If you are anything like me, you haven’t tackled the daunting task of holiday shopping. With only 8 days ’til Christmas, I’m now wondering how in the world I’m going to pull this off without looking like a complete scrooge.

I’m normally really good at planning ahead & coming up with thoughtful & personal gifts for those on my list, but now that I’m getting ready for my little man to make his entrance (only 7 1/2 weeks to go), I’ve dropped the ball. No fear though, I’ve found some great tips on how to accomplish last minute gift giving without losing that personal touch.

Tip #1: Give the gift that keeps on giving

With all of the alternatives to watching TV, why not give the gift of unlimited entertainment with a year subscription to Netflix or Hulu. You could even take it one step further with a year subscription to Amazon Prime, which also includes free music, movies & the ever popular free 2-day shipping from Amazon.com. Know a pet lover? Check out BarkBox.com for a great alternative to “jam of the month club”. The recipient of these gifts is sure to thank you long after the holidays have passed.

Tip #2: Pamper Someone

With the stress of the holidays finally over with, who couldn’t use a little “me time”. Give the gift of a massage, facial, manicure, pedicure or spa day. Don’t forget to check out Groupon for any last minute deals that could save you tons. Or for the super special person in your life, a personalized coupon book crafted just by you with “coupons” good for things such as a foot massage, midnight baby feeding, cooking dinner of your choice, unlimited control of the TV remote for 24 hrs. What could be more personal & the possibilities are endless.

Tip #3: Do-It-Yourself

Do you have a knack for making the best chocolate fudge brownie bites anyone has ever tasted? Or does your Christmas decorating skills look like you stole a page right out of the Pottery Barn magazine? Why not share your gift with loved ones? It’s the perfect way to spread a touch of personal holiday cheer &  save money on overpriced, store bought gifts. Not crafty? No worries, there’s an app for that. Check out Pinterest, Craftsy, or Craftgawker for tons of quick, easy, DIY gift ideas. Not to worry, these apps also include tutorials with step-by-step instructions on how to execute these projects like a pro.

Tip #4: Shop Online

While many of your brick & mortar stores may be out of that perfect cashmere scarf for Grandma, many online retailers still offer guaranteed shipping by Christmas. Here are a few of my favorites sites for great last minute deals and tons of variety : Amazon.com, Zappos.com & Overstock.com. I’m sure you’ll find something for everyone on your list.

Tip #5: Gift Cards/Lotto Tickets

While significantly less personal, who doesn’t love cash for the holidays. Great for those hard to buy loved ones who either have everything or simply buy it themselves.

So whether you’ve procrastinated like me or are just looking to find something special for those last few on your shopping list, I hope these tips help bring a little Christmas spirit to you & your loved ones!

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