WHAT WE WANT NOW: BUZZER BEATERS

Last-minute gifts don’t have to carry a whiff of desperation. Here are a few carefully considered items— some of them quite sweet-smelling—that won’t be out of place under the tree no matter what time they get there.

NEEDLE NOSE

The Thymes Frasier reed diffuser scents the air with a heady holiday combination of Siberian fir needles, cedar and sandalwood. $70 at Rubaiyat, 722 17th Ave. S.W., 403-2287192, rubaiyatcalgary.com.

CANDLELIGHT BECOMES YOU

The droplet design on Iittala’s Kastehelmi tealight holders was inspired by morning dewdrops. $35 each at Guildhall, 1222 9th Ave. S.E., 403-454-4399, guildhall.com.

A ROOM TAKES FLIGHT

Hollow Tree Candles are hand-poured in Whistler, B.C. using scents distilled in Grasse, France and coconut oil. Part of the Botanical Collection, Raven combines lavender and oriental black pepper. $45 at Piece on Peace, 5 Spruce Centre S.W., 403-663-9433, pieceonpeace.com.

SEASONED GREETINGS

From Granville Island, Amola’s caesar rim and bacon salts are the perfect gift for those serious about their cocktails $8.95 each at Liquor Depot, Brentwood Village Shopping Centre, 403-289-2946.

CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP

They already have a Gurgle Pot pitcher, but add to the dinner-table cacophony with a Chirpy Top wine pourer. $36 at Steeling Home, 1010 17th Ave. S.W., 403-245-0777, steelinghome.ca.

GRIPPED, BY THE LAPEL

These enamel book pins are based on original drawings by Jane Mount. Slaughterhouse Five, 1984 and Dune are just a few of the iconic book titles available. $12 each at Shelf Life Books, 1302 4th St. S.W., 403-265-1033.

USE YOUR NOODLE

The college kid in your life could maybe use a copy of Pimp My Noodles: Turn Instant Noodles And Ramen Into Fabulous Feasts. (Get the feast started by throwing in a few packages of noodles from the dollar store.) $27.99 at Indigo, Signal Hill, 403-246-2221, and at chapters.indigo.com.

VINTAGE CHEEK

The stud or wench in your life will be delighted by the appropriate Fishs Eddy ceramic mug. $24 each at Purr, 1227 9th Ave. S.E., 403-266-7587, purrclothing.ca.