Last Minute Gift Ideas for Christmas

By Mary Hall | December 22, 2022

Are you ready shoppers? This is it, the final Christmas countdown. There are just a few days left to go. I have to admit it, I’m a little stressed. I made the last priority mail shipping today with final gifts and Christmas cards, but I am not done yet. It’s like an obstacle course at this point. I still have a few items to get for folks on my list. This year, I will be going to pick up many gifts in store after having one gift stolen by porch pirates. If you’re struggling like I am, here are a few last minute gift ideas.

iTunes Gift Card. You can’t go wrong with the gift of music. The recipient gets to pick their favorite tunes and you get to pick up a convenient and economical gift from the grocery, the drugstore or even online for sending via email. Its easy and a great way to avoid last minute shipping snafus.

Gift Cards. A gift card give you something nice to put under the tree or in a stocking. You can find American Express gift cards at just about any grocery or drugstore and you can also order them online. The nice thing about the Amex card is it is fee free. That means if you paid $50.00 for it, your giftee gets to use $50.00 worth of your gift. There are no service charge fees added in. Amazon Gift Cards are also readily available at stores or online. If you give an Amazon card, you are allowing your giftee to select from thousands of great items are hard to beat prices. Remember, if you have a credit card with a points program (like American Express Membership Rewards, you can cash in points for gifts online and print out the gift card from your PC to include under the tree or in a stocking.) Gift cards to shop H&M, TheOutnet.com, Net-a-Porter, Anthropologie, TJ Maxx, Marshalls, White House Black Market, Nordstrom, Gilt Group, HauteLook, (see my top picks on the right nav for links) and other retailers also make great gifts. The money on the card will go further after the Christmas/Holiday sales.

A Good Book. The holidays are usually the time I catch up on my reading. It’s the perfect time to escape into a good story or a biography. My pick for this year’s holiday read is Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. This books is the story of a scientist in 1960s California whose career takes a detour when she becomes the unlikely star of a beloved TV cooking show.

Lessons in Chemistry

For more book ideas, check the current New York Time bestseller list . You can purchase good books anywhere this holiday, from the airport, to Costco, to Target. You can gift a book and wrap it with a bow or simply gift a book certificate.

Make a Spa Stocking with items from the Drugstore, TJ Maxx or Nordstorm Rack for your favorite guy or gal. A few suggestions that I like include items like Olay New Thermal Pedicure for women, or body wash for men. Other popular items include Burt’s Bees lip balm, shaving lotions and moisturizers. Always look for coupons for Burt’s Bees to maximize the savings. Nordstrom Rack has both Origins and Perricone MD on special. Look for Molton Brown, Elizabeth Arden, and even Estee Lauder & Clinique at TJ Maxx and Marshalls.

Charitable Contributions. It’s a great time to make a donation to charity in the name of a loved one. Your gift is also tax deductible. I made a donation at Heifer International this year to donate an animal to a family. Giving an animal is like giving someone a small business, providing wool, milk, eggs and more. Animal donations can provide families a hand up, increasing access to medicine, school, food and a sustainable livelihood.