It's Christmas Eve and you have to get a last minute gift. Maybe you've been busy, maybe you got a call to come over for a party tonight at your sister's house. Sure, walking in empty handed guarantees that next year you won't have this problem of last minute purchasing (because you won't be invited), but you probably shouldn't start a family feud either.
Luckily, you still have until 7 p.m. tonight to get to the nearest Publix, where an endless bounty of cheap and tasteful (pun intended) gifts await you - all for under $15.
Our advice? Jazz up whatever you buy by unwrapping it from the obvious supermarket packaging and pass off our selection of baked goods, cheeses, and wines as rare delights from the finest boutique specialty shops in south Florida.
Clementines are a Christmas tradition. At $4.99 a crate, they're a cheap gift (just remember to take the "on sale" sticker off the box).
Take this slice of brie ($5.99) out of the packaging, add some dried apricots ($1.99) and almonds ($1.99) and place everything on a bamboo cutting board (also available at Publix), and you've got a great little hostess gift.
We found these bamboo cutting boards. Starting at $4.99, they're perfect for last-minute cheese and fruit presentations.
Local wedding cake baker Cakes by Edda makes decadent cakes for the rich and famous in Miami. She also sells $13.99 bundts at Publix.
What can we say about the bubbly? It's not technically Champagne, but it's cold and the bottle still makes a festive pop. Freixenet sparkling wine is $12.99.
Panetone ($7.99) is basically the Italian version of fruitcake - only it's edible.
When all else fails, grab a bouquet of roses ($9.99), but take them out of the cheap plastic and put them in a vase with a ribbon around them.
