We’ve all done it.
Some of us never learn and do it every single year.
But there’s no need to panic if you’ve left it late to make a start on your Christmas shopping.
We’ve put together some great last-minute Christmas gift ideas that the recipient will love to find under their tree on Christmas morning.
Email To The Rescue
Left things too late for even the last Christmas posting dates?
Fear not! While you might be out of time to order one of our gift packages, you could still win major brownie points in the present stakes with our hot air balloon ride e-voucher.
Avoid the ridiculous long shop queues and town centre traffic chaos of those last days before Christmas and simply check out our website for our range of hot air balloon ride flight vouchers.
It’s lovely and mobile friendly so you can even browse with ease when you’re out and about.
Whether you want a hot air balloon ride for one or a hot air balloon ride for two, the vouchers are delivered instantly to your email inbox and include a high-quality printable voucher that looks anything but ‘last minute’.
And the best bit? It fits perfectly even in the smallest of Christmas stockings!
To find out more about our Christmas hot air balloon ride e-vouchers, click here and choose ‘Email’ as the shipping option when you get to the checkout.
Then simply sit back and enjoy the look of delight as they open their unforgettable gift of flight!
Show You Care With Handmade Gifts
Does someone you know love to bake but their results are, ahem, somewhat questionable on the success front?
Why not guarantee them success with a foolproof homemade baking mix in a jar? From chocolate brownies to Christmas biscuits and breakfast pancakes to banana bread, dozens of delicious treats will turn out perfectly every time.
There are some great recipes here on allrecipes.co.uk.
Simply layer up the exact quantities of each dry ingredient in a large sterilised jar, seal and add some festive decoration such as red or green ribbon and a small bauble.
And remember to write out the instructions on a large gift tag, including any extra ingredients they might need such as eggs, butter or milk.
But why stop at baking gifts?
There are hundreds of ideas for Christmas gifts in a jar that can be easily put together at the very last minute, from homemade body salt scrubs to crafting kits or delicious hot chocolate mixtures you can’t buy in the shops.
Pinterest has hundreds of different ideas to inspire you here.
Shop Local
If the idea of braving the hoards in big department stores and supermarkets on the last weekend before Christmas fills you with horror, turn your thoughts instead to independent local shops and businesses.
While big chain stores still dominate, there is a revolution happening in a high street near you as more of us choose ‘shop local’ and spend our hard-earned money with stores owned and run by our fellow townspeople.
From artisan delicatessens stocking locally sourced food and drink to pretty handmade homeware and independent book shops to stylish clothing, there is something for everyone in your local town centre.
You’ll also enjoy smaller queues, pick up unusual or one-off gifts that you wouldn’t find anywhere else and get personal service with a smile and added Christmas cheer.
Make Memories With A Gift Experience Day
The lovely people over at Virgin Experience Days have thousands of ideas for spoiling your loved ones this Christmas.
Most of their experience days are also available with instant delivery e-vouchers, including pamper days, afternoon tea for two, track days, professional photoshoots and theatre trips.
So you could still crown yourself the king or queen of present-givers on Christmas morning as you give them a gift experience day they will never forget.
Share Memories
And while we’re on the subject of memories, why not share some of yours with those you love?
While there are plenty of professionally printed photobooks available on the high street and online, a lovingly hand-crafted personalised memory book or memory box is a unique and unforgettable gift.
From family photos to holiday postcards and concert ticket stubs to the lyrics of their favourite song, you can include absolutely anything which has a special meaning from your life with them.
Perfect whether you’re looking for gifts for him, gifts for her, for your husband, grandmother, best friend, girlfriend – for anyone who means a lot to you in fact!
If you are making one for your children (including the grown-up ones!), you could include their hospital newborn’s wristband or the first Christmas card that they made for you at school.
Once again, check out Pinterest for lots of inspiration and then simply sit down with a pretty scrapbook, your collected items, scissors, glue and a nice hot chocolate or glass of mulled wine to get creative.