Eleventh-Hour Gift Ideas for Expert Procrastinators

It happens to the best of us: You’re wrapping presents just before Christmas and, out of nowhere, you realize you forgot someone. You have missed all the free-shipping deadlines, so how can you score those last-minute gifts and make sure they arrive on time? Sending gift cards via email is an option, but that lacks a personal touch. Instead, head to the more than 30 top shops offering In-Store Cash Back at Ebates! Just find a store, link their offer to your credit card, use that credit card to shop in the store and boom—you’ve saved the day and added to your Big Fat Check. No promo code necessary. Here are some of our favorite last-minute gift ideas you can pick up in-store right now.

Performance Steel Water Bottle

4% In-Store Cash Back at Old Navy. Find a store near you!

Everyone needs a reminder to drink more water. Why not make it a stylish one with this sturdy yet sleek water bottle?

Pro Performance Smart Shake

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The best gift ideas take popular items and make them even better, like a mixer bottle that also stores your protein powder and supplements.

“Star Wars” “Chew It Up, Fuzzball” Bone Dog Toy

8% In-Store Cash Back at Petco. Find a store near you!

Don’t forget Rex! Your fur baby deserves a little treat too, and this “Star Wars” chew toy has out-of-this-world reviews.

Men’s Woodbridge Stretch Fleece Jacket

10% In-Store Cash Back at Moosejaw. Find a store near you!

Winter basics make fantastic last-minute gift ideas. The man in your life will think of you every time he braves the chill in this fleece jacket.

Leather Tech Gloves

4% In-Store Cash Back at Gap. Find a store near you!

Again, you can’t go wrong with winter accessories. That’s especially true when they are as chic and timeless as leather gloves.

Shirleen Color-Block Ankle Booties

5% In-Store Cash Back at Fashion to Figure. Find a store near you!

If you know her shoe size, stick to neutral colors and a chunky heel for a subtle yet on-trend gift she’ll adore.

Izola Aloha Paddle Ball Set

5% In-Store Cash Back at EXPRESS. Find a store near you!

Fuel their love of sports with a cool indoor activity like paddle ball. Then challenge them to a match at the local gym for a gift that keeps on giving.

Helly Hansen Kirkwall Rain Jacket

3% In-Store Cash Back at Dick’s Sporting Goods. Find a store near you!

Protection from the elements and a popping color? This coat has it all.

Glam Octopus Ring Holder

4% In-Store Cash Back at Charming Charlie. Find a store near you!

Jewelry storage: The struggle is real. Give her a super cute solution with this clever ring holder.

Retro Hot Air Popcorn Popper

4% In-Store Cash Back at Cost Plus World Market. Find a store near you!

Movie nights just got a little healthier! Air popping your kernels is not only calorie-cutting, but also totally delicious. Your giftee won’t even miss liquid butter.

December 21, 2016

5 Holiday Games Any Family Can Play

So much time is spent during the holiday season cooking lavish feasts and shopping for perfect gifts that making time to have simple fun with the family can fall off your list of priorities. Show your kids there is more to the season than one big day of unwrapping presents with these five family games! No matter how you celebrate, these holiday games have you covered. A little DIY magic and Cash Back at Ebates is all it takes to make your holidays that much happier.

What’s in Santa’s Hat?

This simple guessing game is great for school-age children. Fill a Santa hat or Christmas stocking with small objects from around the house, such as dice, Legos or magnets. Give each player a pencil and a piece of paper. Pass around the hat and have each player guess what’s inside by feeling the outside of the hat without looking or reaching inside. The players write down their guesses, and the person with the most correct guesses wins.

Hanukkah Bingo

This picture-based bingo game will keep it simple for preschoolers who are still learning their numbers and letters. The best part? It’s available for instant download, and you can print it out in minutes. Etsy has a ton of cute printable games for all occasions. Keep your eye out for a promo code from your favorite Etsy maker to save big on holiday games and goods.

White Elephant

Part gift-giving, part straight-up thievery, this game is perfect for households with teenagers since they’re old enough to buy their own small gifts. Stores like Michaels and Cost Plus have a great variety of stocking stuffers. To play, place all wrapped gifts in the center of the room and choose someone to kick off the game by unwrapping one of the presents. The following players can either steal an unwrapped gift from another person or choose a new gift from the pile. Each gift can be stolen only three times. The game is over when everyone has a gift.

Mancala

For those celebrating Kwanzaa, there is a variety of games to play with African roots. Mancala, however, may be the most popular here in the United States. Mancala is actually a category of count-and-capture games, but the version Americans know best is the wooden-board-and-glass-marble variety. Each player picks up a section of marbles and distributes them one by one into the sequential sections, including their own “pot.” The turn is over when you place your final marble in a space with no other marbles. The game is over when all the marbles make it into the players’ pots. This is a two-player game, so make sure to get enough boards for everyone to play at once.

Match the Bells

Chocoholics of any age will love this one. Simply take a black marker and write a number, letter or symbol on the bottoms of two wrapped chocolate kisses and repeat until you have enough pairs to play a game of match. Unlike regular match games, you eat your pairs once the game is complete. Everyone wins!

December 18, 2016

5 Unsung Holiday Movies for the Whole Family

Getting the family together in one place is our favorite part of the holiday season, but we know it can be a difficult task. Movie nights? That’s the ticket! Before you plan your next in-home cinema experience with the same old classics, take a look at these holiday movies available with Cash Back at Ebates—because how many times can you really watch “A Christmas Story” in your lifetime? We have selections for tots, tweens and teens, as well as movies that celebrate a variety of traditions and cultures. Grab these flicks while saving a bundle with a holiday-sale promo code.

For All Ages:

“Jingle All the Way” (1996, PG)

This action-packed slapstick movie is all about a dad (Arnold Schwarzenegger) trying to get the hottest toy of the season—one day before Christmas. If you’re an imperfect parent who bends over backward for your kids when it counts, you know this story all too well.

“The Preacher’s Wife” (1996, PG)

The late, great Whitney Houston stars with Denzel Washington, who plays an angel who comes to earth to help a pastor struggling to keep his church open. It may be a rom-com, but your kids will love the soundtrack and the message of hope and holiday magic.

For Little Ones:

“Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas” (2009, TV-G)

Fact: Young kids will watch anything animated. However, there is just something about a mischievous monkey that will make them go bananas. In this holiday tale, George and the Man in the Yellow Hat can’t decide which presents to get each other, and time is running out before the big day. It’s a suspenseful one, but—spoiler alert—they figure it all out and have the best Christmas ever.

“The Night Before Christmas & More Classic Holiday Tales” (2008, Not Rated)

If you’re looking for a great before-bedtime movie, this one is perfect. Celebrity narrators read seven Scholastic storybooks, including Gary Soto’s “Too Many Tamales” and tales about Hanukkah and Kwanzaa.

For Big Kids:

“Eight Crazy Nights” (2002, PG-13)

A tale of redemption is a classic holiday theme. Add to that some musical comedy in the stylings of funnyman Adam Sandler, and you’ve got a not-too-edgy classic your teens will actually put the phone down for.

December 15, 2016

18 Stores Offering Paid and Free Gift Wrapping

Online shopping makes gift buying all the more easier. But what about when all those packages come to your door? Whether you’re wrapping-challenged or just don’t have the time, it always helps to know which stores offer free gift wrapping or at least will wrap them for a nominal cost. Believe us, you want to take advantage of all the freebies you can get on top of holiday deals to make the most out of your money. Here are 18 top stores you can shop through Ebates that offer free or reasonably-priced gift wrapping.

Paid Gift Wrapping With Online Purchase

Free Gift Box With Online Purchase

Brooks Brothers

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Jared

They’ll even wrap it for you, too!

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Saks Fifth Avenue

Box comes with ribbon. There is an additional charge for wrapping your gift box.

See Saks Fifth Avenue coupons
Shop Saks Fifth Avenue with 8% Cash Back>

Prices and Cash Back percentages are subject to change.

December 14, 2016

Empowering Gifts for Girls of All Ages and Interests

You can never start too early with nurturing confidence in little girls and encouraging them to be unstoppable. By engaging them in math and science and helping them embrace their creative sides, these gift ideas for girls of all ages nourish both body and brain. Shop these educational, inspirational gifts for both teens and preschoolers, all while stacking up Cash Back at Ebates and saving big with promo codes.

Education Community Minifigures Lego Set

Representation is key. Show your toddler that women can do anything, with this LEGO set that includes female characters in a number of community roles.

Codenames Board Game

If you’re shopping gifts for girls, consider a critical thinking game that will entertain while challenging the intellect. Codenames is a social word game where two rival spymasters know the secret identities of 25 agents — but only by their codenames. Teams compete to see who can make contact with all of their agents first.

Spooner Board Freestyle

This is one of our favorite sporty-girl gifts, since it helps her learn how to skateboard, snowboard or surf anywhere. The Spooner board improves core strength and gross motor skills as well.

Pretend & Play Camp Set

Help them embrace their love of the outdoors and camping, even in the off-season, with this all-inclusive play set.

Make Your Own Comic Book Kit

Budding artists will love this kit, which guides them through producing a comic and includes all materials. When it’s done, mail it in, and she’ll receive a professionally published version with her name right on the cover. How cool is that?

Disney Princess Moana of Oceania Adventure Doll

What’s more empowering than a female character who saves her entire island?

Makey Makey – an Invention Kit for Everyone

Makey Makey is a simple circuit board that lets you reprogram the world by connecting everyday objects to a computer. Rewire the world! Warning: Extended use may result in creative confidence.

My First Microscope

See the beauty of small things by looking a little closer. My First Microscope is specially designed for little hands and is sturdy enough to survive all your toddler has to throw at it.

Lil’ Banshee Jr. Compound Archery Set

Got a “Hunger Games” fan on your list? Show her you don’t have to have a name like Katniss to master archery.

Funko Ghostbusters Ecto-1 With Holtzman

Girls can do anything, even bust ghosts! This super cute Funko set is a find for all ages.

Monster Sewing Workshop Sewing Starter Kit

We particularly love this gift because it can empower anyone (girls and boys alike) who loves cuddly monsters. Sewing is a useful skill most of us lack, so why not start them off early?

December 12, 2016

Facebook Live KitchenAid Mixer Giveaway

Thanks for joining our Facebook Live event on Last-Minute Holiday Shopping Hacks! We hope you picked up some great insights on how to score major savings while snagging those last-minute gifts for everyone on your list. As a special thank you to our loyal watchers, we’re giving away a brand-new KitchenAid 5-Quart Tilt Head Stand Mixer to leave under the tree this year. If kitchen appliances aren’t your jam, check out the great ideas in our Last-Minute Gift Guide, or head to Ebates for more fabulous finds. Stay savvy!

How to Enter the KitchenAid Stand Mixer Giveaway:

If you’re not already an Ebates member, join over 8 million other savvy shoppers who earn up to 40% Cash Back on almost everything they buy. Here’s how Ebates works. It’s free to join, and you’ll receive a $10 Welcome Bonus* at Ebates.com.
After you enter your Ebates email and the exclusive promo code below. You can earn additional entries by doing the following: comment, tweet, pin, follow us, like us, circle us — the more you do, the more entries you get! This sweepstakes ends on Monday, December 12, 2016 at 11:59 PM PST. The winner will be randomly picked through Gleam and will be posted on Facebook and on this blog. Please be aware of the Giveaway Rules.

Be sure to keep an eye on your inbox, as the winner will have 24 hours to accept the prize before we will choose another winner.

Facebook Live Kitchenaid Giveaway

* To qualify for a Welcome Bonus, you must be a new member and make minimum qualifying purchases totaling at least twenty-five dollars ($25) within ninety (90) days of becoming a Member.

December 9, 2016

America’s Favorite Christmas Movies: Box Office Battle

Do you have a Christmas movie favorite? One that you watch every year, or one that sets the tone for the season just like that first cup of eggnog or putting up the Christmas tree? Although there are favorites aplenty, the box office numbers haven’t always lined up with the sentimental Christmas favorites.

Top-Grossing Christmas Movies Since 1980

Home Alone (1990), $285.8 million
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000), $260.0 million
The Polar Express (2004), $183.4 million
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992), $173.6 million
Elf (2003), $173.4 million
Gremlins (1984), $153.0 million
The Santa Clause (1994), $144.8 million
The Santa Clause 2 (2002), $139.2 million
A Christmas Carol (2009), $137.9 million
Four Christmases (2008), $120.1 million
The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause (2006), $84.5 million

Timeline of Christmas Movies at the Box Office

A Christmas Story (1983), $3.2M budget, $17.4M profit
Gremlins (1984) $11M budget, $142M profit
Santa Claus: The Movie (1985), $30M budget, $6.3M net loss
Nutcracker: The Motion Picture (1986), $781K gross
Ernest Saves Christmas (1988),$6M budget, $22.2M profit
Die Hard (1988), $28M budget, $55M profit
Home Alone (1990), $18M budget, $267.8M profit
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992), $20M budget, $153.6M profit
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992), $12M budget, $15.3M profit
Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993), $18M budget, $57.1M profit
The Nutcracker (1993), $19M budget, $16.9M net loss
The Santa Clause (1994), $22M budget, $122.8M profit
Miracle on 34th Street (1994), $17.3M gross
Jingle All the Way, (1996), $75M budget, $14.4M net loss
The Preacher’s Wife (1996), $48M gross
I’ll Be Home for Christmas (1998), $30M budget, $17.8M net loss
Jack Frost (1998), $85M budget, $50.4M net loss
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000), $123M budget, $137M profit
The Santa Clause 2 (2002), $65M budget, $74.2M profit
Elf (2003), $33M budget, $140.4M profit
Love Actually (2003), $45M budget, $14.7M profit
Bad Santa (2003), $23M budget, $37.1M budget
The Polar Express (2004), $150M budget, $33.4M profit
Christmas With the Kranks (2004), $60M budget, $13.8 profit
The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause (2006), $12M budget, $72.5M profit
Fred Claus (2007), $100M budget, $28M net loss
Four Christmases (2008), $80M budget, $40.1M profit
A Christmas Carol (2009), $175M budget, $37.1M net loss
The Nutcracker in 3D (2010), $90M budget, $89.8M net loss
A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas (2011), $19M budget, $16.1M profit
The Best Man Holiday (2013), $17M budget, $53.5M profit
Tyler Perry’s A Madea Christmas (2013), $25M budget, $27.5M profit
The Night Before (2015), $25M budget, $18M profit
Krampus (2015), $15M budget, $27.7M profit

Check this graph for net profit and losses for all Christmas movies in our research:

Not What You’d Expect

The 1983 classic, A Christmas Story, is shown repeatedly on TV and often quoted, but its total lifetime gross is just $20.6 million. It made less money than Ernest Saves Christmas!

Interestingly, there is some debate about what’s considered a Christmas movie. Some films that are not considered Christmas movies by data collectors include the sixth-highest-grossing movie, Gremlins (1984), at $153.0 million; the 12th-highest-grossing movie, Die Hard (1988), at $83.0 million; and the 21st-highest-grossing movie, Love Actually (2003), at $59.7 million.

What about the classics? After looking through the list of films, you may have the realization that many of your favorites are actually from before 1980. If you’re looking for It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) or Charlie Brown’s Christmas (1965), then you may be taking an old-fashioned approach to your holiday movie picks.

Net Profit/Loss

More than just box office sales, let’s look at which Christmas movies since 1980 made the most money or lost the most money.

Highest Net Profit

Home Alone, $268 million
Home Alone 2, $154 million
Gremlins, $142 million
Elf, $140 million
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000), $137 million

Biggest Net Loss

The Nutcracker in 3D, $90 million
Happy Christmas, $70 million
Arthur Christmas, $54 million
Jack Frost, $50 million
A Christmas Carol (2009), $37 million

In addition to grossing less in recent years, more Christmas movies have been showing a net loss after box-office sales.

Trivia and Background

It’s a Wonderful Life: The 1946 film made $3.3 million during its initial run, failing to break even after $3.7 million in costs. The film was shot in a California studio, but Seneca Falls, N.Y., claims to be the inspiration for the small-town setting. It returned from obscurity in the 1980s, going on to be so beloved that an original film poster sold for $15,535. The film was named by the American Film Institute as one of the 100 best American films ever made.

Muppet Christmas Carol: It was the first major muppet project after Jim Henson’s death. The puppet for the Ghost of Christmas Past was filmed underwater to create its ethereal, ghostly look before being superimposed onto the set background.

The Nightmare Before Christmas: 100 people worked for 3 years to create the 12 stop-motion moves made for every second of film. Because stop motion is such a time-consuming process, filming began before the script was completed.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas: Jim Carey’s makeup took 8 hours to apply. No movie since the Wizard of Oz in 1939 had so many characters in heavy makeup. The costume designer looked to 1950s cookbooks as vintage inspiration for the 300 hats in the film.

Love Actually: The airport footage at the beginning and end of the film was of real people greeting each other at Heathrow Airport. The nativity concert was filmed at the Elliott School in Putney, southwest London, which is also where Pierce Brosnan went to school.

Bad Santa: To play a drunk Santa, Billy Bob Thornton got drunk during the filming. The non-traditional representation of Santa ruffled some feathers. Thornton’s reply: “As far as I know, Santa Claus is not in the Bible. I think you guys are talking about Jesus.”

A Christmas Story: The filming budget was $3.2 million. You can visit Ralphie’s house in Cleveland, which is open for tours year-round. In 2004, a San Diego entrepreneur bought the house on eBay for $150,000. A longtime fan of the movie, he watched it frame by frame to draw up the plans for a $240,000 restoration back to the way it was in the film. Although none of the three “leg lamps” that were used during filming have survived, reproductions are available for about $200.

Elf: Walter’s apartment is in the same building as Dana’s apartment in Ghostbusters (located at Central Park West in Manhattan). Will Ferrell’s costume sold for $10,000.

Polar Express: It’s the first all-digital capture film, which got it listed in the Guinness Book of World Records. The conductor references director Robert Zemeckis’ childhood home in Chicago when he says the street address, “11344 Edbrooke.”

Home Alone: A blizzard struck on the second day of shooting, which meant that fake snow had to be created for the rest of the filming. The suburban Chicago house that was used for both interior and exterior scenes sold for $1.58 million in 2012.

Want to share our infographic on your site? Just copy and paste the text below!

<a href="https://www.ebates.com/blog/favorite-christmas-movies/"><img alt="America's Favorite Christmas Movies: Box Office Battle" class="ngg_none" src="https://www.ebates.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/americas-favorite-christmas-movies_IG.png" width="600px" height="7646px" /></a><br><a href="https://www.ebates.com/blog/favorite-christmas-movies/">America's Favorite Christmas Movies: Box Office Battle</a> Created By: <a href="https://www.ebates.com/"> Ebates</a>

Sources:
http://www.boxofficemojo.com/genres/chart/?id=christmas.htm
http://people.com/movies/25-things-you-may-not-know-about-home-alone-25-years-later/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/roadtrippers/holly-jolly-guide-to-chri_b_4498585.html
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104940/trivia
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107688/trivia
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0170016/trivia
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0314331/trivia?ref_=tt_trv_trv
http://www.achristmasstoryhouse.com/
https://www.wikipedia.org/

December 7, 2016

Decoding Your Teen This Holiday Season

This holiday season, families may be scratching their heads about how to celebrate with their teens — what movies to watch together, what gifts to give or where to celebrate. We did the research, and our survey results reveal how parents with teens can bridge the generation gap and have a holly, jolly holiday together.

What Parents Think Their Teens Want vs. What Teens Really Want as Gifts

Parents’ ideas about what to give their teen are not always in line with what their teen actually wants.

After surveying parents, here are the gifts they think their teen wants: 41.0% said a gaming console (e.g., PlayStation or Xbox), 37.2% said clothing or shoes (e.g., a new jacket, slippers, a tie), 24.7% said the new iPhone, 21.6% said sporting goods (e.g., tennis racquet, bike accessories) and 18.1% said accessories (e.g., jewelry, handbags, backpacks).

But teens have other things in mind for their wish list. Here are the gifts that teens would like to receive: 60.4% said clothing or shoes (e.g., a new jacket, slippers, a tie), 36.8% said sweets (e.g., cookies, candy, chocolate fruitcake), 35.4% said accessories (e.g., jewelry, handbags, scarves), 25.0% said other (popular responses were electronics, video games, money, gift cards) and 22.8% said sporting goods (e.g., bikes, tennis racquet, baseball bat).

Although 60.4% of teens said they would like clothing or shoes for Christmas, many parents wonder if the gifts will last. Teens shared their thoughts about the clothing or shoes they received last year as gifts: 41.1% of teens are already over them and 36.4% of teens are still in love with them.

Top Tech Gifts Your Children/Teens Want

Tech gear is a good choice when thinking about what to give your child or teen. Our survey results reveal which tech gifts they actually want: 45.6% said a laptop or tablet; 33.6% said the new iPhone; 30.8% said a gaming console (e.g., PlayStation or Xbox); 19.2% said a new digital camera, video camera or media player; 16.4% said a Samsung Galaxy smartphone; 12.8% said a drone; 11.8% said a VR headset; and 11.8% said a Fitbit or other wearable fitness device.

The Christmas Families That Adults and Teens Want to Spend Time With

While many families watch Christmas films together, teens and their parents have differing opinions on which Christmas family they would want to spend time with.

When surveyed, adults said they would rather hang out with the following Christmas families: 24.0% said the Griswolds from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation; 12.4% said the Whos from Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas; 8.1% said Buddy, Josie and Papa Elf from Elf; 7.7% said the Calvins from The Santa Clause; 7.1% said the Browns from A Charlie Brown Christmas; and 6.9% said the McCallisters from Home Alone.

When asked the same question, teens made different choices about who they would like to spend time with: 18.4% said the Browns from A Charlie Brown Christmas; 16.6% said the Whos from Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas; 13.8% said Buddy, Josie and Papa Elf from Elf; 13.0% said the McCallisters from Home Alone; 8.2% said the Griswolds from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation; and 6.0% said the Calvins from The Santa Clause.

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<a href="https://www.ebates.com/blog/holiday-season-decoding-teens/"><img alt="Decoding Your Teen this Holiday Season" class="ngg_none" src="https://i1.wp.com/www.ebates.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/decoding-your-teen-this-holiday-season-2.png" width="600px" height="3090px" /></a><br><a href="https://www.ebates.com/blog/holiday-season-decoding-teens/">Decoding Your Teen this Holiday Season</a> Created By:  <a href="https://www.ebates.com"> Ebates</a>

December 4, 2016

Galactic Gift Guide for Star Wars Lovers

Whether it’s your brother practicing lightsaber moves in the backyard, your mom pulling out the Wampa rug as soon as it’s cold enough to light a fire or your best friend pondering his 40th viewing of “Episode IV — A New Hope,” someone you know is a Star Wars fanatic. Perhaps you embrace the dark side yourself. However your world is touched by the Force, we’ve got 13 amazing Star Wars gifts for the aspiring Jedi in your life.

BB-8 App-Enabled Droid, $119.97 (GameStop)

Use the Force—or, more conveniently, your smartphone or tablet—to control BB-8 . He’ll also respond to your voice, play holographic videos and steal your heart with his adaptive personality.

AT-AT Bookends, $129.97 (GameStop)

Secure your favorite Star Wars comic and art books with these AT-AT bookends—sobering reminders of the carnage at the Battle of Hoth. Till Endor, Lord Vader. Till Endor…

Star Wars Carships Death Star Revolution Race Track Set, $43.42 (Walmart)

Complete with both TIE Fighter and the classic X-wing ships, this Hot Wheels set will hone your budding Jedi’s maneuvering skills, so the Death Star will stand no chance of surviving the ambush. At arms, rebels!

LEGO Star Wars Millennium Falcon, $119 (Walmart)

Kids and adults alike will enjoy the hours it takes to assemble this 1329-piece LEGO Millennium Falcon. With Han and Chewie at your side, you’ll be ready for anything the Empire can throw at you. Activate the hyperdrive and set course for fun with this LEGO play set.

Playskool Mr. Potato Head Darth Tater, $14.43 (Walmart)

Is it Mr. Potato Head? Darth Vader? No. It’s Darth Tater! The galaxy’s most ruthless villain has taken a new form as the Spud Lord. Add a curly mustache, tongue or silly glasses to take a more stylish walk on the dark side.

Star Wars Battlefront PS4, $19 (Walmart)

Side with either the Rebel Alliance or the Empire in a wide variety of multiplayer matches and exciting challenges. Get ready to watch AT-ATs stomp around Hoth, ride speeder bikes through the forests of Endor and fly X-wings and TIE fighters through the galaxy. This game gives fans the ultimate, authentic and immersive interactive experience they’ve been looking for. Also available on XboxOne and PC.

Funko Pop! Star Wars Rogue One – Jyn Erso, $11.99 (Game Stop)

Plant bobble-headed rebel leader Jyn Erso on your desk, bed stand or dashboard for the perfect collectible companion. She’s made of vinyl, totes a tiny plastic blaster and is just one of many Rogue One bobble-headed characters you can start collecting today.

Star Wars: The Complete Saga Episodes I-VI (Blu-ray), $141 (QVC)

Relive every unforgettable moment with this nine-disc Star Wars: The Complete Saga Blu-ray set. Binge watch the first six movies, then dive deep with three bonus discs featuring deleted scenes, interviews, archival footage, documentaries and spoofs. Settle in with this one, because these nine discs boast over 1,200 minutes of footage.

Death Star Ice Sphere Mold, $11.99 (GameStop)

That’s no moon. It’s a space station… Create ice spheres to drop into a glass of whiskey for an out-of-this-world beverage after a long day of X-wing flying. Or, get creative and make chocolate truffles or soap.

Loungefly Star Wars Rogue One Backpack, $31.41 (Hot Topic)

Trade the Yoda stuck to your back for a Rogue One distress-print backpack. You can tote all your books, blasters and lightsabers, while keeping your hands free for pod-racing and other intergalactic activities.

Chewbacca Deluxe Talking Plush Toy, $24.99 (Bed Bath & Beyond)

As the saying goes, nothing hugs better than a Wookiee! OK, no one actually said that. But how can you resist this fuzzball? Give him a squeeze to hear his trademark growl, and know you’ve got the best copilot in the galaxy on your side.

Darth Vader Self Stirring and Spinning Mug, $19.99 (Toys R Us)

Use the Force to stir your mug without a spoon. Well, you’ll be pushing a button to do so, but no one needs to know. Enjoy the best tea, coffee or any other hot beverage with the best mug this side of Naboo.

Goodnight Darth Vader by Jeffrey Brown, $14.95 (Bed Bath & Beyond)

Tuck in your little ones (or big ones, depending) each night with “Goodnight Darth Vader,” by Jeffrey Brown. This funny, illustrated tale portrays Darth Vader trying to put his twin children, Luke and Leia, to sleep with a bedtime story. May the Force be with you, as you read along.

December 4, 2016

Gift Guide: Last-Minute Gifts That Make You Look Like a Flawless Planner

Whether you got swamped at work this season or you’ve just procrastinated, waiting until the last minute to buy holiday gifts is enough to make even the most composed person sweat. Never fear! Check out this list of tried and true last minute gift ideas that will make it seem almost like you started your shopping back in early November. Wrap up your holiday shopping in a snap, and get Cash Back at Ebates as your reward!

Harry & David Moose Munch, $28.50 (Bloomingdale’s)

Give someone the gift of a classic tasty holiday treat! Moose Munch even comes in a festive tin – slap a bow on it, and you’re good to go!

X Box 1 Just Dance Unlimited: 1-Year Subscription, $39.99 (GameStop)

Kick off a dance party with the instantly downloadable gift of this 1-year subscription that will unlock the full song list for the global interactive gaming sensation, Just Dance.

Elle Magazine, $14 (K Mart)

In an era of mostly digital content, give the gift that will inspire the recipient to curl up with her favorite magazine and relax, month after month.

Teavana Tea of the Month Club, $100 (Teavana)

Treat someone to a moment of serenity each time they take a break, thanks to new teas that will arrive monthly with this gift subscription.

Sephora Gift Card, $40 (Sephora)

Give the gift of beauty and skincare for both men and women when you purchase an instantly deliverable eGift Card online at Sephora.

Amazon Echo Dot Black 2nd Generation Bluetooth Speaker, $49.99 (Abt Electronics)

Take advantage of Amazon’s Next Day Air shipping options, and pick up this awesome, voice-controlled speaker for someone on your nice list.

Bose® QuietComfort® 35 Wireless Headphones, $349.99 (Staples)

Need to wow someone at the last minute? Pick up these sensational headphones in-store, and prepare to dazzle even the pickiest audiophile.

Donation to St. Jude, $20 (GNC)

Making a donation in someone’s name as a holiday present is a great way to spread the seasonal cheer and help out a cause in need!