Last Minute Gifts for All You Procrastinators

We’ve all been there; that “oh, shit” moment when you realize you still haven’t bought so-and-so a gift. You scrounge around your apartment looking for something you could potentially regift — a somewhat melted candle, that weird brooch your aunt gave you last year, maybe you fill up that partially drunk bottle of vodka with water? — but no, everything is far too obvious. Do you hit Duane Reade? Do you give one of those “free massage from yours truly” homemade cards? No. You don’t. You look at my gift guide below that is full of last minute gift ideas that can be found everywhere from the internet where shipping is irrelevant to easily found stores like J.Crew,  Sephora, and your local liquor store.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

1. Woodford Reserve Bourbon (or any nice spirit) ~$35-$75

• Most of my friends are bourbon drinkers, and I know that any of them would be delighted with a nice bottle. Should your loved ones hate the idea of a whiskey drink, a nice bottle of wine, vodka, or really any other spirit should do the trick.

2. Sephora Color Daze Blockbuster – $49.50

• A giant box full of colorful eyeshadows, lip stains, and blushes that’s worth +$300? What girl wouldn’t want this! And it’s at your local Sephora store which makes it even easier to find.

3. Blue Bottle Coffee (or any nice ground roast)

• Any coffee drinker will appreciate a nice ground roast. As a San Franciscan, I have an loyalty to Blue Bottle Coffee, but your bean preference is obviously up to you.

4. Le Creuset Wine Opener – $45

• Wine openers go missing in my family like socks in the dryer. One second you’ve opened up a fresh bottle of Pinot and by the time you’re ready for bottle #2, the wine opener has gone missing. Suffice it to say, giving someone an extra to have around the house wouldn’t hurt.

5. Smitten Kitchen Cookbook – $35

• I adore everything Deb makes, so when she came out with her very own book I didn’t hesitate to buy it in bulk. Her recipes are unique, comforting, and most importantly, extremely tasty!

6. Salt and Pepper Shakers – $17

• Everyone needs a set of salt and pepper shakers, and yet I’m always surprised by how many people don’t have them. I obviously love this ant pair, but again, it’s about your own taste.

7. Cheese of the Month Club – price varies depending on where you purchase

• As a self proclaimed cheese expert, receiving a variety of cheeses once a month would be a dream come true (though my thighs beg to differ). Plus, if you give this to someone it’s a perfect excuse for them to have you over once a month for dinner!

8. J.Crew Robe – $69.50

• I once gave my brother a bathrobe for Christmas and I’m fairly certain he didn’t take it off for at least a year. It’s a comforting gift that’s also easy to find at the very last minute.

9. Chloé Eau de Parfum – $90

• I don’t know a woman in the world who doesn’t love perfume, and receive endless compliments every time I wear this fragrance by Chloé. This can be found at almost any department store as well as Sephora.

10. Subscription to his or her favorite magazine – prices vary

• This is an extremely easy gift that also feels personal because you’re basically letting the receiver know that you noticed what magazine he or she likes to read. Props to you, my friend.

11. iPod Shuffle – $49

• This little thing is so affordable it shocks me every time. Perfect for that athletic friend who keeps breaking their iPhone by dropping it on the treadmill.

12. Walrus Ornament – $16

• I love giving ornaments as gifts because they immediately go up on the tree. Then, each year, that person will think of you whenever they hang it on the tree.

13. Tickets to a Concert – prices may vary

• Much like the subscription to your receiver’s favorite magazine, tickets to a concert (one that they like, let’s hope) is a great way to show the person that you know what he or she likes.

14. DIY Swarovski Necklace

• Finding cheap crystal necklaces is pretty easy. But update them in the style of a Tom Binns necklace and it immediately looks 10x more expensive. Check out my how-to here.