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Some of our
Favorite Sites:
Martha Stewart.com
Williams-Sonoma
Overstock.com
LightingUniverse.com
TechnoScout.com
Brookstone
Calyx & Corolla |
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Don't be afraid to use your credit card online. Yes, there's fraud on the Web as well as off. But consumers are rarely left holding the bag (beyond the cardholder's typical $50 maximum liability, and some card issuers don't even charge that). Reputable e-tailers will use a secure server to process transactions, and will make it plain they're doing so. Of course, even secure servers can be hacked; if you think a thief is using your card, run a quick check at cardcops.com, a database of suspected stolen numbers, compiled in part from merchant reports. |
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Homing in on the right gifts for the house can be tricky. Despite its eponym's legal troubles, marthastewart.com is still one of the best places to start. Shop by category: there's gardening, decorating, even "homekeeping" (stylish supplies for laundry and other chores). Williamssonoma.com lures you with attractive cookware, kitchen tools and appliances alongside seasonal recipes. Both sites have a quick-shop feature so you can plug in item numbers from a print catalog to jump to specific products. Price-conscious shoppers should check out overstock.com, a clearance site for excess inventory (bed and bath, appliances, furniture) from brand-name manufacturers. Overstock sells lamps too, but you will find many more options at lightinguniverse.com, which organizes its wares by type (table lamps, pendants) and then subdivides by style (Art Deco/Retro, Craftsman/Mission). For gizmos, try Technoscout.com or Brookstone.com. Too much hardware? Make a softer statement with something from flower merchant calyxandcorolla.com. It ships directly from growers, and the plants come in decorative ceramic pots.
NEXT: WilliamsSonoma.com Vigneto Wine Opener 
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