Tip Diva | Top Ten Tips - Last Minute Gifts

Top Ten Tips - Last Minute Gifts

By Tip Diva | Dec 19, 2007

Categories: Airplane, Amazon.com, Baking, Charity, Christmas, Computer, Creativity, Food, Fun, Gifts, Holiday, Home, Household, Photography, Restaurants, Shopping, Tips, Travel

Christmas is only a few days away, so the clock is ticking on buying gifts. At this point, it may be too late to order online and stores may have been cherrypicked. Before buying a default last-minute present of candles, bath sets or terrycloth slippers, do realize there’s still time to give unique gifts. Here are a few personal, easy ideas:

Make A Cookie Jar - This could be done two ways; bake the person’s favorite cookies or a variety of cookies, or make a cookie mix so the recipient could bake his or her own cookies. For the latter, get a glass jar, layer the dry ingredients, tie the jar with a pretty bow and attach the cookie’s recipe. The easiest recipe for this is the Original Nestle Toll House recipe. Variations include: white chocolate chips, cranberry and macadamia nuts; marshmallows, peanuts and chocolate chips (Rocky Road); chocolate chips and crushed peppermint candies; or butterscotch chips and nuts.
Buy A Gift Certificate To Recipient’s Favorite Restaurant - Find out the recipient’s favorite restaurant, and buy a gift certificate for dinner. If you can, splurge for dinner for two, as dinner is not fun alone. And who knows, maybe he or she will invite you along!
Give To A Recipient’s Favorite Charity - Donate money to your recipient’s favorite charity or one that reminds you of him or her. Then, write a nice note to the recipient with the gift amount and why you chose that charity. For instance, if you chose Heifer International, perhaps note, “I know how much you love animals and helping others, and this charity reminds me of all the good you do for both.”
Give “Time Coupons” - If you are creative, create a gift certificate for “time” - perhaps lunch, babysitting, yard work or a manicure. If you’re not artistic, try Ivy’s Gift Certificate Maker.
Make A “Dinner And A Movie” Basket - This could also be done two ways: buy a DVD that you think the recipient would like, and put it in a bowl with microwave popcorn and movie candies like Twizzlers, Junior Mints and M&Ms. Also include a gift certificate - homemade or real - promising a dinner. Alternatively, you can include gift certificates from a video rental store.
Buy Airline Gift Certificates - If the recipient is a frequent traveler, airline certificates would make a great gift. Many airlines, including Southwest and Continental, will deliver the certificate via e-mail.
Create A Photo Collage - Create a photo and/or item collage that reminds you of the recipient. For instance, if you both love the music scene, include photos of you from the concert, ticket stubs, guitar picks, CD covers or pictures of your favorite bands. Decorate it with scrapbooking materials, which can be found at your local craft store.
Arrange A Getaway - Whether an evening or an entire weekend, arrange a getaway for the recipient and another person, which may be you, a spouse or a significant other. Book a hotel room, eat a nice restaurant or visit points of interest.
Sign Up Receipient For An “Of The Month” Club - There’s an “of the month” club for everything, including fruit, beer, books and wine. Club-Offers.com has a list of over 120 such clubs - you’ll be sure to find something your recipient loves, and it’s a gift that keeps on giving for the entire year.
Order A Magazine Subscription - Another gift that keeps on giving, order or renew a magazine subscription for the recipient. Affordable websites include Magazines.com and Amazon.