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Here are some recommendations for more traditional presents that are easily wrapped and shoved under the Christmas tree. If you like to avoid wrapping or have no tree, feel free to check out last week's blog of donation ideas.

One-of-a-kind gift: Caffery Gallery, museum gift shops. The December issue covered shopping at museum gift shops here, and they really are excellent places for unusual finds that are typically Louisiana-oriented. Caffery, if you can get around the tight spaces, has a plethora of odds and ends, including a ton of jewelry and hand-blown glass. I've been going there for years and usually can't leave without finding something. Plus, you can finish up your holiday grocery at Calandro's right next door.

Your greenest of friends: Earthly Concerns. Two of my friends recently informed me that this is the perfect place to buy gifts. For me, it's the only place I can find the Kiehl's face wash I'm hopelessly addicted to. This is another old favorite of mine, and they really do have a good mix of everything, like bath-time goodies, fancy pants toothbrushes and handmade jewelry. And by purchasing environmentally friendly goods, you're sort of buying a present for the planet, too. Just please, please resist the urge to run next door and buy any style of Crocs.

People who like to make a statement without actually saying anything: Storyville. I mentioned this a couple weeks ago, and I'm still standing by this as a viable Christmas gift option. You can get something for anyone here, whether they like to make a political statement or something just for fun. Storyville carries onesies and kids t-shirts too. Just make sure you get different shirts for the parents and their children because nothing is more annoying than people that match identically when they don't have to.

Someone who may need to spend less time with the TV: Books. This seems like a no-brainer, but there are tons of Louisiana-themed books out this year, by both local and non-local authors. Here are a couple suggestions: sports fan - It Never Rains in Tiger Stadium by John Ed Bradley; foodie - McIlhenny's Gold: How a Louisiana Family Built the Tabasco Empire by Jeffrey Rothfeder; hunter/PETA hater - After the Hunt by John Folse; photography enthusiast - Holding Out and Hanging On: Surviving Hurricane Katrina by Thomas Neff.

Fans of vices: Hemingway's, Cork and Bottle. So I'm not a cigar smoker, but if I was, Hemingway's is the place I'd go. I'm happy to support any establishment that has a shop dog running around among recliners full of patrons. I bought a dozen cigars for a baby shower a while back for a pretty reasonable price and they were a huge hit. Just in case you need a specific recommendation, my editor says anything by Arturo Fuente is a good choice.

At Cork and Bottle, you can buy just about anything and people will be happy. I'm not a wine drinker, but they have an excellent selection of other items, including all the varieties of Abita. My personal favorite thing there is the Caravello limoncello, which has lasted in my freezer much longer than expected. They also carry two brands of absinthe, for the whopping prices of $43 and $64. I guess the purveyors need to make up for all those years it was illegal.

Hopefully these suggestions help, or at least trigger an idea to eliminate the stressful shopping frenzy. Just remember: While gifts are fun and appreciated, the important thing to enjoy is the time spent with your family and friends.