It seems like every year, Christmas creeps up on us. We look up from our computer screens or stacks of dirty dishes and realize, “OMG, it’s Dec. 17!”

You frantically draft a list of people you need to buy gifts for and run around the mall, looking for that perfect gift.

Trust me, you’ll never find it.

I’ve been looking for The Perfect Gift my entire life. It doesn’t exist. You can only find The Almost Perfect Gift — or, in my case, The Perfect Gift That Doesn’t Blow My Budget.

So this year, instead of posting a gift idea a day, I gathered the best 15 gift ideas I could come up with this year — all of which you can buy locally. (Meaning, you can wait until the last minute to buy these gifts.)

Each gift is specific to a kind of person — the gardener, the eco-conscious, the foodie. You’ll be surprised, when you take a break and really look around, you’ll find something — maybe not The Perfect Gift — for everyone on your list. Promise.

Baxter of California Shave Kit

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Guys aren't easy to shop for. (Trust me, I have a brother and husband.) They like what they like — and what they really like is usually really expensive. But I was surprised how much my bro and hubby have taken to this: a conventional wet shaving kit, this one by Baxter of California. Nothing beats the luxury or close shave. $70, Mojo Barbershop, 1157 Bethel St.