Holiday Shipping Deadlines Approaching
When can you last order an item online and get it there in time for Christmas and the first day of Hanukkah? Part of the answer to that question depends on how much you are willing to pay.

There are just a few days left before online retailers will start charging you extra for shipping. For many retailers this coming Monday (Dec. 19th) is the last day you can ship an item at regular shipping prices. By Tuesday (Dec. 20th) retailers start charging an extra fee for shipping if you want to get it there by Christmas. December 21st is the very last day to order an item at many online retailers and still get it there by December 25th. Amazon has a shipping option called Guaranteed Accelerated Delivery that can get items ordered on the 22nd there in time for Christmas providing they are eligible.

Keep in mind that every retailer is different and you will want to check the retailer's shipping information page to find out their specific mailing deadlines and fees. We've provided some quick links to the shipping information pages of some retailers below.

Amazon.com

Buy.com

Walmart.com

Target.com

Neiman Marcus

Circuit City

If you are mailing a package you may also find these special holiday mailing sections helpful: USPS, FedEx and UPS.

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Finding the Hermit Crab a Home
When you head home from that beach vacation, you may have some unexpected stowaways: the hermit crabs that children take home from the beach. But hermit crabs grow up and need bigger homes. Now Petco has just the solution: T-Rex Crab Island Decorative Hermit Homes.

T-Rex Crab Island Hermit Homes are intended for two purposes. First, as hermit crabs grow, they need the opportunity to change their shell to a larger more comfortable home. Hermit Crabs should always have access to these shells in their environment. Second, the hermit crab owner may want to give the crab an opportunity to change into a different shell to enhance or change its looks. This is completely appropriate. Just remember, the crab will change shells when it wants to, not necessarily when the caregiver wants to. The changes will normally take place at night when no one is watching.

This would make a great, educational gift for any child who has access to a beach or who gets a hermit crab from the local pet store.

Marriott's Show You Care Bear
Marriott is offering this adorable teddy bear for the holidays with cream-colored fur and a signature red ribbon. The Marriott Bear is also helping out the Red Cross. $4 from each purchase of the $16 bear goes to the Red Cross.

"We are excited about this wonderful opportunity with Marriott International to involve its customers in supporting the American Red Cross," said Kathleen Loehr, Interim Senior Vice President of Development for the American Red Cross. "Contributions from the purchase of the Marriott bear will help us achieve our mission to help Americans prevent, prepare for and respond to life's emergencies."

The bear can be purchased here on the ShopMarriott.com website and also at participating Marriott Hotels and Resorts.

The Caudalie Cabernet Scrub
We've been eying a vacation at the Caudalie Spa in Bordeaux, France, where they drink bordeaux wine and immerse the spa guests in red wine-derived concotions. The spa's anti-aging vinotherapy concept evolved from the so-called French Paradox study, which concluded that the French have very low heart disease rates even though they eat real butter and cream, largely because they consume huge amounts of red wine. The grape seeds from the grapes contains polyphenols, which some claim to be up to 10,000 times more effective than vitamin E in stopping the free radicals responsible for 80% of premature wrinkling. And that's the basis of the spa treatments.

If you can't make it to the Caudalie Spa this week, here's the next best thing: the Crushed Cabernet Scrub, which is being sold exclusively by Sephora.com. You use it in the shower; the scrub part buffs away dryness, while the crushed grapeseeds, brown sugar and essential oils are infused into your skin. It couldn't hurt to drink a good glass of Cabernet afterwards, either.

Stella McCartney Roll-On Perfume
As Spring approaches, we are on the prowl for a new perfume and this lovely gift set from Stella McCartney is just the thing. The Stella Eau de Parfum Roll-On set includes four .33 oz roll-on bottles that are just the right size for a tiny evening bag.

The fragrance notes include Rose, Peony Flower, Mandarin, Rose Absolute, and Amber. It's a light floral with some interesting amber undertones. The set retails for $35 at Sephora.com.

The Juicy Cowboy Boots
Juicy Couture has entered the shoe business with these very cute dark brown leather cowboy boots with a stacked heel. On the back of the boots the words "Juicy Couture" and roses are embroidered. On the side of the boot dangle darling little gold and red enamel horseshoe and apple charms. They retail for $480.00 at Neiman Marcus.

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