As the effects of your finals week caffeine overdose and lack of sleep finally wear off, you’ll most likely come to the abrupt realization that Christmas is right around the corner. While you maybe should have thought of this earlier, you weren’t about to pass up that Ugly Christmas Sweater themed party last weekend and you sure as hell weren’t about to forego the inevitable finals cramming session–so you figure five days before Christmas is the perfect time to figure out what gifts to give your friends and family. In honor of your poor time management, here’s a list of five last-minute Christmas gifts that your friends and family will be sure to love.
1. Cookie Mix in A Jar
First of all, what’s not to love about an adorable mason jar? And to top it off, who doesn’t love cookies? If you don’t already have the ingredients lying around your house, run to the grocery store and purchase just the dry ingredients for chocolate chip cookies: flour, salt, sugar, etc. Layer them in a mason jar for easy pour-ability. Make a cute tag listing the wet ingredients and bake time, write a little note on the back and BOOM–you have a cute and tasty gift!
For more recipe information, click here.
2. Picture Frame
This is always a sweet idea to spice up a dorm room or make your parents smile. Cheap frames are easy to find at any large department store, and if you go to a local photo-printing place you should be able to print good-quality photos relatively inexpensively. The wrapping and note is crucial–something sappy about how a picture “doesn’t do your friendship justice” or how “you hope your parents look at it and think about you” should do the trick; just be sure to get creative and personal.
3. Friendship Bracelets
If you’re feeling crafty and have a little time on your hands, friendship bracelets are actually a very thoughtful gift for anyone. Get some cheap string at your local arts supply store and check out these tutorials on how to make some simple yet sincere friendship bracelets for your friends or family members. Hey, it may not be a masterpiece, but your mom isn’t going to pass up the opportunity to rock a handmade gift from you. Or at the very least, she’ll keep it on until you go back to school then carefully tuck it in a drawer.
4. Fuzzy Socks
No money? No problem. Fuzzy socks are one of the most inexpensive gifts around, and with cute wrapping and a note, you could make this gift epic. Target and Walmart are sure to have some holiday-themed ones around this most wonderful time of the year, and with some tissue paper and ribbon your gift will be sure to put a smile on anyone’s face.
5. A Jar of Things You Miss About Your Parents
As mentioned above, mason jars immediately make everything seem artsier–so while you may not spend any money on this gift it’s sure to grab your parents’ attention… and maybe even spark some tears if you play your cards right.
All you need is the jar, some thin string or ribbon (raid mom’s sewing kit if needed), scraps of paper (red or green if you’re feeling spirited) and a pen. Write however many sweet sentiments you can think of, roll them into tiny little scrolls and tie them with the string for the full artistic effect. Wrap it with some loose wrapping paper you find lying around, tie a bow on the top and wait for the waterworks to begin. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.
