Favorite last- minute Christmas gifts?

unfrumped

Well, as usual I feel I am getting my "Christmas focus" late and did not have a lot of time off before the actual holiday/ travel time.

So now I'm starting to get ideas but running out of time to execute. And it's too late for most online to armchair- search for exactly what you want.

I know everything is individual, but who's had some great finds that are locally available-bookstores , Target, gourmet shops, gift cards-- both " typical" ( Sephora card for young ladies; gourmet treats) or maybe some new interesting product that has potential for one of those last- minute but useful gifts?
Sorry started this on Iff Tooic but I always check inspiration so here it is.

7 years ago

Inspiration

13 replies

Latest reply was from Liz

Thirkellgirl

Veteran

Trader Joe's chocolate stuff is always a hit, especially their English toffee or truffles, and they have a seasonal trio of fantastic hand creams that are a lovely gift, especially for 8 bucks. I'm going there this morning to pick up a bunch for my daughter to give to work friends. Panera cards (it's everybody's go-to for coffee around here), and I get a kick out of giving Chik Fil A calendars (which come with lots of freebies) to young people.

7 years ago

Joy

Veteran

Gift Certificates (especially to restaurants). donations in someone's honor to a cause they champion.

7 years ago

kellygirl

Veteran

seconding Thirkellgirl on the Trader Joe's hand cream. I read somewhere it's comparable to the L'Occitane version. It is my coworker gift this year. I've been using it daily for awhile and I really like it. I use the head to toe balm on my hands at night--it's a lot heavier and comes in a tin.

7 years ago

Sisi

Veteran

Thirkellgirl has some good ideas. I like to give food as Christmas gift, last-minute and not. It is always well accepted! Olive oil, honey produced by a friend of mine (I keep a supply at home, for last-minute emergencies!), luxury chocolate cream, wine ... But also gift certificates for a day in the spa, a massage or a face treatment are always appreciated.

7 years ago

JAileen

Veteran

We bought pretty sketch notebooks and sets of colored pencils for a couple of preteen girls. For another relative who likes coffee, we bought some locally roasted coffee beans.

7 years ago

sylvie55

(website)

Active Member

Last year I gave tins of fancy artisan salt (pink himalayan and herb-flavored) as last-minute gifts. So many people are doing Paleo and other sugarfree diets that I was scared off fancy chocolate.

7 years ago

unfrumped

Veteran

Ooh these are good.
I may need coloring book items for a 3rd grade girl-- something staring to be less baby but still appropriate and maybe more fun markers.

7 years ago

Elle

Veteran

I often give nice soap (from Whole Foods or my health food store). One, nicely wrapped, is a nice little treat without making the recipient feel like they have to escalate.

Other ideas:
--Small foldup umbrellas
---Package three nice spices (not supermarket) - like the sea salt idea above. (I'm giving three different baking spices this year, whole nutmeg, good quality cinnamon, good quality vanilla).
---Reusable grocery bag (Baggu has some cute ones).

My feeling, especially this year, is to give small useful treats to keep the focus on the friendship rather than the gift.

7 years ago

April

Veteran

My last-minute gifts are more like "nifty gifties". I have to admit I keep a closet where I stash things that are special but not overly personal, if that makes sense. The sort of thing that almost anyone would enjoy, but that weren't bought with a specific recipient in mind. You know, like a hostess gift. This is where I "go shopping" when I need a last minute gift.

So what's in the present closet right now... Lots of higher-end scented soaps and candles (I only use these when I know someone loves scents and isn't sensitive to them) and fancy boxed matches to pair with the candles; a variety of mugs stenciled with initials; a little gold Coach wristlet (not for anyone with a big phone); a variety of little handmade cloth bags from etsy, meant to hold tissues or makeup in a handbag; an assortment of my favorite little French paring knives and printed French linen dishtowels, for people whom I know do a little cooking. A holiday-themed soap-and-lotion set in lovely pump dispensers. Then there is always the last-minute bottle of wine or champagne, if I know my recipient enjoys that. I tend to buy these things when I see them and just tuck them away for when I need a gift.

I use the same closet to hide Christmas and birthday gifts for Mr. April and Little Mr. April so the rule is that after July or so, they're not permitted to open the door (they both have winter birthdays.)

It occurs to me that right now, I have nothing in that closet suitable for a child, so I'd better keep my eyes open for something to fill that gap.

7 years ago

Lisa

Veteran

I enjoy tea, hot chocolate, hats and gloves (or hats and scarves), and gift cards as last minute gifts.

7 years ago

El Cee

Veteran

Like April, I have a "gift closet" where I keep special items so that I can be ready with presents for friends and surprise holiday visitors. My stash this year includes handmade soaps; fragrant candles; hand lotions and body wash; pretty bags with travel size toiletries; special cocoas, coffees and teas; Christmas ornaments; and fancy spice assortments. I recently loaded up on items from Penzeys (a spice company): https://www.penzeys.com They have items that my husband will use and love (like BBQ spices/rubs) -- but that could be gifted last minute to other hard-to-shop for guys. They also have wonderful gifts for folks who love to cook.

7 years ago

cindysmith

Veteran

I have a tendency to gift little luxuries as last minute gifts. Really nice wines, chocolates, extravagantly overpriced yummy smelling soaps or lotions. I have gifted gourmet coffees, beignet mixes from New Orleans, really nice teas, or special cocoa mixes. I've also crocheted washable makeup removers and face scrubbers pads out of soft cotton yarns (if you don't crochet, maybe you know someone who does, they whip up quick). I like the idea Sylvie had of gifting artisan salts; DH and I have quit using regular salt and use Himalayan or Black salts (which would be expensive if we used a lot of salt but he has ungodly high blood pressure so we use it sparingly).

7 years ago

Liz

Veteran

If you have a Whole Foods near you, they usually have rosemary trees this time of year -- fresh rosemary plants trimmed into the shape of Christmas trees. They're festive for a hostess gift, and also provide a great rosemary plant at the same time.

I also like doing magazine subscriptions. Subscriptions to an "of the month" club are also nice (fruit, flowers, coffee), because the gift extends way past the extravaganza of Christmas.

7 years ago

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