Last Minute Christmas Gift Ideas for Free

Whether you are short on time or money, or both, you can still give great Christmas gifts this year. All you need is a bit of creativity coupled with looking inside yourself to come up with the most meaningful gifts of all.

Consider the following free holiday gift ideas that can be done in very little time.

Last Minute Christmas Gift Idea One: The Re-gift

Have you received gifts that are new and still in the box for which you have no use? Most likely, there is another person you know who would like to receive the gift that, unfortunately, just did not work for you. Re-gift the gift to that person.

Have you received an atrocious gift that you simply cannot, in good faith, re-gift? Re-gifting this type of gift works especially well in a white elephant style office gifting party. Just think of the awful things you can get rid of this way!

The hilarious Seinfeld episode about the perils of re-gifting may have caused re-gifters to fine tune the practice of re-gifting. Be sure you do not accidentally re-gift the item back to the original giver or anyone who may know the person who originally gave you the gift. It would be quite embarrassing to re-gift the wrist watch you received from your mother-in-law back to your father-in-law. Your mother-in-law will notice and likely feel insulted that you did not appreciate her gift. Not the best way to improve the in-law relationship during the holidays.

Last Minute Christmas Gift Idea Two: The Personal Coupon Book

You can quickly put together a cute personal coupon book, including such things as "One lunch out at a restaurant on me", "One free lawn mowing", or "One free back massage." Simply write your future gift activities on small slips of paper and staple together with a cover page that reads "Personal Coupon Book Made Especially for You."

The personal coupon book gift idea works best for people you are close to, such as a spouse, parent, or other close relative. Giving such a gift to your boss at the office party will most likely be viewed with raised eyebrows, at best.

Last Minute Christmas Gift Idea Three: Give Your Most Precious Gift of All, Your Time

Given that you are reading an article that addresses coming up with gift ideas if you are short on time, you probably put a high value of your time. Those who are close to you know how busy you are. They will appreciate a gift that gives of your time.

For example, consider typing out a decree that you will spend every other Sunday at your mother's home. Print the decree out on nice, resume style paper, roll it diploma style, and tie a pretty ribbon around it. Present this document to your mother for Christmas, and she is sure to be delighted.