If you celebrate Christmas, have you finished your Christmas shopping?

Consumer Reports published some highly entertaining survey results today about holiday shopping. An excerpt (which I believe to be a breakdown restricted to the 20% who stated they have not started their holiday shopping yet, although CR could have been much clearer about this):

Thirty-nine percent report buying gifts in drug stores, 9 percent shopped with street vendors, and a small sliver (one percent) admitted buying holiday gifts from vending machines. Forty-three percent plan to take the easy path and buy a gift card.

What if you really don't manage to get all of those gifts purchased in time? Of those who said they expected to be in that position, 46 percent said they'd give their intended recipient an IOU; 36 percent said they'd just pretend it didn't happen. Eight percent said they'd just avoid the other person.

In the interest of fewer awkward moments, here's a quick list of ideas for last-minute gifts, and things you should avoid. Keep in mind that Amazon.com is offering free two-day shipping until 7 p.m. PT / 10 p.m. ET today (Wednesday), which equals a Christmas Eve delivery.

Great last-minute gifts

• Amazon.com gift cards. It's hard to find someone who can't find something they would like on Amazon. Amazon is offering free one-day shipping on all gift cards, so you don't even have to get out of your seat to get those last-minute gifts taken care of.


• Local gift certificates for events and experiences. Would that special someone love a hot-air balloon ride, craft or cooking lessons, or a punch card for their favorite hourly-fee activity?


• Restaurant gift certificates. The rule of restaurant gift certificates is that you will be a favorable topic of conversation during the meal, whether it occurs during the holiday season or six months later. Many gifts do not spur such conversations. Think about it.


• An awesome game. Fluxx, Bananagrams, Blockus, and Quiddler are all under $15 and great games. Give one as a gift at a family event and you'll be playing it that same day and, trust us, hearing, "What a great game!" from your relatives or friends. If you're reading this before 7 p.m. PT / 10 p.m. ET on Wednesday, you can get them at Amazon.com through the links here for less than in stores. Blockus in particular is good for kids as young as six.


• Premium-quality food ingredients from the grocery store. If your friend would be shocked to know that $20 balsamic vinegar even exists, this is the wrong gift for them. But if they're foodies, they know the value of a premium olive oil, block of cheese, or wine, even if they can't often (or ever) afford it. This is a great last-minute gift because you can pick these items up easily during your grocery shopping, creatively wrap or gift bag them with a touch of class, and you have a memorable and enjoyable gift.


• Dried soup mix. Buy a dozen mason jars and a few basic ingredients at the grocery store, layer, write out recipe cards, and voila! A cheap and thoughtful handmade gift for a dozen of your closest acquaintances.


• Coffee foot scrub. Mix 4T ground coffee, 3T corn meal, 3T Epsom salt or sea salt, and 3T olive oil + 2 drops of peppermint or lavender oil, or just 5 T. olive oil in a pinch. You probably have these ingredients in your pantry and/or freezer right now, so grab a container and go! If you don't have a small jar, do not underestimate the dress-uppability of a wad of plastic wrap. Lush does it every day. Add a ribbon and, if you're giving it to your partner, add a coupon for a free foot rub. Instant gift win.

Bad last-minute gifts

• Restaurant.com gift cards. Sure, they cost pennies on the dollar, and are a great deal for eating out. But they also require real expense to use, even if it's only part of a meal. These "$X off your meal of $Y or more" gift cards should be reserved only for people who you know are going to be eating at the place anyway -- in that case, it's a nice, personalized gesture supporting an existing habit. Beyond that, just buy them for yourself. At the moment, the code HOLIDAY will get you 80% off what are already fractional costs.


• Those new AmEx and Visa gift cards in checkout lines. A $4 "purchase fee" amounts to a 2% tax on you for doing business with AmEx or Visa, which is obnoxious and wrong. If flexible spending is what you want to give, give cash. It will probably be spent more wisely anyway.


• Cheap electronics. We are all in favor of useful gadgets, but choose wisely. While an unwanted item is likely to be returned (if you provide a gift receipt) a bad investment is often used to the point of disappointment, then discarded. E-waste is a major problem and it's only getting worse.


• Pets. Step awaaaay from the puppy.


• Personal grooming or home cleaning items. Those are for birthdays, silly!


• Thrift-store toy purchases. Not always bad, but check for recalls first, please! Wow, that link is hard to find on the redesigned CPSC website.

So tell us... What are your best bets for last-minute gifts? And how far are you in your holiday shopping?