Don’t panic, but Christmas is less than a week away. Have you finished shopping for gifts?
If you’re reading this, we’re guessing you haven’t. Whether you’re a master procrastinator or just had the holiday sneak up on you, don’t worry. There’s still time to find gifts for your family and friends before December 25th arrives.
Here, you’ll find sixteen last-minute holiday gift ideas that still feel thoughtful. The post is divided into two sections- buy and make- so you can find present inspiration no matter your skill level or budget.
Buy
Mug Gift Set
Mugs are a classic gift and easy to find at most stores, even this close to Christmas. To make it more special, turn the mug into a mini gift basket and fill it with other small gifts like:
- A candy bar
- Makeup
- Scarf
- Gift card
- Ornament
Arrange everything nicely in the mug, then finish the present with a ribbon bow. It’s simple but thoughtful and personalized to the recipient.
Membership or Subscription
Subscriptions may not be physical gifts, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t appreciated. Whether it’s a membership to a learning platform or a subscription box they can enjoy for months, they’re a great last-minute choice. Find one themed around their interests, such as:
- A gym
- Masterclass
- Scentbird
- Streaming services
- Hello Fresh
- Book of the Month
Candle
Gifting a candle might feel cliche, but it’s a go-to for a reason. Candles are easy to find and appreciated by most people. To make your gift more special, look for one in a fancy container or unique shape. You could even combine this idea with the previous one and get them a monthly candle subscription.
Digital Photo Frame
A digital photo frame is a wonderful gift for long-distance family and friends. You can load it up with pictures of you and your family and keep updating it as the months go by. Grandparents especially love gifts like this to keep up with their grandchildren.
Thrift/Antique Finds
There’s nothing more personal than thrifting a one-of-a-kind piece for a gift. Hunting for just the right item at your local thrift or antique store is fun and makes the recipient feel special. Plus, shopping second-hand is more sustainable overall. Things you could look for are:
- Antique books
- Accessories (hats, scarves, belts, jewelry)
- Paintings
- Glassware
- Trinkets
- Antique tools
Tickets
Experiences make great gifts and are easy to get at the last minute. Tickets for a fun outing, especially together, are fantastic to receive, especially if you pick an experience you know they’ll love. Even better, they can range in price to match your budget, such as:
- Movies
- A Broadway show
- Local theater productions
- The opera
- Museums
- Concerts
Gift Card
Gift cards are often considered cop-out gifts. But they don’t have to be. It’s all about choosing a gift card the recipient will personally find valuable. Even if you don’t know what they’ll love, there are a few safe bets like:
- Barnes and Noble
- Doordash or Grubhub
- Fandango
- Airbnb
- Uber
- Steam
Flash Drive/Hard Drive
While it’s not the flashiest gift, ways to back up your files can be incredibly useful. People always forget to do it, so giving them a flash drive or external hard drive can help remind them. You can pair it with a cloud-based storage subscription for ultimate peace of mind.
Make
Cookies
Have you done any Christmas baking this year? Set aside a few cookies from every batch and make homemade cookie boxes, bags, or trays for your family and friends. You could also bake a batch of regular treats and divide it among the people on your list.
Ornament
Handmade ornaments are wonderful because the giftee can enjoy them for years. If you’re not very crafty, don’t worry. There are hundreds of handmade ornaments to try making, ranging from easy to skilled, such as:
- Wood slice ornaments
- Photo ornaments
- Gingerbread ornaments
- Felt ornaments
- Crochet ornaments
Custom Coupon
Do you remember when you were a child and made your parents coupons for free chores? With a few tweaks, that same idea can work just as well for adults, especially significant others. Get out your art supplies and make one by hand, or create one in Canva using a template. They can be for anything:
- A date night
- A drink at the bar
- Free babysitting
- Cleaning
- Day trip
- The movies
Skincare
Self-care and beauty products are always a good gift. But did you know you can make many of them at home, with mostly basic ingredients? It’s a fun activity and ensures the recipient gets a clean, natural product. Try making them:
- Lip balm
- Shave cream
- Bar soap
- Moisturizer
- Sugar scrub
- Charcoal face mask
Photo Magnet
We all enjoy hanging our favorite photos on the fridge to look at whenever we’re in the kitchen. Print a few pictures and glue them to magnetic strips to create simple handmade magnets the recipient can stick anywhere. This is another excellent gift for grandparents or long-distance friends.
Dessert in a Jar
Dessert mixes are easy to create with ingredients you already have at home. You can customize them based on what the receiver likes best or make them gluten or dairy-free. Then, the person you gift it to will have a sweet treat ready and waiting for whenever they want.
Christmas Card
A card might not seem like much. It’s often something we don’t even think to include with gifts. However, receiving a handmade card with a heartfelt message inside is simple and touching. The person you give it to will treasure your words, even if the card isn’t a masterpiece.
Plant
Do you have a green thumb? Consider starting small versions of your favorite houseplants or herbs to give to your friends and family. Put the plants in hand-decorated pots to make them more special, and include a note with care instructions. They can enjoy your gift for years if they take care of it.
There are many ideas for last-minute holiday gifts you can make or buy for everyone on your list. Take a deep breath and get started shopping or crafting today.
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