Scoring great gifts last minute

We’ve all been there. Somewhere between the dog walks, project deadlines, appointments, and errands, a meaningful occasion slipped through the cracks. That [housewarming party, birthday brunch, coworker’s baby shower] is tomorrow and your go-to gift stores are already closed for the day. So, what closes late and opens early that’s not a gas station or nightclub? You got it! Grocery stores and drugstores often open as early as 6 or 7am and close at 9 or 10pm (or sometimes never). And you’d be surprised by how nice a gift can be created  from “everyday” items. A few ideas…

Grocery store go-tos

Quality ingredients

• Nicer balsamic vinegar and olive oil

• Truffle salt

• A kit for making s’mores

• BBQ sauce & meat rub

• Ingredients for one of your go-to recipes with a handwritten recipe card

Wellness items

• Nicer hand soap

• Bath salts, body wash, or bubble bath 

• Baby toiletries (shampoo, bubble bath, lotion), size one diapers, or a digital thermometer

Kitchen wares

• Cookbook or cooking magazine

• Cookie cutters, measuring spoons, or kitchen utensils

• Hand towel

• Stashers

Consumable items

• Wine, champagne, liquor, sake

• Chocolate (or a trio of different chocolates to make a tasting)

• Nicer tea or coffee

• Flowers

Gift cards, a love-hate relationship

If there were ever a time for print-at-home gift cards, this would be it. Many chain grocery stores also offer physical gift cards. Now before you say, “What has life become if gifting turns into one big gift card exchange? Who are we, robots!?!” Let me admit that it does feel a bit like a cop-out. You’re not going to get the wow factor or deepened personal connection we all strive for when you give a gift card... with one exception. Research shows that gifting experiences, which are often delivered in the form of a gift card, can build a stronger personal connection with someone than physical gifts (even if you don’t share that experience with them). If you do go with a gift card, consider something experiential rather than physical.

Backstocking

Last, but not least, let’s talk about gift backstocking. Gift backstocking is when you buy something that you think would make a great gift without having any particular occasion or person in mind for it. Over time you might acquire a nice little collection of gifts that you’ll be glad to have on hand for times just like these. 

Gift-backstocking gets a bad wrap (ba dum tss)—“Does it still count as a gift? Isn’t that kind of like re-gifting?” The answer is NO! There have been plenty of times that I wished I’d bought something only to later have to track it down again when it comes to mind for someone specific. These likely aren’t the gifts you’d give your partner on your anniversary, but they’re perfect for a friend’s birthday, housewarming, Father’s Day/Mother’s Day, or as a thank you gift. 

The best backstock items are those that aren’t overly specific (e.g., a book about the best hiking trails in Yellowstone) yet unique enough that it makes you stop and think “hey, that’s cool.”  I’d caution against buying anything simply because it’s deeply discounted and not otherwise desirable. A few ideas…

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• Kids books you love

• Puzzles and games
  Especially ones you have enjoyed in the past

• Quality picture frames
  A great item to look for on sale

• Table runners, cloth napkins, and placemats
  They can literally work with any sized or shaped table and seasonal styles are often on sale (be sure to get 6-8 placemats or napkins as people often only use them when guests are over)

• Cookware and serveware
  There’s no end to the gadgets one could use in the kitchen or when entertaining. Try to think of the items people need multiple of (kitchen towels, serving dishes, coasters, barware) rather than something niche, like a bundt pan that you only need one of

• Vases or candle holders
  Another item people can always use multiple of

• Nice hand soap
  This is usually my go-to before hand lotion because it’s more frequently used and used by everybody. Nobody, we hope, would say “I’m not a soap person”

• Scent diffuser
  This is my go-to before candles since it’s something the recipient can enjoy passively (candles are a great gift for the right person, although a busy person might not stop and think to light a candle, or may only light candles for special occasions and forget about it in a drawer)