down to the wire

Cash is always nice.

If after making your list and checking it twice you suddenly realize Santa’s still a few gifts short, don’t fret. Here’s a list of last-minute gift ideas for when you need a little something extra, or you can’t remember where you hid the kids’ stocking stuffers, or you just found out your cousin’s adult kids are coming to the family party and what if they bring you something and you have nothing for them, because of course this would happen one hour before you leave. 

When you have absolutely zero time to go to the mall, shop your house. Lots of people keep a just-in-case bag of gifts (wishing right now I was one of them) but other options include books (one you haven’t read that someone else might like), sweet treats (a mason jar filled with cookie dough or hot chocolate ingredients, tied with a ribbon with the recipe attached), a scented candle you never opened, things like that. Obviously, these items should be new and unused, but sometimes inspiration hits when you’re on a deadline.

Regifting can be controversial, but we find nothing wrong with passing along a gift that’s not quite right for you but someone else would enjoy. Again, organized people probably have a few of these in their just-in-case gift bag, but we all have something we haven’t yet (or couldn’t) return so keep this in mind and regift away, guilt-free.

IOU coupons for a date, free babysitting, a visit, or any kind of mitzvah are always good options, particularly because you’re offering the gift of your time. Plus, you can use all your craft supplies to make the coupon — even glitter! 

Then there are gift cards, like Dunkin Donuts, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Target, department stores, restaurants, nail salons, a spa — the possibilities are endless. In fact, the bag-of-just-in-case-gifts people probably also have those five-packs of $10 Starbucks gift cards that you can buy at places like Costco for this very reason. (Whatever.)

Bonus tip: This year we discovered the gift-card game changer for teens and college students: Uber. Yes, you can buy Uber gift cards in any denomination, and I’m telling you this from personal experience, when you gift this card you will be more popular than Santa Claus.

When there’s nothing else: socks. We discussed this on Day 14, but socks make a great last-minute gift. In fact, when I set up my just-in-case bag of gifts for next year, they’re the first thing I’m going to buy.