When thoughts of holiday gift shopping first enter your head, the holidays seem far enough away that you don’t need to worry about it just yet. But before you know it, there’s hardly a week left before your gifts should be wrapped and ready.
It feels as if time is anything but on your side! If you’re stressed because you have a lot of holiday shopping to do and have plenty of other things on your plate, don’t panic. Focus your energy on pairing the perfect gift with each person (or pet!) at the first chance you get. We gathered some holiday gifts to give you a little bit of inspiration.
Gifts That Keep on Giving
Do you have a stubbornly selfless spouse or parents who insist they already have everything they want? Gift-of-the-month club memberships let you to prove your loved ones wrong by introducing them to new flavors or versions of something they thoroughly enjoy. Clubs such as Craft Beer Club and Club W ship beer and wine samples, and are a welcome present to those who wouldn’t otherwise think to ask for them. Gift-of-the-month memberships exist for people with all sorts of interests, hobbies, and passions. Craft Coffee delivers hand-selected artisan beans to coffee lovers’ doors, Hot Sauce of the Month Club allows spice fiends to sear their taste buds in new and different ways, the Sweet ‘n’ Salty of the Month Club is one of many gourmet snacks clubs that appeal to members’ taste buds with new snacks and treats each month. BirchBox and an array of online beauty box clubs vie to help members meet their beauty and grooming needs.
The Latest Tech Gadgets
Does anyone you shop for live for technological progress or modern convenience? If so, brush up on the most popular new gadgets to find the perfect gift for them. Waka Waka solar-rechargeable battery packs have made a splash in the portable power industry. For every Waka Waka battery pack purchased, the company gives another to someone living in a poor or crisis-ridden country. Large bluetooth speakers, such as the JBL Flip II and Cambridge Soundworks Oontz XL, are making sound waves on many music lovers’ wish lists. Streaming players are once again popular, with Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast, and Amazon Fire TV getting the most attention. Tablet and e-reader technology continues to improve, making upgrades appealing. The Google Nexus 9 and Apple iPad Air 2 are the most popular mainstream tablets updated since last holiday season. The Amazon Kindle Voyage, boasting next-gen Paperwhite display technology and the highest resolution of any e-reader yet, offers an unparalleled e-reading experience. Smart home gadgets, such as the Mr. Coffee Smart Coffeemaker, Kensington Proximo easy-to-lose-items tracker, and Dropcam Pro WiFi Camera, are growing increasingly popular. For someone who just wants to experiment with home automation for the first time, the SmartThings Smart Home Starter Kit is a great introduction and generous gift. According to market forecasters, many Americans will also receive Christmas or Hanukkah drones this season. Glean additional high-tech holiday gift ideas by checking out CNET’s holiday gift guide, helpfully arranged by budget and technology type.
Stylish Holiday Gifts for Pets
Could your pet use a new leash, chew toy, or sweater? If he or she were consulted, the answer would almost certainly be a yes. Artist marketplaces like Etsy make it easy for you to get your hands on handcrafted, one-of-a-kind holiday gifts. If you have a dog or cat you really want to spoil, sign your pet up for a gift-of-the-month membership. BarkBox, Bugsy’s Box, Dr. D’s Pet Packages, and PetBox all offer delivery of toys, treats, and other canine-oriented goodies to your apartment. Some of these services send surprises your way each month and others let you choose what your pet will receive. If you already know what food is good for your pet and what treats he or she enjoys, you can save time and money by signing up for monthly or quarterly shipments of your pet’s favorite grub. Chewy.com, Pet360.com, PetFoodDirect.com, and TheHonestKitchen.com all offer autoship subscriptions. Real Simple also offers fun holiday gift suggestions specific to pets ranging from cats and dogs to birds and hamsters. If you’re really pressed for time, you can always fall back on a package of your pet’s favorite treats. And if an ornament, magnet, mug, or other gift pertaining to your pet calls your name while you are shopping, don’t hesitate to pick it up. Sure, it may be more of a gift for yourself than for your pet. But indulging in items that show you really love your dog or cat are signs you are a good pet owner, right?
Homemade at the Last Minute
If you have a creative streak and between 30 minutes to an hour to spare on a craft project, you can still get your DIY gift-making on. Holiday ornaments, decorative candles, and homemade beauty products are great gifts that can be made quickly. Love coupon books for your your significant other promising date nights, favorite homemade dishes, and other treats are another caring gift that can be assembled at the last-minute. You still have time, but the clock is ticking. AMLI Residential wishes you the best of luck with your holiday gift shopping and a happy holiday season! Do you have any holiday gift ideas or tips for last-minute holiday gift shoppers? Share them in the comments!
View All Posts by Jason Ernst