Whether your daughter is bringing home her newest boyfriend, Aunt Martha finally opts for a Yuletide visit, or little Timmy comes home with an announcement that tomorrow is the day of his club’s holiday gift exchange, what can you get that fits the bill for last-minute holiday gift giving?

Phil St. Pierre, of Victor News on Park Street in Lewiston, offers some helpful ideas. “Lottery tickets, boxes of chocolates, greeting cards; some people pick up wine for hostess gifts,” said St. Pierre who has noted these purchases made over the years by last-minute shoppers. Open seven days a week, and until 7 p.m. this Christmas Eve, the store has a marketing motto of “3,001 items you can use – Victor News” and can accommodate even the most discriminating or procrastinating holiday shopper.

“We have gifts under a dollar up to $19.99,” said St. Pierre, as he noted that he might have a radio or two hanging around that goes for $39.95, but that most of his inventory goes for much less.

That there is a wide variety of items in the store is immediately obvious. Victor News is the “Capital of Stocking Stuffers,” professed St. Pierre. Given the volume of racks of children’s toys, shelves of knickknacks and eclectic assortments of sundries that are displayed throughout every nook and cranny of this store, he might not be exaggerating. Yet with space at a premium for this local retailer, it is amazing how cheerful and well-laid out everything is, and how much there is of everything.

St. Pierre stated that the competitive edge he has over other stores is not only his prices, but that his store is a “place where you can accomplish as many things as you can in one stop: pay and be on your way.” Quick-in and quick-out is the gist of what keeps this business humming.

Stephanie Brown, an employee of St. Pierre’s, capitalized on being able to scoff up bargains throughout the year and shared her strategy for last-minute gift giving.

“I have a secret stash in my huge walk in closet,” she confided. “Crayons, coloring books, videos, CDs – I throw it in.” Although much of what she stows is earmarked for her son, she’s been known to pull an item or two for unanticipated guests or other unanticipated gift giving needs.

Admittedly, her stash is mostly geared for children, but she has a plan for adults that is always appreciated: lottery tickets.

“I just put them in an envelope (holiday lottery ticket envelopes are usually available) and give it to them.” Stephanie has never observed a disappointed recipient. “They like it,” she stressed.

For Denise Allie, an Auburn resident who works around the corner from Victor News, she has a different approach to last-minute gift giving. “I buy gift certificates from restaurants,” she said. Usually, Allie goes directly to the restaurant to make her purchase. From steakhouses to Italian fare, she opts for fine dining as the perfect last-minute gift.

And if somebody or a gift giving opportunity surfaces unexpectedly that warrants a gift response, what does she do? “I send a card with something in it,” she stated and indicated this, too, is usually a restaurant gift certificate. Allie said she has no qualms about sending the card knowing that it won’t reach the recipient until after the holiday.

Whether anticipating unexpected gift giving needs by cultivating a year round “secret stash,” making a dash for a nearby well-stocked, speedy service, economically priced, variety store or electing to facilitate a delightful post-holiday gastronomic experience, following these tips is sure to reduce the panic level for any holiday shopper and add to the season’s merriment.