A little bit of greenery from the backyard can make even the most last-minute gift look like something from a Christmas movie. Photo: Shutterstock.
We’ve all been there – whether it’s an unexpected arrival on Christmas Day, or the sinking realisation that 25 December is looming and you’ve been caught short in the gift department.
Region has your back with our guide for procuring presents at the 11th hour.
It might sound counterintuitive, but one solid strategy is to keep a stash of little gifts tucked away somewhere.
A couple of boxes of choccies, a nice coffee mug, a bottle of wine and a play-dough or colouring set for kids tucked away at the back of the wardrobe can be a bonanza when an extra plus-one turns up.
If it’s getting close to the big day and the cupboards are bare, fear not, you still have options.
First of all, keep calm.
Don’t buy people crap so you don’t turn up empty-handed – you’re just giving them the gift of figuring out how to get rid of it without hurting your feelings.
We’re assuming that if you’re reading this you either have no idea what the person wants, or the shops are closed. If you know what they want and the shops are open, get out there! Brave the Christmas frenzy!
Shops all shut? Thankfully we live in the internet era, so the shops are never really shut.
Grab them a gift voucher for something they love. It could be a store that supplies for their favourite hobby, it could be a class they’ve always wanted to take, or it could be a spa day.
Most places send them automatically via email, and even if you’re not able to print it off, you can forward them the email at gift exchange time.
A Red Balloon voucher is a great option if you want to get them an experience, but you can’t decide which one.
Tickets to upcoming gigs and events will still be available online – get two so they can take a friend (maybe you, in which case double win).
If you’ve got no idea what they want, but it probably doesn’t involve getting off the sofa, buy them some consumables.
Expensive tea, luxe coffee, a bottle of something from the top shelf. If they’ve got dietary requirements you can really go large and get them some specialty treats you know they never lash out on themselves.
All that a bit beyond your budget? It’s time to get creative friend.
You’re not going to teach yourself to knit in 24 hours, but if you have a skill already, hop to it.
If you’re less-than-blessed in the skill department, make them some Christmas rocky road. Chop up marshmallows, red and green jelly snakes and some nuts (if they’re not allergic). Melt chocolate and mix together.
Chuck it in the fridge to set, chop it up, pop it in an old (clean) takeaway container and tie it with a bow.
If the shops are shut, you’ve got no time to muck about melting chocolate and you’re stony broke we’ve got two options for you.
Do you have a succulent or other cute indoor plant? Hack off a cutting, put it in the nicest jar you can find, add water, and tie it with a ribbon. We suggest gifting this with a really nice card that includes care instructions for your giftee’s new plant.
If neither of your thumbs are green, it’s time to bring out an old classic, the IOU. Offer to babysit, clean their car, walk their dog, or shout them to a restaurant/bar/footy game you’ve always meant to go to together.
The key to success with this one is to make the IOU as personalised as possible, as big of an effort as possible (you’re an adult, don’t give your mum an IOU for painting her nails) and to make the presentation as cute as you can.
Add a bunch of flowers from the backyard to any of these options and you’re golden. Et voila, Christmas saved.
