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This time of year should be fun. You should be sipping cocktails at parties, OD-ing on gingerbread cookies, and succumbing to a heady dose of annual winter-wonderland nostalgia. It should not throw you into such a panic that you refuse to leave your apartment out of sheer rebellion. While we can't relieve the stress of spending time with your family, we can make it easier to finish your holiday shopping without resenting your grandma for thinking she deserves a present. So if you find yourself totally fucked in the gift department, here are five quick and thoughtful hacks to make sure your gifts don't disappoint.
Get Your Gifts Delivered
With the help of apps like Postmates, your last-minute holiday shopping can be done from your phone and delivered to you nationwide in under about an hour. Postmates is partnering with brands like Norse Projects, Outdoor Voices, S'well, Harry's, Best Made Co., and Uniqlo for a curated list of twelve days’ worth of deliverable gifts. That means you can order a camp blanket for your dad, workout leggings for your sister, and some boss headphones for your significant other without having to leave your desk.
Run to the Pharmacy
Pharmacies are your best bet for last-minute stocking stuffers and small gifts. Grooming supplies, phone chargers, novelty earbuds, snacks, chocolates, magazines (with a subscription—we hear GQ is good), dog toys, and yes, even batteries are things your loved ones need but might not buy for themselves. Assemble a curated bunch of these things into a basket or gift bag, and you've got yourself a gift.
Customize Something You Have At Home
Maybe you have a collection of pocket squares you've never used, or three copies of your favorite book. Whatever it is, make it special by adding a custom touch. Monogramming accessories isn't hard with a needle, some thread, and a YouTube tutorial. And you can customize books with a heartfelt dedication or personalized doodle.
Make a Reservation
If you really have no time left, make a reservation for a fancy dinner, spa treatment, afternoon of go-karting, or music festival. Experience gifts are not a cop-out, and are as fun for the giver as they are for the givee.
Get Thee to a Kinko’s
Fedex Kinko’s branches are all over this great country and open up till the Christmas wire. Go there to print a photo album, your dad's favorite movie poster with him Photoshopped in the background, placemats made from your girlfriend's best Instagram photos (you can laminate there, too), or a Ryan Gosling feminist-meme calendar for your mom who doesn't know what meme is.