It’s Christmas Eve and the mall is so packed you can barely make your way through.  By the time you reach the store of choice, your mind blanks and you suddenly have no clue what to buy. It’s the first day of Hanukkah and you realize that you not only have no gifts to give to your loved ones, but also have limited time to get anything. You think to yourself, “I’ll just give the present a day late, it’s totally fine.”  However, you know on the inside that the more you wait, the harder it will be to find a gift.  We’ve all been in this position, but have no fear!  Last minute gifts can still be special. Follow this guide to trick your loved ones into believing you put lots of thought into their gifts.

• Create a care package with things that remind you of your loved one. Take a gift bag or basket (for extra flare) and fill it with gift cards, treats, beauty products, small clothing pieces, gadgets and other trinkets that the recipient loves.  If you’re really at a loss, some universally popular items include chocolates, fuzzy socks, nail polish, Starbucks/Donut Delight gift cards, gum and body spray.  All of these products can be picked up at a local drug store in minutes.

• Store-bought baked goods are great, but it’s even more special when they are homemade. You don’t know how to bake cookies?  No problem.  Try something more simple like chocolate covered pretzels.  Melt chocolate chips, dip some pretzels, add crushed candy pieces for a special touch and voila, you’ve created a gift that is more thoughtful than a box of chocolates, yet just as easy.

• Although it seems cheesy, a classic picture collage is always appreciated. Collect as many pictures as you can find, arrange them on a small poster board and add decorations/designs to create a more aesthetically pleasing gift.  Accompany this with a nice homemade card to create the illusion of a special, memorable treat that actually takes little time.

• Another great option, although more expensive, is the new Amazon Echo device. Amazon is offering a discount on this hands-free device that can answer all your questions, play music and audio books, tell you how the traffic is and even turn off your lights with the sole use of your voice. Any teen or adult interested in new technology would greatly enjoy.

• Flowers are always a classic. They are easy to buy, relatively inexpensive and a sweet, loving gift for any close friend or family member. Simply attach a decorative holiday card with a sweet message to create a personal yet easy-to-make gift that is sure to brighten up someone’s day.

• A personal mug is a very basic gift that can easily be transformed into something special. Buy a mug with your loved one’s name or a pretty design for the simplest option. If you have more time on your hands, decorate a plain mug yourself with stickers, glitter or even a small picture of you with the person. You can also fill the mug with sweets, toys, or any smaller sized item. Fill it as much as you desire to create a sweet gift that will definitely be put to good use.

• If you don’t have time to go out and shop, another great option is a one year subscription to a favorite magazine. These are always available online and easy to get the day before. Whether your loved one is interested in sports or beauty, there is always an option for everyone. Place the subscription into a card for an extra touch of holiday spirit.

• Another no-shopping-required gift is a service coupon. What is that, you ask?  Well we all have that someone who hates completing a certain task, whether it’s doing the dishes, taking out the garbage or cooking dinner.  Do a good deed and create your own coupon that your loved one can use to get out of it for a night or any period of time and instead you take over the chore. While this is a non-material gift, it is sure to relieve the recipient of some stress and enable relaxation, the best gift of all.