Is a friend leaving for another country, and you just recently learned that there would be a big send-off party? Are you at a loss for ideas as to what gift you can give before your friend flies off to Sweden? The answer is called “last minute gifts” or “emergency gifts”, something you can purchase in less than twelve hours, even without having it wrapped. What are the things that you can give, if you need it right now?
Buy something that would be useful when traveling. Think of cases, bags, portable media players, new headphones and other small items. Don't give anything big, unless it's a bag that he or she might use when the person goes abroad. You can also buy a reliable “Guide To…” book for the person leaving, so he or she can read up on the culture of the new country.
It gets more complicated, especially if it's a close friend. To be safe, give something that would be useful even if the person doesn't like it completely. A new set of stylish pen would be a good idea, or a carrying case for a notebook (if the person has a notebook). If the celebrant is a known smoker, then pick up a shiny new Zippo lighter for celebrant, or a cigar humidor.
It gets worse. A forgotten anniversary would be a World War waiting to happen at home. To be on the safe side, think of what your spouse wanted to buy for the longest time, and buy it. It doesn't matter how expensive it is, it's better to make your spouse happy than let him or her discover that you have completely forgotten the day you got married.
Now it gets a bit lighter. In get-together's, you get to choose whom to give the gifts to. Think of light and small items, so it won't be a burden carrying the gifts to the event. Wrap the gifts nicely (if you can, make the gift wrappers uniform) and put them in a bag for easier transportation.
The whole point of last minute gift giving is still thoughtfulness, it shows how much the giver cares about the person who's expecting a present on a particular day. It also shows how fast the giver thinks- especially when the giver has accidentally forgotten a celebration or an occasion.