With Christmas just round the corner, now’s the time to kickstart your gift giving engines and do a round of last minute shopping. We all have that one person who seems impossible to buy for, and you’re probably scrabbling around for an idea of what to get them whilst keeping one eye on the clock! 

 

But with time counting down, you’ve not got long to grab the perfect item and have it wrapped up for the big day. 

 

That’s where this list comes in! Thankfully, there are a lot of things you can buy even for the hardest of recipients. All you need is a bit of creative thinking on your side, as well as a little bit of speed to make sure you get down to the shops in time. 

 

So let’s not waste any more time! Here are some last minute gift ideas that’ll work for any and all of the tricky-to-buy-for people in your life. 

Do They Often Feel Unorganised? Buy Them a Planning Item

 

We all get a little unorganised from time to time, and we can get a bit overwhelmed because of it. However, if you know someone who is always out of place and time, and never seems to be able to hang onto anything, maybe you should buy them a gift surrounding this? 

 

Anyone who is always seemingly racing against time is going to love getting something for Christmas that’ll keep them on track. Really, it might be something they’ve always thought about getting themself but were never sure if it would help. But seeing as you got it for them, they can finally put it to the test and see if it reduces the stress!

 

Items like journals and planners, as well as mini calendars that can sit on their desk, are great items for helping someone stay organised. The latter in particular is great for making keeping time easier than ever, as the calendar is right in front of them and staring back at them at all times. They don’t have to dig into their calendar app on their phone, and for some people, that can be quite the barrier. 

 

You could also buy them a timer they can use when they’re working or studying, which can help them break their tasks into manageable blocks. Indeed, you can buy a few little but useful things here and present a gift bag on the big day. 

 

Are They Kicking a Bad Habit? Buy Something to Support Them

 

It’s easy to feel like a gift of this kind will be overstepping the mark. If you give something that’ll help them progress in changing a bad habit, you let them know in no uncertain terms that you’ve noticed the change. You may even feel you’re going to come across as unsupportive, and that you’re just trying to move them along on their journey. 

 

If that’s the kind of thinking you have about a gift like this, let’s reframe the mindset here. It’s OK to notice someone wanting to change and/or struggling with something, and reaching out in this subtle yet impactful way could be just the gesture of support they need right now. Plus, you can always give them the gift privately, if you’re concerned about how they may feel opening such a thing in public. 

 

So, what habit are they in the midst of working their way through right now? Quitting smoking is a common one, and if you’re close with the person and know how they’re trying to change the habit, you can buy them something to help. Go through nicotine pouch guides and buy a pouch you think they’ll enjoy and/or find helpful, or buy them a brand new vape pen or some refills for their current one. 

 

Another bad habit that’s all the rage at the moment is ‘doomscrolling’. You can go the extra mile here for a loved one and buy them something you know will help to fill the time they’d usually spend on their phone. Items for a hobby they’ve expressed interest in, or getting them tickets to an experience or event you know they want to go to. 

Do They Work Long Days? Get Them Something to Relax

 

For someone who works long days, getting home and being able to relax is the number one priority. Of course, many people who often feel like they have no energy to do anything other than work may want to find ways to break the cycle, but having the space and time to recharge their energy is essential. 

 

Because of this, you should think about investing in a gift that will help them relax when they’ve been working hard. Even just a heavy, cosy blanket would do the job here, but items like a massage cushion or even a foot bath will go a long way. These are items they can use without any need for input from others, but they still get to pamper themselves and give their brain and body a treat. 

 

Or if they talk about how relaxing a certain hobby is for them, buy them something to do with that hobby. Maybe they love knitting after a long day? Grab them some wool, maybe some new needles, or even get them some pricey patterns you know they’d love to get to work on. 

 

Either way, if you want your loved one to be able to take a break, make sure the gift you get revolves around this idea. They’re not difficult to find on the market, so even at the last minute, you’ll be able to pick something up before the deadline. 

 

Love to Travel? Make it Easier for Them

 

If there’s a traveller in your life, buy them a gift with their future trips in mind. Last minute gifts can be something like a railcard, which will make it a lot cheaper to visit places using the train, or a membership for an airline, which will provide them with exclusive access to plane travel perks. 

 

You can also buy them items they can use to travel with, such as a new suitcase that’s a lot sturdier and more roomy than their old one. If you’ve heard them complain about their bags being too bulky, heavy, or getting old enough to start coming apart at the threads, this gift will definitely not go unappreciated!  

 

Or if you want to provide a more personal touch to this gift, you can even create ‘vouchers’ of your own that entitles the recipient to one free trip with you. If you’re gifting to someone like your sister or your partner, and they often bring up how they wish the two of you could go away together more, this could be a little sentimental something that’ll make them smile and rush to give you a hug. 

 

Are They a Pet Owner? Buy Something for Their Fur Baby

 

Pet owners love their pets, and they love to have their pets cared for and celebrated by the other people in their life. Because of this, you may wish to focus on their own little fur baby at Christmas time. Buying something they can use for a cat, dog, rabbit, hamster, or even their tank full of shrimp, could make them the happiest person on the festive morning. 

 

A new toy for their pet to play with is the easiest thing to plump for here, but a bag of treats or a bone to chew on will also be appreciated. You could even put together a pet stocking with a few of these items inside! However, if you really want to please the person you’re giving to and make them feel loved on Christmas, getting something a little bigger and more hardy will be best. 

 

Of course, never go outside of your budget, but something like a rodent run for anyone who keeps a cage of rats or a hamster will come across very nicely. Similarly, a new piece of cat furniture for the person who is always covered in cat fur will go down a storm. Make sure you know the measurements of the room it would need to go in, but most items come with average measurements that are ready made for most spaces in general. 

 

Need a Last Minute Gift Idea?

 

If so, all you need to really do is think about them as a whole person. What are they into? What do they need? And of course, what’s really in your price range? The more you think about gift giving in these ways, the easier it’ll eb to find that perfect something for everyone you love. 

 

But seeing as we’re on a tight schedule right now, make sure you take note of the items above and hit the shops for them! If they appeal to you and you know they’re relevant to the person you still need to buy for, don’t delay. They might just light up the recipient’s face on Christmas morning!