Only five more shopping days, counting today and Christmas Eve.

It’s a well-known fact that reporters work better under pressure. Many of us would never get anything done if it weren’t for deadlines. Reporters who work ahead are almost unheard of — unless they’re going on vacation and need to stock up on stories before they head south.

I like to think of deadline pressure as similar to the pressure needed to create diamonds. Only when the clock is ticking and the editor is breathing down my neck can I create real gems.

What some call procrastination I like to think of as the pause before creation.

So it’s no surprise that many journalists wait until the last possible moment to do their Christmas shopping. Plus there’s the fact that we have to wait until our last paycheck before the holiday clears the bank.

But of course we’re not alone in this. If you think the mall parking lot was crowded last weekend, just wait until Dec. 24.

Of course, while it is exciting to join the crush of shoppers hurling themselves against display cases and checkout counters in an attempt to finish their shopping and get gifts wrapped before Santa is supposed to arrive, it can also be very stressful. And that can cause the dreaded shopper’s block.

Similar to writer’s block, the symptoms of shopper’s block include glazed eyes, a slack expression, and maybe a little drooling. Like staring at a blank page when the ideas just don’t flow, shoppers can be so overwhelmed by choices that they freeze up. Would Mom like a vanilla scented 30-day candle or a velvet Elvis? Should you get Dad an electric shaver, or did you get him that last year? What about the 63 nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins that you’ve never met? What are your obligations to them?

And what do you get Grandma, who is a compulsive hoarder and has every Christmas present she’s ever been given, along with the wrapping paper, ribbons and bows, stashed in the attic?

Not to worry — much. Kitsap County abounds in local merchants who can provide last-minute, or “challenge,” shoppers with creative and appreciated gifts. And isn’t that what we all want?

Now I’m not going to plug businesses by name, as that would be crossing the line between editorial and advertising, but the items listed will give you an idea where to look.

Oh sure, you could go the gift card route — swoop into a major grocery store and grab a handful off the rack by the cash register, along with the latest gossip rag, but you get negative creativity points by doing so. Remember: gift cards are a marketing tool invented by the retailers for their benefit. I don’t like being forced to spend my money, even if it’s a gift, in a store I would not normally patronize. But that’s another lecture.

Let’s start with batteries. One can never have too many batteries, especially at Christmas. There’s sure to be at least one toy or gadget that has come without batteries. Before the recipient, child or adult, can let out a howl of frustration, you can slide your gift over with a casual “Here, open mine next,” and voila! Instant hero.

Be sure to get a wide assortment, from quadruple A to triple D, and throw in a couple of watch-sized as well.

Many people are hoping to get the newest electronic toy, the Nintendo Wii, for Christmas. This game is creating quite a media buzz and not just for the amazing graphics and life-like action. The game works with a hand-held remote device that controls the action on the screen. You can wield it like a sword in the game “Red Steel” or work on your backhand in “Super Swing Golf.”

Trouble is, there are reports that some users get so worked up that the remotes fly out of their sweaty hands, crashing through windows and other nearby objects, perhaps even the new plasma screen TV Dad just set up. I’m not kidding — check out www.wiidamage.com.

The remotes came with straps, but apparently Nintendo underestimated the gamers’ enthusiasm and the straps have been breaking. Replacements will be out soon, but in the meantime, you can save the day with a simple pair of Playtex Living Gloves and maybe some duct tape. You get the idea.

Finally, for the old Norski shut-in who has everything, how about a three-month supply of lutefisk TV dinners? OK, you won’t find this one at the local convenience or big box store, but it can be found. Think small, independent grocery and variety store in downtown Little Norway. This gift will either earn you major creativity points or get you banned from ever giving gifts again. Kind of a win-win situation.

But of course the best gift you can give is your time. Offer to come over once a week to nuke those TV dinners or help replace batteries. Or picture windows.