The Budget Babe | Affordable Fashion & Style Blog

Cheap Last Minute Gifts That Won't Look It

Still shopping for last minute gifts? (It's OK, I am too!) Avoid the mall and hit one of these alternative shopping hotspots for fabulous, affordable gifts you'll be proud to give.

IKEA: This is a great place to shop for a unique, tasteful gift that won't cost a fortune. Especially cool if the recipient doesn't live near an IKEA and hence can not treat themselves. Ideas: Blown glass vase; frame with photo; dishtowels and kitchen gadgets; a cozy throw; toys for kids; Swedish treats like ginger snaps and sparkling cider.

Whole Foods: Find organic and natural bath and beauty products, kitchenware and tasty snacks to please the pickiest people on your list. Ideas: Burt's Bees gift set; bamboo cutting board; Le Creuset ramekins; a pretty apron; gourmet snack basket filled with goodies like dark chocolate, wasabi peas and balsamic almonds.

Drugstore: Create a theme-based gift basket based on the recipient's personality or favorite hobby. Ideas: Movie buff basket with a classic DVD, popcorn and candy; Cupcake lover kit with cake mix, frosting, cupcake tin, liners and doilies; Stress-relief pampering kit with tea, nail file, polish, bubble bath and mud mask.

The Packy aka Liquor Store: For the friend or couple who has everything, a nice bottle of wine or champagne is a thoughtful gift you can share together. Ideas: A bottle of Prosecco; a nice bottle of Scotch; wine from a local/regional vineyard; Coppola Sofia Blanc de Blancs 4-pack, Veuve Clicquot (half bottle); wine vacuum pump and wine notes notebook.

AutoZone: If your guy loves cars, get him a bucket filled with things he needs to take care of it. Ideas: Meguiar's Gold Class Rich Leather Cleaner/Conditioner, a brush for cleaning rims, glass cleaner, and microfiber towels.

Comments
Great list. I'm glad we're not really exchanging presents with everyone this year because we're trying to save up for a house, but I hate seeing presents I'd like to buy for friends. Buying presents is more fun than receiving them for me.

On the other hand, I'm totally stuck on what to buy one of my best friends. She just bought a new house and then had shoulder surgery. She has so many boxes of useless crap it's actually a little disgusting. She clearly has more stuff than she needs though she has almost no furniture. Also, she makes more than my husband and I do combined and has expensive taste, so I always feel like whatever I pick out isn't nice enough.
#1 Brianne on 2010-12-21 18:38 (Reply)
I love this list - fantastic ideas. I wouldn't have thought about going to IKEA for gifts, but now that you mention it I can think of tons of great items from there that would be much less expensive than household items from places like Pottery Barn or Crate and Barrel.
#2 Teal @ Expecting Chic (Homepage) on 2010-12-22 13:30 (Reply)
I love champagne in a can! There's only one place in my neighborhood that serves it and I make a special point to go there. Love your picks, I find that I can get good deals even last minute during the holidays since the stores are eager to get rid of extra merchandise.

http://blog.gifts.com/guest-guru/last-minute-shopping-guide
#3 Laura (Homepage) on 2010-12-22 16:44 (Reply)
great ideas! my sister-in-law is vegan and I wasn't sure what to get her. I'm heading to whole foods thanks to your suggestions!!
#4 colleen @ 50 days of no grey (Homepage) on 2015-12-19 23:56 (Reply)
Great deas! my sister-in-law is vegan and I wasn't sure what to get her. I'm heading to whole foods thanks to your suggestions!!
#5 colleen @ 50 days of no grey (Homepage) on 2015-12-19 23:58 (Reply)
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