Wandering For Money - Green Brick Road

Last minute gift ideas

Running out of time and ideas? Don’t worry. Here are 5 last minute gift ideas.

Five Last Minute Gift Ideas – Holidays or Whenever!

Last Minute Gift Ideas

1. Don’t think it’s too late yet to get products in store OR shipped

Many options are still available.

In store you can brave the crowds and perhaps snag some great deals as soon the inventory will switch over from holiday shopping.

So this can work to your advantage if you shop last minute since sales can come up. Caveat: it is not a good idea if you want something specific as things can run out.

Amazon is still an option for many items with one or two day shipping.

Some other e-retailers are as well.

  • Etsy is a great option for downloading especially!!

2. Personalization by Getting Crafty

Although personalization can be time consuming, it does not have to be. If you can think of an idea, you can likely replicate it yourself with everyday items (versus ordering personalized items via personalized gift stores which may take too long).

How?

  • Check Pinterest. Get ideas. You may surprise yourself by a few minutes of browsing and find yourself some cool last minute gift ideas you can do yourself. AND have it personalized and special since you made it!
  • Check these types of stores for supplies and/or more ideas:
    • Local and national craft stores;
    • Art Supply stores;
    • Local flea markets and craft fairs;
    • Home decor stores (Pier 1 is great; as are many others, so check what is local to you!);
    • Big-box stores (e.g., Target);
    • Small pop-up stands in shopping centers;
    • Niche stores located near you;
    • Home improvement stores (e.g., Ace, Home Depot, etc.);
    • Thrift stores;
    • Antique shops;
    • Office supply stores (Staples, FedEx, etc.); and other stores that offer printing services.  

Need some more ideas?

  • Check out personalized gifts available to buy online and think of how you can replicate it but with your own spin. 
  • For example, consider printing photos and adding them to pieces of wood via wax paper. For details on how, see some of these pins from Pinterest:
  • For printing photos, this can usually be done rather quickly at stores such as: FedEx, Staples, Office Depot, CVS, Walgreens, Target, and many others. Just check for one nearby and call beforehand.
    • Pro-tip: see if they have an online ordering system so you can order faster! AND some will add extra features (e.g., canvas, framing, coasters, mousepads, etc.), time permitting. Check them out and see!
  • Print out a few special photos. And use some cool ideas from Pinterest or other sites/sources to transform a nightstand, table, wall fixture, etc., into something both unique and one of a kind.
    • For some ideas, see the Pinterest apartment board I have here . Which also includes a few cool ways to use pictures to create really neat decorations. Unique and special – and many of the pins walk you right through the steps!
    • Also, with this last minute gift idea can, you can likely find necessary supplies last minute too! OR you may just have them!
      • Think wax paper, photos you can print out, rope, mason jars, old pieces of furniture, furniture you find on sale nearby or at a thrift shop, etc.
      • If you have something you already do not use and can transform it into a gift with a few easy to obtain supplies, why not?

Or just get crafty! 

Along the same lines…I do not want to limit all personalization and crafty ideas to Pinterest. Personally, I am not very crafty and find it easier to follow and find ideas.

BUT: if you see a gift you love, and it’s too late to order, one other sub-last minute gift ideas of mine is: you may be able to make it yourself.

I put together this adorable lantern with twinkle lights and a candle in not much time and at a low cost thanks to Pier 1!

lantern - last minute gift ideas

3. Photos

See above for how to get these printed but know that there are TONS of options with photos to make great gifts. Besides what I mentioned above, see Pinterest ideas or search online for some inspiration. Find something that looks great to you and do not get intimidated because you likely can find great ways to do that same thing yourself. And tips on how to fix it if you mess up a little via Pinterest or discussion boards like Reddit.

See my idea board on Amazon here for some other ideas.

Plus photos can be used in many many items.

  • Shadow boxes
  • Framed (you can even add special touches to the frames to make them unique and special)
  • Photo cube packs (usually with clear acrylic material but sometimes includes other material as well). Or other items where you can insert multiple photos. See these options from Amazon which CAN still be ordered in time with Prime shipping:
  • Create a collage of photos! Either the old fashion way by cutting out a few different photos yourself and arranging them together. OR create a collage of some photos digitally, which can be done online via many free programs or through Photoshop or Pages.
  • (Time-permitting): Make a Scrapbook.
  • Buy an old-fashioned photobook and fill it up with some of your favorite pictures!

It is up to you but these are memories that can mean a lot AND can be great last minute gift ideas. But, you will likely have a better idea for what is more meaningful since you know the person getting the gift better than I do! So, try browsing around the internet, looking through photos that you have, checking out some ideas I mentioned, and then consider what would be special to the person you are making the gift for.

If you get stuck on how to do this quickly? Contact me here!

4. Gift Cards, Vouchers, and Subscriptions

Gift cards are obviously an easy to do last minute gift idea. I personally like the ones that are more targeted, such as a year long subscription to Kindle Unlimited.

It is thoughtful and it is a gift because say the person you give this to feels like they should use the gift card on something more practical (or less fun), they can’t! So think of what they would like.

Other ideas

–Audible subscription 

–Hulu subscription

–Apple Music subscription

–Meal prep or meal delivery subscriptions (e.g., BlueApron, HelloFresh, etc.)

–Bluehost subscription for those considering their own website

Also…LivingSocial, EventBrite, and Groupon vouchers for activities, events, tickets and other experiences, are quick to buy.

-Plus, they can make for great presents to share or let someone have an amazing experience to remember.

Which leads to my final (for now) of these last minute gift ideas…..

5. Plan An Experience

This is similar to the last one but if you plan to take someone to do something they have wanted to do or take them somewhere they have wanted to go, you are giving them a gift and the excitement of looking forward to it. Plus, you are taking out the tedious part of planning.

Final Thoughts

Remember: it is the thought that counts. Last minute gift ideas can end up being the best present. Why? You have to get creative sometimes and that can make it perfect. Hopefully with these last minute gift ideas you can find that great gift (or an idea for one that you can plan for in the future).

Also, when thinking about last minute gift ideas, remember:

  • It is never too late to come up with a great thought (even if it arrives late I think most rather have that perfect belated gift than a generic item they do not care so much about).
  • Personally, I have done this and printed out a picture of the gift that is coming.
  • Perhaps this is not ideal; but it better than the alternatives I could find and sometimes necessary for long shipping times.

Also, if you are not going to see this person until after Christmas, know that there WILL be sales! [bonus of my last minute gift ideas]

Plus, see my more recent posts for more including:

…and….

Happy holidays!!!

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