But if you are thinking "gift ideas" and hoping to get your shopping completed before 11:59 p.m. Dec. 24, the local businesses of Mariemont offer a complete eclectic array of items that will make great stocking stuffers and presents for everyone -- especially to the people on your shopping list outside your nuclear family such as godparents, aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, church members, the babysitter, the dogsitter, the neighbor's kid that raked your leaves or anyone else.

For example, gift certificates from any one of the village's stores will be satisfactory.

Eva's Esthetica has gift certificates for pedicures, manicures, facials and a variety of skin products. The recipient of the certificate will be able to redeem the certificate on any day he or she would like to "treat" themselves.

Say you are having some out-of-town visitors for the holidays. A thoughtful gift idea would be a shave and haircut from the Mariemont Barber Shop.

"I have people who come in here all the time to buy gift certificates for their family or friends. But I think the gift of giving a man a shampoo, haircut and a shave would be treat for any man, not to mention a good gift," owner Ron Salzano said.

The Villager, Mariemont's gift store, boasts an annual "12 Days of Christmas" sale. Every day, starting December 12, the store will place a different item on sale.

"One day it may be our candles, or our books. It could be our gift wrap. But we go through just about everything we have," owner Carol Desmond said.

Pat Moores and Judy Runnels, owners of the Framing Guild, say they receive many requests for gift certificates around the holiday season.

"People will purchase a painting or picture for someone. And instead of having it matted and framed, they will buy a certificate so that the person receiving the picture can come in and choose what style of frame they want," Runnels said.

One aspect regarding the holidays people both love and loathe is all the wonderful food. Yes, it is delicious -- and gaining a couple extra pounds is always the ramification. But The National Exemplar is rewarding those who love to feast during the holidays.

According to National Exemplar spokeswoman Lisa Hopkins, for every $100 in gift certicates you purchase, the restaurant will reward you with an added $15 gift certificate. (A gift for a friend, you could say, and a treat for yourself).

Of course there is the Dilly Deli, and if you know someone who loves wine and cheese then there will be no problem finding an excellent gift idea within the restaurant.

There many more businesses within the village district, so be sure to check them all out and inquire about their holiday ideas because there is no reason holiday shopping should be so hectic when it can be this easy.

For a phone directory to all the businesses, search under "businesses" of the Mariemontbuzz.com and scroll down.