11 BEST Last-Minute Christmas Gift Ideas (#7 & #8 are FREE!)
Check out our thoughtful and quick last-minute Christmas gift ideas below!
Need a last-minute Christmas gift? We’ve rounded up our favorite thoughtful ideas that no one will guess you bought (or made) last minute.
Check out our genius & thoughtful last-minute gift ideas:
1. Make a Walgreens photo book and pick it up the same day including locations open on Christmas Day.
Walgreens Photo Book $9.99+
Use code SNOWBOOK50 (50% OFF)
Final cost as low as $4.99!
Walgreens stores will be open on Christmas Day, but check your location for Same-Day Photo Pick-up availability. Order at least 2 hours before closing on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. For Express Local Delivery, order by December 20th.
Consider a custom poster from CVS as another photo idea!
“I’ve done this as a last-minute birthday gift idea and it turned out great! Plus, the Walgreens photo book layout tool is super easy to use so you can have this done in no time.” – Emily, Hip sidekick
2. Customize Walgreens acrylic photo blocks with your recipient’s most cherished memories.
Buy two 2×2 Acrylic Photo Blocks $9.99 each
Total = $19.98
Use promo code CANDYCANE
Opt for same-day pickup
Final cost $9.99 total – just $4.99 each!
Note that this promo code can only be used once per account, online or in-store at a photo kiosk.
Collin was recently gifted these acrylic photo blocks by her sister, Bryn, and she was absolutely blown away by the quality and thoughtfulness of this personalized gift. Watch Collin open this gift on Instagram.
These personalized gifts are heartwarming, affordable, and available for same-day pickup at over 6,500 Walgreens locations nationwide!
I was literally in tears opening this gift from my sister. 🥹 She filled a beautiful glass jewelry box with dozens of photos from our childhood — it was so meaningful. Now I can add even more memories to it and display this beauty on my coffee table or bookshelf. Seriously, the most thoughtful gift EVER. ❤️ – Collin
3. Gift them a mason jar filled with goodies they can eat or use in their home.
Some of our favorite last-minute Christmas gifts are DIY ones! Pick one of our 6 super easy jar craft gifts! From a stove-top potpourri to banana bread in a jar, there’s something everyone will love! Best of all, if you already have the ingredients, it could potentially be free!
As an alternative, you could consider baking something yummy. Food is the way to people’s hearts after all. 😏 We love how Lina recently gifted all her neighbors and kids’ teachers some fresh baked sourdough loaves packed in bags and a bow. So sweet!
4. Storyworth will be the most meaningful gift you’ve ever given and it arrives instantly so you can order it Christmas Day too.
Storyworth $99
Use code hR8XucBp ($10 OFF)
Final cost $89 & it arrives instantly!
Capture someone’s life story this Christmas with Storyworth! This unique service helps record their memories and creates a keepsake book you and they will cherish forever. It’s a meaningful, last-minute gift with no shipping or wrapping required! Collin and her sisters say the Storyworth gift idea was the best gift they ever gave their dad.
“I got Storyworth for both my dad and father-in-law. While my dad isn’t much of a storyteller and lost interest after a few months, my father-in-law, being a professor, author, and lawyer, absolutely loved it! He joked about getting assignments but eagerly wrote detailed stories with photos within the hour. It helped me connect more deeply with his childhood stories, too, which I loved.” – Emily, Hip Sidekick
5. Give a gift card they’ll really want.
- Build – A- Bear – for the “tiny tots with their eyes all aglow”.
- DoorDash – for the foodie who loves to stay home.
- Etsy – endless handmade & small shop options.
- Hotels.com – help them plan the perfect getaway.
- Southwest Airlines – for the travel lover with wanderlust.
- Thrive Market – organic & sustainable home essentials for the eco-conscious homebody.
- Uncommon Goods – unique & unusual finds you won’t find anywhere else.
- Uncommon James – simple jewelry & clean skincare.
- WeatherTech – protect their car from mud, spilled juice, and more with gear fit for their car.
Gift cards may not be everyone’s favorite thing to gift but when you pick the right one that is sure to speak your giftee’s love language, you really can’t go wrong! Above, we shared some of our top team packs for most-desired gift cards that they’re sure to love!
Make these Mason jar snow globe gift card holders to make your gift card unforgettable!
6. Gift an experience to someone who enjoys making memories over unwrapping things.
Groupon – starting under $10
There’s an endless amount of giftable ideas you can shop on Groupon. From restaurants, kid activities, sightseeing & tours, and more! There’s something for everyone on your list with Groupon!
“I bought a few experiences with Groupon for my family’s Christmas gifts! I was able to score my sister a massage, my mom a facial, and Sky Zone passes for my younger siblings!” – Jenna
As another idea, gift an entire family a Get Out Pass. Right now, you can score 70% off a yearly membership making the cost for this gift under $30! They’ll have access to dozens of local attractions like museums, zoos, aquariums, bowling, mini-golf, indoor trampoline parks, arcades, and more!
Plus, it’s great for date nights of paintball, axe throwing, indoor rock climbing, city scavenger hunts, escape rooms, virtual reality game rooms, and more!
7. Gift them access to over 4 million books, magazines, and more with a Kindle Unlimited subscription which arrives instantly.
Kindle Unlimited Subscription – $65.95+
This gift doesn’t require a Kindle device either! They can simply download the FREE Kindle app to their phone.
Still thinking about the perfect membership? Check out these memberships our Hip sidekicks said they loved receiving in past years:
- AAA Membership – peace of mind with 24/7 roadside assistance, travel discounts, and exclusive member benefits for as low as $5.99/mo.
- Audible Membership – enjoy listing to thousands of books with a membership for just 99¢/mo. for the first 3 months (until 12/31).
- BookoftheMonth Membership – new & existing members can read the best new releases starting at just $59.99/mo.
- Craftsy Membership – unlimited access to expert-led creative classes, complete creative projects, and more for just $11 per month.
- Masterclass Membership – Get 50% OFF an annual membership w/ exclusive lessons from world-renowned experts, inspiring personal growth & mastery in various fields.
- Nuuly Membership – a $98/mo. Nuuly membership will allow them to buy a month’s worth of clothing rentals.
- Sam’s Club Membership – as low as $20 for an entire year (until 12/24).
- Streaming Service Memberships – Gift them access to watch their favorite shows with memberships starting at just 99¢/mo with our deals.
- Walmart+ Membership – enjoy the many perks of delivered goods for just $12.95/mo.
Support your local community by looking into other types of memberships like art clubs, yoga studios, zoos, amusement parks, science centers, and more!
8. This experience gift box is the gift that keeps on giving year-round!
Gift of Time – FREE to make!
This DIY gift allows you to experience quality time with the recipient by coming up with an activity you can do each month! Check out our vacation experience gifts to get inspired.
9. Create a kindness jar filled with endless possibilities of words of affirmation, things you love about them, and more!
Kindness Jar Craft – FREE to make!
A meaningful kindness jar craft is quick and easy to create. The options are endless and your words are sure to be a keepsake. If you don’t have a lidded jar, I used this one from Target.
10. Don’t forget to shop locally at stores that are open until Christmas to find unique handmade goods & save on shipping.
Supporting local businesses is a way to save on shipping and environmental impacts. Plus, local artisans often craft with care, ensuring high-quality, unique, and one-of-a-kind meaningful last minute Christmas gifts.
Check out these local gift ideas for inspiration:
- Artisan Food & Drinks: Grab locally roasted coffee, craft brews, honey, or small-batch chocolates for the foodie in your life.
- Handmade Home Goods: Candles, pottery, or woodcraft items from local makers.
- Self-Care & Wellness: Snag bath bombs, natural soaps, skincare, aromatherapy, and holistic goods from local wellness shops.
- Experiences & Gift Cards: Score gift cards for cool spots like trendy restaurants, escape rooms, or pottery classes.
- Holiday Decor & Ornaments: Handcrafted holiday decorations from local craft fairs or boutiques.
- Custom Apparel & Accessories: Locally made hats, scarves, or jewelry for a personalized touch.
11. Gift a box of food they can get delivered right to their door.
A food delivery service makes for perfect last-minute Christmas gifts because it’s both practical and thoughtful, offering a delicious meal or snack without the hassle. It’s a great way to treat someone to a special experience, especially when time is tight!
Here are some of our team’s favorite food delivery/boxes:
- Butcher Box – Grass-fed beef, free-range chicken, and sustainably sourced seafood delivered monthly.
- Factor – Fresh, fully prepared chef-made meals delivered weekly, with options for various diets like keto, calorie smart, and more.
- Good Chop – fresh, high-quality premium meats & seafood straight to your door.
- Green Chef – Organic meal kits with options for keto, paleo, and balanced living.
- Hello Fresh – Meal kits with fresh ingredients and easy-to-follow recipes for convenient home cooking.
- Purple Carrot – Plant-based, vegan meal kits with easy-to-follow recipes and fresh ingredients.
Now check out these easy gift-wrapping ideas!
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