Columnist Muriel Stevens: Good buys are still out there

Muriel Stevens' shopping column appears Wednesdays. Her dining column appears Fridays. Reach her at 259-4080 or [email protected]

Last-minute shoppers will find many good buys these last few days before Christmas. Sales are already under way, but selections are, of course, smaller. Nevertheless, this is a good time to find some excellent values. And during this time stores often have extended hours. I love shopping early in the morning before the crowds arrive.

Multiple gifts are needed for Hannukah -- the Jewish festival of lights that, this year, begins Thursday evening and lasts for eight days. Kwanzaa, the African cultural festival, is celebrated Tuesday through Jan. 1.

Kids enjoy receiving a gift every night during multiple-day holidays rather than one large gift, so consider giving books from a favorite series or a set of puzzles.

One of my friends once gave her highly competitive children a large, empty jigsaw puzzle box. The puzzle pieces had been randomly divided and gift-wrapped, then given out one night at a time. The kids couldn't complete the puzzle until the last night, when they had all of the pieces. It was great fun.

Stocking up: This is a fine time to stock up on wrapping paper, ribbons and other packaging materials. Prices are already reduced by half, some even more. I'm still using some beautiful wire-edged ribbons I bought two years ago. Holiday cards, too. Check out such fine stores as Neiman Marcus. The quality is superb, the prices a real steal.

Helping kids: There's still time to buy a gift for a needy youngster. Trees placed in malls and banks still have the names of plenty of kids who need our help. My picks were pulled off a tree at a Cal Fed branch. It was sad to see how many names still filled the tree.

I wish the folks who supply the names would also supply a little personal information about each kid, including clothing size. All that's included is the child's gender and age. Donations are accepted at Cal Fed branches until Saturday.

Travel time: Still looking for gifts for friends who travel frequently? Check out the travel section at all El Portal stores. It has an excellent selection of travel gifts.

I treasure the beverage kit I purchased in the Forum Shops' El Portal. It includes two good-sized mugs, a well-made immersion wand for boiling water and four containers sized to hold tea bags, coffee, sugar and powdered milk (I much prefer real milk to the ersatz creamers). It all fits into a zippered bag (part of the kit) that can be tucked into the corner of a carry-on bag. The mugs are made of high-impact plastic that never stains. Just remember to include a few disposable spoons.

More travel: I'll be going off to San Francisco this week, checking out new restaurants and shops. San Francisco is a lovely getaway place for Las Vegans who don't want the hassle of plane delays, missed connections and all the glitches that can spoil a vacation. Yes, these annoyances can happen anywhere, but the chances of blizzard conditions in San Francisco are pretty remote.

With a raincoat, walking shoes and charge cards, I should be well prepared for any eventuality.

Have a merry holiday, a happy and safe New Year and great luck at all the post-holiday sales.

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