Buying Gifts from Your Sofa, or Bed, or Wherever!

Hey kids! Let's all go to the mall! First, let's make sure we have a change of clothes for everyone, plenty of diapers and pull-ups, snacks, toys, the sling, pacifiers, and the stroller. Is everybody ready to go? Oops, Bitty Baby just embellished Mommy's shirt with spit-up. Mommy's gotta go change...Shopping is fun!

Going shopping with the little ones tagging along isn't always an ideal situation. Actually, I try to avoid it whenever possible, but it seams like there's always some holiday, birthday, baby shower, or wedding that I need to buy a gift for.

Problem solved. Thanks to the wonderful world of online shopping, I can usually purchase my gifts, have them wrapped if so desired, and add a personalized Hallmark greeting card all from the comfort of my own home.

Here are some of my favorite places to shop for gifts...

Amazon- As close to one-stop shopping as you can get. 

Uncommon Goods- I discovered this online store last Christmas and  immediately fell in love with it. Where else can you find a pair of "Freudian Slippers" and sassy little tampon cases?  You can find something for just about anyone here.

Think Geek- The ultimate shopping destination for the geek in your life. Products range from the practical USB Squid to the completely off the wall Giant Plush Microbes. Haven't you always wanted to snuggle up with a plush representation of Salmonella? Not a Christmas has gone by since my husband and I have been married that I haven't purchased something for him from this wonderful retailer.

Oompa Toys- Take a break from Toys R' Us and find some truly special  toys here. Their mantra? "No batteries. No blinking lights. No cartoon-themed toys. Period." I love their European made wooden toys and, if I could justify buying another stuffed animal, I would really like to get my hands on this little guy!

Hallmark- This is my favorite little secret. Yes, everybody knows that  you can get lovely cards and sentimental trinkets from your local Hallmark Gold Crown store, but what about if you just can't find the time to get out of your house and Valentine's Day is fast approaching? Did you know that you can purchase a real greeting card, have it personalized and signed by a real person, and have it mailed directly to it's recipient for about what it would cost you to go to the store and buy it yourself? The person you're sending it to will have no idea you didn't send it yourself. I have used this service several times when I knew I wouldn't be able to make it out before the particular occasion and it has been a real life-saver.

There you go! Save your gas. Forget about the hassle. Just hang out in your jammies and shop when the kiddos are sleeping!