Sometimes things – like the holidays – can sneak up on you when you’re not paying attention. I, for one, have often been guilty of thinking I have tons of time to purchase gifts only to suddenly realize that Christmas is in two days. One of my brothers shares this affliction with me. When we were teenagers, we used to go to the local Rite Aid (the only store open on Christmas Eve near my parent's house) to buy gifts.
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
The good news is that, thanks to the modern convenience of the internet, last-minute presents nowadays are much easier to obtain (and don’t need to be bought at the local drugstore). And, it’s possible to find gifts suitable for almost everyone on your list that won’t betray the fact that you waited until the last possible second to buy them. If you, too, find yourself scrambling during the holiday shopping season, check out the following excellent gifts for procrastinators everywhere.
Gift Cards
The obvious last-minute present choice is, of course, the trusty gift card. You can purchase a gift card from almost anywhere. If you’re unsure which store to go with, an Amazon gift card is a pretty safe bet (as we all know, you can get most anything on Amazon these days):
This one comes in a festive holiday card and is available in whatever denomination you wish.
Another safe choice is an Apple gift card for all things Apple including devices, iCloud storage, and App purchases.
Give the gift of an Amazon Prime membership – because who doesn’t want free shipping and access to Prime television and movie streaming? Purchase 12 months for $139.00 or 3 months for $44.97. If the gift recipient is already a Prime member they can exchange for a gift card in the amount of the membership.
Kindle E-Book & Amazon subscriptions
You can purchase any Kindle e-book for another person by clicking on the “buy for others” button on the right side of the book’s Kindle page. Choose whether to email a redemption link directly to your book lover or save the redemption links to send out yourself. You can also set up a delivery date up to 45 days from purchase (though, if you’re a true procrastinator, you’ll likely need to use the “send now” option).
This is a gift I would personally love: a Kindle Unlimited subscription which would allow me to read an unlimited number of kindle books as well as listen to unlimited audiobooks. If you have an avid reader on your list, this subscription is a no-brainer. You can buy 6 months for $47.86, 12 months for $80.30, or 24 months for $143.80.
An Audible subscription includes access to all you can listen to in their vast catalog of books, podcasts, and originals. One month costs $15.00, three months, $45.00, six months, $60.00, and 12 months, $150.00.
Subscription Boxes
Subscription boxes are themed gifts that arrive every month to your recipient. There are all sorts available, from food to crafts to plants.
For the crafter, I especially like this knitting club subscription from Annie’s crafts:
Each month, the gift recipient will receive the yarn, patterns, and access to online tutorials to successfully knit three different blanket blocks. At the end, they’ll have completed enough squares to make a beautiful throw of their own. The first few kits teach stitches appropriate for beginners and become progressively more difficult.
This self-care subscription box from TheraBox is perfect for almost anyone on your list, especially those that always seem to be helping out and taking care of others.
Each box contains one self-care activity and 7 “pampering” products like aromatherapy supplies, skin products, and bath products - all curated by therapists.
For the feline or cat lover, consider a Happy Cat box subscription:
Stocked with a selection of five different toys or treats, these boxes are suitable for cats of all ages – plus the box itself also offers hours of amusement for your pet. If you are gifting a multi-cat household, a multi-cat box is also available.
Plants
Give the gift of a green, live plant subscription to the gardener (both novice and experienced) on your list. These subscriptions are an excellent idea for someone who has recently moved into a new home. The American Plant Exchange offers a houseplant subscription that includes two foliage plants with fertilizer tabs every month as well as a one-year subscription to a plant care app called, Greg.
The Air Plant Shop sells a two-plant monthly subscription of unique air plants. Air plants are super easy to grow and keep alive: simply soak them in water for twenty minutes once a week. Since they don’t require soil, they can be displayed in or on terrariums, globes, dishes, and driftwood.
A Costa Farms O2 for You subscription includes one O2 for You clean air plant such as a snake plant, palm, fern, or pothos, and 3-4 succulents or cacti of various sizes – a pretty good deal for about $28.00 per month.
Streaming Services: Netflix and more
Another super easy gift is one of entertainment by way of a streaming service like Netflix.
Netflix gift codes can be added to any existing plan.
You can also purchase Hulu gift cards to start or add to a subscription plan.
You can get an Apple gift card to pay for an Apple TV subscription (and other subscriptions like HBO Max through the Apple store).
With all these choices, even the worst procrastinator should be able to complete their shopping in time. And, if you have a fellow procrastinator on your list, we’ve got a couple of perfect gift ideas for them as well: like these procrastinator pencils and a procrastinator’s motto mug. Someday we'll all pull ourselves together and get everything done on time. But not today.