If you still need that perfect gift this Christmas, you can always make something special, like a book, calendar, or other personalized item. But if you're going to do it, you should hurry.

Many of the services on the Internet that handle making personalized gifts have begun to announce shipping deadlines for customers to create the product and still have them in time for Christmas.

There are a number of places, including Apple, Shutterfly, Snapfish, and Blurb.com, that allow you to create a gift that is more creative--and certainly more focused and individual--than buying something off the shelf at a big box store. But people who want to take advantage of these service should get a move on.

Mac users who want to order one of Apple's iPhoto books, cards, or calendars must have their orders in by December 18 to be delivered with standard shipping by December 24. If you want express shipping, you have an extra day--until December 19--to place your order.

Apple is offering its new iPhoto letterpress cards this year for the first time. The cards are available in 12 holiday themes.

Shutterfly says its customers have until December 21 at 4:00 p.m. to order photo books and calendars and still receive their products by December 24. Shutterfly has quite a few other products available, and deadlines vary depending on what you order. Check out the company's shipping page for details on specific products.

Snapfish has also set its order deadlines. With more than 130 products available, including different size calendars and books, order deadlines range from December 17 to December 21, depending on the product. You can visit Snapfish's shipping page for shipping details on each product.

And DIY book-publisher Blurb.com says its customers need to order their custom books by Sunday, December 19, and pay for next-day shipping in order to get them to their destinations in time for Christmas.