No present, yet? Running out of time? Have you procrastinated and are now in a bind? Pulse rate up and heart beating fast? Geez... scrambling to find gifts at the very last minute can be stressful and downright pathetic. Relax. Don't lose your cool. Here are a variety of quick gift ideas that are guaranteed to please: Gift Certificates: Gift certificates are the ultimate life saver. They're quick and easy to buy and come in any denomination. Most retailers offer gift certificates or gift cards. Also think spas, beauty salons, gas stations, country clubs, gyms, restaurants, etc. Flowers: Well, flowers may not be original, but they are always welcomed. Stop by your local florist to pick up a wonderful bouquet of roses of assorted wild flowers. Other places to try are supermarkets, corner peddlers and mass merchandisers such as Wal-Mart and Target. Or go online. All the major wire services (i.e. FTD and Teleflora) have Web sites that you can order directly from. Bottle of Wine or Liquor: If you need a gift in a hurry, pick up a bottle of fine wine or liquor. Agency liquor stores usually carry gift bags that are specially made for bottles. Many also carry a small selection of greeting cards and other possible gift alternatives such as sparkling cider. You can complete your gifting needs in one quick stop. Bath and Body Gift Set: A bath and body gift set is a great present for your mom, girlfriend, sister, niece, etc. Stop by your local pharmacy, gift shop or fine department store for a delightful selection of personal care gift sets. Stuffed Animal: For a child or for someone that you love, a stuffed animal is a perfect last minute gift. You can find them almost anywhere - from gift shops to convenience stores. Cash: Now here's a gift that we can all use. Cash! Just put a little in a card or wrap some up. With money, they can always buy or put it towards what they really want. Passes to a Local Attraction: Stop by and pick them up tickets for admission to a local amusement park or museum. Get creative in your giving. Put the tickets in an unusual box or container and present them to the recipient with a smile. You're down to the wire or just learned that a gift is expected. What do you do? No, you don't start pacing and chewing your fingernails off. Just opt for one of the quick gift ideas above and you're good to go. Breathe... one, two, three. |
