Holiday gift ideas: your guide to last-minute shopping

Holiday gift ideas: your guide to last-minute shopping

There’s nothing more disappointing than getting so excited about giving a present only to remember it won’t be coming until after Christmas. That’s why we put together this list of last-minute holiday gift ideas, complete with all the hottest trends for your budget. So whether you have one person, five people, or 15 people on your list, read on to find fabulous gifts that anyone would love to get this season.

For the Foodie

We’re not ones to judge, but we’re almost positive if you know someone who loves to eat, then they’re probably a Foodie. You know, the kind of people who plan their weekend around where they’re going to go for dinner. So when you’re trying to find gifts for a Foodie, you can’t go wrong with their favourite ingredient: spices!

We recommend getting some fancy-looking shakers and filling them with your Foodie’s favourite spices, like Indian or Mexican blends. Another great option is a personalized spice kit. You can get them spices with their name on the label or you can even get a variety of different spices. For the ultimate Foodie gift, you can even get them a cooking class! This is a great way to get out of the house on a cold winter’s day and they can even make a great meal out of it.

For the Athlete

For the athlete in your life, nothing beats the gift of new workout gear. There’s something about having the right outfit for the right occasion that really inspires us to get up and do our best. If you want to give something a little fancier, there are tons of options for high-end gym bags out there. Some bags even have built-in lockable storage for shoes, extra clothing, and more.

Another gift to consider for the athlete in your life is a good pair of earphones. We recommend gifting a pair of Sony’s noise-cancelling headphones. They’re sleek and will make your athlete’s workouts more enjoyable. If you have a little more cash to spend, we recommend Bose’s noise-cancelling headphones.

For the Artist

If you have an artist in your life who loves to draw, paint, or otherwise make use of their creative side, there are plenty of gifts that will help them take their art to the next level. If you’re not sure what type of supplies your artist friend uses, a gift card to their favorite art supply store is the perfect gift. Otherwise, you can consider gifting them a notebook or sketchbook. Artists are all about the process, so if you have a friend who loves to draw or write, a nice notebook is a thoughtful gift. You can even create a custom notebook as a gift. If you want something more unique, try a sketchbook made from vintage paper.

For the Beauty Lover

You don’t have to spend a ton of money to give a great beauty-themed gift. One gift that is always a winner is an at-home facial kit. These kits normally come with everything your friend will need to do a facial, and they make a great at-home treatment. Another gift you can’t go wrong with is a bath set. Pick out something your giftee would love, like a calming lavender-scented set, and you’ll be helping them relax even more. You can also give a gift card to their favourite beauty store. This is perfect for someone who loves to experiment with new products. Plus, you can help them avoid impulse purchases they don’t need by letting them know how much they can spend.

For the Techie

Anyone who loves gadgets, computers, or anything else that falls under the umbrella of “techie” will love getting something new. But what do you get for the person who has everything? Well, you can never go wrong with gadgets that help you keep your tech fully charged. One of the most useful tech gifts you can give is a portable charger. These things will charge your phone or any other device on the go, so your giftee can stay connected even when the battery dies. You can even find them in super cute designs to suit any personality.

Another great gift for someone who loves tech is a mini projector. They’re great for watching movies on the go or even just for projecting presentations for work. And you can find them in a wide variety of designs so you can pick one that suits your giftee perfectly.

Don't Forget to Follow Your Budget!

The holidays can be an expensive time of year. But that doesn’t mean you can’t be frugal while you’re out shopping for gifts. The best way to save money when shopping for gifts is to get creative. Think about the person you’re shopping for and what they might appreciate, and you’ll be able to find the perfect gift, no matter your budget.

If you’re shopping for someone who loves to exercise or spend time outdoors, you can get them a gift card to their favourite store or online retailer. For the foodie in your life, you can give them a gift card to their favourite restaurant. And for tech lovers, a gift card for their favourite store is an even better option. This way, they can pick out whatever tech toys they’ve been eyeing but couldn’t justify buying for themselves.

The most important thing to do when shopping for gifts is to plan your budget — and Allevia can help you do just that! Not only will Allevia’s online budgeting tool save you this holiday season, but it can also suggest solutions to all of your personal money problems depending on your financial goals. And it’s absolutely free!

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Marc-André Martel