Six Easy Last-Minute Christmas Gifts
A stellar last-minute Christmas gift purchase will help you to avoid the serious social faux pas of showing up for a holiday party without a present to exchange. Although Christmas is traditionally set aside as a day to honor Christ's birth in a Bethlehem manger, most individuals and families also celebrate the day by indulging in festive decorations, lavish feasts and gift exchanges. If you are on your way to a Christmas gathering without a present in hand, choose one of these ideas for six easy last-minute gift ideas that will likely impress.
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Gift Cards
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Virtually any retail store, restaurant, or entertainment venue has gift cards for sale. A book lover might appreciate a gift card to her favorite bookstore, along with a suggestion of a novel that you think she would enjoy. A die-hard foodie might enjoy a gift card to the hottest new restaurant in town. Gift cards are generally sold along with a stylish envelope, which makes them an exceptionally simple last-minute present that does not even need to be wrapped.
Bottle of Wine
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Stop in at your local wine shop on your way to the Christmas festivities. It will only take a few minutes to pick out a nice bottle of wine, slide it into a pretty wine bag and be on your merry way. You can select a fine-tasting wine for $15 or less at most wine shops or liquor stores. If you are not wine savvy, simply give the store clerk a price range and let him direct you to a popular wine that has gotten rave reviews.
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Lottery Tickets
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Lottery tickets are a great last-minute gift idea for friends or family members who appreciate a gambler's chance at a pot of gold. Tickets are available for as little as one dollar a pop, and they are available at a wide variety of grocery and liquor stores across the country. Pick out a nice card to go along with the gift, and you are good to go.
Journal
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Virtually anyone can find a use for a journal, which makes this one of the most universal last-minute gift ideas around. Pop in to your local bookstore and pick out a journal that fits the specific tastes of your recipient. Many bookstores offer free in-house wrapping during the holidays, which can save you a load of time.
Magazine Subscription
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If you are crunched for time, pick up the latest edition of a magazine that your recipient will likely enjoy at a local bookstore or grocery outlet. Pair the magazine with a handwritten card explaining that a subscription for the magazine has been purchased. If your telephone has Internet access, you can place the subscription en route to your holiday party. Simply visit the magazine website, supply your credit card information for the purchase and provide the recipient's home address for delivery.
Movie Tickets
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Movie tickets are easy to purchase as a last-minute Christmas gift. You can buy movie tickets online at Fandango, and have the open-ended tickets emailed to your recipient's email account. Or, simply stop by your local theater and purchase a gift certificate for two movie tickets in person. You can easily substitute concert or show tickets, if you think that live entertainment would appeal more to your particular recipient.
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