I have to let you in on a secret…Christmas is just in a few days! If you’ve waited around to buy Christmas gifts then you have five days left, including today, to get that last minute gift. Luckily, you can find Christmas gifts for moms, dads, siblings and other loved ones online. Don’t panic, you can still be frugal and get last minute Christmas gifts that will make both your wallet and the person you’re shopping for happy. I’ve written about my disdain for going out shopping at this time of year, and thankfully there’s several ways a person like me can still buy a gift from the convenience of your own house. While some of the gifts might require you to actually go out and fight the crowds, they’ll still score you some great last minute Christmas gifts. My list is not meant to be exhaustive, but to give you some ideas on what you can possibly purchase.
Gift Cards Make Great Last Minute Christmas Gifts
I know for some that a gift card is a no-go in terms of gift giving, but that’s a topic for a different place and time. Part of the reason that gift cards make great last minute Christmas gifts is that you can get them almost anywhere. You can buy them online or in store. I know shipping is an issue at this time of the year and if you’re like me you won’t want to pay an exorbitant price to ship with two day shipping but there is a solution. Many online retailers now offer you the choice to buy an electronic gift card and it gets delivered to the recipient’s email inbox. Not bad at all in my opinion. If that’s not an option, you can even get a gift card at your local grocery store. Many will sell gift cards for numerous national brands and restaurants.
Coffee
If you’re looking for last minute Christmas gift ideas, look no further than coffee as a possible Christmas gift. If you live with or are related to a coffee lover, then brew up some joy for them with a gift of coffee. Don’t limit yourself to just coffee; give a travel or coffee mug or even a gift card to your local coffee shop. My wife loves coffee and if I am in the pinch for some last minute Christmas gifts than I need look no further than a coffee gift card. You’d think I bought her a diamond with how much she loves them.
Wine
The great thing about wine is that you really can spend as much or as little as you want. Now, I wouldn’t recommend stuffing a bottle of Two Buck Chuck into a stocking, but you can still be frugal and buy wine as a gift. You can spend as little as $10 or $20 on a nice bottle of wine for the wine lover in your family. A helpful hint on wine buying – Costco has some excellent deals on wine for its members.
Tablet Apps
With the growing popularity of tablets (cheap plug for the iPad 3 Giveaway) there are many gifts you can buy for those you know with a tablet. These last minute Christmas gifts are perfect for children or adults. If you’re looking for your child, there are a wide variety of apps that are both educational and game-oriented that they would have great fun with. If you’re looking for that hard-to-buy parent or other adult you can buy e-subscriptions to a favorite magazine or a book. The great thing about apps as last minute Christmas gifts is that it can be done in a matter of minutes.
Netflix Subscription
Who doesn’t love a good movie? I know that pretty much everyone has heard of Netflix, but it is one of the great last minute Christmas ideas out there. The signup is relatively stress free and can be done straight from your computer. It allows you to be frugal yet still give a great gift that the movie lover will like. The great thing is that their plans are month-to-month which allows the recipient to see if it’s something they’d like to continue to keep once the subscription runs out.
There are many last minute Christmas gifts you can buy that will not bust your budget and still leave the recipient happy. Are you done with your Christmas shopping, or will be looking for some last minute Christmas gifts yourself?
Photo courtesy of: Weliton Slima
Great tips, John. I also found out that You can do Redbox gift certificates.that and a box of popcorn would be a great gift.
Kim@Eyesonthedollar recently posted..It’s Fun to Stay at the YMCA-Gift Exchange Reveal
Thanks Kim! I love that Redbox and popcorn idea, I would love getting that myself.
I didn’t actually think of tablet apps before. That’s interesting/cheap gift idea.
Marissa @ Thirtysixmonths recently posted..Why I Am a Maker of Things.
I had not either, it was my wife’s idea and a pretty good one at that.
My work Christmas party is actually TOMORROW and I completely forgot to buy any gifts. I plan on going to some good restaurants and getting them certificates to there.
Michelle recently posted..Ways I’ve Made Money
I imagine gifts for the office was the first thing on your mind while in St. Thomas.
Restaurant gift cards are always a good gift.
A subscription in general is a great idea. My grandfather has been subscribed to natgeo for 40 years and renewing his subscription is an easy no brainer gift.
Pauline recently posted..How much do you spend on gifts?
Great idea Pauline! I used to do that for my Dad and I think it was for Natgeo as well.
I’m done my shopping Whoo! If I forget a gift I usually opt for a giftcard if they’re not yet of age or a bottle of wine/booze some sort if they are. Restaurant gift certificates are always well received too.
Catherine recently posted..Understanding RESP’s
Awesome! I finished mine a week or two as well. Restaurant gift cards are never a bad idea. We love them because it’s one less night that we have to cook.
Creative list! I have never thought of giving someone apps before. I will have to keep that in mind. Coffee and wine are always winners in my books.
Miss T @ Prairie Eco-Thrifter recently posted..Healthy Habits To Keep You Living Younger Longer
Thanks Miss T! I had never thought of them either, but my wife suggested it. I agree, we always like getting a nice bottle of wine.
I’m thankfully done with my Christmas shopping. I only need to get one more thing which is, funnily enough, coffee. These are all great gift ideas! I was initially a little sceptical about getting a Netflix subscription since I’m usually against subscribing people for things, but since it’s month to month with no commitment, they can opt out easily. Good post!
Jordann @ My Alternate Life recently posted..Minimalist Christmas Gifts
Thanks Jordann! I am usually against subscribing people as well, but Netflix is great with the month to month arrangement. I am done as well, it’s a great feeling.
These are all great last minute gift ideas. I definitely would be happy with coffee, wine, or gift cards! In fact I would prefer gift cards over any other gift, and that’s all I asked for this year.
DC @ Young Adult Money recently posted..5 Tips To Help You Save Money
Thanks DC! Gift cards are pretty nice, but I also like a nice bottle of wine too.
Oh, these are perfect. My husband and I have been lazy gift givers in the past, and our poor families have been showered with gift cards. But this year we resolved to not give out a single gift card! The thing is, despite putting in more effort this year, I think our families would have liked the gift cards just as much
Joanna @ Our Freaking Budget recently posted..Baby Nursery Room By the Numbers
Thanks Joanna! It can be hard to determine whether or not to give out gift cards because they can seem impersonal. But, I’d much rather have that and get something I want as opposed to some random thing.
These are all good last minutes gifts. I forgot about the Netflix subscription, but I have it and love it. I use gift cards as regular gifts that I purchase early. They are easy and most people like them.
Grayson @ Debt Roundup recently posted..Where Does The Money Go When Raising A Child
I agree Grayson, the gift cards are usually popular. I like to get them early as well so I can get other things done.
I’ve given Netflix subscriptions in the past and they are always a hit! I love a good gift card also, especially if they are thoughtful enough to make it to a place I go all the time. I’ve gotten upscale gift cards in the past and never used them because it was a hassle to find something I wanted that wouldn’t just be ‘discounted’ by using the amount on the gift card!
Lyn @ Pretty Frugal recently posted..Movin’ On In
It is much nicer when the gift card is to a store you normally frequent, that makes it much easier to get something you want. Thanks for stopping by!
I think that gift cards are awesome gifts!!! That is by far my favorite thing to get aside from plain old cash!
Holly@ClubThrifty recently posted..Christmas Shopping Budgeting Tips
Could not agree more Holly. That way I can get something I want and not spend my own cash…double win!
These are great tips! And I’m with your wife: a gift card for coffee is A-okay in my book
Mackenzie recently posted..Candy Canes and Credit Cards
Thanks Mackenzie! A coffee gift card is seriously one of the first things I get my wife. They way she likes them you’d think I bought her a diamond ring.
I love the cheap plug. I am thankful that my wife has done most of our shopping. We had one big crash day where we went to town. I do have to get a few things for my wife but they are things I know that they will have in stock so I am not too worried.
Christopher @ This that and the MBA recently posted..Debt Consolidation – Is it right for you?
Glad you liked it Christopher.
We do most of our shopping online as I hate going out to do it. I just finished for my wife a week or so ago, glad it’s done!
How about some toys? We went to the museum gift shop and there were some cool toys there.
Retire By 40 recently posted..50 Little Ways to Save A Buck or Two Next Year
That works as well, especially if within budget.
Great tips. Love the Netflix idea, maybe pay for the first couple months. Cool way for the recipient to try it out. Small world, I just did a similar post to yours this morning.
Kyle James | Rather-Be-Shopping.com recently posted..4 Inexpensive Last Minute Gift Strategies
Thanks Kyle! That was my exact thought with Netflix. It’s rather frugal and it doesn’t clutter up a house with extra “stuff”. Great minds think alike I guess.
I’ll pop over to your post to check it out.
My husband and I had a cute idea for frugal Christmas presents a few years ago. We went to the dollar store and bought baskets, cloth bistro napkins, coffee mugs, and small jars of jam. We lined the basket with the napkins, added a bag of premium coffee, two mugs per basket, and the jams. I can’t remember what other little items we put in each, but they were really cute and probably cost less than $20 apiece. Everyone loved them.
Michelle recently posted..Great Part-time Jobs For Busy Parents
That sounds like an awesome gift idea Michelle! Plus, there’s the added benefit of some solid time put in to get the gift all together, which is a bonus is my book as a recipient.
I am basically done – now I just need to do some wrapping!
Cat recently posted..How a finanical review can help you come up with a “to do” list
That’s awesome Cat! I just finished a few weeks ago and we’re in the same boat.
Gift cards are always the easiest not just for last minute, but also for if you don’t know what to get them! (my parents…)
Joe Cassandra recently posted..Utilize the “Illusion of Truth” for Personal Branding in Your Career
I feel the same way Joe. They can be very convenient at any time of the shopping season. If they’re to places you like then they’re even better.
These are great last minute ideas. You can never go wrong with coffee. I always get stuff that’s not needed in the household, and it’s always recycled to someone else!
Boris recently posted..Is Money Just An Idea?
Thanks Boris! We drink coffee quite a bit in our house, so it’s always appreciated.
Some good last minute tips! That said, Amazon are still delivering for orders received before the MORNING of Christmas eve in the UK can you believe that!?!?!
Savvy Scot recently posted..4 Personal Christmas Traditions
Thanks sir. That’s crazy that they’re running that late. Commercialism at its finest!
Lots of great ideas here. We like to give and get gift cards ourselves so we can get what we want but wait for it to go on sale thus making the card potentially go further.
On a good note, we are done shopping!! Happy Holidays mate! Mr.CBB
Canadianbudgetbinder recently posted..Budget-Friendly Christmas Decoration Ideas For The Home
Thanks Mr. CBB! That’s a great point to wait and use them when you can take advantage of a sale, we like to do that as well. It does feel good to be done shopping, doesn’t it?
One time, as a last minute gift, I got the giftee a gift basket full of their favorite foods from the grocery store. It was great because the grocery store was open, and the gift showed that I did put some thought into it because I knew her favorites. Plus, it’s nice not to have to worry about grocery shopping at least for a little bit!
Daisy @ Money Smart Guides recently posted..Should You Combine Finances When You Get Married
That sounds like a great idea Daisy! My brother likes to try new and different foods and we may do something like that for him in a future year.
I like the coffee gift idea as I’m a big coffee lover. I’m such a lazy gift giver that I typically do everything last moment. In fact, I still haven’t gotten all the gift shopping done! Typically, my last minute gift is a gift card… I know how creative is that, right?
Veronica @ Pelican on Money recently posted..Sometimes It’s Better to Pay Up
We’re big coffee lovers too, so it’s always a hit for us. I like gift cards to, sure not very creative…but always loved on my part.
Great ideas. I love receiving wine so it follows that I like giving them as gifts as well. Gifts cards are my go-to gift when I don’t know what to get someone or don’t have time. It’s so convenient. I’ve never thought about giving apps though. That’s a good idea I should try this Christmas.
Felix Lee recently posted..7 Rich People Problems
We just gave my parents a year subscription of Netflix. It is perfect for them because they’re not caught up with the latest and greatest movies/TV shows. So now they have an entire year to get caught up =)
Brick By Brick Investing | Marvin recently posted..How to Identify Support & Resistance
It works out great for situation like that, doesn’t it?
I love these ideas. Definitely ones I hadn’t thought about. Tea would also be a good substitute for coffee.
I try and avoid gift cards thought. I think a prepaid card or money is more useful. It’s less likely to sit around collecting dust.
JP @ 20′s Finances recently posted..Do Americans Spend More Money on Christmas Gifts?
Tea is a great idea as well. Money is always a good gift idea. Though, I now that prepaid cash cards can have issues being used at different places, so I’d go with the cash.
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I just got my dad, who is a big time golfer, a golf ball of the month membership. The company sent me a PDF personalized message in an e-mail and they his first shipment will arrive on January 1. LIFESAVER! The company was called birdie-life.
That sounds like an awesome idea. My father in law is an avid golfer, it sounds like an awesome idea.
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