Have you finished your holiday shopping yet? I haven’t. With less than two weeks to go, it’s time to get cracking! Here are some of my best ideas for last-minute shopping. Now get to it!
For Her
As a former jewelry store manager, I believe jewelry is always a great gift when you’re in a pinch. Most women won’t turn down something shiny or sparkly. (Just keep in mind any spending limits you two have set; I’ve seen customers get in trouble for going over!) Plus, jewelry stores are always open right up to Christmas. It doesn’t have to be cheesy; buy something in her birthstone or from a collection that speaks to you. Don’t worry if your significant other isn’t conventional — if you don’t think she’ll like a traditional piece of jewelry, try something different, like a kit to make her own alexandrite ring.
For Him
The hardest person for me to shop for is my husband. Guys are just tough to buy for, unless they give you a bulleted list of desired items. But one thing I’ve learned is that many men like to make things with their hands, and they also like beer. Ergo, a beer-making kit is a great go-to present. (Or hard cider, or root or ginger beer if they don’t drink.) Many great kits are reasonably priced, and you can buy refills for future gifts, too! It’s a win-win.
For Kids
Children can be surprisingly hard to shop for as well. For one, if you buy them toys, they often get played with for a day and then forgotten. Or, if everyone shops at the same store, you can run into the problem of duplicates. So instead, I like to buy educational gifts. Books for my literary niece, and puzzles for my nephew. (I like the classics that have been abridged for children.) They’re easy to pick up last minute, even on Christmas Eve. And there’s always harder books or puzzles to buy as they get older.
For Parents
Parents are tough — oftentimes, they’ve already bought the things they need or want. Instead, I go for a novelty item or something personalized. Basically, something they wouldn’t buy themselves. If there was a big event in the family, like a wedding or family reunion, a personalized photo album would be great. Silly novelty items can be fun, too. If your parents like to cook, pick them up a one-use gadget like a beverage carbonator. If they like camping, get them a campfire popcorn popper.
Last-Minute Tips
If you’re rushing to finish your holiday shopping and decide to buy something online, please make sure to check how quickly it will ship, and give yourself at least an extra day. At my store, I saw way too many upset shoppers who didn’t get their gifts in time for the holiday because they didn’t check the shipping schedule. Don’t make this mistake! Also, make sure the website you’re buying from is reputable, like Amazon. I ordered a T-shirt one year from a site that took my money but never sent the shirt. Be careful!