Christmas Gift Ideas for Last Minute Shoppers

There are many reasons you might need some last minute Christmas gifts. Maybe you're a procrastinator or simply don't have time to shop. Or your neighbor drops by with "a little something" for you and you have nothing for them. Perhaps you're on the way to a holiday party or family gathering and realize you've forgotten a gift for your boss or dear Aunt Sue. No matter what the reason for needing a last minute holiday gift, the following quick and inexpensive ideas are sure to make the recipient feel special.

Make an herb basket. Place a red checkered cloth down inside of any size wooden basket and then tuck tiny jars of fresh parsley, dill, basil, oregano, thyme and cumin down inside. You can also add a small bottle of olive oil so the recipient can make their own salad dressing using the herbs and olive oil.

Fill a sturdy basket with natural eco-friendly products that can be used for cleaning. Place a soft cotton cloth and a sponge down inside of a wicker basket. Then choose several different items to place in the basket such as cornstarch, lemons, white vinegar, baking soda, and olive oil. Be sure to include instructions for each item you place in the basket - cornstarch and baking soda cut grease, olive oil and lemons polish furniture, and white vinegar is great for mopping floors. Wrap the basket in holiday colored saran wrap to hold the contents securely in place.

Create a homemade sachet for drawers and cabinets. All you do is purchase sachet pouches at an arts and crafts store and then tuck a Bounce dryer sheet inside of each sachet. Bounce has many scents available to choose from making it easy to personalize the scent to the recipient. You could also place two tiny bars of scented soap down inside of the sachet instead of the dryer sheet.

Put together a wine basket. Fill the bottom of the basket with either red and green tissue paper that is shredded or you can use straw. Place a checkered cotton tablecloth on top of this and then set the wine glasses inside and add the bottle of wine. You can also substitute some sparkling grape juice or apple juice for the wine. Next place a festive holiday wrapped hunk of gourmet cheese inside of the basket. Fill the empty spaces in the basket with strands of green and red ribbons and tuck in two tall candles and a lighter stick.

Create a mixed nut basket. Buy an unfinished wooden hinged box and then put red and green washcloths down inside of the box, making sure the bottom and sides of the box are completely covered with the cloth. Buy a can of mixed nuts and pour these on top of the washcloths. Personalize the box by painting the recipients name on the box.

Make a personalized gift box for a child and fill it with fun but inexpensive items like a bottle of bubbles, a travel size game or mini handheld video game, bubblegum tape, Pez candy dispensers, or a mini radio with headphones. Personalize the box by using small wooden letters to spell out the child's name. Glue the letters to the top or sides of the box.

Make tiny Christmas trees by using branches from a pine tree. All you need to make these are some miniature clay pots, potting soil and pine tree branches. You can also paint the miniature clay pots if you want. These mini trees not only make great gifts but you can make some for yourself to use as decoration during Thanksgiving as well as Christmas.

Don't forget about the creative and inexpensive "gifts in a jar". You'll most likely have all of the ingredients on hand and can whip up a thrifty yet thoughtful gift in no time. Consider the following homemade gift ideas that are sure to please anyone on your list.

Brownies in a Jar

Place all of the dry ingredients for a brownie mix into a Mason Jar and write down the baking directions on to a gift card. Tie the gift card onto the jar with a colorful ribbon.

Cookies, Muffins or Cake in a Jar

Write down your favorite recipe for a cake, muffins and even chocolate chip cookies on a small Christmas card and then layer all of the dry ingredients in a Mason Jar. The only thing that the recipient will need to add is the eggs and milk. Tie the gift card onto the jar with a decorative festive ribbon and add a shiny bow on the top of the jar.

Soup in a Jar

Place several boxes of dry soup mix into a mason jar and write the directions on how to prepare the soup on a Christmas card. Tie the card to the jar with some sturdy raffia ribbon.

Jar of Candles

All you need to do to create this gift is fill a mason jar with festive holiday colored candles. To keep in the spirit of the Christmas season, consider using small red and green candles or use all red and white striped candles that look like peppermint candy canes. Tie a gift card around the lid of the jar along with a holiday decorated disposable lighter.