Last-Minute Gifts

Sometimes we forget to pick out something for the in-laws. Or maybe Uncle George has shown up unannounced after years trekking through the Golden Triangle. You need backup gifts!

Product Picks: Gift cards make good impromptu presents, because they confer flexibility and transferability. Pick up a gift card at your local Whole Foods (www.wholefoodsmarket.com, 866-WFM-CALL) or Wild Oats (www.wildoats.com, 800-494-WILD), or buy vouchers from local massage, spa and wellness centers. Consider gifting a subscription to a Community Supported Agriculture farm, so your loved ones can enjoy fresh local produce and connect to the land. Find one near them at www.localharvest.org/csa.

To encourage cutting back on packaging, buy credits that can be redeemed for downloaded content at iTunes ($.99/song; www.apple.com/itunes), Napster ($.99/song; www.napster.com) or Audible.com ($15-$70 for audiobooks and $1.95 and up for podcasts and radio programs). Download workouts at PumpOne.com to view on your portable video mp3 player or handheld computer (starting at $19).

Other easy ideas include "adoptions" that help protect wild manatees ($25; www.savethemanatee.org, 800-432-5646), tigers ($25; www.worldwildlife.org) or wolves ($25; www.defenders.org/adopt.html). (See "Gifts That Give Back".)

Finally, you can't go wrong stocking up on organic wines, chocolate, nuts and fruits (see "Tasty Roasts and Gift Baskets")!