10 great gift ideas for desperate shoppers

It's not too late. A nice holiday gift is as close as your nearest grocery store or neighborhood coffee shop. Here are 10 ideas for those still left on your holiday gift list. From gourmet food baskets to Godiva chocolates to diamond circle pendants, you're sure to find something for everyone in a jiffy.

The gift from jewelry store is delightful!

1. Bath stuff. Bath & Body Works has tons of sweet-scented holiday treats -- from Spicy Gingerbread bubble bath ($12) to Wickedly Hot Chocolate body cream ($8) and gifts sets galore starting at $15. Add their super-soft bath robe ($39.50 with any $25 purchase) or sleep socks ($6) in pink, red or white.

2. Books, CDs and DVDs. You could finish the holiday shopping with one quick stop at your local bookstore. Grab the new Beatles' "Love" CD for your uncle; "An Inconvenient Truth" DVD ($19.99) for your dad; a collector's edition of "Charlotte's Web" (HarperCollins, $25) for your little niece or nephew; and the engaging "Pick Me Up: Stuff you Need to Know" (DK Publishing, $29.99) for the pre-teen on your list. Borders even sells fancy soap and candle gift sets starting at $12.99, plus stationery, calendars and other great gifts.

3. Cashmere. It's a luxury most of us won't splurge on for ourselves, so as scarves, gloves or sweaters, it makes a great gift. Target sells men's 100 percent cashmere scarves for $24.99; men's cashmere scarves at Banana Republic start at $88. Ann Taylor Loft sells a nice women's faux wrap cashmere sweater for $79.99 (regular price $119).

4. Coffee. It's as easy as stopping for a latte on your way home. While you're there, pick up a Starbucks gift card (any amount) and some last-minute gifts, such as a Comfort and Joy basket filled with the Christmas blend coffee, chocolates and a CD of Christmas tunes by top artists. In addition to coffee sets, you'll even find Starbucks Christmas kitchen towels for $7.95 and a cute Starbucks snow globe ornament for $5.95.

5. Chocolate. One word: Godiva. Find it at the Godiva's boutiques at Lakeside, Fairlane, Laurel Park Place and Somerset malls, plus Papa Joe's gourmet markets, Macy's and other department stores. The 19-piece Godiva Christmas Ballotine box ($26) is a good choice.

6. Gift cards. It's as easy as stopping by your local grocery store or pharmacy. CVS stores sell an astonishing array of $15 to $50 gift cards for everything from The Gap to Barnes & Noble, AMC Theatres, Sears, Home Depot, Foot Locker, Marriott, Hyatt, Applebee's, Red Lobster, Pizza Hut and TGI Fridays. Don't know what store he/she likes? Buy a gift certificate to an entire mall at the chosen mall's information desk. If he/she has an iPod, an iTunes gift certificate is perfect.

7. Gourmet food baskets. Papa Joe's gourmet market in Birmingham and Rochester Hills sells holiday and gourmet food baskets that range in price from about $40 to $250. Add a bottle of wine from the impressive collection and you're set.

8. Jewelry. Whether faux or real, a little sparkle always feels like a treat. Ideas range from a little pave-rhinestone Trifari bangle ($22) at Kohl's to a cultured freshwater pearl and sterling bracelet ($295) from Tiffany & Co. Diamond circle pendants are also nice gifts. Helzberg Diamonds sells one for $399.

9.Pajamas. If you can handle the swarming sales clerks, try Victoria's Secret, which sells colorful flannels for $35 to $50. The Gap also sells some great women's pajama sets and men's robes for $39.50 or less.

10. Watch. Here's a gift that will last for years. Kenneth Cole at the Somerset Collection or

You can choose a wonderful gift to Christmas in the jewelry store

Gifts ina jiff

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