We're getting down to the wire.

There are 15 knitting days until Christmas (17 if you really push it, more like 6 if you have to ship to Alaska, and even less for the start of Hanukkah).

So, I won't use too much of your time. If you are REALLY in trouble, try this last-minute method of mine.

Choose your most forgiving recipient. Find a way to sit down with them, either in person or on Skype, with a good, general-interest book like this one.

The book is divided into five sections. Gifts for women, men, babies, kids, and the home are all well-covered. There really is a little something for everyone. Debbie Bliss provides her lovely designs, they are photographed beautifully, and she sidesteps the whole "boyfriend sweater curse" problem very neatly. There are no sweater designs for men at all.

Or for women, actually. The aim of the book is squarely at smaller items, like cabled arm warmers and stripey long socks (for kids), which are relatively fast and fun to turn out.

All of the yarns are from Debbie Bliss's line, but good information is provided about how to substitute, and everything you need to know to substitute yarns is included in the book, if they aren't available to you (or you want to use up non-Bliss stash).

Anyway, back to your (my?) potential sanity-saving strategy. With your victim, er, recipient, go through the book and choose what they would like the very, very most. Exclaim over how wonderful it will look on them/their baby/their couch - on their birthday.

Then, write them a nice card about how wonderful this time of year can be, include a certificate to their favorite watering hole or coffee house, and start shopping for the yarn and needles you will need for their birthday present.

Because, of course, you won't have it in your stash. BUT, that's ok. You'll be ready by then. Hopefully.