Great Last Minute Gifts for Holiday Partygoers

Last-Minute gifts are often the hallmark of the season. If you have been invited to a party and must come up with last-minute gifts, the pressure is instantly on. You don't want to buy the standard last-minute gift box of candy or bottle of wine, but knowing what would make great last-minute gifts is not always a simple chore. Here are five great last-minute gifts that anyone can find, even when there are only literally hours until the holiday party:

Movie Tickets - The gift of Movie tickets like those that can be purchased at Fandango.com offer a welcome getaway during a busy holiday season. Last minute gifts don't have to be impossibility when one has a computer, a printer, and a nice greeting card. If you have a local movie theatre, most carry gift cards to give the gift of a fun night out to anyone. Another great movie last minute gift idea is a gift card to Blockbuster or another local movie rental locale.

Dollar Bonanza - The "Everything is a Dollar" store is a great place to put together massive last-minute gifts. Start out by selecting a great basket and fill it with themed goodies. A stationary, bath, candy, snack, or tool basket are definite last-minute gift pleasers. Just finish by wrapping in stiff holiday plastic clear wrap and tie a nice bow. If your last minute gifts seem to be missing a little something, a gift card can be the centerpiece of your basket.

Cookie Basket - Almost everyone loves cookies as a last-minute gift that looks like you spent a lot of time thinking up. Get a large basket. Buy a small cookie sheet, holiday oven mitt, kitchen towel, two to four bags of sugar cookie dry-mix, a bottle of sprinkles, and some pretty holiday cookie cutters. The most striking style is copper. Arrange in the basket and add a couple packages of high-end already-made cookies for immediate satisfaction.

Bonsai and Sushi - The bonsai is a wonderful last-minute gift idea. Most floral shops have a small selection of Bonsai trees as well as other small plants available for last minute gifts. For the Bonsai and sushi last minute gift, one of my favorite gifts to give, get an oversized square basket three-times the size of your Bonsai planter, and buy some of those large smooth craft stones they sell in both garden and craft areas of discount stores. Put the Bonsai tree in the middle of the basket and set the stones around the bottom of the basket to fill it completely. Decorate this last-minute gift with a box of green tea, an origami crane, and a gift card to your favorite Sushi shop. This is a last minute gift idea that will look like it took a lot of planning, and it's pretty enough to be a last minute gift talked about for years to come.

The Gift of Great Reading - Many people enjoy reading, and you can offer great reading-themed last minute gifts for those folks on your list who enjoy books. For this gift, get a large gift bag. Include a box of microwave popcorn, a pair of reading glasses, a box of cocoa mix, a package of tissues, a blank journal, an ornate pen, a small box of chocolates, and a last minute gift card to a book shop. Include a message that it is a reading tool kit, perfect for any book with a journal to record your reading experiences.

Enjoy these great last-minute gift ideas, and have a happy holiday.