www.flooz.com
No, that’s not Father Christmas in fishnet stockings trying to flog his wares. It’s Martha Stewart, Dean & Deluca, Tower Records, Godiva, J. Crew and a bevy of other dot-com storefronts with a concept that works for the gift-giving expat. Flooz.com bills itself as “the online gift currency you send by e-mail,” and that’s exactly what it is. Type in your credit card number, choose the amount of flooz credit you want to give and, presto, a flooz account number plus your electronic greeting card is on its way. Your loved one holds on to the account number until they are good and ready to buy whatever they like from the online mall — within limits. Gift credit expires after one year, so give it to someone likely to shop online. Send an electronic stocking stuffer to a long lost friend, or a bouquet to a business associate. You choose the occasion, and flooz does the rest. Links take you to more than 70 participating stores’ Web sites, grouped in 17 categories, such as Teen Products, Apparel and Health & Beauty. Most of the sites take care of their customers, offering gift-giving advice — indulge.com has especially helpful personal shoppers — and service listings, like at SpaWish.com, complete with prices and locations so you can choose where to send your special someone for a massage or manicure. Many of the stores offer international shipping, should the temptation be simply too much, but the added charges may make you think twice about whether to be naughty or nice. <<< CWH