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Last-Minute Gift Ideas That Don’t Seem Last Minute (and a Bonus!)

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Are you stuck shopping last-minute?

Perhaps fearing that your gift may appear as if you didn’t put much effort into finding it?

You can often tell when someone haphazardly slapped together a gift.

It’s a little harder to be creative and thoughtful when you don’t have much time to think… the clock is ticking!

Fortunately, there are still some presents you can find that won’t reek of Shopping Like a Last-Minute Larry.

Here are five totally decent gift ideas for last- minute shoppers.

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1. Keep a Travel Junkie Happy

The quickest path to shopping glory might come in the form of a gift card.  Does your sister seem to live out of a suitcase since she’s away every chance she can travel? Or maybe your cousins would love to see Disney World this year? Whether your recipient gets away frequently on the weekend or is more casual about taking trips, travel-themed gift cards are greatly appreciated.

It’s not longer looked down upon to give a gift card. They are actually increasing in popularity. According to the National Retail Federation survey, they are the most requested gift for the holidays. If you have an avid traveler on your list, pick up a digital gift card with no applicable fees or expiration dates from Hotels.com.

The cards can be used as soon as you purchase it. Hotels.com gift cards are sold in values as low as $10 on their U.S. and Canadian websites to fit every shopper’s budget. Each card’s value can be applied to the balance of a new hotel stay when you make your reservation. Consumers can purchase the gift card and redeem the digital card or plastic card using their mobile phone or desktop at Hotels.com/giftcards right away.

starbucks

2. Have Your Starbucks Hot Chocolate and Drink It Too

On a recent trip to my local Walmart, I noticed they had loads of cans filled with different flavors from Starbucks for 5 dollars a pop. This made it super easy to get a bunch of teachers gifts all at once while stocking my own cabinets for company. I noticed salted caramel, double chocolate, and peppermint flavors. I even bought a can or two for my own family. Three cups for me and my two children already made it more cost effective to have at home. That would have cost us around $6.00 at Starbuck and the whole 7oz. can was $5.00.

last minute presents

3. The Duck Stops Here

The Money Duck is a unique gift for the young or young at heart. If you have a kid or a recipient with a sense of humor on your list, this gift can be a great stocking stuffer or gift topper. Each bar of soap comes with a form of real paper dinero inside. An increment of $1,$5, $10 or even $50 may have hitched a ride inside the duck. I guess you won’t know until you open it. Hopefully, its final destination will happily end up in a piggy bank. Run with the ducky theme and purchase a towel and perhaps a robe to go with the soap. Your recipient will be clean and a little richer.

One More Thing

No matter what you choose to buy, if you managed to find something that passes go for your recipient but might be a little more than you wanted to spend, you can buy a discounted gift card while at the store. Before you check out, get instant access to reduced priced gift cards. Shelley Hunter, the Gift Card Girlfriend and GiftCards.com spokesperson explains that their beta app called, SaveYa does just that.

Either way, you can spend less before you get to the checkout line and if what you’re buying is on sale will just be a bonus! You’ll put the prepared planners to shame and still walk away with some decent gifts. If you tend to procrastinate or straight up forgot to pick up a gift for someone on your list, don’t worry. There’s still time to give thoughtful gifts at varying price points. Your recipients will be delighted and won’t know the difference.

If you happen to think these tips were useful, share them on social media. It’s only fair.