A Random List of Last Minute Holiday Gift Ideas

So, you waited until the last minute to shop for the holidays? Don’t worry- I have ideas for the last minute shopper who is looking for a unique gifts

Think Positive! DIY!

Short on time and cash? Here are some gifts that are from the heart and shouldn’t break your wallet.

Make a photo book chronicling the positive aspects of 2020. Send your photos to a one -day/ hour service (such as Walgreens or CVS) and then place the prints in to an inexpensive photo album or create one yourself from materials you can find at home. For bonus fun – write a poem to add to your gift.
Go festive and make your own piñata! Be sure to fill with favorites – like candy and dollar store toys! Here is an easy “recipe” from Berries. com
Sew from scraps of cloth and fill with beans – your very own bean bags. Use to play games or teach another person how to juggle!
Bake cookies, decorate and place in creative containers.

Not in the creative mood – well then give the gift of TRAVEL!

Eventually, we will be able to satiate our wanderlust! Travel will be back on the calendar and you can make your family and friends smile with travel themed gifts. ( I already talked with my travel agent guru from The Travel Store, Linda Kahn- Ferrell for our next adventure!)

Consider ITALY!! We are! I can’t wait to reunite with the awesome Ana from Selected Tours Italy! I met Ana more than a year ago at the LA Travel and Adventure Show. We stayed in touch and she smartly has pivoted her business to helping travelers who are “stuck at home” enjoy the spirit of travel – virtually! Check out their awesome virtual tours for holiday gifting here. And, surprise your loved one by booking as a gift a customized tour of Italy for a post-Covid future trip!

Not ready to fly across the ocean? Well here is another travel themed idea. How fun to give the gift of a trip to a National Park! Rent an easy to drive RV and surprise your family with a trip to go visit Yosemite, the Grand Canyon or even Niagra Falls! These parks have been open (more or less) throughout the pandemic and help press our inner “reset” button.

Cruise America is known for great RV rentals. And, to learn about US National Parks go here: https://www.nps.gov/index.htm

Read about my spin on RV’ing

Last but certainly not least – Give the Gift of Paying It Forward!

Let’s face it – you get to a certain age when you have collected more than enough “STUFF”. You don’t need anymore “stuff” because you have no room in drawers, closets or shelves.

That is when you give to others.

Consider giving to your local shelter, domestic violence center or a GoFundMe that helps individuals and families in need across the globe. Donate in honor of others. As I am sure, others you know also don’t need more stuff!

RUFF! RUFF! MEOW! MEOW!

Animals need love, too! While there has been a surge of animal adoptions since the Covid 19 pandemic- there continues to be a huge need for help at our local shelters and organizations that care for animals in fragile situations. This is where you can help by sponsoring an animal, donating or adoption.

Try PetFinder.com to find your local organizations in need and pets looking for homes. And remember, before you shop – look to adopt! There are many “pure breed” animals looking for their fur-ever families.

This past holiday season I sponsored five dogs in shelters. Each dog was sponsored in the name of a family member or friend. The sponsor fee helped pay for food and care for the dogs. I heard a lot of “aws” and “how cute” when the envelopes with photos of these pups were opened. I opted to sponsor via RUFFStartRescue.org and they sent a lovely thank you.

Just look at these faces (and by the way – they all have been adopted since we started to sponsor them – except for Minnetonka (with the red collar on the left). How sweet is this little pup! Learn more here