It's not too late, so stop panicking.

I know that when you read this it will be the 22nd December, you have 2 days left and trust me at this point the internet is not your friend.  There are some sites that may get things to you but lets look at risk versus reward for a moment.  Is it worth risking not having a gift?   There is an answer to the gifts that haven't arrived, print off a photograph of the item and put it in a frame, that way your loved one can see that you have at least made a "proper" effort.  However be aware that they may check the order date and anything from now on may be received with a small chill(yes, that is for the boys!)  So I'm afraid you may need to head for the High Street and you need to do it fast.  On the up side it seems that 85% of stores are now in Sale, so congratulations you have saved yourself money but as a result you are going to have to accept that the 'must have' items have probably sold out.  

Trust me when I tell you that the Sales Advisor in front of you, is there to help.  They have little to no control over stock levels, so please don't blame them for what they may not have.  Consider asking them what they do have in the size or style that you are looking for, you might end up with a gift you never knew you wanted.  At this point you have to be a little less specific and a lot more imaginative, when you are thinking about those you love.  I'm going to say this and I know it won't make me popular but Men, please, if you must buy Lingerie make it a gift for the Woman in your life or at least add another gift to the pile that is actually for her.  The key words for this gift are shiny, pretty and decorative.  Even an ugly item when purchased with love and in the correct spirit becomes a treasure, so you can't get it wrong.  

My top tip is get there early, if necessary treat yourself to a coffee before the stores open, read your list and have a bit of a planning meeting with yourself.  Trust me when I say there is no stress like looking for a parking space in a heaving mall.  Doing that weird slow follow of people with bags hoping they are leaving only to discover, they are only on the first load and going back for more.  

If you don't have a list of things, you should at least make a list of people.  That way if you see something you like you can assign it to a person.  It's easy to lose track of particulars and it helps to have something to ground you and illustrate where you are in your marathon/sprint.  I'm afraid the first thing may not be the best thing so you might have to illustrate some restraint don't be talked into things that are totally wrong, you aren't that desperate yet.

I would also like to make one more suggestion, in November next year, phone me and I'll have Christmas all wrapped up and delivered by now, all you'll still have to do is sign a card. Just a thought...