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Winter break has started, the family is arriving from out of town, and I can smell delicious cookies baking in my kitchen. The holiday festivities will be starting soon! Only one little problem – I still need to get a couple last-minute gifts.
The time really seems to fly by leading up to the holidays, so before you stress yourself out about leaving some of your gift selection until the last minute, just take a deep breath. Feeling better? Good, because we’re here to help you out!
We’ve come up with ten last-minute gift ideas that you can put together right at home or with just a quick trip to the store, all to help you make sure everyone on your holiday gift-giving list is covered with something super special and totally awesome (just like them!). Once you’ve got everyone else taken care of, be sure to relax! You’re going to need to save up your energy for opening up YOUR gifts!
Burn A One-Of-A-Kind Mix
Playlists are fun to put together, so making a custom mix should be a blast. The songs you pick can be attached to special memories or help convey something you have trouble expressing yourself. Plus, who doesn't like being introduced to a new song or two? Source: Shutterstock.comBake Some Delicious Treats
An easy-to-make homemade treat, like cookies, can be made last minute and wrapped up as a nice gift. Really down to the wire? Get pre-made dough at the grocery store to save you some time. Cookies are a delicious gift to get at the holidays - in fact, they're great all year long! Source: Shutterstock.comCreate A Personalized Cookbook
You probably can name your special person's favorite food(s), so why not find a bunch of recipes and compile them into a one-of-a-kind cookbook filled with new ideas about how to whip up dishes full of a flavor you know they love? I mean, a whole cookbook filled with apple recipes? I'd love it! When you gift it, tell them to pick which one they're most excited about and offer to plan a dinner for the two of you to kick off 2013. Source: Shutterstock.comShare Your Favorite Book
Head to your bookshelf and find that old copy you've read through 38 times and give it to someone special. You would be sharing something important to you, and there's something about a beat-up copy with notes in the margins and dog-eared pages that feels really personal. Source: Shutterstock.comJust Let Them Keep It
We all seem to have a piece of clothing that our friend really loves borrowing. If it's not something that has any super sentimental value to you (and of course is in a respectable condition, aka not so worn in that it's full of stains or holes!), why not just offer it up as a gift? It'll save your friend from having to ask about borrowing it all the time, and it sends a message that your friend's happiness is worth more than your material possessions, which is pretty sweet. Source: Shutterstock.comMake Them Really Think About Your Memories
There's a lot of websites, like Puzzle-Maker.com where you can make custom word searches and crossword puzzles that are special to the two of you. Yeah, the actual puzzle will be fun to do, but also the little trip down memory lane looking at each of the clues will be its own little gift. Source: Shutterstock.comPrint Up Some Memories
Most of my photos exist only online, so actually getting them printed up is something I wish I did more, but tends to get forgotten once things get busy (which feels like always!). Find a local photo center where you can print up copies of favorite photos from a trip or event you attended together, or even just you guys hanging out. Even if you don't have time to get a frame, just gifting those printed photos shows you made some extra effort to do something thoughtful and showcase those special memories. Source: Shutterstock.comOffer A Big-Time Favor
Okay, so I don't mean just hand over an IOU note like the one pictured. What I mean is give the gift of "I owe you a favor you really want done." Now, this shouldn't feel like a throwaway gift to this person, but rather it should be something that you'll really have to invest in — like undertaking a total reorganization of your BFF's closet, for example. Source: Shutterstock.comWrite A Heartfelt Note
Receiving a really personal note is the best, and I've kept notes for years and years that make me laugh or feel really good about myself when I take another read. It's not just dashing "Happy Holidays!" on a piece of paper — really think about what the person means to you and then let them know! It's truly a priceless gift. Source: Shutterstock.comGet A Little Artistic
Sometimes how creative you are may even surprise yourself. My boyfriend wasn't an art student or anything, but he drew me a picture of us once that I still have hanging in my room. We shared some great DIY craft gifts to get your creativity moving, but even something like a hand drawn picture of the two of you, a silly short story about you guys or an original song are all creative things that could make really special gifts. Source: Shutterstock.comWhat are some other last minute gift ideas that you have? Have you ever put together a really awesome last minute gift for somebody? Tell us about it in the comments!
Have a little extra time? Check out these 20 awesome DIY gifts!
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