Sometimes, despite all the best of intentions, some gifts still fall through the cracks and you realize very last minute that you need to find something to give so and so. This has happened to me a bajillion times I wouldn’t know this from experience or anything, but I thought making a list of last minute gift ideas might help some of you poor disorganized people out there… and I mean really truly last minute, like purchase, print, give. Because I some of you really suck at this type of thing.
All of these last minute gift ideas below can be emailed and/or printed – don’t forget that if you want to print it and it only seems to have the option to send to an email, that you can most likely email it to yourself and print as you like. Just make sure that in your last minute rush you pay attention to the details of what you’re purchasing!
Give the Gift of Giving
Almost any charity will let you give money in the name of someone as a gift, and there are so many to choose from! You can give directly of course, but CharityChoice even makes it possible for the recipient to choose which charity the money goes to, which makes it a bit more meaningful and personal for the recipient, in my opinion.
Give a Gift That Keeps Giving All Year Long!
Subscription boxes are so much fun and make a perfect gift that will remind the recipient of you all year long 🙂 Whether you need a last minute gift for a man, woman, child, or even pet, this directory should help you narrow down which box best fits their interests.
Give Entertainment
There are so many excellent options, whether it’s an app, an audio book or ebook, music, or a gift card or subscription for music, books, and live streaming or gaming! Why not try Amazon Prime, Hulu Plus, Netflix, Spotify, Pandora One, Audible, iTunes, or Xbox Live Gold?
Give an Experience or Service
There are many local activities where you are that have the option of purchasing as a gift online, whether it’s a class, a sporting event, a concert or play, or maybe even a visit to a salon or a hot air balloon ride. There are also scads of services that would make excellent gifts. Try a site like Travelzoo or Living Social or purchase directly from the local business website online if you know what would fit them, or use Groupon as a great option for them to be able to choose how they’d like to fulfill your gift.
Give the Gift of Choice
Don’t want to be quite as impersonal as just giving money, but want them to still be able to choose what they really want? Why not give a SuperCertificate or Dibbs card, redeemable for hundreds of restaurants, department stores, and entertainment venues?
Give Printable Art
There are thousands of printables online, even free ones, that will look great right out of your printer. If you have a little bit of time you could also take advantage of the 1 hour service from your favorite local photo center. Pop it in a nice frame and voila!
Give the Gift of Learning
Lynda offers a wide variety of computer courses from business & web development to photography & design (plus you can get 10% cash back through ebates!). Take Lessons enables you to give towards in-person lessons in music, tutoring, and performing arts.
Give a Picture Gift
Even if you need a gift the same day, you might consider personalizing a calendar, wall art, or a photo book – places like Walmart will come to your rescue and have it ready if you order in time.
Give the Gift of Travel
Certainly on the more expensive side of gifts, but memories made during travel are priceless! Check out Gift Wrapped Travel for a last minute gift idea that will score big.
Give Preserved Memories
Purchase or give money towards the transfer of old memories from VHS, printed pictures, etc. into digital form. There are many online services that do this, Walmart being one of them.
Give ANYTHING!
Truth be told, you can give anything last minute and simply print out a nice presentation of it. Maybe you want to write a funny little poem to tell them of their gift that’s coming, maybe a picture, maybe just a nice little letter. The presentation is up to you, and no, it’s not quite as fun as getting the real thing, but most people will be ok with that. Happy gifting!
Have we missed something? Let us know if you know of something else we should add to this list.
