items thrown in, too. While you're at it, don't forget to check out HolidaySugar for all of our holiday coverage and gift guides.

Welcome back to my Buzz Gift Guide series for all the entertainment lovers in your life. Yesterday I had fun thinking up some quirky gifts for a white elephant party, so today's ideas are a little more practical.

Yes, gift cards can seem impersonal, but they can also be thoughtful symbols of appreciation for people in my life who reside slightly on the periphery, like the nice folks at my gym or the lovely sandwich shop lady who's been feeding my BLT addiction all year.

And gift cards are looking cooler these days. For example, with this Best Buy gift card you're not only giving someone a little cash toward purchasing music, DVDs and gadgets, but the card itself functions as a speaker for MP3 players. How cute is that?

Borders lets you create a more personalized gift card by allowing you to add your own photo and select from different backgrounds to make it unique. I doubt my sandwich lady really wants a gift card with my face on it, but you get the gist.

Over at BookSwim.com (a Netflix-like program for books), when you purchase a gift card to get someone else in on the fun, you also earn credit for yourself. That's like a double whammy gift! Barnes and Noble and Apple also have good gift card options.

Check out HolidaySugar for all of our holiday coverage and gift guides.

With all of our wedding coverage across the network this past year, I feel like I have a pretty good understanding of what newlyweds want and need when it comes to the gadget department. Now, some of these products are big ticket items (with big ticket price tags) so my suggestion is that if you still owe someone a wedding gift, maybe you can join forces with another couple and splurge for one of the gadgets below?

And for more gift ideas, be sure to visit HolidaySugar!

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If you're looking for a gift for a vegan pal but you're not really sure what the lifestyle entails, get some inspiration from our gift guide below.

This stylish, humorous nut cracker isn't just functional; it's also a conversation piece. Your pal can save prep time with this veggie chopper. And a soy milk maker is convenient and economical for anyone who loves the drink — not just vegans.

For more gift ideas, check out all the gift guides on HolidaySugar.