Easy Last Minute Holiday Gifts
Image credit // Kira auf der Heide on Unsplash
December is riddled with holidays: Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Boxing Day, Yule, and more. Though all of these celebrations differ by familial, individual, or cultural customs, they have two things in common: an extent of gift-giving* and people forgetting to buy said gifts. Thus, by-the-dying-light shopping ensues.
There is no shame in last minute gift shopping...as long as you show up with something good in your hands. To make your life easier, I am sharing my three favorite last-minute gifts that are sure to bring joy to the receiver. They won't even know you came up with the idea on the fly, they'll think you've had said gifts planned for weeks.
The best part? You don't even have to stop by the store for the majority of these. And they're cost-effective.
A donation
If your friend or family member believes strongly in anything—from women’s health to veganism to the environment—a donation in their name to their cause is the perfect thoughtful gift. If you’re on a tight budget, do not be swayed. Even 15 dollars can make a difference.
Check out my previous post, "Get Involved," for a list of organizations that promote social justice, women's reproductive rights, healthcare, undocumented citizen rights, religious freedoms, environmental policy, and more if you need a suggestion for organizations accepting donations.
Image credit (from left to right) // Helena Yankovska, Karriezhu
A subscription service
Subscription services are the easiest way to say, “I love you, I care about you,” over and over and over again. Subscribe to a monthly or quarterly gift (recommendations below) and the receiver will be reminded of you each time they find a new surprise in their mailbox.
On top of that, many subscription services are actually quite affordable! Below are my go-to's that won't break the bank.
+ For the News Junkie, a subscription to the digital or print version of The New York Times (starts at only $4.50 monthly)
+ For your fierce lady friends, Darling Magazine (around $15 quarterly)
+ For your significant other and you (to keep in hot in the bedroom), SpicySubscriptions (starts at $10 a month)
+ For the Scream Queens (horror movie lovers) in your life, Shudder (ranges between $3.99 and $4.99 a month)
+ For beauty aficionados, Birchbox and/or Birchbox Men (both around $10 monthly)
+ For those who love the xmas classic, socks from Next Sock (starts at $11 monthly)
+ For the voracious readers in your life, Book of the Month (around $16.99 a month)
+ For friends who love their dog more than their family members, BarkBox (starts at $20 monthly)
+ For your nieces and nephews you want to grow up to be super genius (aka, know how to code), Bitsbox (starts at $20 monthly)
+ For your local millennial who spends more on wine than food, Winc (this one is a bit pricier, $39 monthly)
+ For homely humans who love a comforting space, Vellabox candles (starts at $10 monthly)
(Without boring you with the details, I just want to point out that Vellabox has the best customer service I have ever experienced. Such lovely and attentive staff. I'm not even receiving the gift I purchased, but I still feel like I reaped some sort of award because the staff was so attentive...and no, Vellabox didn't sponsor this post, they just really killed it with my order.)
Image credit (from left to right) // A Beautiful Mess, The Seasoned Mom
A DIY gift
You can’t go wrong with DIY. It shows you care enough about a person to put time and energy in to their gift. Even if the gift is a disaster (last year I made a bunch of candles that smelled like NOTHING) people are still grateful. At least you tried, right?
Here are a few of my favorite DIYs that are quick and, for the most part, inexpensive.
+ For the first-time home buyers, a DIY house number
+ For your eclectic friends and family, a hand painted dish set
+ For your stylish friend, DIY Copper Earrings
+ For the newlyweds, His/Her pillow case
+ For the chronic studier, a no-sew lap desk
+ For the creatives in your life, a handmade notebook
+ For your immediate family members (grandparents, parents, and the like), a pop up photo box chock full of family pics
+ For your eco-friendly friends or homebody buddies, a natural air freshener
+ Finally, Handmade lotion for coworkers, extended family, or really anyone you can give an “I-made-this-in-bulk-but-I'm-still-kind-of-thinking-of-you” gift (same goes for lip balm)
What about you? Do you have any last-minute gift go-to's? Let me know in the comments below.
Happy holidays, ya'll!
- Grace
(*Okay, maybe not Boxing Day anymore. But gifts used to be common so I'm counting it)