Very Last Minute Gift Ideas for the Procrastinator

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You don’t mean to wait! You try so hard! I know that you want to get your gift shopping done, but somehow, it’s already almost a week away until the big day (Mother’s Day, Christmas, Birthday, whatever!). And since you’re here, you probably need some “last minute” gifts, right?

Well, I’ve put together a great list of some ideas that you can find and buy online. These gifts will save you time and help you avoid driving around and fighting the crowds.

Some may require you to ask the intended recipient a few questions about likes, hobbies or other particulars, but all in all, the options will work for the last minute shopper!

1. Cash

Okay, while this may seem like a no brainer, maybe you just don’t like to consider giving people cash because you think it portrays a lack of thought?

When in all actuality it may be the most thoughtful gift you can give. Who doesn’t need cash- anyone? Anyone?

This gift actually shows the person that you didn’t want to waste their time on giving them a gift they’d possibly return, never use, or not really appreciate. Cash is ALWAYS appreciated.

Just write them a nice card with the cash explaining how you thought it all out and came to the best decision that you wanted to gift them the ability to buy whatever they’d like or need the most.

2. Memberships

Personally I’d LOVE this as a gift. And you have so many options to choose from- you could go with the obvious, like a year of Amazon Prime, a year Kindle Unlimited or Audible.

You could do a AAA Membership (which would have come in handy for me this past two weeks, grrrrrrr, more on that below).

Even a year of Netflix, or Hulu, or even a Costco membership! Come on now- wouldn’t you love these gifts? Consider some other out of the ordinary options too, like a Gardening club, a membership to an association like a Writer’s club.

Or for a family, something like an Annual Zoo or Aquarium membership would be very much appreciated.

3. Personal Care

This would include things like a 1-hour massage or mani/pedi gift certificate somewhere local.

Or a gift card to any kind of spa with a Spa Finder gift card, that your particular giftee might appreciate.

Or, order their favorite skin care products, shaving products, or pay for a trip to the salon to get their hair did. You know, that color ain’t real, girl. *wink wink*

Birchbox is a subscription box delivered monthly with awesome new skin care and makeup. They even have a 3-month subscription for as little as $10 per month. Maybe even something like a weekly produce delivery service, a meal service, like Blue Apron.

For the “moms” in your life, what about babysitting “gift certificates”, or paying for a diaper service or gourmet baby food delivery, check out tons of options at My Subscription Addiction.

Or a gift of mindfulness with a subscription to Headspace or something similar, which provides daily meditation techniques.

4. Classes or Clubs

Depending on who your gift is for, and you may need to ask them some deeper finding questions, but almost everyone I know would love to be able to take some sort of class or e-course expenses paid!

Maybe a yoga class (or 5), a sewing class, piano lessons, a painting or drawing class, or any kind of dance class.

There’s TONS of online courses (there are about fifty on my “list” that I’d like to take right now for instance) for bloggers, writers, gamers, or for any other skills or interests your friend or loved one might be interested in. You’ll want to google some options on these.

5. Gift Cards

These are usually equally and universally loved as much as cash. But, really the difference in what these have to offer is that the person is practically forced to get something that THEY really want.

Whereas with cash, you run the risk of them using it to pay bills or something like that! (Yuck!!) (But just kidding, that’s very admirable and I’ve done it before, and I’m not scared to admit I’ll probably do it again!)

But a gift card lets the person feel good about actually buying themselves something at the intended particular store or experience. They’re less likely to have guilt about spending on themselves.

You can even get gift certificates or cards for most online shops like Etsy, and of course Amazon or iTunes.

And don’t forget restaurants! Who doesn’t like to go out to eat and not have to cook? Me, me, me- and I bet you, you and you!

6. Tickets

There are endless options here- think of any sport or team that person likes, and get them tickets to a game.

There’s also the ballet, opera, symphony, theater, and of course, concerts, amusement parks and more.

These types of events happen at all times of the year all over the Country. And just think, later in the year when they use it they’ll remember how awesome you are! (#AuntsRule)

Another one, while this is not something I could afford at this time, I’d absolutely love if I could do something like buy a plane or train ticket for a family member to come out and visit me.

Lastly, of course, movie tickets- or a gift card to a movie theater- you know how much that popcorn costs right?

7. Charity

For the friend or family member with a bleeding heart, a gift to their favorite charity could be so touching and personal.

Again, there are really an infinite number of causes and projects that you could donate to in your loved one’s name. But you’ll want to do a little detective work and find out what Cause they love to support and make a donation on their behalf.

Conclusion

There you go- so many “very last minute” gift ideas! And if you’re celebrating in a more money-conscious way this year, check out this post with 154 Ideas for Cheap and Free Gift Ideas.

Oh, and about needing AAA, that I mentioned earlier- I lost all of my keys a week ago- like ALL of them. Car, house, fire-proof safe- everything. I’m all good now, but may I suggest one more possible gift for someone—SPARE CAR KEYS. Enough said.

And lastly, as this blog is intended to help those of us who have procrastinated more things in life than we choose to openly admit, I hope you’ll join my email list to continue to get awesome content from me that will help you improve and simplify your life’s everyday challenges!