A Busy Person's Holiday Shopping List: The Last-Minute Gift Guide
We’re a week away from Christmas and if you’re like me, you probably have about half a list full of people to shop for. I’ve been traveling, I’ve been working and the holidays snuck up onto me. Add to that, I also don’t want to find myself in the madness that will be stores and malls the weekend before Christmas.
The list below is filled with things you can either get instantly — like digital goods — or delivered to you within 2-3 days. And most importantly, they’re guaranteed to make your giftee excited and thankful…like if you didn’t just shop that at “the last minute.”
Sister, Mom or BFF
A Closer Makeover with Rent the Runway
For about half of the price you’ll spend on one designer dress, she can wear a closet-full. This fashion subscription service is one I’ve had the longest. There’s a lot to choose from, returning is quick and easy and it’s seriously changed the way I think about clothing and shopping. It’s a gift that will keep on giving!
Handmade Accessories & Jewelry
You might not have time for personalized gifts, but you can sure get a thoughtful handmade trinket from Amazon’s handmade storefront. These products are made from small business owners, many of them women supporting their homes and communities and if you’re a Prime member you can get a lot of these within 2 business days. They’re also usually ready for gifting in adorable boxes. Some favorites I found are: double stone ring, crescent moon earrings and herkimer diamond wrapped stud earrings.
They’re Beauty Obsessed
Membership to Skylar’s Scent Club
Something else I’ve tried this year is a monthly scent subscription — which was totally changed the way I see fragrances and this element of my beauty routine. Skylar fragrances are unique, light, and never overpowering. Ingredients are free of parabens and toxic chemicals so that they are skin-safe and non-irritating. All products are vegan and never tested on animals. PS: They also have FREE 2-day SHIPPING so you can get other goodies if you’d like!
The Revlon Hair Tool They’ll Talk About The Whole Year
I’m usually a wash-and-go girl, but in colder weather I have to blowdry. And I dreaded it. Until I got this blowdry BRUSH that literally cut it all down in half AND when I’m done it actually looks decent. It’s so good most colors are now on backorder but there’s still a few! Honestly, even if you just gifted the order receipt for something coming after Christmas they’ll thank you later when they start using this.
Bro, Pops and Bae
A Closet Staple: the Bomber Jacket
All the men in my life love to complain about how they wish they were more “fashionable.” Well, this is a closet piece I believe you can dress up or down that every man would like. It’s great for transitional weather, too, so anyone anywhere can enjoy. This one is a quick and easy one to get, but if you find yourself in a store and see this…grab it!
Toiletry Bag of their Dreams
Grooming anything for men has always been an easy gift that pleases and this takes it next level. The Tooletries Koby Bag is made from a 100% antibacterial, leak resistant and easy to clean silicone. It’s a bag that feels like leather and works like a wet suit. They can travel with it without worrying about spills, or hang it in the shower if they want to keep the home organized. I’ll be forcing Justin to put his bathroom mess in here.
Cooking & Hosting is Their Thing
A Subscription to Hello Fresh
Meal kits are some of the most fulfilling experiences because everything is easily separated and waiting for you to start cooking, but you’re still doing all the steps yourself so you can really take ownership of the meal. You can give the gift of easy home-cooked meals to your loved ones with a gift card. Their website has “what does this cover” pricing so you’re not left in the dark about whether a $25, $50 or $100 card is what they’ll really need.
The Kitchen Tool Everyone Needs: Insta Pot
Not all heroes wear capes, and that’s definitely the case for the magical Insta Pot. The latest versions are WiFi-enabled, 9 in 1 so you can make basically anything, also function as a slow cooker and will make cooking at home so much more easy and fun. There are various sizes to choose from, many still under $100.
The Person Always Working
A Virtual Assistant from the Amazon Family
“Alexa, can you fix my life?” I mean, she might. I have had an Echo device now for about 3 years and I can’t imagine living without it. I recently gifted this for a birthday gift and I am overjoyed to see how much joy it brings in their life. There are also so many to choose from now depending on the person’s needs: Echo Dot to keep it small and simple, Echo Show to add more visual flair, Echo Buds for those who want to take their assistant wherever they go, and more.
The Magic of a Weighted Blanket
I recently tried this and was mind blown. The hype is real. Justin totally fell asleep while trying a weighted blanket, I totally relaxed. This version is a basic, but one of the most highly reviewed on Amazon. It feels like a tight hug around you and can really help to make sleep or downtime in general better. There is an individual size or sharing size and pay attention to the recommended weight.
They Caught the Travel Bug
A Trip Planner with Journy
The next best thing after buying a trip itself? Buying the trip planner to take the stress out of research and creating an itinerary. This service starts by gathering your travel preferences (do you prefer tourist spots, hole-in-the-walls, are you a history or nature buff, etc.) and then works 1 on 1 with you to plan the dream trip. Their trips also have input from industry experts like local guides, chefs, and more.
Turn Coach into First Class with an Airline Foot Rest
The beauty of first-class is usually in that legroom that turns a seat into a bed-like experience. With this, it’s like sitting in a recliner with your feet resting on pillows. The adjustable straps allow for the perfect length to provide necessary support and prevent leg cramps, aches, etc. If they use this, they’ll be feeling refreshed, energized and ready to go on their next trip!
For the Paw-rent
A Milo-Approved PupBox
PupBox is the perfect gift for that new puppy friend. Toys, treats, chews, and accessories are all handpicked based on the pup's age and physical characteristics. Every box is personalized so if you don't know all the pup's info, you can select the gift card option and their team will reach out to the lucky puppy pawrent to get it.
Handmade Collar for Any Size
Again, personalized might be past us but there are adorable handmade dog accessories to choose from via Amazon Handmade that will still get here in time. This pattern of Oh My Paw’d’s selection is a favorite — and there are many other sizes and colors to choose from.