You think you have gotten your Christmas shopping done and at the last minute, you forgot someone who should have been on the list.

If you are like me, it happens every year. You have forgotten your kids’ teacher or your pastor or the passing party at work.

It is just inevitable that you have forgotten someone. I would like to offer up some ideas for your last minute shopping gifts.

One of the most practical gifts I ever got was early in our marriage, when my father in law gave us a set of tires from Charlie’s Tires in Ironton. If you can’t afford the whole set, I am sure Mike Haas or Mike Carey would have gift certificates available.

Are you driving all the way to Lowe’s to buy a gift card for someone? At $3.00 a gallon? Why not stop in at Iron City Hardware and get the gift certificate from “Kenny Kringle,” or across the street at Central Hardware?

You want to give the gift of good food in 2010? You can’t beat a gift from Melini’s in Ironton if they love Italian food. Maybe they love a great breakfast or lunch from Peddlers? How about a great Mexican meal from Toro Loco? Now you are talking my kind of Christmas presents!

Hey, if maybe wings are your thing. I don’t think you can beat The End Zone or Buffalo Wild Wings.

I am sure they all have gift cards or certificates available. Personally, I love me some big roast beef from Rax too!

Did you ever stop and think how much stuff a person could get with a gift card from Dollar General or Save-a-Lot stores?

How about the gift of a bag of groceries from Bartram’s or Pic ‘n’ Save?

Oh, by the way, I think you need to check out the new CVS store. Take that new gift card and recommend using some CVS bucks to save even more.

Do you know anyone who likes to tan during the winter? Paula’s down on Third Street or the Hot Spot could be a great spot to stop and buy a gift.

Everyone needs a haircut don’t they? Well maybe not my business partner (Merry Christmas Bret), but you get the idea.

There are numerous in-town barbers to choose from. My personal favorite is The Ironton Barber Shop, but many of my buddies go to Morris’ and Stamper’s too.

Oh well, I know I have left many great businesses out and I am sorry to offend those who I have left out, but I hope I have given some good gift ideas for this Christmas season!

Give the gift of Ironton, Ohio, and if you are getting married, go see Tom Allyn and if you are having trouble in your marriage, go see Weber’s or A Touch of Grace and buy her some flowers.

Merry Christmas Ironton!

Jay Zornes is an Ironton resident, business owner and member of the school board.