. . . and create or buy something nice.

Less than a week is left to finish Christmas and Kwanzaa preparations, which may still include finding gifts or dropping last-chance hints about what you’d like. Some popular items are hard to find or marked up on eBay, including a 10th anniversary Tickle Me Elmo model to now costs more than its $40 list price. Two new game players -- Nintendo’s Wii and Sony’s PlayStation 3 – are gone from some stores.

There’s also not much time to ship gifts out-of-town in time for next Monday’s holidays. The U.S. Postal Service, United Parcel Service and online shops still can deliver your package by Saturday at standard rates if you hurry. On Friday, you’ll have to use Express Mail or an overnight service. The Circuit City electronics chain offers in-store pickup of online orders placed as late as Christmas Eve.

As for what to give or to signal interest in getting, below are ideas in three can’t-miss categories. Good luck . . . and enjoy the holdiay break!

iPods and accessories: With 67 million players sold worldwide, this ranks as a mini-industry. The latest models include fifth generation iPod video enhanced media players with up to 20 hours’ capacity ($220 to $329). A second generation iPod nano MP3 player sells for under $140. Portable stereos with iPod docks include the Memorex iMove Boombox ($100) and the Harman Kardon Go + Play (about $300). For desks, an iLamp ($89) comes in six styles with high-fidelity speakers and a receptacle for any portable player’s headphone jack.

Entertainment: Single or boxed-set CDs and DVDs can match anyone’s taste. Options include a South Park collection with 10 episodes on two DVDs for $27, or The Hip Hop Box, a four-CD set from Hip-O with 51 of the genre’s turning points, highlights, landmarks and breakthroughs ($60). An iTunes gift card is also a flexible way to go.

Offbeat: Animal paw slippers are a whimsical gift to keep toes toasty, and they even come in a penguin design now. Check mall stores or llbean.com. Another classic is the Matchbox Superfast line of die-cast vehicle models, relaunched in 2004 at $2 apiece. Choices include a retro Caddy, a convertible VW New Beetle and a snazzy Jeep Wrangler.