Difficulty: Beginner
You’ve just had that “Oh crap!” moment. It’s 2 days before Christmas and you just remembered someone that should’ve been on your gift list. Now you don’t have anything for that person and braving the stores 2 days before Christmas is not your idea of a good time.
Don’t panic, you have options that don’t include navigating the aisles of Walmart. You have resources right in your very own home. Take a look around and I’ll bet you can come up with something that says “Merry Christmas, I’m glad we know each other”. Remember the number 1 rule of gift giving “it’s the thought that counts”. Sure you only just thought about it, but better late than never and at least you didn’t completely forget.
Stick with me and I’ll show you a few gifts that I came up with after taking a look around my house. Hopefully I will help you realize that the situation isn’t dire and that you can pull something together in the blink of an eye.
Idea #1 Cookie Tin Full of Cookies
If you bake at the holidays you probably have a few cookies to spare, so grab a cookie tin or a even a plastic container with a bow. Fill with cookies a gift to your forgotten friend.
Idea #2 Bottle of Wine
If you’re anything like me you probably have an unopened bottle of wine or some other liquor in your cupboard. The spare bottle for when you run out. Grab the bottle and slap a bow on it and give it away. You can replace it at a later date. This works well for re-gifting. That bottle of wine that someone gave you, but isn’t your favorite, now is your chance to give it away. Obviously don’t give this gift to a kid or someone who doesn’t drink.
Idea #3 Christmas Mug with Hot Chocolate and Candy Cane
You probably have a bunch of Christmas mugs in your cupboard and it’s possible you have one that has never been used. Fill the mug with some hot chocolate packets and candy canes, maybe even a bag of mini marshmallows and add a bow. This is a great gift for a kid or neighbor. You could add other small candies, tea bags or a small package of coffee.
Idea #4 Gourmet Chocolate
In my pantry I had 4 packages of gourmet chocolate. That chocolate would be a great gift for a chocolate lover. Another option would be an unopened package of Hershey kisses or Dove chocolates. Honestly I’d be happy with a package of any of my favorite candy. We always have so much candy in our house, so I could very easily pull together a candy gift.
Idea #5 An Unopened Christmas Decoration
You may have a Christmas decoration still in it’s packaging. Maybe you bought it on clearance and never opened it or someone gave it to you, but it wasn’t your style, so it sits in your attic year after year never getting used. Wrap it up and give it away. Christmas decorations make great gifts, they are appropriate to the occasion and sometimes people don’t have that many decorations so you could add to their collection.
Obviously these gifts are good for neighbors, service people such as your mail carrier or hair dresser and friends that you would like to give a little something to. If you need a big, special, heartfelt gift for someone of course these gifts aren’t it. Although you probably didn’t forget that person, they were at the top of your list.
Good luck pulling together your last minute gifts and remember a warm smile and cheery disposition go a long way towards making your last minute gift seem more special.
Happy last minute gifting!