The kiddies are perhaps the hardest to shop for. Many are ungrateful little wretches who think entitlement is a breakfast cereal. Ok, I may have a little humbug in me, but you know it's true. So when the sweet little cherubs let their good sides shine during the months leading to Christmas, when chunks of coal and the stink eye of Santa loom over them like a bad dream, hold onto those precious moments and use it as fuel to push you through shopping.

Wind Up Here in downtown Oly (121 Fifth Ave.) is a go-to for sure. Not only does it have unique items for all ages, a cool glow-in-the-dark room with science projects and solar systems and more games and toys than you can shake a candy cane at, staff will happily gift wrap items and even offers curbside pick-up service. Online, you can shop by age, holiday, brand, new items, or if it was made in the U.S.A.

To help counter that holiday-time entitlement, here are some recommendations to help create memories and provide learning opportunities. Give them gifts of experience. How about a gift certificate to the Hands On Children's Museum (106 11th Ave.), mini-golf or laser tag? Or perhaps bring them to the Painted Plate (412 Washington St.), where they can decorate their own dishes. Sign them up for sewing classes at ReFabulous You (1025 Black Lake Blvd.) or cooking classes with Bayview (516 W. Fourth Ave.) Simply Soup and Crazy for Chocolate offer upcoming classes for kids ages 5 to 8. The Olympia Center (317 Fourth Ave. E.) offers classes from comic book design to ceramics. Get creative with the child's interests and see what the community has to offer.

Another idea is the gift of giving. Many area churches offer volunteer opportunities geared toward kids, and the Westfield Capital Mall (625 Black Lake Blvd.) sets up giving trees, where kids can choose to buy clothes or gifts for other children in need. Some things for younger children, or those tight on cash, can be done right at home. Make and send holiday cards to loved ones, nursing homes and hospitals. Clean the closet of gently used clothes and toys to donate to charity. Giving to troops is always an option. (Go to Support Our Troops on Military.com for reputable charities.) Again, get creative and brainstorm with your kids about ways they can give. It will be a gift for all.

And while I support small business shopping, I know there are many of us who are last-minute or odd-hour shoppers (holla, night-shifters). So it's good to know that Toys R Us (1000 Cooper Point Road) is open until 11 p.m. weekdays and midnight weekends through Dec. 21, with a 24-hour-a-day extravaganza Thanksgiving through Dec. 1. And watch the mail or check online for ads, because you'll likely find good deals on more mainstream and big-ticket items.

Hopefully this guide will help you resist the urge to give lumps of coal and will give kids a sense of holiday spirit. May the season be bright and merry for all.