Picture this. You wake up Christmas morning with a nasty hangover and you still have not finished your Christmas shopping. Conversation with yourself sounds something like this:
Man, this hangover is a bitch! I am never drinking peppermint chocolate martinis ever again. What was I thinking? I should've been at the mall finishing my shopping. Why can't I be one of those people whose presents all look like they were wrapped at a Papyrus store or Bergdorf's? Ugh, this sucks! I feel so bloated how the hell am I going to get into that dress? Is that my mother calling me already? I can't believe I didn't get my nephew, Hunter that Lego thing. I can hear my sister bitching now. I wonder if Aunt Rose will ask me why I'm not married yet. Another bitch. What the f--k am I going to get my cousin?? Advil!!!
So, pounding headache? Yep. Are you totally screwed regarding the gifts? Not even close. Here's what you can do!
Make a video. Yeah, really!
This is beyond easy and fabulous. Go to ANIMOTO http://www.animoto.comand upload your photos. For 5 bucks, you can make a killer video card with professional looking graphics, music and layouts. They have everything from hip hop to standards and tons of different themes. They can keep it forever, share it on Facebook, email it, whatever. And since we've become a society utterly transfixed on photos of ourselves, it's perfect! It's also personal and that is always a crowd pleaser.
Hit up your local drugstore chain
Wherever you live, there's a Walgreens, CVS, Rite-Aid or Duane Reade. You would be surprised at the gems you can find in there among the Clairol shampoo and Tampax.
First of all, they now have high-end beauty and bath products. You can get Fekkai products in Walgreens and Phytologie in CVS. Who knew? You can also get a little assortment of Burt's Bees and then head over to the next aisle and grab a gift bag and a card. If Santa asked you to pick a little something up, they even have toys, but mostly cheap, dollar-store variety types. If you're in a pinch, it's available. I've noticed in gift giving, most kids are into volume. They don't care if you got them one really expensive toy made of organic wood handcrafted in Paris. They want to unwrap toys, period the end.
Go to the bakery
Bakeries are all open on Christmas morning, usually until the early afternoon. Pick up some Christmas cookies, nice breads or a fancy cake. Sweet treats are universal, so little to worry about there. I don't know anyone who doesn't like some good treats from the bakery, especially the Italian ones! You can also go to some supermarkets. If you go this route, just make sure whatever you get is fancy and looks nice. A frozen Pepperidge Farm Golden Layer cake won't suffice. Unless you're coming to my house because I love that stuff!
Go to the liquor store
Like food, most of us welcome more booze at the holidays. I say, it isn't a party 'til there's a family fight or grandma's in the corner with a lampshade on dancing to Pitbull. Wine is always a good choice. Jazz it up with a bow or pretty bag. Beringer Founder Estates will donate $1.00 of every bottle you buy to Million Meals Program that impacts hungry people in the community where you purchase the wine. Champagne is my go-to choice. Festive, fancy and makes a nice gift.
Gift Cards Galore!
Have you noticed in the supermarkets and drugstores you can now by gift cards from pretty much everywhere? You can get a gift card from Home Depot, Barnes & Noble, iTunes and everything in between. You can get these at the last minute, no problem. Everyone loves gift cards and they're easy to carry! You can go the online route which is even easier, but looks a little lame if you're an invited guest. It's always better to arrive with gift in hand.
So, you're done. You are soo out of the proverbial Holiday Gift Giving Dog House!
And just like that, you get a text from your BFF that reads:
OMG!!! Last nite @ karaoke your rendition of Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer was EPIC!! Sooo Gr8!! Merry Christmas! Muaahhhh!
A Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.
Happy Holidays! Peace on Earth.
XO
Courtney
Check your local TV listings for more of Celeb Designer, Courtney Cachet's style ideas and tips! You can catch her frequent appearances nationwide on TV, where she dishes out all the latest in home and lifestyle! Keep up with her on www.courtneycachet.com or Facebook and join the conversation!