Howdy! As you all know, I am an early bird Christmas shopper. As someone who had an extensive tenure working retail from my teens to early twenties, the last thing I want is to be caught in the midst of holiday shopping anarchy. I experienced it first hand for so long that even now I can’t be bothered with it! I still have a handful of gifts to purchase and I feel like time is running out despite Christmas being over a month away lol. In my head it is down to the wire! Waiting till the true last minute, however, can be unavoidable so let’s explore some gift options that are sure to please when it gets down to the nitty gritty:

Hit up a vendor fair:

In the weeks leading up to the holidays, there are sure to be countless vendor fairs happening in your neck of the woods. This is a win/win situation to purchase from. You will be supporting local makers while checking off everyone on your list. From homemade crafts and body care to jewelry and sweet treats, you could consider an outing to a vendor fair as a one stop shop. If you are not sure where to find a vendor fair, take a look at your local talk of the town pages. You can also explore the calendars at churches, banquet halls, or community centers which are often popular places to host a vendor fair.

Food/Drinks:

The beauty of food and drink gifts are that they can truly be purchased at the last minute! Your local grocery store might carry options like gift sets for chocolate, booze with a glass or two included, or a festive tin of mixed nuts or popcorn. If not, good thing you’re in a grocery store! Food and drink sets can easily be made on your own. All you need are some baskets and an idea. Perhaps you will opt for all of the fixings for soup or a pasta dish. Maybe you will put together a basket with cake mixes and a cupcake tin. How about a basket filled with movie theater candy for those with a sweet tooth? A gift like this can be perfectly customized to the recipient and will definitely be used.

A night out on you:

There is this common fear that gift cards feel impersonal and not thoughtful enough. I think that can’t be farther from the truth! If you feel this way about gift cards, you can still personalize it to make it feel more special. You could treat a couple on your list to a gift card to the movie theater or a restaurant for a date night on you. Maybe you will get a gift card for your mom to get her nails done and you can get a mani or pedi together. What about a gift card to Home Depot or a craft store for those with a project in mind? Gift cards specific for what a person wants or needs to get done is extremely thoughtful!

Experience gifts:

Gifts of experience are always a fabulous way to go as it’s a clutter free gift and a way to have fun altogether. You could take the kiddos on your list to an afternoon at a trampoline park or an arcade. The adults could be treated to a few rounds of drinks at a favorite bar or a dinner out. If a play or musical is showing nearby, snag some tickets! Other great options include a craft workshop or paint class, bowling, a cooking class, or a coffee or wine tasting. Whether you try something new or visit a family favorite location, a day with family is the best gift ever.

Game night:

A game gift is perfect for those who love to host game nights or enjoy a rousing board game with their partner or kiddos. Like food and drink gifts, game gifts are an extremely safe bet for last minute prezzies. Any store like Walmart is bound to have shelves full! Local gaming stores also will carry classic games as well as more unique ones that you might not find elsewhere. Board games, card shufflers, or video games can be used again and again to provide hours of amusement. You can also opt for a gift card for the Nintendo Switch or a subscription for PlayStation. Then, tie it in with a gift of experience like the first family game night taking place at your house!

Regardless of waiting until the last minute, these ideas above are always going to be available and ready to put under the tree!

Are you an early or last minute holiday shopper? When do you want to have your holiday shopping done by? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah