Not to make your seasonal stress any more intense, but … Christmas is right around the corner. Like, RIGHT around the corner.
The holidays are drawing near. If you've put off shopping for too long, don’t worry. There’s still time to get the perfect gift
Hybrid Images / Getty
Not to make your seasonal stress any more intense, but … Christmas is right around the corner. Like, RIGHT around the corner.
The window for thoughtful and personal gifts is rapidly closing, but one of the advantages of living in an on-demand world is you can shop last minute and still find the perfect gift, even if delivery times are backed up. There are plenty of gift ideas that can make you a holiday hero, even if you wait until Christmas morning to start shopping.
Here are a few ideas for procrastinators that are a lot classier (and will be much more well-received) than a lottery ticket or gift card.
Know someone who just can't get enough for assembling puzzles? Completing the Puzzle is a subscription service that lets them pick and choose puzzles and have them delivered to their door. They can assemble those at their leisure, then return it for a new one. The company's catalog boasts over 1,300 puzzles from over 40 premium brands. Prices run $30 per month, but you can get discounts for three- and six-month subscription packages.
Got a foodie on your list? Goldbelly is the go-to site for regional cuisine on a nationwide basis. (Want a Chicago pizza from one of the originators, but you're in Wyoming? No problem. Texas brisket BBQ in Cleveland? Sure thing!) This year, the site is offering a three-month subscription box for $250, where they will curate a monthly box of goods that will serve at least four people. It's a leap of faith, so not a good choice if your friend or family member has dietary restrictions, but those with a sense of culinary exploration could find some new favorites.
Your friends and family might not look at those old photos in dusty albums too often, but when they do, there's an overwhelming sense of history and nostalgia. But as the past couple of years have shown us, disaster can strike with little warning. And while losing your phone doesn't mean you've lost your memories, once physical photos and home movies vanish, there's no cloud from which to recover them. ScanMyPhotos will digitize your photos, movies and slides, usually with a remarkable turnaround time. For $145, the company sends a prepaid postage box (which is all you have to hand over as the gift), which customers load with as many pictures as they can. About a week or so later, it's returned with the photos scanned into digital form and put on a CD or USB. Have a larger custom job? The company recently announced a "Name Your Price" promotion.
Anyone can grab a bottle of wine as a last-minute gift. But if you want to see eyebrows raise, consider raising the bar with something high end. Whistlepig's The Boss Hog XII: Feathers & Flame ($600) is a rare rye whiskey that utilizes Mexico's oldest fermenting traditions. Finished in pulque curado de cacao barrels, it's unlike anything your friend/family member has likely ever tasted, a whiskey with citrus, hints of agave sweetness and a oh-so-slightly peppery finish.
Music feeds the soul, but ads in between songs are a particular form of torture. Streaming service subscriptions let you skip those, and give access to a virtually unlimited catalog of music. Premium subscriptions generally start around $10 per month. Beyond music, there are also thousands of podcasts and, with Spotify $SPOT, audiobooks on demand.
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