If it wasn't for the last minute...

There's an expression that I use in my shop ... and my office... and, well, just about everywhere...

If it wasn't for the last minute, nothing would get done.

Never is this more true that when it comes to building gifts for the holidays. Sure, like many of you, I get the vision in my head of that perfect holiday scenario - surrounded by the ones I love as they squeal with delight holding the presents I carefully crafted for each of them.

Then, reality sets in. There's work. Driving the kids everywhere. Housework. Stuff I have to fix. Before you know it, it's the last minute, and I'm wracking my brains, looking for an easy project to build that won't take a whole lot of material or a whole lot of time to finish.

That's why the Modern Woodworkers Association is partnering with our friends at the Gorilla Glue Company to run the second annual Last Minute Elf extravaganza.

The idea is simple... this group of mischievous elves:

We three dweebs...

Is looking for you to submit some creative ideas for easy to build projects for the holiday season.   We are looking for you to show off your absolutely awesome ideas for holiday gifts can can be built quickly, finished easily and shipped in time to make that special someone tickled to be the lucky recipient.

We are coming up with some special prize packages for the best ideas for some different categories, including:

• Best Turned project
• Greenest project (using recycled materials)
• Best project that will fit inside a large USPS flat rate shipping box (12 inches x 12 inches x 5 1/2 inches)
• Best gift for a child
• Best gift for an adult
• Coolest tip to build a holiday project on time

If you think you can build something to fit one of these categories, we want to hear from you. Be sure to submit your entry - photos included - to iggy@tomsworkbench.com with the subject line that reads:  Last Minute Elf Entry no later than December 28 (we figure that you will be rushing to get the project done by December 25 or 26, and will want to spend some time with your families instead of posting pics to us... thus, the extra days!). Once we get the entries, we will read the tea leaves and pick ourselves a few winners.

Remember, these elves are non-denominational, so ideas for things like winter themed decorations, awesome menorahs, fancy turned Kikombe cha Umoja for Kwanzaa, Christmas mangers - they are all welcome and part of the big Last Minute Elf festivities.