Thanks to Walgreens for underwriting this post. I was paid as a member of the Clever Girls Collective, but the content is all mine. Visit http://www.walgreens.com/beauty.

Is it just me, or did the holiday season arrive really fast this year? I know I keep saying that, but I really have been shocked by the fact that we are already just days before Christmas. Even with the below freezing weather and the snow, I am still stuck thinking that it should be summer instead of just a few days away from Christmas.

Usually I have all kinds of great gift ideas lined up for my loved ones early in the year. In fact, I generally have all of my shopping done months before Christmas. Not this year! There has been so much going on this year (stressful events) that my mind hadn’t even started to consider Christmas presents until just this past week. As a newcomer to the frenzy and hustle and bustle of the season, on thing is for certain! We would all use a bit of pampering for the holidays.

Here is my idea for giving a gift that will pamper the recipient. In fact, give a few gifts like this to yourself too! Find the cutest basket that you can, any size or shape, just be sure that it is something that your recipient will love and want to use later when everything is all used up.

Little basket with beautiful soaps.

Fill the basket with pampering items; lotion, beautiful soap, perfume, chocolates, a candle, maybe even a gift card to their favorite restaurant. Another cute idea is to make a theme, for example a pedicure basket with nail polish, an adorable emery board, toe separators and foot cremes. Or a bath basket, filled with a luffa, bath salts, a luxurious lotion for after, a relaxing CD, and a candle. There are so many fun ways to fill a basket aimed at pampering those you love.

I don’t know about you, but I do know that I could sure use a little pampering after the business of the holiday season!