Lists Yule Love: Affordable, Easy and Last-Minute Gifts

By WYDaily Staff Tuesday, December 21, 2010

So, maybe you had a few too many parties packed into your schedule through December, more work at the office than you expected, and then you had to bake cookies for school parties for all your kids. Throw in that cold that was going around, and you find you have mere days left to get together gifts for all your family and friends that are supposed to symbolize just how much you love them and think of them all year long.

Never fear! WYDaily is here … with some advice for cheap, easy last-minute gifts to save the (holi)day.

Here are our top ten sure-fire winners. It’s okay, you can thank us later.

10. Food and drink. Nothing says love like helping a loved one pack on the holiday pounds, so they have something to complain about all through January. Forget the fruitcake and candy, though, that’s overdone. This year, why not give a meal? In our family, we give IOU cards for one meal prepared by the giver for the receiver, at a time to-be-determined (usually after the holidays when no one feels like cooking ever again).

Food baskets are fantastic and easy to make, too – just grab some nice fruit, nuts, crackers and cheese from the grocery store and pack them in some festive tissue in one of the baskets you have at home. If you really want to be Williamsburg about it, get some ham and peanuts.

If all that sounds like too much, think wine or the ubiquitous Christmas cookies. I mean, really, who doesn’t love cookies?

9. Giftcards. Let’s be honest – it’s hard to find a gift that your Aunt Gertrude likes. You can’t buy clothes for your mom, because they just get buried in her closet, never to be seen again. Some say giftcards are a cop-out. Not true! For the tardy, stressed shopper, gift cards are perfect. Plus, they take slightly more thought than a check, they won’t break the bank and don’t require going to the bank.

If you have a theme in mind for someone, say, coffee, get a mug, a giftcard, and a bag of seasonal beans (easy to purchase all in one place). Same with movie lovers: a movie giftcard, a DVD, some microwave popcorn and voila! They can choose a night out at the movies or a night in with a recent release.

8. Winter apparel. Fa la la… fa la la… la la la… You know the song. With all this winter weather over the past year or two, you know people are in need of gloves, hats and scarves. It’s horrible to go out after a snow and have to put on the wet gear you took off an hour before. It’s always useful to have back-up winter gear.
Plus, chances are you can still find these items left on the shelves at last-minute go-to stores. No one bought that gold, sparkly scarf? Grab it! Those pink earmuffs? Grandma will love them! And don’t forget the fuzzy holiday socks, which are perfect for wearing while opening the rest of the gifts. These aren’t pricey gifts, but they’ll come in handy.

7. Houseplants. It might sound crazy, but people love poinsettias and those potted rosemary plants shaped like Christmas trees, or any potted flower. If you want something silly, go for a Chia Pet. Remember those? They still make them, and lots of hardware and home stores carry them. They’re silly, but fun!

Or, go for some indoor potted herbs, which will be great for cooking with all winter long.

6. Charity donations. These are great to get for people who have everything, especially when you don’t have a lot to spend, or a lot of time. Go online to a charity that you think your gift receiver likes, and donate $20 or $30 in their name. Most of the bigger organizations will have a pretty card you can print out, or you can make your own.

5. Bath goodies. Who doesn’t love soap, bubble bath and lotion? These are not pricey and easy to find at the last minute, and there's plenty of macho-type stuff for men, too. Throw in some scented spray and you’ve got tons of stuff that will get used, or at least be on display in the guest bathroom.

4. Cooking and baking stuff. This is a great last-minute gift to grab for anyone who can stand to be in the kitchen. You’ve got utensils you can buy, and neat gadgets, and fun potholders, aprons, and cookbooks. These are items people don’t often buy themselves (when was the last time you replaced your stirring spoon?) and there are tons of things to choose from if you stop by a kitchen store.

3. Books and magazines. These are great go-to gifts for last-minute shoppers, and a great idea since lots of folks have time to kill over the holiday break and could actually find time to read the book or magazine you get them. Magazine subscriptions are fun, too – people like to flip through magazines, but don’t often think to subscribe.

2. Picture frame and, possibly, a sentimental photo inside. Frames are great décor items, and generally people can find places to put them. For an added touch, get out those craft baskets and personalize the frame if you’re so inclined. These are great gifts from kids, too, because they can decorate the frames, which you know Grandma will just love.

1. Ornaments and candles. You might think these are a little too boring, but a nice ornament might replace on old one on next year’s tree. If you know something that your friend or family member collects, or something that reminds you of them, this will make the gift even more special. Did you take a trip to Paris together? Get an Eiffel Tower ornament. Do you know someone who is in the armed forces? There are ornaments for that, too. Lots of Christmas stores in the Triangle are stocked with these and waiting for last-minute shoppers to walk in.

Candles, like ornaments, are a no-brainer. But come on, they make the house smell good, add to the holiday ambience, and can be found everywhere!

If this list doesn’t help, remember – even if you don’t have anything to give but a Christmas hug and a sheepish grin, they’ll probably still love you. But, you might be on kitchen duty for a while.