Even the most prepared and organized gift givers among us can easily forget a holiday gift exchange or accidently overlook a deserving recipient. When there’s no time to order a gift online and shopping malls are closed for the holidays, how do you hastily hunt down a gift that doesn’t look like an afterthought?
To help you find a great gift when you have only minutes to spare, our editors have compiled a list of last-minute gifts that will delight your recipient without emptying your wallet.
An electronic gift card. In today’s information age, great gifts can be given within seconds. All it takes is the click of a mouse. Many retailers, brands and businesses across the country offer eGift cards that recipients can redeem either online or i-nstore. You can purchase eGift cards from top stores and businesses like Sears, Starbucks and Toys R Us, as well as online retailers like eBay, iTunes and Amazon. Once you’ve settled on a store and decided on the card value, you can have the eGift card emailed to your recipient directly.
Subscriptions. Sign your recipient up for a subscription to a favorite magazine or newspaper to have them delivered to his or her doorstep each month. As a thoughtful touch, you can purchase a hard copy at a newsstand and present it to your recipient with a card revealing the duration and details of the subscription.
Shopping for more of movie or music lover? Consider signing your recipient up for an online subscription for a service like Netflix, Spotify, Hulu, Amazon Prime or even eHarmony. With magazine and newspaper subscriptions and online services alike, you often have the option to sign your recipient up for a three-month, six-month or twelve-month subscription period.
Tickets. Tickets to music shows, tours, sports games and the theater can be purchased online and printed out instantly. Use a service like TicketMaster or StubHub to search tickets by your recipient’s favorite artists, teams and venues.
Gift baskets. Today’s gift baskets often go beyond traditional stuffed animals and chocolates to include artisanal treats, fine wines and spa products. Specialty baskets can be a great gift solution when time is running thin, with many top purveyors offering same-day or next-day delivery. To save on gift basket purchases, look for companies that offer coupons or discounts on shipping and bulk orders.
Gift clubs. Why stop at one gift basket when you can have a package of goodies, gifts, and treats delivered to your recipient on a monthly basis? Today, there is a wonderful array of gift club services specializing in everything from wine and craft beer to fashion and beauty. Much like subscriptions, gift clubs typically can be arranged for three-month, six-month and year-long periods. A purchase of a gift club often includes a digital card that you can print out or email to your recipient.
Charitable donations. Give the gift that gives back by making a charitable donation in your special someone’s name, or by purchasing a gift from a company that donates a portion of its profits to a good cause. You can donate to a cause you know would mean something to your recipient, or give them the option to choose by purchasing a gift card to a company like TisBest, JustGive or Charity Choice.
Buy online, pick up in-store. If you need a gift immediately but don’t have time to wait for delivery, you may be relieved to learn that many stores offer the option to buy online and pick up instore as late as Christmas Eve. Stores like Toys R Us, Best Buy and Kmart will indicate which products are available for immediate pickup.
Don’t let the stress of last-minute shopping lead to overspending. From eGifts to tickets, there are many great last-minute gifts that can be purchased whenever and wherever you have internet access. Whether you’re purchasing an eGift, ticket or gift club, take the time to decide on something that will be meaningful to the recipient while not overstepping your budget.
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7 Last-Minute Gift Ideas originally appeared on usnews.com
