So, it’s the absolute last minute on someone’s birthday, a holiday, or a special occasion and you find yourself giftless. I will assume this is the worst case scenario and you have minutes to find something to satisfy your celebrant. These three suggestions cover the three basic rules of good last minute gifts; they are satisfying, seem thoughtful, and have a good excuse for not having a larger physical component.
Netflix Gift Subscription
If you have a printer and an empty envelope, a netflix subscription is the most graceful of the last minute gift ideas. When you finish purchasing your netflix gift subscription, you will be given the option of either printing a code or sending one via email. Printing the code for your gift subscription is preferable for last minute gifts you must give in person as there is no way to know when you purchased this gift. Just be sure the time and date of printing is not shown on your gift certificate. If it is ten minutes till midnight on your giftee’s birthday, then make that last minute save by emailing them their gift subscription activation code. One of Netflix’s better features is its selection of online movies. Your giftee could begin using his or her birthday gift within five minutes of receiving it.
A word of caution, though. Subscribers must opt-out of service for their Netflix accounts, even gift accounts. If your giftee does not opt-out in time, he, she, or you will be charged for another month of service past the gift subscription’s expiration date. Netflix gift subscriptions currently cost between $4.99 for one month of the most basic membership to $203.88 for one year of a three DVD at a time plan with fewer limitations.
Amazon.com Gift Card
Amazon.com has thousands of items. Chances are the last minute giftee can find something he or she likes. Like Netflix, Amazon.com also offers you the choice of emailing or printing your card. Gift cards do not expire and are available in any amount between $5 and $5000. You can add an extra $3.99-5.99 to the amount you put on the gift card and tell the recipient to order the gift wrapping option if you want.
Donorschoose.org Giving Card
Want to make a donation in their honor, but not quite sure what cause to support? Choose a donorschoose.org giving card instead. These gift cards can be printed or emailed and allow the recipient to choose from a list of classroom projects proposed by teachers at donorschoose.org. You choose the amount to send and may also receive a tax deduction for this purchase.
Last Minute Wrap-up
For this last minute wrapping job, I’m going to assume the only materials you have access to are paper, scissors, and a pen. Fold your fresh printed present in half twice. From a different sheet of paper, cut a thin strip of paper from the longest side of the paper. Wrap the strip around your gift and fasten it where the two ends of the strip meet by cutting a notch at of one end of the strip then cutting another notch to slide the first into. Write any to from information or personal messages on the front of the gift.
Now relax and go confidently present your last minute gift.
