Last-minute gifts can often appear rushed and thoughtless. So if you still have a few presents left to buy this holiday season, try these last minute gift ideas.

For one, consider purchasing a philanthropic gift online from the Loudoun Alternative Gift Fair. Simply choose from one of the three seasonal donation cards on the Web site, select a LoCo charity that the person you're buying for may be most interested in and the amount you'd like to spend, and check out!

In addition to the donation card, you will also receive a card insert that describes the charity you selected for your loved one.

Participating charities this season include: The Arc of Loudoun, Blue Ridge Speech and Hearing, Friends of Homeless Animals, Friends of Loudoun Mental Health, Good Shepherd Alliance, La Voz of Loudoun, LINK Against Hunger, Loudoun Cares, Loudoun Community Free Clinic, Loudoun Families for Children, Loudoun Literacy Council, Loudoun Volunteer Caregivers and YMCA Loudoun County.

Organized by St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church in Leesburg, the Alternative Gift Fair began in 2004, and has since collected over $100,000 for Loudoun non-profits.

Event spokesperson, Peggy Coleman, said donations are down about 25 percent over last year, most likely due to the poor economy, but she admits organizers didn't do as much advertising as last year to save costs.

"No matter what we raise, however," she added, "Our main goal has always been to enhance the gift-giving experience. It touches the heart of the giver, the receiver and the community as a whole."

The Alternative Gift Fair online store will be open through December. Any amount makes a difference, said Coleman, "even the $5 and $10 amounts."

For other Loudoun-themed gifts and stocking stuffers you may also want to check out the Loudoun County Gift Store located on the second floor of the County Government Center in Leesburg.

There's a crystal ornament etched with the Loudoun County seal for $8, a set of four wine-glasses also etched with the county seal for $49, and even Loudoun County T-shirts for men and women priced at $10. For these items, and other offerings at the store check out this complete merchandise list.

The store is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each weekday, but will be closing at noon on Christmas Eve and will be closed on Dec. 25 and 26.

Have you finished your holiday shopping? Any other suggestions for last minute shopping?