By this time, if you haven’t finished your shopping yet, we’re sure you’re waking up in the middle of the night panicked and in a cold sweat. We feel for you, but may we point out that Christmas is always the same date, year after year? We know people say it “sneaks up on them,” but c’mon!
Okay, we’re done being judgmental and are ready to help.
We’ve compiled a list of truly last-minute gift ideas that can easily be found in the mall, at Walmart/Target, drug and grocery stores and even gas stations. This list will also do wonders when you find out that someone got you something when you thought the two of you weren’t exchanging gifts this year. Or when you find out that Uncle Rupert will be attending this year’s Christmas dinner after all. Whatever the reason, these generic gifts are foolproof.
Good luck and here’s hoping you get an earlier start next year.
Gift cards: Gift cards get a bad rep for being impersonal, but considering that a lot of people don’t have the dough to splurge on themselves this year, a gift card gives them the opportunity to treat themselves to a shopping trip or a bite to eat. If you want to go the practical route, gift cards to grocery stores, Walmart or Target, gas stations or the giftee’s favorite spot to get coffee are always safe bets.
Yankee Candles: Yes, we know it’s slightly generic, but we can’t get enough of them. We want one for each room to make our whole house smell of Yankee Candles. Heck, we want a Yankee Candle to put inside of our Yankee Candle. And no, they aren’t too “girly” for men. In fact, “Midsummer Night’s Dream” smells just like men’s cologne, making it the perfect gift for a special man in your life or the boy-crazy single gal.
Scratch tickets: Give someone the hope that they’ll finally be out of debt and be able to afford that Swarovski Crystal toilet they’ve been eying or, you know, something a tad more practical. Granted, the hope only lasts as long as it takes to scratch that silver coating away, but oh, what a glorious moment it is.
Bottle of wine: There’s so many reasons why a bottle of wine makes a great gift. For starters, after the crazy holiday season, the person who received the bottle may need a glass or two. Or if your pal doesn’t drink wine (you, of course, didn’t know that), it can always be served to guests the next time he or she throws a party or they can bring it along when they attend their next fete. There’s much to be said for the regifting potential of wine.
Cold hard cash: A tad impersonal, but people like money and their purse-strings are tight this time of year. Is there any need for further explanation?
Coffee or tea: Pick up a few bags of seasonal or flavored coffee – something a little more special than the run-of-the-mill stuff your friend drinks on a daily basis. If tea is more your pal’s, uh, cup of tea, there are a plethora of fun flavors out there. Something to keep in mind: Don’t purchase whole beans or loose-leaf tea unless you know the giftee has something at home to grind the beans with or a loose-leaf teapot. No one wants a gift they can’t use.
A book you’ve really enjoyed: Write something on the inside cover along the lines of, “One of my favorite books for one of my favorite people.” Even if your friend doesn’t care for the novel, this gift comes off as incredibly thoughtful.
Baked goods: Whether you make them yourself or purchase them at a local bakery, we don’t care. We just want to eat them. This gift doesn’t work for constantly dieting friends, though, so give wisely.
Gloves or mittens: It’s cold out, gosh darn it, and our fingers feel like icicles. Gloves are much like socks in the way that we’re constantly losing them. Hmm, we wonder if the same monster who devours single socks from the dryer eats our mittens, too?
Any “As Seen on TV” product: Snuggies! Chia Pets! That contraption that easily chops onions and makes a mean fruit salad! The possibilities are endless. Even if your friend has never complained about how inconvenient those pesky blankets can be while trying to answer the phone, they’ll appreciate the humor behind the gift.
