Hi, loves! Merry Christmas Eve! If you’re still looking for a few last minute gift ideas, fear not: we’re here to help! We’re taking a quick break from wedding planning today to share some stress-free last minute gift ideas to keep your gift list in check. While many last minute gifts = stress, these are all intended to be quick + easy so you have more time to enjoy the holiday preparations. Enjoy our carefully hand-picked list… and don’t stress — remember, here at EB we’re all about stress-free ideas, so don’t let the holidays throw you off track. And… we’ll be back in full swing on Thursday with giveaways, wedding inspiration, and more, so be sure to stop by + visit us after Christmas. :) Read on for our hand-picked last minute gift ideas that we know they’ll love… plus a few of our favorite picks, recommendations, and recipes! Enjoy!
5 Stress-Free Last Minute Gift Ideas
1. Subscription Boxes
First, what’s a subscription box? A subscription box is a more modern “______ of the month” club. The box, depending on what type you choose, is sent to your door and is filled to the gills with something fantastic inside. A subscription box is more than a gift card; it’s a monthly surprise for the recipient and a surefire way to ensure they will look forward to seeing something in the mailbox other than bills. PLUS, you can sign up for one online now as a gift for a friend, just in time for Christmas. Which three did we try? What did we think? Here are our picks:
StitchFix
Perfect for… fashionistas
What is Stitchfix, you ask? It is a one-time or monthly subscription service (you decide!) that allows you to complete a style profile to receive styled, totally personalized clothing and accessories with tips on how to wear them… straight to your door. You have three days to review the products. Try it on, see what works, and return anything that you don’t love. You only pay for the pieces you keep (along with the styling fee, but that is credited toward your products purchased). It’s like having a personal stylist — but the freedom and privacy of trying on pieces in your own home. Don’t just read about it, give it a try for yourself or give as a gift to a friend. A gift subscription is perfect for the holidays. Hello, new clothes! I didn’t receive my first box yet, but it’s set to come VERY soon. I’ve read plenty of reviews on the interwebs, though, and people have been more than satisfied with the service. I can’t wait to see what I receive (I’ve already completed the style profile), which I’ll be happy to share with you when it arrives. Can’t. wait.
Ready to Try?
Get started now! Complete your style profile and get started today! You can also buy a gift card for a friend here.
Whimseybox
Perfect for… crafters + diy lovers
This subscription box is perfect for the recipient who loves do-it-yourself ideas and crafts. Plus, who doesn’t love a new craft delivered to your front door every month? The folks at Whimseybox have this idea down pat. I received last month’s box recently and was so excited to rip it open. The project was a special fabric material that you dye and use as an alternative to paper gift wrapping. I loved it, and can’t wait to see what other projects they’ll come out with next. Seriously, I wouldn’t recommend it if I didn’t really love it myself — and this one is five stars all the way.
Ready to Try?
Special Offer: Get $5 off your first box with this link.
Bezel Box
Perfect for… jewelry lovers
Bezel Box is one for jewelry lovers, like me! I received my first Bezel Box recently and it was such a delight to receive. First, the box is insanely adorable — it’s black with hot pink writing. When you open the box, you see hot-pink tissue paper wrapped gifts — there were three in four total in mine — to open. It felt like Christmas morning opening each little wrapped package to reveal a piece of gorgeous, beautifully-made jewelry. I thought presentation alone was enough to recommend, but then I looked at the quality of the pieces. They’re beautiful! This is definitely a gift-worthy subscription box. One could create a pretty substantial jewelry collection in a few short months.
Ready to Try?
Get started now! Sign up for a gift subscription at Bezel Box. There are two different size boxes available to fit your budget!
2. Gift Cards
Okay, okay, I know, this one’s easy! But hear me out: gift cards are one of the most perfect gift ideas of all time! Who doesn’t love to spend a little on themselves after the holiday is over? A gift card gives the recipient the opportunity to do a little shopping on themselves. If you don’t have time to run out to the store to buy a gift card, try an e-gift card instead. It’s delivered via email to your recipient (so it gets there faster than Santa Claus can fly).
Here are some of our suggestions:
– Etsy.com Gift Card | (Because We ♥ Handmade)
– iTunes Gift Card | (Music Rules.)
– Amazon Gift Card | (uh, everything under one roof! Anything they could imagine!)
– Barnes & Noble Gift Card (Can you go there and NOT find something? I think not.)
– Groupon | (So many exciting things to do / see / new places to eat, all near you!)
3. Homemade Treats
If you’re a good baker (or good faker, one who is great at easy recipes after much practice, like me), prepare a homemade gift of cookies, dessert bars, or treats for your gift recipient. Place in a pretty box or bag (check your grocery store for some decorative Christmas wrapping made solely for desserts-to-go) and add a tag.
Need recipe ideas? I’ve tried these and LOVED them all.
– Easy Sugar Cookies (PERFECT sugar cookie recipe. my go-to.)
– Easy Shortbread Recipe (delish.)
– Mock ‘Tagalong’ Cookies (easy + amazing.)
– Best Chocolate Chip Cookies (though my Mom’s are better.)
– Crunch Top Apple Pie (lots of butter. and amazing because of it.)
– Homemade Samoas Girl Scout Cookies (oh, tell me about it. this is heavenly.)
4. Books
I love giving books to people as gifts. Books are an excellent way to show someone you’ve been listening to their interests, like learning how to garden, tackling a few fun DIY projects, traveling cross-country, or learning more about a particular area of interest. I purchased books for a few people on my list this year and it was fun picking them out. There are SO MANY amazing books out there. Luckily, many bookstores are still open today for Christmas Eve, so pop in there and grab a few, wrap in pretty paper, and add a bow. It’s a thoughtful book because you picked it out yourself with them in mind.
Books We Recommend:
– The Handcrafted Wedding (for the bride-to-be)
– The Can’t Cook Book (for the wannabe chef or chef-in-training)
– Instacraft (DIYs for the home)
– Laugh-Out-Loud Jokes for Kids (for kids, under $4! great reviews)
– 1001 Songs to Hear Before You Die (for music lovers)
– Braids, Buns & Twists (for beauty/hairstyle lovers)
– 1,000 Places to See (for people who love to travel)
– Dad Is Fat (for people who ♥ humor — by Jim Gaffigan. I looked at this at Target and laughed so hard out loud that I had to shut it and put it back on the shelf.) – Sidebar: I also recommend Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling and Seriously, I’m Kidding by Ellen Degeneres. Both are laugh-out-loud and excellent.
– Mini Farming (for gardening)
– Craft Beer World (for craft beer lovers)
– Jemma Kidd Make-Up Secrets (for makeup lovers – I’ve been eying this one for awhile.)
… you get the idea. THERE ARE MILLIONS. People love books.
5. Music
Music is one of those hit-or-miss things, but when you listen to an album and you LOVE it, passing along a new copy of the album to a friend or family member can be a great way to share your favorite tunes. If you know of his or her favorite genre, shopping is easier; if not, opt for something you enjoy that’s sort of mid-range. Music is something that triggers memories, and you always seem to remember where you were when listening to a particular album during a time of your life. Plus, a recommendation is one of the best ways to share new music — hence why I love a gift like this. Run to a store that’s open today and grab an album, wrap it up, and add a bow. Or, give an iTunes or Amazon e-gift certificate and mention a suggestion for an album you think they’ll love: it gives them the freedom to go with your suggestion or pick something else.
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I hope our list of last minute gift ideas has helped you!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
xo,
-E.
Disclosure: Since we love our readers, it is our policy to only recommend products we love, would try ourselves, and/or would recommend to our loved ones. We received a Bezel Box and a Whimseybox to try, both of which knocked our socks off. If they didn’t, we’d tell you otherwise. Some links above go to affiliate links. All opinions stated above = our own.
What last minute gift ideas would you add to the list?
P.S. Don’t forget to win some gifts for yourself: view our current wedding giveaways for your chance to win!
