There’s still time for fun, affordable stocking stuffers

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The stockings are hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that at some point, some gifts will be there.

Admit it: Stocking stuffers are the last thing you think about. But do you really want to be careening through Wal-Mart at 8:57 p.m. Christmas Eve, playing tug-of-war with some lady from Meddybemps over that last Ricky Craven coffee mug?

If the answer is yes, you shouldn’t be reading this column.

There are still two shopping days left until Christmas. Three if you count today. Which means you have plenty of time to assemble a stocking full of items that the people you love will actually use-enjoy-not throw away. And most of them cost well under $10.

A pretty Christmas ornament is always appreciated. I found a great selection at Ampersand in Orono, JoAnn Fabrics in Bangor, the Grasshopper Shops in Bangor, Rockland and Ellsworth, and World Over Imports in Bangor. But my favorite is an elaborately decorated glass egg at The Good Table in Belfast for $7.50.

The Clark House Gallery in Bangor has the write stuff. Local artist Diana Young has designed a set of whimsical postcards depicting Bangor landmarks such as the Standpipe and Stephen King’s house that would be perfect for a Bangor native who now lives elsewhere. They cost $8 for a set of eight.

For the student or businessperson on your list, try buying a pen that’s nice, but not so nice that he’ll feel horrible if he loses it. Staples in Bangor sells substantial Parker refillable pens for $4.49. For the girly-girl in your life, try the flamboyant holiday feather pen at Staples ($1.49). It has a flower made out of feathers on top that floofs around when you write. Plus, the ink is opaque red. Staples also had silver- and gold-ink pens in the same price range with puffs of marabou and glitter on top – very “Legally Blonde.”

Speaking of movies, a prepaid video-rental card makes a great gift for movie lovers. Ditto for gift certificates to bookstores and music stores (Bull Moose Music sells its gift cards in the form of a recycled CD – very cool presentation).

You can go for an Asian theme with Angi Ma Wong’s stocking-size book “Feng Shui Dos and Taboos” ($7.95 at bookstores); a sushi box or mini Zen garden-in-a-box (both $5.95 at Borders in Bangor) by Running Press; and a pair of funky chopsticks and a chopstick holder at Ichiban in Bangor.

When you were young, the last thing you wanted to see in your stocking was more stockings. But now that you’re a grown-up, it’s time to rediscover the joy of socks. Old Navy in Augusta has adorable designs – my favorites are the pink reindeer pattern and the sparkly silver snowflakes ($3.50 each). If your focus is on function rather than form, head to Cadillac Mountain Sports in Bangor or Ellsworth for a pair of polypropylene sock liners, sure to keep your sweetie’s feet warm in the coldest weather ($4.99).

Cadillac Mountain had more practical stocking stuffers than any other place I visited. Among their popular sellers are “180s,” which are earmuffs that wrap around the back of the neck so they don’t mess up people’s hair ($20); the Pulsar key chain, which has a very bright light on the tip ($10); and Smith ski goggles, which range from $26 to $40. For the outdoor gourmet, pick up a set of tiny stainless steel espresso cups ($4.95 each) and a pair of unbreakable, collapsible Lexan wine glasses ($6.99 each). Gambling campers will enjoy a miniature deck of cards ($2.49).

Your local hardware store is sure to be packed with practical gifts. At Park’s Hardware in Orono, I found a blue Mini MagLite for $14.79 and a four-in-one screwdriver set for $5.99. Duct tape, hand warmers, wrenches and the like are useful long after the wreath has turned orange and the tree has been taken away.

Whatever you do, don’t forget your pets. A bag of catnip and a few cans of Fancy Feast will keep even the most finicky feline purring. For Fido, Old Navy has cute squeaky toys shaped like cats ($5.50), funky bowls and reflective leash sets. Bed Bath & Beyond sells red strobe lights that attach to dog collars that make a walk in the dark a little safer.

So, frantic shoppers, this should get you started. Don’t wait until the last minute, because you really don’t want to be waiting in line with a basket full of Chap-Stik and beef jerky on Christmas Eve.

Attention, shoppers

Marden’s in Brewer just received a shipment of high-end cosmetics and is selling it for 40 percent off department store prices. For those of you who wear Clinique and Estee Lauder, you’d better hurry before they’re all gone. Many of the brands, including Chanel and Borghese, are not normally sold in this area.

While you’re there, check out the selection of designer clothes that recently came in. Label lovers will appreciate the orange Versace skirt, the Cynthia Rowley corduroy pants and the Buzz wool handbags. For men, Marden’s has dress shirts by Ralph Lauren and Geoffrey Beene, a bizarre selection of Jean-Paul Gaultier apparel (including a mirror-studded fisherman’s sweater), and Eddie Bauer sweaters, all for about half off.

Reader questions

Dear ShopGirl,

Can you steer me to shops or mail order catalogs specializing in petite sizes? Locally, and in Bangor also, I find nothing smaller than a 6P. In pants I need a 4P, but they have to have an elastic waist. I would appreciate any help you could give me.

– Dorene MacIlroy of Houlton

Dear ShopGirl

Do you know of any stores or catalogs that specialize in petite dresses? They are hard to come by except from old Pueblo Traders and maybe Blair. Anything else you might know of would be greatly appreciated.

– Gladys S. Dodge of Rockland

Dear Dorene and Gladys,

My friend Bridgit wears a size zero. Now, I know most of you are groaning right now, sarcastically thinking, “Oh, poor her.” But she has a hard time finding clothes that fit. She swears by J. Crew, which sells clothes designed for young professionals. However, J. Crew carries a variety of styles ranging from classic to trendy. For a catalog, call (800) 562-0258 or visit www.jcrew.com. She also recommends Gap in the Bangor Mall, which carries sizes as small as zero short (for pants).

I found an extensive collection of reasonably priced elastic-waist pants and matching tops in petite sizes at The Pretty Woman in Orono. Among my favorites were the pictured fleece top, embellished with faux pearls and an embroidered snowflake, and matching pants by Josephine Chaus Petites ($34 for the top, $39 for the pants). Most of the other outfits, including blue and gray houndstooth pants with a matching jacket, plain tan pants and heathered gray pants, cost between $25 and $35. Owner Nancy Paul can special-order and she also carries a selection of dresses in nonpetite sizes that run shorter than average.

In Aroostook County, I would try Sears, J.C. Penney and Porteous in the Aroostook Centre Mall. All carry petite sizes, and a reader recently wrote in to tell me that she found a wonderful deal on winter skirts in the petite section of Sears.

In Rockland, Black Parrot carries cropped pants and dresses that run a little shorter, though the store doesn’t label them “petite.” If you can’t find anything there, I would suggest you try Petite Sophisticate in the Bangor Mall, which carries businesslike dresses as well as more casual styles. Again, Filene’s, Porteous, Sears and J.C. Penney all sell petite collections. For catalogs, you could try Lerner (800-677-0248), Newport News (800-894-9639), L.L. Bean (800-441-5713) and Nordstrom (888-282-6060), all of which sell petite sizes.

Got a shopping dilemma? ShopGirl can help. Send questions or comments to Kristen Andresen, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04401 or e-mail kandresen@bangordailynews.net.