Ok...
1. Might anyone on EF staff know when this will be back in stock? If it is going to be a bit I might make my big order and order this one separately (so the other stuff will be in stock).

2. What is the last day to order for people in the US to receive items by Christmas? The shipping (once at the PO) isn't what I am worried about...more worried about what date the items will ship. less

I just put in an order last week, and like always, it shipped the day after it was put in. So that's not a problem. I'd be more concerned about the postal system. My items normally take two days to get to my house, but they took five days instead because of all of the Holiday shipping. I'd say, realistically, you want to place that order Thursday or Friday at the latest to hopefully get it with regular shipping.

And to ask about stuff in stock, EF staff usually doesn't know, but submitting a support ticket gets you the answer within 24 hours. I do it with items all the time. less