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Time’s at a premium! Today is THE LAST DAY to buy Christmas presents! So, if you haven’t – and you’re still searching – here are some ideas for you from Llano merchants.

Charlie’s Store – well known for its furniture, kitchen gadgets and gift items – also has something special for youngsters. Check out the TyWeb toys that combine high-tech and lots of fun for youngsters.

Ty Girlz and Beanie Babies 2.0 take virtual trips through Beanieland, learn as they virtually travel, and play games.

Register the chip that’s inside each Beanie Baby and Ty Girlz and it becomes a 3-D character on the Ty Web site, where lots of options to play are available.

Charlie’s also has some plush selections from Ty. Many of these items are priced at under $10. Parents may want to check www.ty.com/newhome for more information.ºCharlie’s is located on the east side of the Llano Square.

Also at Charlie’s Store,you can find clothing for infant up to 9-month sizes. For the older “kids,” there are collegiate items with University of Texas, Texas Tech, and Texas A&M logos.

Right around the corner, on 112 E. Main Street, Sagebrush: Gifts for the Heart and Home offers a wide variety of holiday home accents, jewelry, gift and home items for anytime, and inspirational books and plaques.

For the men, there are hunting knives made by a retired Kerrville physician. “Children’s books are a big item, too,” say owners Diane Willmann and Jean Rostron. “Don’t Eat the Bluebonnets” has always been a best-seller.

Grandparents, whose grandkids don’t live in Texas, might want to explain what ranch country is all about and send “Good Night, Cowgirl” or “Good Night, Cowboy.” The store will be open until 5-ish today.

Gridiron Gallery is actually a part of Sagebrush, or perhaps the other way around, as the Sagebrush ladies rent space from watercolor artist and Llano resident Jack Moss.

His paintings, are primarily of art of the West, hanging on the interior walls of the building, are “very scientifically priced — $3 a square inch,” he says, seriously.

There are many paintings, of all sizes, from which to choose today, or buyers can commission a one-of-a-kind painting. A gift certificate for such a custom gift for a loved one would be an option.

Why Gridiron Gallery? Moss is a retired coach, athletic director and high school administrator, working in school districts from Amarillo, to Waco, to Houston area, to Austin. Now retired, Moss started painting in the mid 1980’s.

Walls Outlet Store “is primarily a ranch wear, work wear and camouflage clothing store,” says Linda Roberts, manager, carrying Walls and Wrangler products.

“But we now are carrying women’s and children’s clothing, and everything is current merchandise, all this-year designs.”

New this year is a new line of ladies’ insulated coats and vests, in either pink or chocolate. George Strait shirts, by Wrangler, are – like everything – priced at outlet store savings.

“We do carry some “as is” quality, items that are overstocked and have been discontinued at retail stores, but everything is first quality,” says Roberts.

Stocking stuffers might be belts, gloves, socks, or a 2-lb. can of “Hunter Nuts” – kettle roasted nuts.

At the Radio Shack, owner Barrett Eden says robotic toys and toys with remote controls are “selling like hotcakes.” The store also has a large supply of batteries, he says, which lots of Christmas gifts need.

Other favorite items at the store are accessories for cell phones, such as chargers, cases, headsets and Bluetooth wireless headsets, too.

Local grocery stores have myriad items for great last-minute gift items. Candies, gift cards, candles and other items. And don’t forget the animals – chew toys, balls and food for our four-legged friends.

If you decide to give a memory instead of a thing, think of the local entertainment. The next performance at the Llano Opry is Jan. 10, featuring Big Bill Lister and Jett Williams, Johnny Moore, and special guests.

The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 per person and are available at the Llano Chamber of Commerce / Visitor’s Center offices at 100 Train Station Drive or at Llano National Bank.

Make your own “gift certificate” for family and friends to see the first-run movie “Four Christmases,” starring Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon at the Lan-Tex Theater over the holidays. Proceeds from showings Dec. 26 and 27 (at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m.) will help raise funds for the Lighted Christmas Park, according to Deana Kenner, assistant chair of the Llano Christmas Lighting Committee.

Of course, there are lots of other local stores , with lots of other choices. Just remember – shop TODAY!