Going with a boring gift card might seem like the best option when you’re running out of time, but these thoughtful and unique last-minute Christmas gifts might change your mind.

We get it. Last-minute Christmas shopping can be super stressful. With so much to do and so many places to be during the busy holiday season, it can be difficult to find time for everything. The days are shorter, the weather is lousy, and your holiday to-do list seems to be never-ending.

Between holiday decorating, cooking, baking, cleaning, visiting friends and family, hosting and attending parties, and work and school functions, it can all get overwhelming. On top of that, you have to remember to get a meaningful gift for everyone in your life, including family, friends, coworkers, bosses, important clients, neighbors, teachers, coaches…the list goes on and on.

If you’re feeling the pressure, you’re not alone.

We tend to forget the hustle and stress of the holidays too easily, remembering only the good vibes from previous years. This inevitably leaves many of us woefully unprepared for it all year after year. We become victims to the phenomenon called the planning fallacy, where we repeatedly underestimate how much time and effort will be needed to complete certain tasks, such as buying gifts for everyone on your list.

last-minute christmas gift ideas with Planning Fallacy quote

101 last-minute Christmas gift ideas

If you’re finding yourself still trying to hunt down those perfect presents just days before Christmas, consider these thoughtful, unique, and creative last-minute gift ideas for everyone on your list.

These top-10 items are best sellers for a reason — they make for unique, versatile gifts anyone can appreciate. Many of them can be easily paired with gift cards, edible gifts and beverages, and other giftable items.

Best last-minute Christmas gifts

  1. Wooden Christmas gnomes
  2. Homemade or personalized ornaments
  3. Wine, beer, cocktail, or whiskey glasses paired with a bottle of something
  4. Coffee, tea, or hot cocoa mugs with coffee, tea, or hot cocoa mix
  5. Cozy Christmas blanket or throw
  6. Scented Christmas candle
  7. Fun Christmas socks for the whole family
  8. Fun photo gifts you know they’ll love
  9. Christmas photo album or picture frame
  10. Santa sack filled with their favorite snacks, sweets, & treats

Shop All Christmas Best-sellers

If you don’t know what to get someone, start with a Christmas ornament personalized or homemade to make it special just for that person, couple, or family. The Christmas tree ornament can serve as the main gift, a unique gift tag, wine bottle tag, and more — get creative!

Glassware is another great gift option, especially if you pair it with a bottle of their favorite libation. For those who don’t indulge, consider a personalized mug paired with a bag of coffee, box of herbal teas, or gourmet hot cocoa mix. Or go all out and grab a Santa sack to fill with all their favorites.

Last-minute Christmas gift ideas for mom, grandma, or aunt

Moms, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, and other special women in your life will enjoy a mix of practical and fun gifts to enjoy this Christmas.

  1. Fun wine glasses and a bottle of her favorite wine
  2. Embroidered apron or a new cookbook
  3. A new cutting board or cookbook stand
  4. Embroidered cosmetic case
  5. Monogrammed canvas tote or purse
  6. Custom photo necklace
  7. Personalized Christmas décor or ornaments
  8. Christmas movie watching blanket and a new Christmas movie
  9. A warm cuddle wrap or shawl
  10. A plush luxury bathrobe

Shop All Christmas Gifts for Her

The key to making your Christmas gifts for mom, grandma, or a special aunt more thoughtful and memorable is finding something you know she can use and appreciate. Adding personalization is just the cherry on top and will ensure your gift not only stands out but won’t look like a last-minute purchase.

For moms who enjoy cooking or baking and love wine, these fun photo wine glasses and a custom embroidered apron with the saying “Dinner Is Poured” will make a gift she’ll never forget. Grandmas who love decorating for the holidays will adore this Santa shelf sitter with the names of all her grandkids or the throw pillows that include all her loved ones. Aunties might prefer a monogrammed weekender tote or luxuriously soft and warm cuddle wrap to keep them warm during the cold winter months.

Last-minute Christmas gift ideas for dad, grandpa, or uncle

  1. A pocket throw pillow to hold his remote, phone, and more
  2. Money clip wallet
  3. USB portable charger or power bank
  4. Insulated stainless steel travel mug or thermos
  5. A custom sign for his garage, man cave, or workshop
  6. A funny backscratcher
  7. Personalized whiskey glasses
  8. Engraved BBQ tool set
  9. Personalized tape measure
  10. #1 Dad or Grandpa custom socks

Shop All Christmas Gifts for Him

Finding a great last-minute gift for dad, grandpa, uncle, or another important man in your life doesn’t have to be difficult. Think about their hobbies and interests or something they might need, such as a new wallet or duffle bag.

If your dad loves to grill, a custom engraved grilling set paired with an assortment of spices, rubs, or BBQ sauces will surely melt his heart. Grandpas who love to fish will get a kick out of a personalized fishing lure with a punny saying and Christmas wishes. Uncles who are always on the go will appreciate top-quality Stanley insulated drinkware customized with a name, initial, or monogram. And if all else fails, these manly pocket pillows that hold snacks, books, magazines, and, most important, the TV remote are a sure winner!

Last-minute Christmas gift ideas for wife, fiancée, or girlfriend

  1. Cashmere-feel plaid monogram scarf
  2. Engraved message bracelet
  3. Jewelry box or tray
  4. Embroidered leather makeup bag
  5. Personalized journal
  6. Portable wine chiller or picnic basket
  7. A fun set of wine glasses
  8. Monogrammed garment bag or weekender duffel bag
  9. Personalized yoga mat
  10. Photo puzzle with a romantic photo

Shop All Christmas Gifts for Her

Show your love at Christmas with these creative last-minute gifts that will surprise and delight your wife, fiancée, or girlfriend. The personalized touch will make them think you spent hours creating the perfect present when in fact these gifts take just minutes to customize.

You can’t go wrong with a jewelry gift for your wife, and this bracelet engraved with a romantic message or the names of your children is just perfect for Christmas. She might also enjoy a modern easel calendar customized with your family photos — one for each month of the year. You can show your fiancée or girlfriend that she’s the boss with this trendy Boss Lady journal or surprise her with a weekend getaway and monogrammed weekender bag she can take along on your next romantic adventure.

Last-minute Christmas gift ideas for husband, fiancé, or boyfriend

  1. Custom photo socks
  2. Engraved pizza peel gift set
  3. Personalized beer glasses
  4. Wooden laptop and tablet lap desk
  5. Personalized watch box
  6. Travel tech organizer
  7. Authentic Ammo Can storage box
  8. Embroidered tool tote
  9. Portable charger power bank
  10. Leather valet tray or toiletry bag

Shop All Christmas Gifts for Him

Men can be famously difficult to shop for, whether you’re short on time or not. But these last-minute Christmas gift ideas for husbands, fiancés, and boyfriends are sure to please even the pickiest guys in your life.

If your man has a great sense of humor, he’ll instantly fall in love with these funny photo socks that feature your smiling face. For husbands whose second love is pizza and beer, this custom engraved pizza peel gift set and personalized beer can glasses will earn gift of the year status. If your fiancé or boyfriend loves tech, he’ll definitely appreciate the personalized tech organizer or engraved lapdesk to hold his tablet or laptop. And any handyman will be overjoyed to receive this top-quality Carhartt tool bag to hold all his home improvement essentials.

Last-minute Christmas gift ideas for kids, toddlers, and babies

  1. Light-up LED night lights
  2. Melissa & Doug doctor set, ice cream set, or another toy gift set
  3. Kids’ tool box or tool belt
  4. Kids’ art display sign with clips
  5. Personalized superhero capes
  6. Christmas-themed plush stuffed animal
  7. Unicorn flip sequin throw pillow
  8. Coloring and activity books or an art set
  9. Wireless earbuds with charging case
  10. Stainless steel water bottle customized with their name

Shop All Christmas Gifts for Kids

When it comes to the little ones, the most important part of Christmas is making the day magical and special. Personalizing their presents with their names will make them more memorable, creating cherished keepsakes they’ll want to hang onto for years.

Melissa and Doug toys are always a winner when it comes to gifts for toddlers and kids. These well-made toys inspire imagination and creativity in children, and they’re so darn cute! Adding your child’s name will make the gift that much more special. If your kids love playing pretend, they’ll enjoy Melissa & Doug’s ice cream shop, doctor kit, or vet kit toy, or personalized superhero capes. For the budding artists, consider the kids art display sign that comes with handy clips to hang their masterpieces. For babies and toddlers, a stuffed animal, such as this adorable long-legged sloth, will make a sweet gift and lovely photo prop for Christmas family portraits. Bigger kids will enjoy their very own personalized coloring books or flip sequin gifts.

Last-minute Christmas gift ideas for coworkers, bosses, and employees

  1. Calendar mousepad
  2. Custom nameplate
  3. Funny paperweights
  4. Personalized portfolio or writing journal
  5. Business card case or desktop holder
  6. Desk calendar for the new year
  7. Wireless charging pad
  8. Personalized tech organizer for cords, adapters, and more
  9. Engraved wood phone stand or pen set
  10. Funny wine glasses

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When it comes to work friends, bosses, and colleagues, customizing something they can use around the office is a great last-minute Christmas gift idea they will surely appreciate. Find something practical, such as a wireless charging pad, monogrammed tech organizer, new portfolio, journal, or notebook, or, of course, calendar for the new year.

Or you can go with something you know they’ll enjoy, such as funny wine glasses or coffee mugs. By adding custom details, such as their name, initials, or even a message or an inside joke you share, you make your gift more personal.

Last-minute Christmas gift ideas for teachers, coaches, and tutors

  1. Gift cards
  2. Teacher candy jar
  3. Engraved coach whistle
  4. Teacher photo clip block holder or shelf block
  5. Custom teacher stamp
  6. Paper note cube or notepad set
  7. Weekly planner
  8. Hand sanitizer or hand sanitizer holder keychain
  9. Teacher- or coach-themed clipboard
  10. Personalized teacher tumblers or mugs

Shop All Christmas Gifts for Teachers

The best last-minute gifts for teachers, coaches, tutors, and other educators are gift cards. Ask which stores your recipients like most, whether it’s their local teacher supply store or big-box stores. Of course, you can also go with gift cards to restaurants or coffee shops you know they enjoy, bookstores, or online retailers.

To make your gift more personal and special for your favorite teachers and coaches, consider adding a small homemade or personalized item. Some of our favorite last-minute gift choices are ones that take just minutes to customize. Simply add their name, sport or subject, school name, and other customizations.

Last-minute Christmas gift ideas for family or neighbors

  1. Christmas cookie jar
  2. Family popcorn bowl set
  3. Homemade treat basket with a personalized kitchen towel
  4. A Christmas doormat
  5. Christmas snow globe
  6. Personalized family shelf decor
  7. Board games and holiday movies
  8. Personalized family picture frame or family ornament
  9. A fun holiday family blanket or throw pillow
  10. Personalized holiday garden flag or house flag

Shop All Family Christmas Gifts

When it comes to finding the right last-minute Christmas gift for another family or your neighbors, friends, or relatives, look for something they can enjoy together as a family. Favorites include board games and holiday movies, a family-sized cookie jar, a family popcorn bowl, and other items they all can enjoy together. Another great family gift idea is to personalize something that includes all family members’ names.

Last-minute Christmas gifts for under $25

  1. A Christmas mug filled with treats
  2. Custom photo keychain
  3. Cell phone wallet and card holder
  4. Holiday-themed can and bottle wraps or wine bottle opener tool
  5. Photo coasters, photo playing cards, and other photo gifts
  6. Luggage tags and other travel accessories
  7. Decorative shelf and mantle blocks
  8. Custom Christmas socks
  9. Phone ring holder, charger, or other phone accessory
  10. Bottle of wine with a personalized wine bottle label
  11. Mini Christmas treat bucket filled with homemade goodies

Shop All Last-Minute Christmas Gifts

There’s a reason why photo gifts represent nearly half our picks for the best cheap last-minute Christmas gifts: They’re quick and easy to make — all you need is a photo — and they’re super affordable. These gifts also show that you spent the time creating something truly custom and one of a kind.

Author

Kasia Lorenc is a writer and editor at Personalization Mall, covering gifting, home decorating and more.

3 Comments

  1. Me Dianna Spruiell Reply

    I haven’t gotten ant word on my order my be listed under Dianna Spruiell it was 4 Metal medallion s please let me know someone the order was placed about 6 weeks ago .

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