Last-Minute Holiday Gifts and Where to Find Them

It's three days before Christmas Day and you think that your holiday shopping is over.

So you think.

Even if you've checked off everything for everyone on your Christmas list, there's still a chance that you may have still forgotten a few people and may need to put together spare gifts under the tree. Never underestimate the value and appreciation for handpicked smaller gifts that are useful or easily consumable.

Spices Assortments at the Grocery Store

• Hot Cider Garnish—Ground cinnamon, cinnamon sticks, and ground nutmeg
• Hot Chocolate Garnish— Peppermint candy canes, chocolate 
• Musician's Medley—Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme

For a more impressive package, build each spices assortment with its respective beverage. A white tea with local honey perfectly complements the Musician's Medley. Package in a reusable shopping tote or basket with a ribbon.

Personal Care Kits at the Pharmacy 

• Winter Survival—Lip balm, hand creme, foot creme, hand sanitizer, tissues
• Manicure Lover—Base coat, top coat, nail file, buffer pad, hand creme
• Traveler's Essentials—Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, body lotion, toothpaste, toothbrush (contact lens case/contact lens solution)  *travel size everything*

These personal care kits may not be the "coolest" gifts, but they can be amazing stocking stuffers. Package each kit in a toiletry case to keep everything together.

Lifestyle & Souvenir Books at the Local Library

I raided my local library's holiday book sale and found several books in nearly mint condition to give to family and friends. Not only do the proceeds benefit the library, but it's also an efficient and eco-friendly gift-giving practice without having to scour online sales and pay for express shipping.

You can always add a gift certificate to a restaurant or store that coordinates with the theme of the book. For example, an outdoors, nature book can be paired with a Dick's Sporting Goods gift card; a coffee-related novel can be paired with a Starbucks gift card; a travel guide can be paired with an Uber printed voucher, etc.

Other Last-Minute Holiday Gift Ideas

A bottle of fine wine
A lightly fresh scented candle and large matchbox
A pair of holiday mugs with tea
A phone charger and ear buds
A leather journal with pen

Worst case scenario? Santa's sleigh got held up delivering gifts.

If you find yourself empty-handed for someone, you can always say how a gift is "in the mail" and should arrive "sometime after Christmas." From there, you can decide whether or not to to purchase a small gift and ship it after the holidays.

Otherwise, try to laugh it off and say that Santa's elves dropped the ball while packaging in the North Pole.