Down to the Wire Gifting: An Eclectic Mix at CafePress

Still in a bind for holiday gifts? If you're really feeling the pinch, let me introduce you to your gifting savior - CafePress, the go-to site for creating, selling and buying T-Shirts and other "print-on-demand" products.

I know what you're thinking? Print-On-Demand? Huh?  Well, in addition to letting you upload and print your own designs, CafePress also houses a huge - no, really, it's enormous - selection of personalized and/or quirky, fun, stylish gifts. Think artwork, journals, mugs, t-shirts, ornaments, notecards, books, cd's, the list goes ON.

Best of all, if you have time to spare (I know, I know, not really), shopping at CafePress is actually FUN. Yes, even when you're in a time crunch (like you are, well, now.)  For further evidence of said "fun", this is the actual Gchat exchange between my boyfriend and I on Friday while I shopped the site with the goal of completing my holiday shopping on a budget of $150.

12:20 PM me: do you want anything for you/your fam from CafePress.com?

  they gave me a $150 Holiday challenge

 Michael: WOO HOO, I like challenges!

 me: it's a really funny site

  send me links if you do want some stuff

12:21 PM Michael: ooh, t-shirts and such? 

 me: yep, lots more too

 Michael: http://shop.cafepress.com/twilight?fp=333481242

 

 Michael: MUST HAVE

  LOL

 me: LOL

12:23 PM i def want a mug

  http://mugs.cafepress.com/ceramic-travel-mugs

12:24 PM Michael: http://books.cafepress.com/item/the-bush-bathroom-reader/9165539

12:25 PM mike would love this http://books.cafepress.com/item/gun-facts-50/146443690

12:29 PM me: http://mugs.cafepress.com/item/californication-ceramic-travel-mug/315198165

12:31 PM Michael: definitely!!!

  but i dont use those type of things

  is there a regular mug?

 me: http://mugs.cafepress.com/item/best-mailman-ceramic-travel-mug/297501526

  yes

  i think so

12:32 PM Michael: HELL YEAH lets send that to my DAD!!!

12:35 PM me: do you want a tshirt

  http://t-shirts.cafepress.com/mens-clothing/design/30629103

12:36 PM Michael: http://pets.cafepress.com/item/princess-violet-small-pet-bowl/320050317

12:37 PM me: omg!

 Michael: http://mugs.cafepress.com/item/californication-mug/315198154

  here mug

 me: i should get you this

  http://t-shirts.cafepress.com/item/simon-loves-me-light-tshirt/258373094

 Michael: rofl

12:39 PM http://pets.cafepress.com/item/small-pet-bowl/311917933

  http://pets.cafepress.com/item/small-pet-bowl/309936041

 me: omg

  i am dying

12:40 PM Michael: lol

  hehe

  okay i have to like eat and wrap presents here

 me: okay

  bai

  get to it

12:44 PM DUDE

  I AM GETTING YOU THIS

  http://shop.cafepress.com/design/11443667

27 minutes

In case you're wondering, YES, my $150 challenge was a BIG success. I picked up a Californication mug for the BF (er, surprise!), kitty dishes for Simon and Violet (both personalized!), a beautiful piece of artwork for my office and a super cute personalized journal and travel mug for myself.

And if I hadn't already shopped for almost everyone on my list, I seriously could have found pressies for nearly every person I know at CafePress - gifts that they (and my wallet!) would have loved.

If there's one caveat about CafePress - it's that the site can be a little overwhelming.  I def. rec. doing a quick browse of the site to get a feel for the products offered but then narrowing down your shopping by using the handy, dandy Search box.  Try entering names, favorite movies or tv shows, favorite bands, even styles (i.e. 'pin up' turns up a lot of fun stuff!)

Order by NOON on MONDAY - that's tomorrow - for delivery on Christmas Eve!  

And if you've ever shopped CafePress, please leave a comment and tell us what you thought.

Happy Shopping!