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With less than a week till Christmas, the thought of fighting traffic and standing in line at the mall may be too traumatic. Fortunately, you can pick up some great gifts at your local drugstore (no, we're not suggesting you give the gift of Prozac). Try these smart combinations that will make your low-effort gift feel personalized and perfect:
An old romantic comedy on DVD + a box of microwave popcorn = perfect for the couch potato couple.
A travel-size toothbrush + neck pillow + disposable camera = for the jet-setter friend.
Fruit-flavored lip gloss + a bag of Gummi bears = for the girl with a big sweet tooth.
Great Gifts $25 and Under
Cube Cocktail Jigger, $25, MOMA.
www.momastore.org
Sushi Shower Curtain and Wastebasket, $18.95, Archie McPhee.
www.mcphee.com
Cupcake Stand Kit, $9.99, Wilton.
www.wilton.com
Custom Aveda Gift Baskets, from $10.50, Aveda.
www.aveda.com
'Sandtastic' Bucket of Candy, $22.50, Dylan's Candy Bar.
www.dylanscandybar.com
Combination Cutting Board and Colander, $24, MOMA.
www.moma.org
Schick Quattro Titanium Trimmer, $12, Schick.
www.schickquattro.com
Lego iPod Dock, $25, Urban Outfitters.
www.urbanoutfitters.com
Travel French Press Coffeemaker, $5.37, Bodum.
www.bodumusa.com
Bacon Band-Aids and Bacon Wallet, $4.95 and $9.95, Archie McPhee.
www.mcphee.com
The Schick Intuition Plus shaving kit + foot scrub + peppermint lotion = for the career girl who's always on her feet
A celebrity-brand bottle of perfume or cologne + a gossip magazine = perfect for the celeb-obsessed friend
6-pack of energy drinks + a jar of Icy Hot = for the gym rat
Lemon-scented herbal wipes + a scented candle = your favorite yogi's new must-haves
An oversize red bow + a bottle of warming massage oil = treat for your honey (the bow goes on you!)
Tell us! What's your favorite go-to gift that doesn't require mall shopping?
$15 and Under Stocking Stuffers
The Doorganizer, $14.95, Wishing Fish.
www.wishingfish.com
Vintage Lip-Balm Tins, $9, Sephora.
www.sephora.com
Travel French Press Coffeemaker, $5.37, Bodum.
www.bodumusa.com
Pocket Size Texas Hold 'Em Set, $7.99, Archie McPhee.
www.mcphee.com
Keychain Eco Shopping Bag, $5, Chico Bags.
www.chicobags.com
Vintage Movie Posters, from $7.95, E Movie Posters.
www.emovieposter.com
Coal: Blackberry Bubble Gum $5, The Wishing Fish.
www.thewishingfish.com
International Chocolate Sampler, $10, Dean and Deluca.
www.deananddeluca.com
Narwhal's Revenge Desk Playset, $12, Archie McPhee.
www.mcphee.com
Voodoo Toothpick Holder, $12.95, Greener Grass Design.
www.greenergrassdesign.com
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Monday 15 December
By Simzee
I grow a garden in the winter. It's fun to watch peoples faces when they get "fresh" vegetables for holiday meals. Fresh flowers (grown yourself) are always nice too.
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Monday 22 December
By Robert
I found this awesome cheap gift this year.. it's a cookbook called "get in the Kitchen, BIT@HES!" and it's hilarious... check it out at "bitchcooks.com"
Monday 15 December
By nolobeach
The truth is that most of us have all the crap we need. Few of us actually really need more of anything. It's not need, it's want. Food, gas, toilet paper, imagine living a year just buying those items. CASH! Piles of cold hard cash is the best way to weather the current economic situation. I discovered one of the best books you'll ever find about finance, "How to Become Filthy Rich on Your Current Income" at www.how-to-become-rich.com. If people read books like this one we would not have the current situation we do.
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Monday 15 December
By JoSmiles
I'm giving my nephew and his wife "Armchair Quarterback Kits" for Christmas. They are about $30 each. For each of them, I got slippers in their favorite team names, a travel mug with team logos, then a bunch of munchies like popcorn, lemonheads, mixed nuts, etc -- some hot chocolate and the kit was complete. Since they like rival teams, they are really going to enjoy their kits, I'm sure! Just adds to the rivalry on Football night.
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Monday 15 December
By Kristen
Here is a list of the best gifts ever at Pop Candy
http://blogs.usatoday.com/popcandy/2008/12/gift-idea-no-13.html?loc=interstitialskip
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Monday 15 December
By B Bartos
Do something nice for someone! Invite a senior or friends with no family to Christmas dinner (particularly those who may have lost a loved one in the past year) or take a "single senior" Christmas shopping (oftentimes, they just can't get out!). Give your child or "special kid" a book of "coupons" redeemable throughout the year -- a trip to the zoo, a Greenfield Village/Henry Ford Museum-type place, play park, ride on a boat, etc. Those are lasting memories and not more "stuff!" Or make something special for someone -- we made a beautiful tabletop stable for my best friend's Nativity scene (the kind for which you pay hundreds of dollars in a store!) Or, sometime during the year, did they mention something they always have wanted -- a special watch? A specific ring? Keep track! Do something they'll treasure and for which they'll always remember you!
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Monday 15 December
By Teresa
Is there a website where I can find the cookbook?
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Monday 15 December
By rebecca evans
We are having a friend over this year for Christmas. His brother lives in Pa. & his sisters are in New York. He normally has Thanksging dinner with us but we all go to another friends house now. YEA I don't have to cook!!!!! The IRS just swooped away some of his inherited funds so that tells the story....LOOK out for the FEDS!.
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Monday 15 December
By Karen
A nice bottle of wine or chammpagne in a bottle gift bag, a bottle of favorite liquor, Coffee from your local coffee shop with a nice mug or travel mug. A calendar with favorite sports team, Candy from a favorite candy store. A cookbook for the cook. A bubble bath and lotion set. A spice rack with different spices for the cook. A beautiful potted plant for the season like a poinsetta,or a rosemary tree. Hair assecories, a hairbrush, shampoo, conditioner , gel, in a basket.. a coin counting jar. comfy slippers. Grilling tools , apron and oven mitts for the cook.
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Friday 19 December
By marissawalls1
This gift is perfect for the driver. A gas gift card, car scents, car keychain, and a cd.
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Friday 19 December
By Jess
Good ole Avon makes great gifts. Their candles are fabulous, lip glosses better than the real expensive ones and you can make a nice basket of stuff for under $20. I go to http://www.everydayfabulous.com and there are always and promo codes.
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Friday 19 December
By jenniferstewart
i got zip nadda nothing from my dad and stepmom oh well no gifts for them
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Monday 22 December
By M. Hamblin
Jennifer...You've missed the point. Christmas is all about "giving" not "getting. " You might think about the three great gifts of Faith, Hope and Love. The greatest of these is love. You can show that you are a better person by showing love toward your father. It might make all the difference in the world in how he thinks about you and responds to your gesture of kindness.
I have 6 children, 28 grand children and 57 great grands. I promise you...it is all about love and expressing that love. At least send a card and let him know how you feel.
Take care, Jen.
Friday 19 December
By wendygoerl
Great. A bunch of suggestions for types of people who aren't on my list! What do you get for a high-school nephew with a video game system (that he wants to replace, so you're not sure you want to get games for it, and a new system's outside you budget), who likes "hooddies" (but you know he's already getting some from other members of the family), and Badger football (but you don't know what he does and doesn't have)?
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Friday 19 December
By poohbear
Giftcards work for high school kids...
Saturday 20 December
By Robyn
You may want to consider Gamefly. You could get him a gift membership. My son loves it. You also get a free membership.
http://livingonthreedollarsaday.blogspot.com/2008/10/gamefly-free-trial-video-game-rental.html
Tuesday 23 December
By ROGER
A WALMART GIFT CARD.
Wednesday 24 December
By llcotter
For those high school nephews.... food. Easy Mac by the case! or microwave popcorn. One of my nephews is now in college and these are still appreciated. One nephew is a very picky eater, so even when mom cooks a great meal, he will fix himself Mac and cheese. Teen boys are always eating. Find those quick and easy things for them to make themselves during late night studying or during a marathon of video games.
fast food gift cards are also popular as are gas cards
Monday 22 December
By mslwgp
If you have a Dollar store local, I found they have the nicest Christmas theme decorated cloth wine gift bags for $1. Put a nice bottle of wine in one,and you have a wonderful gift for under $10. I have given out numerous already (i.e. the Postman) and everyone has commented on the wonderful reusable wine bags. Happy Holidays all. I too invite many local seniors I know to dinner, always have at least 10 around the holiday table, and they really appreciate the chance to go for a nice meal! Don't have to spend a lot on folks, acts of human kindness mean so much more.
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Monday 22 December
By erin
how about an actual article instead of an advertorial?!
this little gem that's "presented by schick" has buried one of its products in the middle of the article, as if we're too stupid to get it.
if this is your idea of "value added" for your online community, you're gonna have to aim a whole lot higher. and work a whole lot harder, because you just lost a customer.
happy holidays.
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