Despite most of us having more spare time than ever this year, there’s bound to be the same group of people who always leave their Christmas shopping to the last minute doing the same again, even for 2020’s lockdown edition. If you count yourself firmly within that group, then you’ve probably still got a week or two before that last-minute panic sets in, but what are you planning on doing when it finally arrives?
Say you’re reading this on the 20th December with zero presents secured and not too many ideas floating around, here are five last minute Christmas gifts that will come in double quick time and save your blushes on Christmas Day. The good news is that they can be secured online from the comfort of your sofa, so all you need is a debit or credit card handy. Just make sure you set a budget beforehand and don’t spend more than you can afford.
A magazine subscription
Is this a bit of an old-fashioned suggestion? Maybe, but there’s something about a physical magazine subscription that still carries weight to lots of people. With an annual subscription, you’re giving someone a year–round gift that involves a hobby or interest of theirs and, just like many people prefer to buy a newspaper even though they can find the information in a heartbeat on their phone, some still like the idea of reading an actual print copy of a magazine. Sometimes old is gold.
An experience day
Thanks to the distinct lack of experiences that 2020 provided other than life under lockdown, experience gifts are set to be all the rage this Christmas as people look to reclaim their freedom with a variety of memory making, outdoor activities. Indeed, with all that time spent indoors, what could be better than a hot air balloon ride, a day of paintballing or something else similarly thrilling?
Experience days are generally a great present anyway because they provide that opportunity to create a memory that will last longer than most gifts – the added bonus for you as a late gift buyer is that it’s something you can sort out at 10pm on Christmas Eve.
A bouquet of flowers
Do flowers ever fail? Unless you’ve bought a £5 petrol station bouquet, the answer is no. They might be a short-term gift, but a good bouquet of flowers is a bit of a showstopper that immediately lights up the room. They’re also a break from the norm in terms of the sorts of presents you’d expect to see at Christmas.
Fresh, pretty and thoughtful, they’re a sure–fire hit if you buy them for the right person – and you can get them delivered to your/their door by the florist themselves.
A gift card
OK, so this one is a bit lazy, so you need to be careful who you’re giving it to. However, some people, often known as scrooges, would much rather have the money or, in this case, a gift card for a retailer they’re interested in so they can get something they actually want.
If you’ve got any family members or friends who prefer practical over magical, a gift card is the perfect last-minute solution that they won’t have to feign excitement for.
A donation to charity
‘Tis the season for giving, but how about giving to the greater good in honour of your loved ones this Christmas? If you think you might have a family member who would appreciate a philanthropic gesture, this is a feel-good idea for all. Particularly if you choose a cause you know means a lot to your recipient, this could be an outside–the–box idea that goes down in memory as one of the kindest gifts they’ve ever received.
Is your Christmas shopping looking like a last-minute job again this year? If so, use this list to help you grab some reasonably priced and quickly delivered gifts that are sure to go down a treat.
