One year our family gift exchange somehow went haywire, and two of us bought gifts for the same kid...which meant one nephew was left giftless. This error was discovered when we were celebrating Christmas in the remote north woods of Wisconsin, where there are few shopping opportunities on a good day, much less December 25. My quick-thinking sister-in-law spotted the crisis while we were just about to open gifts, and sent her son to the nearest gas station/mini mart, where he loaded up on squirt guns, jumbo packs of gum, water balloon kits and lots of candy. A Christmas crisis averted! Goes to show you, Santa's not the only one who should check his list twice on Christmas...
Here are some on-the-spot solutions to keep in mind if you have an unexpected gift-giving opportunity on Christmas day:
- Check your closets and cupboards for new, potentially giftable items.
- Do a quick shuffle and re-tag gifts -- rob Peter to gift Paul. Peter will understand.
- Re-gift (but follow the rules of re-gifting -- see 12/22 post)
- Add a ribbon to a nice bottle of wine or liqueur.
- Wrap up a vase, home decor item or piece of jewelry you can live without.
- Go sentimental: pass on a minor family heirloom or a great book.
- Turn cash into something less gauche than cash -- attach $20 to a packet of microwave popcorn with a note that reads, "Enjoy a movie on us!"
- If all else fails, head to 7-11 or the grocery store that's open on December 25...then get creative (think gift cards, candy, wine...).
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