Key Takeaways
- Shop for affordable gifts—like a Roku stick, popcorn set or coffee cup warmer—from places that ship fast so they arrive in time for Christmas.
- Keep it simple with easy gift ideas like a card game bundle for the whole family or a kids cookbook for your little chef.
- Stick to your budget with free or low-cost gifts, like baking together, making homemade sugar scrubs, or filling up a date jar for your significant other.
It’s beginning to look a lot like . . . Christmas? Already? I was just handing out Halloween candy, and now I’m hearing jingle bells! Where does the time go? Listen, we all know Christmas comes around every December 25. But if the holiday snuck up on you this year, you’re not alone.
Don’t worry, though—it’s not too late to give your loved ones a gift they’ll enjoy. And you can shop on a budget! That’s right, I’m sharing 45 last-minute Christmas present ideas for when you’re short on time and tight on cash. So, whether you’re looking for gifts for Mom or Dad, your significant other, or even kids and teens, you’re in luck.
Last-Minute Christmas Gifts for Adults
If you’re figuring out what to do for last-minute Christmas shopping, go ahead and fire up the internet. I’ve found plenty of gift options online that could be perfect when you’re in a pinch. Here are a few of my favorite last-minute Christmas present ideas.
1. Vintage-Inspired Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Keep the music going with this super cool, vintage portable speaker. You can use it in your house, in your backyard, or anywhere you need a little entertainment.
2. Etsy Gift Card
Give your crafty friends the gift of choosing almost anything they want when you give them an Etsy gift card. Gift cards start at $25, or you can give a custom dollar amount.
3. My Family Cookbook
Giving a gift to someone who loves to cook? This fill-in-the-blank cookbook will help them capture those classic family recipes. Yum!
4. Roku Streaming Stick
If you have a family member who cut their cable, give them the gift of entertainment with a Roku streaming stick.
5. Terrarium Candle
For the person who can’t keep plants alive, try a terrarium candle. This wax garden will smell just as beautiful as the real thing—even if they don’t have a green thumb.
6. Wireless 3-in-1 Charger
Yep, this wireless charger is super practical and perfect for the tech junkie in your life. It charges three devices at once and barely takes up any room on the desk or counter.
7. Essential Oil Diffuser
Do you have a friend who could use a little rest and relaxation? Help them reduce holiday stress with a pretty essential oil diffuser. You could even include a scent you think they’ll like.
8. DIY Hot Sauce Making Kit
It might be cold outside, but your loved one can warm up with a DIY hot sauce kit! Complete with recipes and bottles, it’s a great option for the spicy-food lover in your life.
9. Cocktail Shaker Set
Give the gift of a holiday happy hour with this classy cocktail shaker set.
10. Pedicure Foot Spa
Got a wife, girlfriend or sister who loves to pamper herself? This home pedicure foot spa is sure to bring on the relaxation.
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11. Classic Coffee Syrup Bundle
If inflation is cutting into your friend’s fancy coffee budget, help them out with this classic coffee syrup bundle. Coffee brewed at home can taste just as sweet as the café!
12. Coffee Cup Warmer
We all know someone who loves their morning tea or coffee. Help them keep their cup warm with this super cute coffee mug heater.
13. Sunrise Alarm Clock
If you know someone who gets thrown off by the shorter winter days, you can help brighten things up with this sunrise alarm clock.
14. City Bonfire Portable Fire Pit
For the city dweller with an adventurous side, this mini portable fire pit is the perfect solution to enjoy a fire on the patio without the hassle. You can even use it to roast s’mores! Now that’s a Christmas list idea I can support.
15. Set of Card Games
For anyone who loves games, this set of the Uno, Phase 10 and Ono 99 card decks is a triple win. It’s perfect for family nights or holiday get-togethers, and it gets everyone laughing and playing together.
16. Glass Teapot and Tea Infuser
If your loved one enjoys quality time, why not give them the gift of a cup of tea together using this beautiful glass tea infuser? The tea is delicious, and the infuser is pretty to look at.
17. 1-Month Subscription to Audible
This is a great gift option for someone who loves books! For $15, they’ll get one audiobook of their choice plus access to thousands of titles for a month.
18. The Total Money Makeover
The holiday season can easily throw someone’s budget off course. Luckily, The Total Money Makeover has the perfect game plan to completely change your finances in the new year!
19. Instagram Photo Book
Who says pictures of your favorite people have to stay stuck on your phone? Give your friends and family this adorable Instagram photo book filled with pictures they love.
20. Gourmet Popcorn Gift Set
This is basically a movie night in a box—gourmet kernels plus a mix of fun seasonings to try. It’s a tasty, easy gift for anyone who loves snacks, parties or cozy nights on the couch.
Last-Minute Christmas Gifts for Kids
Looking for Christmas gift ideas for kids but don’t have time to shop? I love these creative kits and practical presents for the young ones in your life.
21. Mini Karaoke Machine
Turn your living room into a mini concert with this kid-friendly karaoke setup. With two mics, they can sing duets, put on shows, and burn off some of that holiday energy in the most fun way.
22. Dino Egg Bath Bomb Set
Bath time doesn’t have to be boring, especially with these dinosaur egg bath bombs! This set is great for the little dinosaur lovers in your life.
23. Crystal Growing Science Experiment
If you know a kid who loves science, this crystal growing set is sure to catch their attention.
24. Kids Can Cook Anything! Cookbook
Help little chefs and bakers learn new skills and come up with meal ideas with this super cute cookbook. Plus, the recipes are easy and delicious. It’s a win-win!
25. Cake Pop Baking Kit
Speaking of baking, this DIY cake pop kit lets kids whip up their own sweet treats with ingredients and decorating goodies included. It’s a fun, hands-on activity that feels like a gift and an experience all in one.
26. Crayola Art Kit
This kit includes everything your kids need to draw, color and create. It’s fun, keeps little hands busy, and saves you from hunting down supplies every five minutes.
27. I’m Glad When I Can Share Kids Book
I may be a bit biased (wink wink), but I think this book is the perfect gift for kids. It teaches important lessons about selflessness and what it means to share with others. (And the illustrations are adorable.)
I'm Glad When I Can Share
Last-Minute Christmas Gifts for Teens
If your kids are teenagers (or tweens), here are some great ideas for gifts.
28. Lighted Flying Disc
This is a next-level Frisbee that lights up with super bright LEDs, so your teens can keep playing long after the sun goes down. It’s perfect for backyard games, nighttime hangouts or camping trips.
29. Electric Hot Pot
Do you know a college student or teen who loves to cook? This electric hot pot is a perfect addition to a dorm room kitchen.
30. Questions for Humans: Parents and Teens
One of the greatest gifts you can give another person is connection. And the teens in your life want that too! These conversation starters from my friend Dr. John Delony are a great first step to more connection.
31. Snack Box Care Package
I don’t know a kid who wouldn’t love getting a big box of snacks for Christmas. This is great for someone away at college or busy with after-school activities.
32. Popcorn Maker
Whether it’s for a movie night, study session or solo snack break, a popcorn maker turns a cheap bag of kernels into something that feels special—plus they can add whatever toppings they’re into.
33. Smartphone Lens Kit
Trying to find a gift for a creative teen? This smartphone camera lens kit will take their cell phone photography to the next level.
34. Fidget Pen
This is not your average pen. It can be twisted and snapped into all kinds of shapes—like swords, robots or little creatures—then used for notes, sketches or touchscreen scrolling.
Free and Low-Cost Christmas Gifts
If you’re sticking to a budget this Christmas, don’t worry. You’ve still got plenty of creative ways to give last-minute Christmas presents without spending a lot. Here are a few ideas!
35. Create a homemade sugar scrub.
DIY Christmas gifts can be thrifty and thoughtful! Search for a homemade sugar scrub recipe online for a low-cost addition to anyone’s beauty cabinet. It’s a perfect all-natural option with ingredients you might already have at home.
36. Offer to house-sit, pet sit or babysit.
You don’t have to spend money to show you care. What about spending your time? Offer to care for someone’s home, kids or pets as your Christmas gift.
37. Bake treats together.
Create those Christmas memories by baking your favorite cookies, breads or meals together! Let’s be honest—sometimes memories last longer than presents, and baking together is something everyone will remember.
38. Make a slideshow of your favorite moments together.
If you want to kick-start a new holiday tradition, why not make a slideshow showcasing your favorite family memories? Pull together pictures, write down funny stories, and gather everyone around to relive the moments with you. It’s a creative last-minute Christmas gift that everyone can enjoy.
39. Go to a free event.
Can you tell I’m a big fan of quality time? Around the holidays, there are usually tons of Christmas light displays, tree-lighting events and community activities that are fun for the whole family. Why not lead the charge on a free group outing to celebrate the season?
40. Make a date jar.
If you’re looking for a sweet and fun gift idea for your significant other, how about a date jar? Write ideas for dates and fun things to do together on slips of paper, then add them to a jar. To make it easy, here are 45 cheap date ideas you’ll actually want to go on.
41. Create a DIY Christmas ornament.
You can grab supplies for just a few bucks at any craft store, then keep it simple or go all out. It’s especially fun for pre-Christmas get-togethers. Make ornaments together, swap them, and send everyone home with a keepsake.
42. Make a holiday mix in a jar.
For just a few dollars, you can add hot cocoa or dry soup ingredients to a mason jar and give these on-the-go treats to your friends and family. If you want to get creative, you could even make a salad dressing with dry spices—just add oil and vinegar!
43. Print and frame a special quote or Bible verse from Canva.
You can use Canva to design beautiful quotes or Bible verses for free and have the images printed at your local Walgreens for just a few bucks. Voilà, custom art!
44. Take a walk or drive to look at Christmas lights.
Christmas only comes around once a year, but making the most of the holiday doesn’t have to empty your wallet. Embrace the beautiful lights and decorations in your neighborhood with a cozy walk or drive, complete with Christmas carols playing from the radio and a cup of hot chocolate to sip along the way.
45. Regift with care.
If you received a Christmas present in the past that simply wasn’t your style or has been sitting in a closet since last year, why not regift it to someone who would appreciate it? Just make sure it’s still in great shape before you wrap it up and pass it along!
Find More Christmas Gifts From Ramsey Solutions
If you’re still hunting for thoughtful, last-minute Christmas gifts, head over to the online Ramsey Store. You’ll find books, games, guides, accessories and more that make it easy to give something meaningful—without doing a last-second mall sprint.
And before you hit Check Out, take a minute to make sure your holiday spending has a plan. EveryDollar keeps your Christmas budget front and center, helps you track what you’re spending, and lets you enjoy the season without that after-Christmas money hangover.
Next Steps
- Set your Christmas budget in EveryDollar before you shop.
- Make a gift list with a spending limit for each person.
- Use the ideas above to snag great gifts and deals fast.
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About the author
Rachel Cruze