Last-minute Secret Santa gifts

It happens. The good news is that a thoughtful last-minute gift beats a rushed expensive one. Pick something you can get today, and spend the time you save on a good card.

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A table with brown paper, twine, scissors and a half-wrapped gift

Gingerbread cookies shaped like trees beside a box of wrapped cookies

Something from a local bakery

Fresh cookies, a loaf of good bread or a box of pastries. Easy to find and always welcome, once you've checked for allergies.

Pick this up today.

Five potted herbs in terracotta pots on a wooden table

A plant from the grocery store

A potted herb or a poinsettia looks festive and needs no wrapping beyond a ribbon. Poinsettias can upset pets, so choose the herb if they have a cat or dog.

Pick this up at the grocery store.

A hand-painted card with a watercolour tree on a wooden table

A printable experience

Make a card for an outing you'll do together, like a skate, a walk or a movie night, and set the date.

Make it at home tonight.

A brown paper gift with red ribbon beside an open envelope on a red background

A digital gift card, presented well

Print it and tuck it into a card with a note about why you picked that store.

Arrives by email:

See Amazon eGift cards on Amazon.com

A red snow shovel standing in deep snow in front of a hedge

Your time

Offer to shovel their driveway, babysit for an evening or help with a project. Write it on a card so they can claim it.

This one is free.

Tip

Look at their wishlist one more time. Even if the item is out of stock, it tells you what they're into.

Find something more personal

A few quick questions about who it's for, and you'll get ideas with a reason for each.

Start the Gift Finder

Running the exchange?

Here to Celebrate draws names for free, keeps them secret, and gives everyone a wishlist. Start an exchange.