If you are still looking for gifts ideas that won’t break the bank, are still meaningful AND can be pulled off last-minute look no further! This post is for you.
At this time of the year we are flooded with posts that help us ease the guilt of not having a gift for someone we care about. However, often we still wish we had something for that especial person in our lives.
With that in mind, I am sharing with you these 5 gift ideas that require little to no money and can be even better than anything you may buy in a store. Moreover, some of these make great presents for those that are miles away and not even Amazon can reach in time.
Here are 5 low-cost last-minute ideas you can still pull off this Holiday.
Music Playlist
Music has the magic to transport us and bond us in unique ways. Therefore, a song (or video) playlist can be a great holiday gift for a sibling, a college friend, or even your older aunt that loves to dance.
The key to make a music playlist an awesome gift, is to think of songs or albums that mean something special for them or your relationship. Alternatively, you can also share music from were you come from as a way to give them something unique and special.
Here are some questions that can help you brainstorm (write down everything that comes to mind).
Do you both have a favorite artist that takes you back to your younger days or fun times you spent together? Is there a song or artist they have mentioned as being meaningful in their childhood? What about the top 10 songs from the years you went to school together? Did you take a road trip listening to an album you both loved? Think of places, people or times to be remembered using songs you can add to the playlist.
The possibilities are endless, and you probably have fun putting this together too! The format in which you share the playlist would depends on who you are giving it to of course – it could be a link for your sister an email for your sister or CD for your dad.
Make it even more thoughtful by delivering it with a phrase or quote that is meaningful to your relationship – you can even print a fun photo as your “CD cover”! Tie a ribbon (or add a GIF to your “A special playlist for you” email) and ta dah! Awesome last-minute present!
One of my cousins did this for me years ago and I still love playing those songs; they give me so much joy and bring me closer to where I am from. They are also perfect to play for my son as he grows up (hey there is another idea! )
Framed Picture or Picture Collage
These days most people have all their pictures stored in their devices and never get around to print them.
That’s why a framed photo or a picture collage is a well-appreciated gift by many.
Frame the silly selfie or make a collage or your friends’ pet photo she often posts in social media. Moments create great memories that deserve to be looked at more often by that someone you care about.
Places like Walmart, CVS or Walgreens can have your pictures printed the same day or even take your device and use the photo machines they have available. If you have google photos or another program that automatically stores your images you can go by date and more easily find the moments you are looking for.
Print a few different sizes and glue them to a picture frame you already have (or can easily find at a thrift store) and boom! Awesome gift for that person that appreciates keeping memories alive.
DIY Coupons
If you are really running out of time there is a way to intentionally deferred your gift by making a coupon book for your parents, friend, roommate or significant other.
You can really get creative with these and make someone laugh (and you don’t have to tell them this was a last minute idea 😉
You can think of something that person dislikes doing or wishes you helped them with more often. You can also offer your time doing simple meaningful things with them like a craft, a walk by the park or going to the movies.
From chores to date nights there are a ton of options. Making the coupons themselves can be as easy as googling “DIY coupon book” for printable that are ready to go or that can give you the ideas you need to make your own.
This is also a great idea for kids or teens as it helps them give a gift that comes truly from them and their time plus they can have fun making. This is a gift that will keep on giving – just don’t forget to carefully include the terms such as “24-hour notice required ” 😉
A Favorite-Recipe Basket
Have you gotten compliments for a specific recipe you made? Or Is there a dish your special someone loves and wish they could make at home? If you can think of something, then a recipe basket will make a great gift!
One of my friends did this for one of my birthdays and I absolutely loved it! She gifted me cookbook and bookmarked a specific recipe I loved. The book was in a basket and along with it she added all the non-perishables ingredients that went into the dish and a bottle of wine. The basket was fluffed with pretty tissue paper and a bow. It was beautiful!
I can imagine all kinds of versions of this idea from including some kitchen gadgets to fruits and vegetables from your garden or something to make mix drinks for a party. Baskets of all sizes can easily be found in thrift stores or you may even have one at home already; same with cookbooks or you can write your own recipe.
What you include and how you make it will depend on what you have or how much you would want to spend. The personalization of this gift idea is what makes it uber special (and no one needs to know you did it last minute!)
An Instructional video series
People are delivering content using videos all over the internet but what if you can create content as a gift for someone you love or care about? This could make an awesome present that you can quickly build with a few clicks and using your phone to make a video (or a few videos).
Think about that person in your family that has Facebook account but can’t figure how to extract pictures from a memory card, organize folders or even use their new gadgets? Well, enter your amazing help giving them small bite-size videos to make 2020 a year of learning.
You can do this by making a private Facebook group with a creative title, an intro video and add your content as you go. It can even be a present for multiple people in your family that can use your knowledge and skills. Or how about flipping this idea on its head and help someone share their gifts with others – like helping your grandma share her recipes or knitting skills?
Technology may be second nature to you but it can often be challenging to navigate for older generations. By teaching them what you know you are not only helping them learn but you are staying in touch in a way that can be valuable for your relationship.
You can make your own version of this idea by teaching a skill to a friend or even delivering a fitness class if that’s what you do on the side. You can do a single video or a series you deliver once a month throughout the year – whatever works for you. From entertaining to educational this is a gift that will never be forgotten.
Aside from the ideas above you could bake a treat, fill up a stocking with favorite snacks or write a meaningful card.
Remember – giving shouldn’t be a source of stress, it should be something you do with joy!
Those that love you will love no matter how much or how little you can give 🙂
Happy holidays everyone! And click share if you think anyone can benefit from this list 😉
What are other original gift ideas that can work with a tiny budget and little time? Share in the comments.
