Web comes to rescue for last-minute shoppers

Site-seeing with Jan Perry

So you're one of those people who puts off shopping until the last possible moment. Don 't panic, here are some Web sites that pull out all the stops for professional procrastinators. (Key the addresses listed at the start of each description into your search space to call up the sites listed below.)

http://911gifts.com. Welcome to Red-Envelope gifts online. This site is Nirvana for last-minute shoppers. Consultants are available by phone, by e-mail or in their own on-site chat room - 24 hours a day. Gifts for her, him, kids, couples, home or business range from the affordable (Japanese body/soul bath kit for her, him or them, $38; 50-piece wood block set for pre-schoolers, $18,) to the pricy, (Sonoma leather wine carrier, $195; Zen tranquility fountain, $135.) Although they close at 6 p.m. Christmas Eve, they reopen at noon Christmas Day.

http://luxuryfinder.com. When money is no object - or perhaps when it is the object - shop at luxuryfinder.com>. Stocking stuffers start at $18 for a truffle shaver from Dean & DeLuca. For that unforgettable gift, you can pick up a Picasso oil painting (''Maison. Juan-les-Pins,'') for $320,000 or a Tang Dynasty Glazed Pottery Horse for a mere $385,000. Needless to say, everything comes beautifully packaged and wrapped and is shipped as necessary to arrive on time. (One tacky thing on this otherwise elegant site - you're assigned a virtual personal shopper to assist you, which is fine, but ''Ms. Findit'' falls a bit short of the sophisticated lady you'd expect.)

http://egghead.com. This site has an extensive product list, but not much of the glamour or glitz that you'll find on other such sites. Still, you can shop from their regular merchandise, bargains/discounted items or auctions - each area having its own strengths. One big bonus: UPS regular ground shipping is free until Christmas. (Overnight and two-day service available for a fee.)

http://ties.com. This is such a fun site, you don't have to want a tie to visit it. The tie museum features galleries of ties from the '40s on (including specialty and celebrity neckwear.) Tie a tie teaches you what to do (and what ''knot'' to) to get it just right. And just in case a tie is on your list, those offered here run from smart and sassy to stylish and sophisticated. Order by 4 p.m. and it will arrive the next weekday afternoon (Friday orders arrive Monday; weekend orders on Tuesday). They even include a free gift card with a personalized message, all for $6 shipping anywhere in the continental U.S.

http://hardtofindtoys.com. If you have looked everywhere for that special Pokemon, ''Toy Story'' or ''Star Wars'' item and haven't been able to find it, check here. Not only will you find the most sought-after toys of the year, in many cases you'll find they are ticketed below local store prices. But beware - although purchases made before 1 p.m. are shipped the same day, they only guarantee delivery within a week if you add $19.99 per order plus $4.99 per item - and even then they say it will take two to three days.

http://giftcertificateideas.com. Can't decide what to give picky Patty or finicky Frank? Never the wrong size, color or fragrance - a gift certificate could be the solution for all your hard-to-please Harrys. A trip to this site gives you more than 250 stores to choose from. Get certificates from the actual company you select, not some generic one-form-fits-all.

http://11thhourvacations.com. If you want to give someone a trip but aren't sure you can afford it, check out the bargains at 11th Hour Vacations. They have deals on airfares, hotel rooms, car rentals and cruises. Looking for a weekend getaway or a once-in-a-lifetime African photo safari? They're all here priced up to 90 percent off. (Best deals come with the shortest time until departure, so make sure your recipient believes in ''have suitcase/ will travel.'')

http://beautifulshopping.com. With nearly 30 specialty stores in this virtual mini-mall (from pet products to Christian goods,) you should be able to find something for everyone on your list. Most stores guarantee two- to three-day delivery - some for a fee and some for free; be sure to double-check your store's policy before placing your order.

http://store.bolt.com. In some parts of the country, Bolt is edging out the Gap and Abercrombie & Fitch for top spot on the teen scene. Shop for hip clothes and cool room accessories. Two- to three-day delivery is available. If you place the order before 9:30 a.m. you'll receive it in two business days (after 9:30 a.m., expect it in three.) Overnight shipping cuts the time to one day if placed before 9:30 a.m. and two days if after. Rush charges for premium delivery are hefty.

http://women.com/shopping. This is an updated Web store guide for all your shopping needs. You'll find everything from slinky T-strap slide-on shoes to a sparkling rhinestone double strap dog collar. Most stores and sites collected here have a rapid delivery system in place. Make sure you check the shipping cost - it ranges from free to way more than you should have to pay.

http://presentpicker.com. A fun way to shop for the hard-to-shop-for. The ''Picker'' people have set up their site to search for gift ideas by occasion, by the recipient's interests and even by his or her personality traits. You can also designate categories like popular, choice, expensive, inexpensive, outrageous or the 12 sleepers for the season (as spotted by the experts.)

http://godiva.com. Everyone knows a chocoholic. If you have one on your list, buy from the best. Godiva's online stores have yet to allow personalized orders to be prepared, but there are enough wonderful collections here to satisfy any craving. The rush fee on a small order ($15.75 shipping and handling on a $20 purchase) may prove prohibitive.