You step out of the shower, swaddle yourself in a towel, walk to the mirror and wipe a spot clear so you can see your face.
You keep getting ready, and your thoughts start to wander.
You already grabbed a bottle of wine to bring (and it was a decent bargain, too!); all the gifts are wrapped. Just need to get dressed, toss everything in the car and —
Oh, no.
It hits you in the gut like an extra-large slice of pumpkin pie: You forgot a gift.
Your mom messaged to remind you great-uncle Walter is coming, but with everything else on your piled-high holiday plate, you didn’t manage to mark him off your list.
It’s Christmas Day and every store is closed — even Amazon Prime can’t bail you out at this point. What’s a Savinly reader supposed to do?
20 Last-Minute Gift Ideas
It’s entirely possible you’ll end up in a situation where a quick stop at the drugstore or supermarket is your only realistic option. But that doesn’t mean Uncle Mark’s stocking stuffer needs to be a bottle of pain reliever.
If you use a little imagination, you can find excellent Christmas presents just about anywhere. Tie a ribbon on it, and suddenly it’s a present!
Don’t believe me? Here are 20 suggestions to get you started.
1. At-Home Movie Night
Does the convenience store carry discounted DVDs? Microwave popcorn?
Grab them and add a bow: You’ve just gifted the promise of a cozy night in!
2. At-Home Spa Day
Raid the beauty aisle for a couple of bottles of nail lacquer and a foot scrub, or pick up a luxe face mask.
Let your recipient indulge in some pampering!
3. Bottle of Wine
If you live somewhere beer and wine are sold at pharmacies and grocery stores, you’re in luck!
Even at the last minute you can give a classic present. Here’s how to choose a respectable budget bottle.
4. Nice Olive Oil
You might worry your giftee already has this kitchen staple.
But if you skip the supermarket brand and spring for a fancy imported bottle, you’ve given a gift your recipient will actually use — guaranteed.
5. Gourmet Vinegars
Here’s what I had for dinner last night: skewered grape tomatoes and marinated mozzarella bites on a bed of arugula, all finished with a tasty balsamic reduction.
I challenge you to try it and still call vinegar a cheap present.
6. Artisan Pasta
Skip the blue box.
Hunt the Italian aisle for tri-color trofie or gemelli and grab a high-quality jarred sauce for good measure. You’ve gifted the makings of a lovely meal.
7. Spices
Sure, garlic salt and onion powder aren’t thrilling.
But what about a tin of Spanish saffron or grains of paradise?
Bonus: Find an appealing recipe that uses the spice(s) you pick and write it into a card to accompany the gift.
8. Coffee or Tea
Of course!
These are staples in pre-made gift baskets. Choose a whole-bean coffee from the grocery aisle so your recipient can have it ground fresh, or pick up a bag of upscale loose-leaf tea.
9. Nuts
A nice package of pistachios or macadamias makes a pleasant (and somewhat healthy) present.
They’re pricey enough your giftee might not keep them on hand, but affordable enough to be Savinly-friendly.
10. Chocolate
OK, chocolate appears on every gift list I write, so this might sound repetitive.
But seriously, chocolate is amazing.
It’s sold at pharmacies and groceries everywhere. Skip the candy-coated stuff and go for higher-quality bars — you can’t go wrong!
11. Fresh Baked Goods
If CVS or Walgreens is your only stop, this may not be possible.
But if you can pop into the supermarket en route, consider picking up a beautifully decorated cake from the bakery case — or even a lovely artisan loaf.
12. Fresh Fruit
Step one: Get strawberries.
Step two: Pick up some melting chocolate.
Step three: Prepare to be adored by the recipient forever.
13. Custom Gift Basket With Any of the Above
Soda crackers, sharp cheese and a bottle of red.
Dark chocolate and almonds paired with a bold coffee to enjoy alongside.
A bag of apples and a jar of caramel sauce.
The combinations are endless — and the best part? All you really need to make something feel like a gift is a ribbon. Your grocer likely sells them during the holidays.
14. Indoor Plant or Fresh Flowers
Everyone appreciates bringing fresh greenery inside.
Pick up a bouquet or a potted plant for your host — if they cook, maybe even a couple of potted herbs from the produce area!
We won’t tell about your not-so-secret motive: fresh basil for the pasta she’s preparing.
15. Candle
Candles are wonderful because they please both the eyes and the nose.
Plus, those classic holiday fragrances — like pine and peppermint — are often discounted this time of year!
16. Book
You might skip the cheesy romance paperback, but most convenience stores stock a few current bestsellers.
17. Gift Cards
Supermarkets sell gift cards for everything from restaurants to app stores.
While we normally suggest looking for discounted cards on a site like Raise, this is a solid last-minute alternative.
18. Christmas Ornament
Help your host mark another memorable year and a successful holiday. Nobody needs to know it was a spur-of-the-moment buy!
Many pharmacies carry ornaments and seasonal decorations in their holiday aisles — and at this stage they might even be reduced.
19. Cookware
There are actually some neat kitchen tools on the grocery endcap you always pass.
Your host may appreciate a new ceramic pie dish — or perhaps a small slow cooker!
20. Photos
Stop by the photo kiosk to print a few cherished snapshots from a USB drive. Then take a few minutes to share the memories around the table.
Need More Ideas?
At the end of the day, even a heartfelt card beats nothing. The goal is to show the person they weren’t forgotten (even if, technically, they were).
Pick up a Christmas card and write an IOU for a homemade meal, a night out, or a couple hours catching up over coffee — a present far more thoughtful than any object you could wrap and tuck under the tree.
And if you still need quick options, consider browsing suggestions for last minute valentines day gifts — you might find inspiration that works for any last-minute occasion.
Sara Montoya is a contributor to Savinly.
