10 Best Last Minute Holiday Gifts
There is not much time left – in fact, hours. Maybe you forgot something, or maybe you have a surprise gift on your list that you didn’t know about a few days ago. Anyway, here’s how to get your bunny out of your hat and gift him something great this year.
10. Do favors instead of objects.
You may remember this when you were a kid – if you didn’t have a gift, you could always give a “coupon book” with services like washing dishes, taking out the trash or cleaning the room – whatever you probably still need enroll, right? Well, these things can be great last-minute gifts too, and they even work for people who are notoriously difficult to give back for .
Whether it’s a gift to help them take off all of their holiday decorations, or a gift of help around the house for New Years, or helping with the move when they need it, a favor can go a long way – sometimes much more than just one more thing. gift card or phone charger.
9. Give them an experience or plan the first
When talking about intangible gifts, don’t overlook the gift of impressions and memories. Ultimately, they matter more than material things, and while they’re good if you’re short on money , they’re also useful at the last minute when all stores are closed and it’s Christmas Eve.
A handmade card that promises lessons for something you can happily teach, or a promise to do something awesome together, such as taking a cooking lesson, taking a fabulous trip, tickets to a concert or an evening at the opera, or whatever. an event or experience that matters to both of you makes an incredible gift. If you’re having trouble with ideas, consider services like the previously mentioned Unstuff that can help you come up with good ideas.
8. Go to the grocery store for wrapped gifts (or collect your basket)
Alternatively, if all the stores are not closed, you can probably go to one place full of last minute gift ideas – if you know how to pack them. Grocery store .
From simple fruit baskets for a neighbor or coworker to gourmet packaged chocolates and other treats, the grocery store has a variety of grocery options that might require a little dressing up, a fresh gift tag, and you’re done – plus if you find something tasty. , you know it will be appreciated even if it was a quick gift. Of course, gift cards are also readily available at the grocery store, so that’s worth thinking about too (but we’ll come back to them – and their digital options) later.
7. Present a gourmet meal or coffee.
While in the grocery store, you can buy something sophisticated and trendy, like the trendiest coffee on the shelves or a box of super-limited edition chocolates – and these are great options. You can also do the same and donate at the last minute a coffee subscription service similar to those offered by the previously mentioned MistoBox or Boxo Coffee , which I tried and enjoyed.
If signing up for coffee isn’t your style, there are subscription gifts for a wide variety of people, likes and tastes . You have a lot to choose from, from funny little themed boxes to regular supplies of cheese, wine or meat. If you’re still unsure, Cratejoy is a service designed to help you find what you need . Then sign up and pay for the subscription on behalf of your friends and give them a printout or card explaining what the subscription is. Then they will enjoy your gift all year long and will look at you – you bought it online the night before you gave it.
6. Present a museum membership.
If your gift is not someone who eats and drinks, but who enjoys cultural activities, spending the weekend away from home, consider gifting him a museum membership. Even in places where museums are mostly free to enter (like my old city of Washington DC), a subscription gives you a world of benefits , including special events, screenings, autographs, night tours, social events, and other extraordinary events that everyone else will either never hear about it, or they will have to fight for tickets.
Plus, given that museum membership often means free or discounted admission, special gifts, and discounts at museum stores, your gift will not only support the museum you buy it from, it will also continue to give to your friend or loved one. whole year. Just make sure they use it!
5. Present premium web apps and services that everyone loves
Since digital gifts are by far some of the best last-minute gifts, perhaps instead of picking something a little further off the left margin, you should consider gifting a premium or paid version of a service they are already using. Maybe you have Pandora or Spotify addicts on your list, but they never wanted to pay for a subscription. Maybe you have a Netflix fan on your list that really wants them to be able to watch more old TV shows, and Hulu is right in their alley. Anyway, we have a great list of these premium web apps and subscription services right here , and any or all of them can be great gifts – best of all, you can buy many of them online right now and get your gift subscription. … delivered electronically. You don’t even need to buy a card.
4. Make a charitable donation on their behalf.
It may not be for everyone, but one great gift you can give – especially to someone who has it all, so to speak – is a charitable donation on their behalf, ideally an organization they love and support or they will support in anyway. After all, there are many very worthy charities and groups out there to take the elevator right now , and giving a gift on behalf of a friend or loved one can really mean a lot.
Of course, these will also be flyers, address labels, and other letters, but if you do your charity homework before donating, you can easily make sure that your donation really goes to the organization’s mission and helps people. he intends to help. If you need more suggestions, we have several holiday suggestions.
3. Distribute electronic and audio books
Always a great, quick gift, e-books and audiobooks are easy to buy online anytime, easy to gift to a friend or loved one (all you need is their email address) and almost anyone will appreciate them. Best of all, on Amazon, you can either send electronically or even include a date when they will be emailed to your recipient so they can wake up Christmas morning in their inbox with something good for a change, not just spam …
If you need some advice, try our list of life-enhancing books and of course, check out some of the suggestions in these audiobook services – they all have gift subscriptions and promotions that you can take advantage of.
2. Gift cards always work, both physical and virtual.
Of course, this list would not be complete without gift cards. Sure, you can run to the grocery store and pick up a few of the ones we’ve listed above, but you can also easily buy e-delivered gift cards online so you don’t have to leave your home. Best of all, this way you can send gift cards to almost anything you want – be it an important figure like Amazon or a specialized niche store that only your recipient will know and love.
Just make sure you get gift cards that are worth having (and don’t have crazy commissions or slowly dwindling value over time), and attach a personal note either to the card or in the gift email to make it a little more cordial.
1. Give money, but do it beautifully
Finally, there is always cash. Open a wallet or open an ATM, grab a blank card and go crazy. Be sure to include a personal note to make the gift a little more personal, or even a suggestion on how to spend it, like a well-deserved bottle of wine or a deluxe meal, or money for gasoline for the trip they got. always wanted to take. It can make a simple cash gift more personal.
If you’re a crafty guy, well, you can show your whim too . Happy Holidays!