BOOKS MUSIC VIDEOS

AMAZON .COM ** The mother of all e-tailers, this easy-to- navigate site offers books, music, videos, cards, toys, electronics and auctions. Its simple, user-friendly site design, excellent customer service and on-target product recommendations make it the best of its kind. www.amazon.com

BARNESANDNOBLE.COM Shop online for everything you’d expect at their stores—minus the cafe. You’ll find deals on music, magazines, software and books. www.bn.com

BOOKSMITH Support both the new economy and independent booksellers at once. This indie sells titles in subgenres like goth and jazz age. www.booksmith.com

BORDERS.COM There are 10 million books, CDs and movies for the picking here. And Borders will let you return online purchases at their retail stores. www.borders.com

JESSICA’S BISCUIT If you’re looking for a cookbook—best-selling, unusual or out-of-print—this site is your best bet by far. www.jessicas.com

POWELL’S BOOKS This site boasts a huge collection of used, out-of- print, rare and autographed books. A search service tracks down out- of-print titles. www.powells.com

CDNOW Plus: this huge site’s gift registry takes the guesswork out of shopping for music. Minus: no customer service number is posted. www.cdnow.com

K-TEL.COM Known as the online source for "as seen on TV" music offers, K-Tel.com also serves up videotapes, custom-made CDs and auctions. www.ktel.com

MUSICMAKER.COM Why suffer through someone else’s Christmas mix? Create a unique CD here with only your own holiday favorites, from Bing Crosby to the Beach Boys. www.musicmaker.com

THURSDAY’S GOLDEN GOODIES Vinyl fans, you’re not forgotten. Stop by for nostalgia-inducing records in varieties like Doo-Wop and the British Invasion. www.thursdays.com

TOWER RECORDS A superstore takes its urban sensibility on the Web with music, videos and DVDs. Can’t find what you like? Get a custom- made disc. www.towerrecords.com

BIGSTAR.COM Film buffs will appreciate the incredible breadth of offerings here on videos, DVDs and laser discs. Search quirky categories from anime to zombies. www.bigstar.com

DVD EXPRESS This site for movies, music and DVD-ROMs also answers all your burning home-entertainment questions, like what exactly is a DVD player anyway? www.dvdexpress.com

REEL.COM You’ll find more than 100,000 films here, including used movies at good discounts. Check back in for suggestions based on your past picks. www.reel.com

TOYS GAMES

ETOYS ** Gift wrapping, wish lists and smart ideas for presents at any price help a harried parent shop on this time-saving site. A handy search tool sorts movies, music, toys and more by category, age and price. www.etoys.com

ARCHIE MCPHEE Turn here for weird and inspired pop-culture gifts like Star Wars Pez dispensers and Elvis playing cards. www.mcphee.com

CATCH THE WIND This is the site for classic toys and gifts that take flight, from box kites to boomerangs, wind socks and 32 different types of yo-yos. www.catchthewind.com

COPERNICUS TOYS & GIFTS Unusual and educational gifts abound here. Pick up a Brew Your Own Root Beer kit, finger-bone pen or, if you really want to drive someone crazy, a backward clock. www.1q.com/copernicus/

DISNEY STORE ONLINE Shopping for the Mulan-loving eight-year-old in your life? Search Disney toys, videos and clothes by age of gift recipient and name of character. www.disneystore.com

FAO SCHWARZ Stuffed animals, the piano dance mat that you saw in Big and many more classic toys are shipped from this revered toy retailer. www.faoschwarz.com

GAMECAVE Friends and family of serious gamers, you can’t go wrong here. Buy hardware, equipment and games for all major systems, including Japanese stuff. www.gamecave.com

JUSTBALLS! That’s really all they sell—balls, from medicine to golf. But if you know what you want, it’s better than bouncing around the mall. www.justballs.com

KBKIDS Parent reviews and expert articles give shoppers plenty to think about as they pick video games, software, videos and collectibles. www.kbkids.com

MOBILEATION.COM All the toys here are for ridin’, from scooters to rocking horses to little luxury cars that even Mom and Dad might covet. www.mobileation.com

RED ROCKET Toys, music and clothes from beloved Nickelodeon shows like Rugrats and Blue’s Clues are for sale at Nick’s online storefront. www.redrocket.com

TOYS "R" US Shoppers have jammed this national retailer’s site. Maybe they’re all at the Pokemon page, trading cards and toys. www.toysrus.com

TOYSMART.COM Specializing in educational toys and books for kids, this site will leave grownup shoppers feeling virtuous about what’s under the tree. www.toysmart.com

APPAREL BEAUTY

LANDS’ END ** The flashiest feature on this catalog merchant’s superior site is a self-styled mannequin, which shoppers can dress and rotate to check fit. Another neat trick allows two shoppers to browse together at once and add items to a single shopping basket. But the best reason to shop at Lands’ End is its experience—this is a company you can count on to get it there by Dec. 25. www.landsend.com

BEAU TIES LTD. It’s strictly bow ties at this family-run storefront, where you can choose from 140 fabrics in clip-on or tie- it-yourself models. www.beautiesltd.com

BLUEFLY Don’t fight the crowds at the outlet mall. Designer brands like Polo and Prada come cheap here, with a money-back guarantee. www.bluefly.com

BROOKS BROTHERS The classic company for the Ivy League crowd takes its togs online with a predictably understated site. Alterations are available. www.brooksbrothers.com

DELIA’S Logo Ts, tie-dyed socks and glitter lipstick are the kind of teen-friendly, funky fare you will find here. The wish list is a gift-giving plus. www.delias.com

FOGDOG SPORTS Strong product comparisons help you pick winners on this site, which sells athletic clothes and tons of sports gear. www.fogdog.com

GAP With a wish list, easy returns at Gap stores and simple, casual clothes, Gap.com is as close to a sure thing as you’ll find online . www.gap.com

L.L. BEAN A veteran of the holiday rush, L.L. Bean knows how to get it to you on time. The company will box your gifts and keep an address book of recipients. www.llbean.com

REI You will find quality clothes and equipment for the outdoor buff on your list. Search for the perfect gift by sport, price and skill level. www.rei.com

UNDERNEATH.COM Availability of brands like Champion and Wonderbra will ensure that every member of the family gets the undies he or she needs this Christmas. www.underneath.com

THE VILLAGE HAT SHOP Caps, berets, derbies, Stetsons, Kangols and lots of other chapeaux are online here, plus "Hat Facts" for the hat historian in us all. www.villagehatshop.com

BEAUTY.COM Brands like Tony & Tina and Shu Uemura, plus free goodies, should win fans of this shop for makeup, skin care and more. www.beauty.com

EVE.COM Husbands and boyfriends will get points shopping here for brand-name gifts in makeup, fragrance and skin care. www.eve.com

COMPUTERS & SOFTWARE

CYBERIAN OUTPOST ** You might know this user-friendly site for PC and Mac hardware, software, accessories and peripherals by its very, very strange TV ads. But shop here once, and you will remember it for its good selection and helpful product suggestions at the checkout. Sure Cyberian Outpost wants you to spend more, but it says it so nicely. www.outpost.com

MICROWAREHOUSE An oldie, but goodie! www.microwarehouse.com

BUY.COM Some of the lowest prices on the net! www.buy.com

BEYOND.COM A three-step form at this software superstore helps you pick gifts for everyone from serious gamers to first-time computer owners. www.beyond.com

CHUMBO.COM Choosing software can be intimidating, but at this well- organized site, the task is made easy. Clear categories and a Top 10 list keep it simple. www.chumbo.com

COMPUSA The original online computer superstore offers clearance prices and auctions of hardware, software, printers and games. www.compusa.com

COMPUTER411.COM This busy site has a huge selection of PC hardware, software and peripherals—more than 40,000 products in all. www.computer411.com

DELL COMPUTER These are the folks who invented direct selling—buy your PC straight from Dell here. But if you get extra software at their gigabuys.com site, it’s rung up inconveniently as a separate sale. www.dell.com

EGGHEAD.COM It’s not just software anymore—now this discount site boasts desktops, laptops, PDAs and auctions. www.egghead.com

NECX.COM A hardware comparison table simplifies the tough task of computer shopping. It also sells peripherals and accessories. www.necx.com

TECHONWEB.COM This computer superstore is best for components and peripherals. www.techonweb.com

ZONES.COM Organized into PC and Mac zones (hence the name) of hardware, software and accessories, the site is a cinch to navigate. www.zones.com

CONSUMER ELECTRONICS

IQVC ** The king of TV-based shopping makes a seamless leap to the Web with its time-tested order-fulfillment and customer-service networks already in place. There’s a ton of products, but IQVC really shines in electronics categories like audio, video and DVD. www.qvc.com

CRUTCHFIELD.COM This mail-order catalog is now online , specializing in car audio and home theater, with a good selection, particularly for Sony gear. www.crutchfield.com

DAMARK INTERNATIONAL Everything for home entertainment is in this superstore. But a busy design makes it tough to find what you need. www.damark.com

800.COM This reliable online store has a hefty stock of electronics, movies and music, and prices that are tough to beat. www.800.com

E-TOWN.COM An interactive electronics-advice column helps guide you to the right digital camera or DVD player for your personal needs. www.e-town.com

HIFI.COM The support staff at this high-end audio- and video- components store can handle questions from the most technologically savvy. www.hifi.com

IGO.COM Cell phones, handheld devices and other gadgets for frequent travelers abound here. www.igo.com

J&R A veteran New York City electronics superstore brings its huge inventory online , though prices could be more competitive. www.jandr.com

POINT.COM Research, review and shop for cell phones, accessories and usage plans. www.point.com

ROXY.COM Roxy offers DSS, home audio and video and gadgets. Follow your order with online delivery tracking. www.roxy.com

THE SHARPER IMAGE All the shower radios and massage chairs you never knew you needed are for sale at this catalog merchant’s website. www.sharperimage.com

SONY The entire line of stylish Sony electronics and computers is here, plus tech support and tips—and you can play games online too. www.sony.com

GoHandheld Nice site focused on handhelds. www.gohandheld.com

FOOD WINE FLOWERS

GREATFOOD.COM ** Shop this cleanly designed website for more than 4,500 specialty-food products like imported olive oils and chocolates, and you will find detailed product descriptions, reliable privacy policies and on-time delivery. A large corporate-gift section has pointers on gift etiquette, with prices $15 and up. www.greatfood.com

BALDUCCI’S If you can’t walk into this epicurean landmark yourself, buy delicacies like their fine cheeses, desserts and prepared foods online . www.balducci.com

HARRY & DAVID It’s time to send Mom the fruit basket, but don’t waste time hunting for the catalog—this merchant’s gifts of fruit, flowers and gourmet treats are now available online . www.harryanddavid.com

THE LOBSTER NET Fresh Maine lobsters are shipped to your home within 24 hours. Gift packages come with a lobster pot, bibs, steamers, corn on the cob and more. www.thelobsternet.com

SEND.COM Offering single-malt Scotch, caviar samplers and Lindor truffles, this is the place to shop for foodies you really want to impress. www.send.com

TAVOLO Here you will find culinary gifts like German pastries, Italian pastas and an extensive selection of kitchenware and cookbooks. www.tavolo.com

LIQUOR.COM Shop this spirits shop’s aisles for familiar names like Finlandia, Jack Daniels and Bacardi. It also sells a millennium gift basket. www.liquor.com

WINE.COM The holiday guide here is an essential tool, helping you choose a perfect bottle of wine for that hostess gift, boss’s present or party drink at any price. www.wine.com

FLOWERBUD.COM You will pay a little extra for your flowers here, but the broad variety, elegant packaging and extra care are worth the expense. www.flowerbud.com

FTD.COM With a network of 1,600 florists and delivery to more than 150 countries, FTD is a safe bet for sending flowers to remote places. www.ftd.com

1-800FLOWERS.COM Shop here for a solid selection of flowers, food and gift baskets, with timely delivery. But the smooth service costs- -these flowers are pricey. www.1800flowers.com

LUXURY GOODS

GUILD.COM ** Original arts and crafts, from a $25 tree ornament to an $800 painting, are presented beautifully and simply on this unique site. Pieces are sent to you directly from the artists, so shipping times vary. But you can track your package online . And anything you aren’t satisfied with can be returned for a full refund up to Jan. 15. www.guild.com

ASHFORD.COM A posh selection of luxury goods, including watches, pens, handbags and jewelry, with free shipping and gift packaging. www.ashford.com

EZIBA.COM Handicrafts from around the world, from Mexican pottery to Tibetan pillows, are for sale on this catalog and auction site. www.eziba.com

LUXURYFINDER.COM Daniel Boulud caviar, Trish McEvoy makeup and Traflagar accessories are some of the indulgences at this high-end site. www.luxuryfinder.com

MONDERA.COM A buying guide to diamonds and care instructions for other gems help you make informed decisions on big-ticket jewelry. www.mondera.com

REDENVELOPE On-time delivery comes with a money-back guarantee here, where you will find a good selection of special, under-$50 holiday gifts. www.redenvelope.com

HOME

GARDEN.COM ** This site looks so good, your computer will suddenly seem like a logical place to start a garden. For the holidays, this seller of plants, seeds and tools has an interactive feature that lets you design your own wreath. www.garden.com

LANDSCAPE USA Everything from arbors to grass seed, bird feeders to bonsai is offered at this site. www.landscapeusa.com

COOKING.COM Shop here for specialty foods, as well as the pots to prepare them in and the knives and forks to eat them with. www.cooking.com

WILLIAMS-SONOMA The fine kitchenware retailer has a gift registry and last-minute Christmas delivery. www.williamssonoma.com

PETOPIA.COM You will find specialty gift packs here for iguanas, parakeets, puppies and more. www.petopia.com

PETS.COM A cool feature is the Top 10 hot-selling items for each kind of pet, and ferrets get their own section. www.pets.com

BAREWALLS.COM Decorate with a huge selection of posters and prints, organized by subject (golf, animals) and style. www.barewalls.com

FURNITURE.COM Every room of the house is covered, with a style guide for help and an online chat with decorators. www.furniture.com

LIVING.COM This well-stocked furniture store lets you move potential purchases in a virtual room to see how they all fit together. www.living.com

MARTHA BY MAIL Ms. Stewart’s outpost on the Internet has her signature clean look and tasteful products. Ornament making, anyone? www.marthabymail.com

SEARS It doesn’t quite have the whole catalog online yet, but check out this site for appliances and tools. www.sears.com

UNICAHOME.COM Ceramic bowls from the Netherlands and Philippe Starck office supplies can be found at this elegant design site. www.unicahome.com

TRAVEL

PREVIEW TRAVEL ** This isn’t the most visited online travel agent, but it should be. Try Preview for plane, hotel and car reservations, as well as useful travel information like hotel reviews from other vacationers and maps and videos of more than 200 destinations. Or buy a gift certificate. www.previewtravel.com

CHEAPTICKETS.COM You will find discounts galore on airline tickets, hotel reservations and car rentals at this site. You do have to register to search the deals. www.cheaptickets.com

EXPEDIA.COM Microsoft’s site for airline tickets, vacations, cruises, hotels and rental-car reservations is the most visited travel site on the Web. www.expedia.com

FROMMERS.COM Frommer wrote the book on this stuff. Get recommendations, make travel plans and buy travel books and guides. (There are also links to Lowestfare.com for air travel.) www.frommers.com

PRICELINE.COM Name your price for travel (or a car, a home mortgage or even groceries), and the site will try to match it. www.priceline.com

TRAVELSCAPE.COM This do-it-yourself travel site for booking business and leisure trips always has a few tempting deals on its opening page. www.travelscape.com

TRAVELOCITY.COM An incredibly complete site with enormous flexibility, from flights to cars to hotels and cruises. www.travelocity.com

DEPARTMENT & DISCOUNT STORES

BUY.COM ** Search a staggering variety of books, computers, games and music at this online mall. The deals are so tough to beat that Buy.com has a low-price guarantee for a day after your purchase. Overwhelmed? Try the 24-hour customer service. www.buy.com

ACCOMPANY.COM Customers buying the same products order together to secure group discounts on electronics, luggage, sporting goods and more. www.accompany.com

BLOOMINGDALE’S Fill up Bloomies’ trademark brown bag with lingerie, cosmetics, luggage and more. Search for gifts by price, occasion and key word. www.bloomingdales.com

JCPENNEY A gift registry, speciality shops like Dockers and years of experience filling catalog orders make JCPenney’s site worth a visit. www.jcpenney.com

KMART.COM The discount retailer sells the trusted brands like Black & Decker, Samsonite and Whirlpool that stock its stores. www.kmart.com

MACYS.COM Turn here for an attractive, easy-to-navigate site for clothes, housewares, jewelry and cosmetics. www.macys.com

MERCATA Like Accompany, Mercata aggregates buyers for good deals on a variety of products. www.mercata.com

NETMARKET This warehouse shopping club has a "haggle zone" and flea market. www.netmarket.com

NORDSTROM The world’s biggest shoe store, an online personal shopper and easy returns and exchanges are all great features. www.nordstrom.com

WAL-MART ONLINE Shop this discount king for deals on toys and electronics. But you won’t find it all—the full stock isn’t up until the new year. www.wal-mart.com