Hurry! There’s still time to order great gifts in time for Christmas
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‘Twas the night before the night before Christmas (or at least, a few days before) and all through the house, one creature was stirring, and it had nothing to do with a mouse.
We know you’re out there. You’re stirring—and pacing, and fretting—because you have three VIPs on your gift list, and you’re fresh out of inspiration.
Sure, you can head out with the throngs on Wednesday morning and find a treasure or two for your buddy who loves to bake, or your aunt who loves to read. But we suggest you stay home where it’s warm and cozy, and find a treasure that will arrive just in time. And if you’re stuck at work on Christmas Eve, you’ll need a little help.
Most likely, you’ll be able to find a toy for a child on Amazon, and if you’re willing to pony up for express shipping, it will arrive in time if you jump to the task today. But we have a great suggestion for those people who seem to have everything they need in life.
Surely, your mom has a passion for something like cheese, nuts or wine. We found a plethora of clubs that will guarantee delivery of everything from fruit to chocolate. While the gift basket won’t arrive on Christmas Day, the promise of goodies to come certainly will.
Here’s how such a membership becomes a gift in an instant: Pete Pietromonaco, owner of New York-based Clubs Galore, explains it well: It’s Christmas Eve, and you have lost all inspiration to find the perfect gift for your parents.
“We get this a lot,” says Pietromonaco with a laugh. “This works last minute, and I’m talking even really last-minute—Christmas Day.”
Go to the site’s homepage, and print out a gift announcement. Let them know that they will be receiving a gift that will arrive monthly—and no need to break the bank. You don’t have to sign up for a full year—these come in three, six and 12-month packages.
We asked the gift pro about some of the most popular packages. Apparently, everything is a bit better with bacon on it.
“Bacon is really popular, as is cheese and wine,” he says. “Everyone is happy with these gifts.”
The secret to the success of the company, he says, is finding products that you can’t find on supermarket shelves, like sun-dried tomato bacon, or pepper-crusted bacon.
“What’s really popular is the variety of the month club,” he says of the business, which features nearly 40 clubs. “Instead of cheese for three months, you can choose cheese the first month, bacon the second, and wine the third, as an example,” he says.
When you order, if you opt to do so, you can have an email sent out that very day to your friend or relative.
Another option? Florists affiliated with BloomNation often offer same-day delivery.
Anne Neer, of Windmill Floral Expressions in Las Vegas, says she’d have no trouble arranging a spectacular creation for your friend or family on Christmas Eve. She notes that the florists who belong to BloomNation are often some of the most creative in the business.
Think ahead before you order, and consider the New Year, she says.
“Metallics are really big, so we have containers in metallic that transition from Christmas to the New Year,” Neer says. “Branches and sparkling components work well for New Year’s as well.”
She’s a big fan of the ever-versatile rose, and says she loves orchids and succulents.
With a succulent, she notes, you’re giving a gift that will last.
“They can be rooted and kept long-term,” says Neer, who also offers tips on getting orchids to rebloom (hints: fertilize properly, and keep them in a humid environment).
Another fan of blooms, Jenny Scala, cites a study that shows that the gift of flowers is guaranteed to make someone smile.
The director of marketing for the Society of Professional Florists says the holiday season is the No. 1 floral buying holiday, as Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day spans more than a month.
“Your local florist can suggest something sure to make your loved-one happy,” she says. And while last-minute might be possible for many hard-working florists, if you can place your order on today or tomorrow, you’ll have your pick of blooms.
“Centerpieces make great hostess gifts if you’re visiting someone for the holidays,” Scala says. “Let your local florist be your guide when it comes to finding the perfect arrangement.”
