It’s a Wrap: In Vegas, late holiday gift-buying is a rush

Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2002 | 8:28 a.m.

Oh the wearied look of a Christmas Eve procrastinator.

Bookstores have closed early. Target stores and shopping malls have locked up for the holiday.

Even trusty Wal-Mart has cashed out its registers, forcing last-minute shoppers to roam the city for potential gifts.

Those who don't have time to hit the Desert Passage at the Aladdin (open tonight until 9) or the Forum Shops at Caesars (open until 11 p.m.), might consider the following alternatives.

Bonanza Gifts Shop

When it comes to kitsch, there's little you can't find at Bonanza Gifts Shop at Las Vegas Boulevard and Sahara Avenue.

From dashboard hula dolls to ashtrays, shot glasses and Biblical action figures, the self-titled "World's Largest Gift Store" has items aplenty for under the tree or in the stocking. Doors are open until 10 p.m.

"It's always a frenzy here Christmas Eve," Lynn Morris, the store's manager and owner said. "You get the desperate. Sometimes they're looking for something specific. Usually (they're looking for) anything -- all kinds of gags, funny gifts."

The most popular items, she said, "are the little toy slot machines. A lot of people like Vegas Christmases. They'll buy slot machines and dice -- we have dice with names on them -- turquoise jewelry if you want to impress a lady, and Black Hills gold.

"Of course, they're looking for gift-wrapping services, which we don't do."

Besides, who would want to wrap something so beautiful as a glow-in-the-dark toilet seat? ($21.99)

For the hard-to-buy-fors, Bonanza offers plenty of shredded-money novelties, potted cactus assortments, showgirl dolls, back scratchers, black velvetlike Jesus and Elvis paintings, Patron Saint of the Internet figures and "art."

There are dashboard hula dolls ($8.99), hula-girl keychains, a hula-girl duster, hula-girl bicycle horn ($5.99), hula- girl lamps, hula salt-and-pepper shakers ($9.99), Tiki coasters ($3.99) and a hula-girl tie ($19.99).

A wall, seven shelves high, features an assortment of the popular Kung Fu Hamster and Dancing Hamsters ($12.99), "Buddy Birthday," "Larry Love," "Phat Daddy Mac" and "Jailhouse Rick."

A phony arm cast sells for $6.99, a mounted "Last Supper" sculpture sells for $91.99, cow horns for $39.99 and sombreros for $29.99.

Three islands, four-shelves high, are stacked with piggy banks.

For stocking stuffers, check out the Las Vegas thimbles, ranging from 99 cents to $2.50, fake-turd keychains, used decks of casino cards and giant jumbo combs (99 cents), and keep in mind its assortment of multitudes of magnets, coffee cups, ashtrays and shot glasses.

More seriously, handbags, leather belts, Minnetonka Moccasin shoes, retro lunch boxes and jewelry are also for sale.

Wally World

At the 24-hour Walgreens on Las Vegas and Charleston boulevards, executive assistant manager Ken Lottman Sr., is stocking the shelves to keep up with the flurry of Christmas shoppers.

Having worked at Walgreens in Henderson and now Las Vegas, Lottman said he is familiar with the last-minute Christmas Eve rush.

"We get a lot, especially Christmas Eve, late," Lottman said. "A lot of single dads buy out the whole wall. They'll say, 'Give me anything you've got.'

"It gets crazy; we're down to nothing."

The customers, Lottman said, can find just about anything at Walgreens.

"We have over 16,000 items in each store. We've got a line of clothes. We carry a lot of 'As Seen On TV' merchandise, which is really popular this time of year. And we'll sell all the giftables.

"It amazes me how many last-minute shoppers come in. The pharmacy is open around the clock, as well. Just in case. We've got one of the best refund policies, too."

Given that the store never closes, there is plenty of time to peruse the aisles looking for just the right gift.

And nothing says "I love you" like a Black and Decker iron for $15.99. For the lady of the house, spun glass musical figurines sell for $12.99.

Gift-givers really wanting to impress might want to pick up an "As Seen on TV" Blazin' Chicken Roaster for $24.99, the Handy Stitch: The Hand-Held Sewing Machine for $12.99 or the Deluxe Gopher Pick Up and Reaching Tool for $9.99.

A 14-inch glass chess set sells for $9.99. Wall calendars sell for $4.99.

To show a little community spirit, wrap a Las Vegas T-shirt, sweatshirt or fleece jacket to place under the tree.

Cologne, perfume, toys, electric razers, electric room heaters, telephones, head sets, alarm clocks, shower radio, cameras, electric razors, calculators and portable stereos can also be found at the store.

There are several 24-hour Walgreens throughout the Las Vegas Valley.

Cocktail Christmas

Last-minute shoppers have been seen late Christmas Eve grabbing what they can from the shelves at Lee's Discount Liquor on East Flamingo Road.

"It's a zoo over here," employee Geoff Woodruff said. "A lot of times you can tell by the look on their face. They've forgotten somebody. Christmas Eve will be busy until we shut the doors."

Gift sets that include beverage glasses and bottles of alcohol are the most popular last-minute gifts, Woodruff said.

And, he added, "We're here at 9 a.m. Christmas morning in case you get thirsty."

For under the tree, try a boxed gift set of, "Beers From Around the World, The International Collection." A box of eight sells for $11.99.

Other sets include: Beefeater Gin and martini glass, wine and cheese gift baskets Grand Marnier and cocktail shaker ($18.99), Jagermeister and a pewter shooter in shape of deer mascot ($16.99), B & B Cognac with Bodum French Press ($14.99) and a Chopin Vodka martini shaker gift set ($26.99).

Even more gifty is the Vincent Van Gogh Vodka and matching cups or the Famous Grouse Finest Scotch Whiskey with accompanying golf balls and tees.

Cocktail shakers sell for $5.99 and $13.99 An assortment of flasks range in price from $15.99 to $19.99. A Rapid Ice decorative Champagne cooler sells for $17.99.

Big spenders might consider bottles of Courvoisier from $700 up to $3,599, or an Estate Wine Opener with Table Stand ($99).

Others can simply surprise their host or hostess by bringing a 3-liter boxed bottle of Heineken ($24.99).

An assortment of potential stocking stuffers include 10- and 16-ounce travel flasks ($3.49), ice tongs ($2.49), cocktail parasol picks ($1.59), colored swizzle sticks ($1.29), garlic-stuffed olives ($2.99), Anthon Berg chocolate liqueurs with original spirits ($3.99) or individual chocolate bottles for 99 cents.

Smith-a-Claus

For last-minute shopping convenience, Smith's Food and Drug stores are open until 9 p.m.

The Smith's at Maryland Parkway and Silverado Ranch Boulevard features a selection of appliances under $50, such as five-speed hand mixers, Mr. Coffees, toaster ovens, rice cookers, salad shooters and food processors.

For the bargain hunter, there is an aisle of $1 items -- Tupperware, dinner forks, pot holders and beverage glasses.

Wham-O Frisbee Golf sells for $8.99, Acu-Rite Ducks Unlimited Series Puppies Thermometer (outdoor) for $11.99, a HoMedics massaging bath mat Bubble Spa for $49.99 and a FacialSauna (steamer and inhaler) for $24.99

Nothing spruces up a man like a bottle of Old Spice after-shave ($7.99) or cologne ($9.49). For women, 2-ounce bottles of Jovan Musk sell for $9.99. For couples, a Yanni "Snowfall" CD sells for $6.99.

For the family, try Karaoke Bay "The Karaoke Machine," which sells for $64.99.

Don't forget the scented candles, cosmetic kits, slippers, toys, puzzles, table and desk lamps.

Lucia Fayad, assistant manager at the Smith's on Maryland Parkway and Silverado Ranch Boulevard, said that on Christmas Eve, shoppers will stop in last minute for perfumes, chocolates and electronics.

But mostly, Fayad said, "They're coming in for the gravy, the chips or beer because they've eaten them all."