Best Gifts 2011: Last Minute Gifts from the Drug Store

It is the night before Valentine's Day, or your mom's birthday, or even the day of your anniversary. Or perhaps you are on the way to your friend's housewarming party or to see their new baby. You knew about the event for weeks, and your intentions to buy a gift ahead of time were good, but the days and weeks just flew by and now you are in a panic to buy a present. Whatever the reason, or the relationship, you are in the situation of having to buy a gift at the last minute. Head to the drug store, pharmacy, corner store, or even grocery store where there are a variety of easy, affordable items that can easily be purchased to make up a unique last minute gift.

The key to finding a cool last minute gift at the drug store (or the grocery store, or the corner store), is to decide on a theme and stick with it. Think carefully and quickly about the person you are buying for. What one word or characteristic currently best defines them? Harried mom and housewife? New homeowner? Bachelor? Athlete? Couch Potato? Whatever word pops into your mind, here are some suggestions for last minute gift basket type presents you can pick up and package quickly. (Note: I use the term "basket" loosely. Use whatever you can to accumulate the items - ie. a large stocking (for Christmas), a large gift basket, a gym bag, a laundry basket....use your imagination.

This gift basket is for the person who is harried at work or at home, or both! Nothing is more relaxing than slipping away for some peace and quiet....into a lovely hot tub of bubbles or bath items. You will need some or all of the following:

• bubble bath or oil
• bath scrunchie scrubbie thing (don't know what it's called, it is on a loop)
• body lotion
• inflatable neck pillow
• hair tie or barrettes if the person has long hair that needs to be put up to get in the tub
• a gel-filled mask or eye pads (these can be chilled and are usually found with the bandages and bandaids in a pharmacy or drug store
• a CD of soothing, tranquil music
• an escapist-type paperback novel or magazine- light reading is the key
• candles with matches
• a small box of chocolates or candies
• earplugs (especially if there are loud husbands, wives, teenagers, or toddlers in the family home!
  

This is a great gift idea for anyone who lives alone, whether they are college students, young bachelors or bachelorettes, busy single professionals, or retirees.

• throat lozenges or cough drops
• kleenex box
• a travel pack of kleenex
• a large bottle of hand sanitizer and a travel size hand sanitizer as well
• nasal spray
• a bottle of Vicks Vaporub
• bottle of cough or cold syrup
• bottle of cough or cold pills
• a box of Neo-Citran lemon drink for coughs and colds
• a box of Lipton Chicken Noodle Soup Mix single serving packets
• a pair of slippers or warm socks
• a hot water bottle
• a heating pad
• a favourite DVD
• a favourite magazine or paperback book
• a book of Sudoku, crosswords puzzles or word searches

Here are some items that anyone who is active in a sport will appreciate. Whether they are a runner, gym rat, hockey player, squash player, football player, or even if they are just getting started in pursuing a healthier lifestyle, they will appreciate the thoughtfulness of your last minute gift for the athlete!

• refillable water bottle
• combination lock (for gym locker)
• odour control foot powder (for stinky runners or cleats)
• energy or protein bar
• vitamin water drink
• fanny pack for keys
• a small cosmetics/toiletry bag with mini deodorant, razer, aftershave, and bodywash that can be taken to the gym
• small notebook for recording athletic performance ie. distance run, workout reps and weights achieved, etc.
• a copy of a fitness magazine, ie. Runner's World, Sports Illustrated, Oxygen, etc.
• a subscription to a fitness magazine
• a hot/cold pack (used for sore muscles, aches and pains)
• a tensor bandage (at some point they may have to wrap something!)
• a CD or playlist for an ipod of great workout music

Whether they are a new driver or a more experienced one, here are some useful items to fill up a gift basket for a car owner.

• lock de-icer
• travel pack of "Wet Ones"
• kleenex box
• small garbage bags
  
• a local roadmap or small book of roadmaps of the state or province (sometimes GPS just doesn't work)
• small ice scraper
• pack of energy bars or granola bars
• tire pressure gauge
• car deodorizer (you can get the kind that sticks to the back of a seat or the kind that hangs from a rear-view mirror)
• gift card for free Car Wash or Gas Fill Up
• if the car owner has kids, a couple of age-appropriate car activities such as colouring books with washable markers or crayons, hand-held puzzles, activity books)
  

We all know someone whom we consider difficult to buy presents for.  Here are some ideas:

• scratch and win lottery tickets
• Farmer's Almanac (lots of variety of info here)
• Chocolate, candies, or toffees
• Coffee, tea, or hot chocolate and a large mug
• Sudoku, crossword, word search, or trivia-type book
• Gift card for the drug store you are at!
• Put together an "emergency kit" for power outages - include flashlight, candles and matches, granola bars/energy bars, water bottles, warm blanket, hand crank radio