Last-Minute Gift Ideas

What? Not done with your Christmas shopping yet?

You should be roasting chestnuts over an open fire by now, not racking your brain to come up with gifts for the hard-to-shop for people on your list.

Well, not to worry. I think I might be able to offer some gift guidance. Give me a few minutes and, I promise, we’ll have you kicking up your feet and sipping eggnog in no time.

For the Clotheshorse: Want an easy way to kick up the style quotient of any fashionista on your list? A pashmina scarf. I love my pashmina. It’s the ultimate “double-duty” item, because it adds polish to your outfit, while also keeping you warm and cozy. Now, you could splurge for a little luxury and get the real cashmere deal here. But if your budget is a little more modest, check out Tar-jay for some lovely alternative options like this one that you can snap up for under 20 bucks. (And, be sure to check out Jo-Lynne’s post on how to wear the pashmina so that you’ll look like a bonafide style diva come Christmas morning.)

For the Spa Lover: I’m not sure which season is worse on my feet, winter or summer. That’s why I’m so thankful for my Ped Egg. It revives my dry, callused heels better than any spa pedicure I’ve ever had. You can pick up a Ped Egg for about $10 at nearly any drug store. Add a nice alpha hydroxy foot lotion like this one, and you’ve got a reasonably-priced gift that will make any spa aficionado swoon.

For the Product Maven: Osmotics Cosmoceuticals has gained quite a following in recent years with innovative, science-based anti-aging products. (Hollywood stars such as Jada Pinkett Smith and LeAnn Rimes are reportedly fans.) This holiday, Osmotics offers up everything needed to fight the signs of aging with its limited-edition Age Defense 24/7 Luxury Collection. The collection’s day cream, night cream and body lotion come packed with antioxidants and feature Barrier Repair Technology, which is “clinically-proven to restore and maintain the skin’s natural moisture barrier.” (I’ve tried the creams myself and can tell you they are lovely. They go on like silk and smell heavenly.) And while the $98 price tag might seem a bit steep, you’re actually nabbing a heck of a deal, because the collection normally retails for $178.

For the Gal who has Everything: I love wearing perfume, but this Christmas I’m passing on my standard synthetically-manufactured fragrance and, instead, asking for a more natural “green” perfume. Pacifica Perfume has some beautiful scents (like Tunisian Jasmine and Thai Lemongrass) that are free of parabens, propolyene glycol and phthalates, making them especially gentle and less likely to cause allergic reactions (for both you and those around you). And, for just around $20 an ounce, it’s a completely affordable, unique gift option.

For the Girl who Watches Your Children: Got a babysitter on your list? I have no idea what the “cool item” is for teens these days (I’m way too old to keep tabs on that stuff), but I do know that lip gloss never goes out of style. E.L.F. (Eyes, Lips, Face) cosmetics is running an amazing deal — spend $20 and get a free $25 Restaurant.com gift card and a free Fandango.com movie ticket to the theater of your choice when you use the code DINE. That’s a $35 value for $20 — or a gift for the babysitter and a date night for you.

See? That wasn’t difficult at all. Shopping done.

Now go grab some chestnuts and get that fire going.