You can buy just about anything on the Internet-but you can't always be sure from whom you're buying it. Here are some of the more interesting sites for unique gift shopping and a few simple tips to help you shop safely.

Getting started in shopping

Auction sites such as eBay feature numerous independent merchants. A search on these sites is a good way to discover unusual items, either new or used. Search engines such as Google or Yahoo! also display merchant sites and classified ads.

Unique and unconventional gifts

Shopping for someone who has everything? Numerous sites offer items that no one is likely to have. Here are a few examples:

• Gobaz.com in the United Kingdom and Archie McPhee (Mcphee.com) in the United States are popular online novelty stores.
• FindGift.com has a hard-to-buy-for section, and UncommonGoods.com offers a wide array of unique gifts.
• Get your own photographs, designs, or slogans printed on apparel, mugs, mousepads, and tote bags-and profit when others buy your designs-at CafePress.com.
• Find rare or out-of-print books at Alibris.com or BookSearch.com.

Special-interest sites

Whatever the interest of the person for whom you're shopping, you can probably find a site specifically devoted to it. Some fun places to start include the following:

• The Australia Gift Shop, LittleOddForest, and ThinkGeek cater to people's unusual and quirky sides.
• Daddyos.com is a treasure trove of '50 fashions and accessories.
• Find a rare or exotic car anywhere in the world at Collectorcarsforsale.com or Oldcartrader.com.
• Sports nuts? It's hard to beat Fathead.com for graphics or Sportsmemorobilia.com for collectibles.

DIY gifts

One way to assure a unique gift is to make your own. These sites can help:

• Crafts: www.etsy.com
• Vintage knitting patterns: www.yesterknits.com/
• Sewing patterns: www.sensibility.com/mainpage.htm

Buyer beware

The Internet offers many advantages for gift shopping, but it presents disadvantages as well. You're dealing with strangers, and if problems arise, you won't have a local merchant to help you. Still, you can enjoy safe, secure online shopping if you take a few simple precautions:

• Take care before giving your personal or financial information online.
• Use common sense when dealing with small or unknown merchants. If a site looks amateurish, if prices are unusually low, or if there is no clear contact information, steer clear.
• Make sure you know the seller's return policy and warranty terms.
• When possible, use an online payment service, such as PayPal, rather than giving credit card information to questionable sellers or merchants. Even an honest merchant may not be adequately protected against data theft.

Conclusion

You can buy just about anything on the Internet, which offers a world of unique, unusual, and specialized gifts. To enjoy safe shopping, be careful with your identity information, and use caution when sending money to strangers.

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