The shopping season is always shorter than we think. If you're scrambling for a last-minute gift that's more personal than a gift card, check out the creative ideas below. We have a mix of store-bought and DIY options to meet all your gifting dilemmas and deadlines!
1. DIY Hot Drink Sleeve
Warm up to winter with these DIY sleeves made from sweater sleeves. They're the perfect gift for your coffee addict friend and an easy way to recycle last year's ugly Christmas sweater.
2. A One-Year Magazine Subscription
Has your friend taken a new interest in cooking or working out? Treat her to a year of the best advice, delivered right to her doorstep. Magazine subscriptions are a savior when it comes to last-minute gifts - the large selection guarantees that there's something for everyone, yet your choice in subscription makes it a personal and thoughtful gift.
3. A Decorated Alcohol Bottle
If your friend is 21+, pick up a bottle of her favorite drink and deck it out with jewels, ribbons or paint. Attach a personalized note to your masterpiece and she will appreciate your creativity long past the last drop.
4. DIY Hand Warmers
Sew together two pieces of fleece and fill it with rice. Your friend can microwave it for 30 seconds and stuff it in her coat pocket to keep her hands warm as she walks outside!
5. A Cake Pop Bouquet
Why settle for chocolate-covered strawberries or flowers when you can have the best of both worlds? Create this edible bouquet by using any cake pop recipe and sticking the lollipop sticks into a styrofoam base. Then, cover the styrofoam with shredded paper or tinsel for some festive flair. If you don't trust your skills in the kitchen, many bakeries offer similar pre-made creations.
6. Texting Gloves
You can opt for gloves that work with a touchscreen or fingerless ones. Either way, you can find plenty of cute options online that will meet any budget.
7. A Perfume Set
If you have a friend that is picky, get her a gift that gives her options. This sample perfume set from Sephora comes with a voucher that can be exchanged for a full-sized bottle. Sephora also offers a cologne set for the guys on your shopping list.
8. Books
If your friend has a Goodreads account, check out which books are on her "want to read" shelf. If she doesn't use Goodreads, buy her a how-to book about a hobby or skill she's always wanted to learn. It will give her a head start on her New Year's resolution of trying new things!
9. A DIY Hot Cocoa Kit
Every chocoholic needs one of these emergency pick-me-ups. Fill a festive mug with candy canes, marshmallows, a mini spoon and homemade hot cocoa mix.
