DEALING with less than helpful salespeople and listening to “Rudolph” play on a continuous loop should be the least of your shopping worries if you’ve left gift buying until the last minute. (Read: today.) Lucky for you, when we stopped in at these citywide 24-hour drugstores we found that saving the best for last minute never had truer meaning. The best part? No one ever has to know. Oh, and wrapping paper’s in aisle eight.

Handcrafted Compact Mirror, $5.99

These “one of a kind” compact mirrors are perfect for any female – young, old or flamboyant. Who needs to know you got it at Duane Reade?

With Love . . . Hilary Duff, $19

The perfect stocking stuffer for a younger sister or cousin that could come from a department store – but we found it at Rite Aid.

Starbucks Gift Mug, $9.99

Seattle’s best – and New York’s most plentiful – coffee chain may not be open 24-hours, but that doesn’t mean you can’t bring a Starbucks gift! Check out this oversize mug with cocoa, almond biscotti and a candy cane that we found at Walgreens.

DVDS, $9.99 and up

For movie buffs on your list, choose from Duane Reade’s large selection of old-school DVDs like “Labrynth,” “Fame,” “Lethal Weapon,” “Annie”

and more (all $9.99). For newer films, head for the checkout counter where “Spider-Man 3” and “Pirates of the Caribbean” are stocked for $22.99 .

Mrs. Fields Chocolates, $3.99

Snickers bars, M&Ms and Three Musketeers aren’t the only chocolate goodies available at drugstores. Pick up a box from the cookie mama herself, Mrs. Fields, like the Mint Sandwich Chocolates at Walgreens.

Burt’s Bees Cologne, $25

Burt’s Bees Essential

Body Kit, $13

Burt’s all-natural products have developed a cult following. CVS’s gift set, which includes buttermilk body lotion, peppermint foot lotion, beeswax and banana hand cream and more, is the perfect stocking stuffer for anyone on the list. The cologne is a no-brainer

for any guys you need to shop for.

Coffee Mug Gift Set, $8

This set, complete with a yummy chocolate stirring spoon and bonbon hard candies is great for warming up on a cold night, gifting to a friendly neighbor or your regular deli worker – they’ll be thrilled with the thought and you’ll love the CVS price.

Chia Shrek, $15.99

Give the give that keeps on giving. Not only will you cause a group singalong at first sight (“Ch-ch-ch-chia!”), but the fun continues as the giftee can watch their favorite cartoon characters grow a plant on their heads. Choose from Shrek and Donkey, Homer and Bart Simpson, Scooby Doo and more are available at Duane Reade.

Holiday Beauty Gift Sets, $5.99 or three for $10

These cute lotion and gel sets (choose from Coconut Citrus, Mint Cocoa and Iced Peppermint) are great as a stocking stuffer, or as a last-minute gift for anyone you forgot to tip this year, available at Walgreens.

iHome iHM3 2Go, $39.99

This portable product is perfect for any techie on the go. Plus, this speaker system works with pretty much any MP3 player out there so it’s perfect for just about anyone who hasn’t been hiding under a rock for the past few years. Other available iHome products at Duane Reade include the iH2 ($99.99), the iH4 ($69.99) and the boombox-looking, 2Go Colortunes ($69.99).

Hershey’s Kisses Recipe Box, $8

CVS’s collector’s tin – decorated with an adorable vintage Hershey’s Kiss ad – comes with 24 recipes and chocolate. It’s also a great way to remind Grandma she hasn’t baked your favorite cookies in awhile.

Mix Hip-Hop Jam Guitar, $10

Six pre-loaded hip-hop rhythms, background music and a mixing function makes this instrument perfect for the aspiring mini DJ in your life. Get it at Rite Aid.

Gift Cards, various prices

Walgreens has a huge selection of gift cards, not only from different vendors, but different dollar amounts, too. Choose from the obvious (iTunes, AMC, Starbucks, etc.) or the not-so-obvious (US Airways, Spa Finder, Hyatt Hotels, etc).

Disney’s Pix Micro Digital Key Chain Camera, $19.99

This cute mini digital camera that’s also a key chain is perfect for your flickr-loving, YouTube-obsessed elementary-school cousin. Just make sure you teach her how to delete. No one needs to see you drinking yet another glass of egg nog. Find it at Walgreens.

LAST MINUTE STORES

24 Hours

Duane Reade

To locate one of the 49 24-hour locations in Manhattan, go to duanereade.com

Walgreens

24-hour locations in Manhattan

145 Fourth Ave., at 14th Street

33 E. 23rd St., at Park Avenue South

350 Fifth Ave., at 32nd Street

1328 Second Ave., at 70th Street

CVS

24-hour locations in Manhattan

400 W.59th

272 Eight Ave., at 23rd Street

152 E. 42nd btw. Lexington and Third avenues

253 First Ave., at 15th Street

630 Lexington Ave., at 54th Street

400 W. 58th St., at Columbus Avenue

Rite Aid

24-hour locations in Manhattan

408 Grand St., at Clinton Street

542-576 Second Ave., btween 30th and 31st streets

301 W. 50th St., at Eight Avenue

210-20 Amsterdam Ave., at 70th Street

2833 Broadway, at 110th Street

1299-1301 Second Ave., at 69th Street

Also open 24-hours:

Apple Store

767 Fifth Ave. at 57th St.

Must we even explain what you can get here? Go hog wild.

Juvenex Spa

24 W. 32 St. at Fifth Ave.

Stop in for a last-minute manicure while picking up a gift certificate for one of their many services, including a Four Hands Dream Massage (60 mins., $180), the Seaweed Rejuvenation (60 mins., $115) or a Jet-Lag Kombu Body Wrap (60 mins., $125).

Open late on Christmas Eve:

K-Mart

250 W. 34th St., at Eighth Avenue

6 a.m.-10 p.m.

H&M

435 Seventh Ave., at 34th Street

10 a.m.-11 p.m.

Fairway

2127 Broadway, at 74th Street,

12th Avenue at 132nd Street,

Till 10 p.m.

D’agostino

2828 Broadway, at 110th Street

7 a.m.-10 p.m.