It’s time for my annual Really Last Minute Gift Guide! This has been one of my most requested holiday posts for several years now. This year I wanted to it a little differently and do a ‘Best of’ style post. As I’ve been making these for several years, I’ve rounded up 15 of the best ideas for you this year.
What do I mean by last minute? I mean driving to Christmas dinner and realized I don’t have a gift. I mean, it’s the 23rd and you need stocking stuffers. I mean shipping deadlines have passed and you can’t/don’t want to go to a crowded mall. That’s the kind of last-minute we’re talking about today.
Let’s get into it!
15 Really Last-Minute Gift Ideas
A NICE BOTTLE OF WINE OR SPIRITS
Most people won’t buy super fancy wines for themselves so a nice bottle of wine may be just the thing to put under the tree. Think this person might need something a little bit stronger? Opt for a nice liquor instead of wine.
COFFEE MUG & COFFEE
Starbucks has the cutest mugs right now so why not grab one as well as a bag of ground coffee or some instant coffee packets and make your own little gift set. I included instant latte and instant mocha packets in my usual White Elephant gift and it is normally a hit
CHEESE PLATE
Not just a plate for cheese, although you should totally include that, but also a selection of cheese, jam, and crackers is another quick and easy DIY gift set. Lots of times you can stop at a fancy (or not so fancy) grocery store and they will have everything you need from the cheeses to a cheese board and knife set.
SPA NIGHT AT HOME SET
If you have a basket and can run to the drugstore, this is an easy gift to pull together. After using a little filler to get your basket started, add a couple of face or sheets masks, a nail polish set, body scrubs, and lotions, along with some bubble bath or bath salts. And there you have it! A full at-home spa night with a single trip to the drugstore.
BEER SAMPLER
For the beer drinker in your life, get them a sample pack on your next trip into the grocery or liquor store. You can save a six-pack case (some liquor stores have plain ones you can fill) then get them a selection of different beers to try. You can stick to a theme, like all IPAs or all foreign, or you can just grab a random selection that looks interesting.
Not a beer drinker? (Neither am I) You can use the same concept with fancy chocolates. Just visit your local Whole Foods or high-end grocery store and pick out a selection of chocolates. Consider this your own personal Whitman’s Sampler.
HOUSE PLANTS OR SUCCULENTS
If you have to run into Home Depot for a last-minute string of Christmas lights, pick up a potted plant for a last-minute gift as well. While some people don’t like giving plants, I think that a blooming Christmas cactus or succulents decked out in a terrarium would be a lovely gift. This might work best as a hostess gift since it’s something that doesn’t need any wrapping (although you could slap a bow on it if you like).
FANCY AT-HOME COFFEE
Here in Seattle, coffee culture is a pretty sure thing so you can always elevate someone’s at-home coffee experience. A trip to Starbucks or your favorite coffee joint can get you set up with a gift in a breeze. I’d recommend getting a french press and a bag of nice coffee or even a pour-over coffee kit for a lux at-home coffee experience. You can also do the same if you know that your loved one is more of a tea than a coffee person.
PRE-WRAPPED ACCESSORIES
If you’re down to go to Target in the next few days (may the odds be in your favor), you can find a bunch of cute and pre-wrapped box sets in the accessories department. They are generally under $20 and would be ideal stocking stuffers or co-worker gifts.
MAGAZINE & NEWSPAPER SUBSCRIPTIONS
There is a magazine for literally every single hobby on the planet. One of my aunts gave me a subscription to Marie Claire magazine way back in the day and it totally fueled my love for fashion and writing. Andrew and I gave my parents the Economist subscription for a couple of years and now they are devoted readers. It’s a fun gift that keeps on giving year-round.
AMAZON PRIME SUBSCRIPTION
Give the gift of free two-day shipping! I had no idea that you can give someone an Amazon Prime membership until recently but this may be a good gift if you know someone who doesn’t have it yet.
DISNEY+ SUBSCRIPTION
What family with little kids wouldn’t love to receive a year-long subscription to Disney+? All things Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic in one package. This would be a great family gift and it’s only $70. Print out the gift card and add a box of popcorn and let them know to have a movie night on you!
THRIVE MARKET MEMBERSHIP
Want to give the gift of better health? Maybe try something like a membership to Thrive Market. I think that this would be a great gift for anyone who wants to have a healthier 2020 but maybe don’t have access to a health food store. Thrive Market will deliver directly to their door.
BLUE APRON OR HELLO FRESH GIFT CARDS
On that same note, you can give gift cards to meal delivery services like Blue Apron and Hello Fresh without the commitment of a regular subscription. I can’t imagine that any busy parent or new mom wouldn’t love to receive a gift like this. No need to worry about groceries or dinner for two weeks?! It’s a Christmas miracle!
GIFT CARDS
When all else fails, you can give a gift card. These are controversial because people seem to think that it’s not very personal or thoughtful. But in my book, what is more thoughtful than saying, “here’s a treat for you on me”? I’m team gift-cards-make-good-gifts. Plus you can buy them at most drug and grocery stores these days.
