Soft drinks from Galco's
This Highland Park grocery store sells more than 500 varieties of soft drinks, so picking a few for even your most particular friends shouldn't be hard.
Price: About $2 each
Where to find: Galco's Old World Grocery, 5702 York Blvd., Los Angeles, http://www.galcos.com/
—JL
99 Cents Only tie
The 99 Cents Only Store in Garden Grove carries a surprisingly wide variety of ties, including traditional, skinny, whimsical and serious. The merchandise changes, so call to make sure they have ties in stock.
Price: $.99
Where to find: 99 Cents Only Store, 9920 Westminster Ave., Garden Grove
—JL
Holiday hand sanitizers
'Tis the season for spreading holiday cheer — and cold germs, so stuff those stockings with a few of these cheery disinfectants.
Price: $1.50
Where to find: Bath & Body Works, http://www.bathandbodyworks.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=4191860
—JL
Magazine subscription
This gift has nostalgic appeal and is surprisingly inexpensive. Options include InStyle, Travel + Leisure and Cosmopolitan.
Price: $5
Where to find: Amazon, http://www.amazon.com/magazines/b?ie=UTF8&node=599858
—JL