Columnist Muriel Stevens: Get a holiday jump with one-stop shopping

Wednesday, Oct. 7, 1998 | 9:48 a.m.

There's no trick to getting ready for the holidays, right? All it takes is a little organization and time, right? Scratch that. It takes a lot of organization and more time than most of us have these days. So maybe it's a good idea that stores are already being stocked for the holidays. Not that it helps me.

I confess: In spite of the time I spend in stores I'm mostly a last-minute shopper. I don't plan it that way, but it just seems to always happen.

My normal pattern is to start with a list. So far so good. Then after carrying it around for days I usually lose the list. So I make up another one and this time make copies. But, there's always the nagging feeling that I've forgotten someone who was on the list I lost. So why don't I make copies before I lose the original? Old habits die hard, even silly ones.

For last-minute shoppers like me, the easy solution is to give everyone the same thing. A personalized gift basket fits the bill. One size fits all. Since these baskets are mostly slated for friends, I know their eating, drinking and leisure habits. All I have to do is assemble the items and make up the baskets.

But what if there isn't any time to do all of this? Cost Plus has an easy solution.

Stores such as Cost Plus are a bonanza for people like me. This is one-stop shopping at its best. During a recent visit I walked the store's aisles trying to see how many basket themes I could complete without going elsewhere. I stopped counting after 15.

Why would I want to go to the trouble of making up my own baskets? Because I like being able to control the quality and selection of the contents. It's not necessarily cheaper than buying a ready-made basket, but it is a lot more pleasurable for the giver and the receiver.

Are you now asking yourself, "Is she crazy? Who has the time to fill and wrap baskets?" You're right, so here's that easy solution:

Cost Plus sells everything from wines to widgets, and the baskets in which to put them. Or, choose a container that follows the theme, such as a wok for a Chinese cooking enthusiast or a mixing bowl for a baker.

Everything to make a gift attractive is found here -- an abundance of ribbons, bows, raffia, shredded fillers in various colors and cellophane wrap, and a terrific basket selection. Sizes range from teeny to hamper size.

And, if you have neither the time nor inclination to wrap your own gifts, just choose the items and the container and Cost Plus will do the wrapping free of charge.

Store manager Jim Straub assured me that it's store policy to do anything within reason to please its customers. They'll even come up with a theme if you're stuck without an idea. According to Straub, prices range from as little as $15. Price is determined by the container and what's included, but there's no charge for putting it all together into a handsome gift.

The same wrapping policy is in effect all year, and Straub says it applies to any occasion.

Christmas wrapping is available until the week before the holiday. Please allow enough time for the gifts to be assembled. And don't ask to have multiple gifts wrapped and expect to take them with you. Having to return the next day for the packages is not unreasonable.

My problem with such an appealing store as Cost Plus is that I'm always enticed into buying, when all I wanted to do was get some ideas.

While walking the store I found the wooden plant platforms with rollers I'd been ready to order by mail, and here they were -- and cheaper. Being able to roll a heavy plant is easier than trying to lug it into the kitchen to be watered.

And I couldn't resist the fine selection of teas. Wagner's decaf imperial green tea and Republic of China's Ginger Peach tea (both in tea bags) were unexpected finds.

I returned home with two bags full of more unexpected finds. Oh yes, I never did buy any baskets. Maybe next time. It's much too soon for last-minute shopping.