Attention last-minute Christmas shoppers: try Express Shopping at the Apple Store

Are you finished with your Christmas shopping? Like most people, there's probably not enough time in the day to work, hang out with the family and friends, and then actually do shopping. If you're missing the perfect gift for someone and you're getting down to the last few days, Apple wants to make your life easier.

Apple has had an "Express Shopping" service since 2006 at the Apple Stores. They take a limited number of Apple products and keep them in a roped-off area. If you need to purchase a MacBook Pro, for example, you wander into the area and one of the Apple Store employees helps you to make your purchase and get you out the door as quickly as possible.

This year, they're adding a new touch that is sure to bring Christmas cheer to hundreds of thousands of procrastinating shoppers throughout the world -- pre-wrapped presents available at the Express Shopping area of your Apple Store. Dan Frommer of The Business Insider noted in a post yesterday that this seemed to be preventing chaos at the Apple Store on Chicago's Michigan Avenue (yes, that is grass on the roof of the building).

The wrapping leaves little doubt as to what you're giving, since there's an iPod nano-shaped gift tag with a gleaming Apple logo attached to each package. In following with ancient Christmas giving traditions, you can always hide the presents somewhere before handing them over to the lucky recipient.

If you feel the need to take advantage of Apple's free express shipping or the new Express Shopping area, be sure to let us hear about how you procrastination problem gets solved in the comments below.
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