I’m what you might call a chronic last-minute gifter. Gifts just aren’t one of my core love languages and I almost always forget to get something for other people until it’s almost too late. Because of this, I have ample experience with picking out last-minute gifts that don’t necessarily feel like I didn’t put enough thought into them. Finding the perfect gift for someone right before christmas is an art, and I can help you craft a masterpiece.
The first thing to remember is that gift cards have a time and a place. There are some people on my list who are absolutely going to get a gift card this year, but that’s because they prefer being able to make their own purchasing choice rather than leaving it up to me. For everyone else, it’s all about trying to find something that feels thoughtful and doesn’t require shipping.
1. Books
My first go-to for last-minute gift giving is to figure out if there’s some sort of book I can buy someone. There are a lot of good gifts for readers out there that can be picked up at your local Barnes & Noble or Target that avoid shipping altogether. You can even use the websites to browse what is still in stock and available from the comfort of your own home. If you don’t have any idea what new books someone would want, there’s always things like illustrated editions and classic gift editions available. For example, one of my favorite Lord of the Rings gifts to give people are the illustrated editions. They’re a cool way to enjoy a series you already love and look great on any shelf.
While I’d recommend trying to find a local store you can pick up these gifts from, it is worth noting that Amazon is running a buy one, get one half off sale on popular books and box sets right now. Shipping times might be pretty tight, but you can save a bundle that way if you want to risk it.
2. Experiences
If you’re trying to buy something for someone who literally has everything they could ever want already, I’d suggest looking at some local experiences you can gift. Groupon is something I’ve used for many gifts over the years and there are a ton of great things in here. My top recommendation would be to check out what local classes are offered here. My wife and I took a ramen making class through Groupon once and had a blast. It also has tons of other offerings like dance classes, crafting courses, and more depending on where you live. All you need to do is purchase the groupon, print out the code, and boom! Instant awesome gift.
3. LEGO Sets
Whether you’re shopping for a gift for an adult or a kid, there’s a LEGO set that would probably make someone happy. The best thing about LEGO is that there are a lot of LEGO sets available to buy. Just this year alone LEGO has released a ton of new sets and many of them are still in stock and available at local stores. Some of the more popular sets may be completely sold out or on backorder, but there are plenty of other options available. I’ve seen a ton of LEGO flower sets available at my local Target and Costco, for example. And the playsets specifically designed for kids seem to always be in stock these days.
The overall best places to buy LEGO sets are Amazon and the LEGO Store, but if you’re trying to get a gift before Christmas, I’d recommend checking out Target. You have the option to see what’s in stock at your local stores and order things for pickup before December 25.
4. Subscriptions
Another great last-minute gift idea to consider is a subscription. There are a lot of different types of subscriptions you can give and there’s gift boxes for just about everything. My brother orders me a Butcher Box almost every year now and I couldn’t ask for anything better. There are subscriptions for wine, whiskey, crafts, gardening, and just about every other hobby imaginable. The option I’ve featured here is specifically for Xbox Game Pass subscriptions, simply because it’s one of the best deals right now. Microsoft recently jacked up the price of Game Pass when you buy it directly from the Xbox company itself, but you can still get around the price increase by buying these gift vouchers at the old, lower rate. For anyone who uses a Game Pass subscription, this is one of the best gifts you can give.
And while it’s still technically a gift card, I’d also recommend looking into how to gift a Disney+ subscription. Streaming prices have been increasing this year and offering to pay for at least part of the monthly cost makes for a great gift.
5. Make a Calendar
Another really good last-minute gift you can give is a custom-made calendar. Christmas thankfully happens right before the new year and it’s not like you can reuse last year’s calendar again. I make one of these pretty much every year to give as a gift to someone and it’s always appreciated. You do need to do a bit of design work and choose all of the photos yourself, but the results can be magical.
Pretty much any store that has a photo center most likely has a way to make these calendars. I usually use Walmart to do mine just because of how convenient it is, but you can also check out Costco, CVS, Shutterfly, and Walgreens.
Where to Buy Gift Cards Online
If none of the gift ideas above work for you, well, there’s always a gift card. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with giving someone a gift card for Christmas, but you just need to make sure you choose something they actually want. Amazon gift cards are the easy way out and there are a ton of unique options to choose from that could show you put a bit of thought into it.
In terms of where to buy gift cards online, my suggestion would be to go to the most obvious place: Giftcards.com. The website has some of the best last-minute deals on gift cards from a ton of different brands and restaurants as well as bundled gift cards. You can choose between eGift cards and physical gift cards at checkout, but make sure you check shipping times before opting for the physical option.
More Gift Guides to Check Out
We’re constantly on the hunt for good gift ideas from all of the major franchises. If you’re looking for more of our top picks, check out some of our additional guides below:
Best Star Wars GiftsBest Lord of the Rings GiftsBest Disney GiftsBest Harry Potter GiftsBest D&D GiftsBest Nintendo GiftsBest Tech GiftsBest Gaming Gifts
