Well, well, well. The hour is approaching and you need a last minute gift. Maybe you’ve been putting off exchanging Secret Santa gifts, or you’ve been blessed with an unexpected guest who needs a gift now so they don’t feel left out. It’s too late for even the fastest online delivery and most viable brick-and-mortar options are already closed. Now all you have to do is think of an excuse to leave the house and run to your local 24-hour pharmacy.
Luckily, that last-minute hit at the drugstore doesn’t have to be as bad as it sounds. With a little ingenuity, you can quickly put together an affordable gift for that special (or not-so-special) someone.
I’ve carefully categorized your gift options into three tiers. The first is for gift givers who, in their panic, are willing to spend a little more money to create something personal. The second tier includes individual purchases, which are just passable gift options. The third level is a warning.
Stage one: DIY signature collections
Like a chef transforming baskets full of mysterious ingredients into a three-course meal ChoppedThis gift category is all about your innovation. With these DIY arrangements, the sum is greater than their parts, which should be available at most drugstore chains. Here are some of our ideas for themed collections, but feel free to customize them as you wish.
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Movie night: Popcorn. Unusual popcorn toppings. Sweets. Hot chocolate. Fluffy socks. A small piece of paper with your Netflix login. You can’t go wrong with a cozy movie night theme.
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Treat yourself: Think about spa day supplies like face masks, nail polish, and bath bombs. Throw in a candle to create a pampering atmosphere.
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Health and well-being: Browse the fitness section for gummy vitamins, supplements, protein powders, and anything else that catches your eye. Be warned: this can get expensive quickly. (Besides, we believe that Vitamins are mostly uselesseven if they are personalized.)
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The jet setter: Choose from the range of travel-sized must-haves, including earplugs and maybe even a neck pillow (with a note on how to wear it correctly).
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The techie: Visit the electronics section and try out all the available gadgets that are in your price range. Portable chargers and speakers are high-quality gifts in themselves.
Stage two: It’s the thought that counts
These items are not absolutely necessary bad gifts, but many are easily recognized as last minute purchases. The success of second-tier drugstore gifts depends on the charm of the giver and the chill factor of the recipient.
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Gift cards
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Candles
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cosmetic bags
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Therapeutic massager
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Jewelry
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Insulated cup
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Calendar or planner
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Notebooks
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Coffee/tea packages
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Wine and a corkscrew (depending on your state’s alcohol laws)
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Picture frame
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Electronic devices such as earbuds or portable chargers
Level three: “Gifts” that do more harm than good
Hey, buddy. All is lost, right? Personally, I recommend a white lie about an imaginary gift that didn’t arrive on time. If you’re not sure you can pull off a joke gift, you should be careful when deciding to give someone something from the list below.
There you have it. If you have access to a drugstore, you should be able to put together a last-minute gift with moderate success.
