Low Stress Last Minute Gift Ideas

We’ve all been there — holidays, birthdays, and anniversaries are just around the corner, your schedule starts getting more chaotic, and you still haven’t picked out a gift. You think you have plenty of time to get the perfect present — and then suddenly the occasion is just days away and you still need a gift. Whether it just slipped your mind or you decided to give a gift impromptu, we’ve got you covered. Last minute gifts don’t have to be totally impersonal, and if you’re in need of last-minute gift ideas for the holidays, a birthday, or any other occasion, then you’ve come to the right place. There are plenty of easy-to-get and easy-to-make presents that are thoughtful and unique — from easy personalized gifts to clever subscriptions and everything in between. We’re sharing these last minute gift ideas that will give you both inspiration and DIY tips.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re looking to get gifts for friends, family members, or coworkers — there’s something on this list that will fit everyone’s needs. As you decide on your gifts, think about items that’ll be truly appreciated and enjoyed. Don’t forget: if you’re looking for last minute gifts around the holidays, be sure to pair it with a unique Christmas card! Holidays may be stressful, but finding last minute gifts doesn’t have to be!

Custom Jigsaw Puzzle

Perfect for Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries, and for your home and family, high-quality jigsaw puzzles are both interactive and collaborative. While friends and family members sit together enjoying each other’s company, you can relish knowing you’ve created a gift that’s memorable, enjoyable, and irreplaceable. Create small picture puzzles for kids or design more challenging adult puzzles. Choose from 500-piece puzzles, 1000-piece puzzles, and more to make sure they’re as difficult or and as fun as you want.

Photo Prints

Smartphone cameras take great photos, but those images then languish in the camera roll, gathering virtual dust until they are forgotten. Creating a tangible image instantly is much more fun. You can hang prints as custom wall art, put them in a beautiful frame, or give them away in a keepsake photo album. With our online photo printing service, you can upload those favorite photos and turn them into beautiful photo prints that suit your style and celebrate everyday memories. When you need 4×6 prints right away, you can order online and pick them up at a local store in as little as one hour. Look for the 1-hour pick-up link on the review order page. For detailed step-by-step instructions, read In-Store Pickup: How to Order.

Colorful Wall Art

Wall art can enhance your personalized prints that enhance any wall art space. Use images taken from our Art Library or images you’ve taken on your own with your camera. Utilize an empty space in your living area to properly display all the colorful wall art for all to see.

Decorative Photo Frame

Another easy-but-sentimental idea? Print out one of your favorite photos with them, then pop it in a stylish frame. Framed prints for holidays like Christmas and Mother’s Day or special occasions like graduations are great gift ideas. Metallic and rustic framed prints are a thoughtful way to turn your favorite photographs of your family and little ones into something Grandma will cherish every time she looks at it. Or, a beautiful framed photo print of a baby with a modern style picture frame is the perfect gift for new parents.

Personalized Tea Towel

A personalized tea towel can double as a kitchen accessory and can double as a device to wrap your gift as well. When you go to celebrate at a friends home, bring them a loaf of bread along with a personalized tea towel wrapped with a special touch.

Custom Necklace

These custom necklaces look beautiful and are easy to personalize. Just use the recipient’s initials, name, or a cute phrase. We offer a lovely selection of custom bar necklace design options so you’ll be able to find the design that bests suits you or the person to whom you’re giving the necklace. Once you’ve selected the metal type, you can customize it to fit the style and personality of the person who will be wearing it.

Family Cookbook

Share family recipes and experiment with new cuisines when you make a cookbook with Shutterfly. A personalized cookbook also makes a perfect last minute gift for special occasions. Create a grilling cookbook for dad this Father’s Day or give your adult child a cookbook for graduation as they prepare to move out on their own. Create special moments and celebrate your favorite memories in unique ways with custom cookbooks.

Personalized Candles

Custom candles make a great last-minute gift. We’ve all been in that situation where we’ve forgotten a gift for someone important and don’t want to go generic. That’s why we’ve created unique solutions that allow you to get customized, special gifts quickly. We offer several shipping options, including rush and super rush shipping that is guaranteed to arrive by a certain date. Don’t panic when you’ve waited too long to order that special gift.

Personalized Notepad

Customize a notepad for jotting down memories or writing to-do lists. Shutterfly makes it easier than ever to turn your favorite memories, artwork, and photographs into beautiful personalized stationery pads. Browse through Shutterfly’s vast collection of custom notepad designs and choose your favorite. From watercolor and floral designs to monogram styles, there’s something for everyone. For inspiration and tips, read our post on how to design your own custom notepad.

Cheeseboard

Charcuterie board connoisseurs will flip for this custom cutting board that doubles as stand-alone accents on countertops and even on mantles and shelves. The cook in your life will love showing their skills on their very own personalized wood cutting board. Budding chef in your kitchen? A custom cutting board engraved with their initials is a wonderful way to encourage their new hobby, and they will beam with pride each time they use it.

Wrapped Bottle of Wine

Grab a bottle of red or white wine and your gift is almost complete. Wrap it in a custom wine bag, wine tote, or tea towel then head to the party!

Personalized Gifts For Pet Lovers

If you’re looking for a pet lover’s gift, you’ll find what you need in this well thought out collection to honor all furry friends. Personalized pet gifts for humans abound in this luxurious collection including stationery, drinkware, home décor, jewelry and books. Whether your beloved friend barks, purrs, chirps, or neighs, you’ll find the perfect gift for all pet lovers, and even the pets, too! Shutterfly features personalized gifts for pet lovers that can be tailored to your favorite styles, themes, occasions and holidays. And, of course, adding timeless photos of the beloved pet will make this a cherished gift!

Wooden Utensils

Enhance a set of wooden utensils by engraving a loving phrase or saying. Spoil your giftee with a set of personalized wood utensils and hope they invite you over for a dinner party at some point.

Photo Tiles

Everyone appreciates having beautiful wall art for their photos, posters, or artwork — but no one actually likes paying for it themselves. They’ll enjoy the chance to change up their walls with custom photo tiles. Bonus points if you also print and send cute family photos.

Photo Prints

Make a cork board covered with photo prints for your next homemade gift idea. They are super easy to make, inexpensive, and practical!

Personalized Journal

Have a friend or coworker who loves to write? Make them a personalized journal with a cover that will inspire them.

Tech Gifts

Create personalized tech gifts for all the techies in your life. It can be hard to shop for the tech-loving person in your life who already has it all. Thankfully, with Shutterfly, you can easily find the perfect gift for your techie friends and family. Infuse a little style and charm into their high-tech lives with a variety of custom items that combine technology and personalization for a big impact. Whether you’re looking for unique iPhone cases, Samsung cases, stylish chargers or protective cases for other devices, you’ve come to the right place. With innovative tech gift ideas like these, you’re sure to find the perfect present for any occasion.

Glassware

One of the greatest and most appreciated gifts for wine, beer, and liquor lovers is personalized drinkware. Rather than giving a wine bottle as a housewarming gift or a six-pack for a birthday, give a gift that’ll last a lifetime. A personalized wine glass will bring elegance and sophistication to any home.

Photo Pillows

Create custom pillows for a friend’s living room or bedroom. Choose neutral fabrics or ones you know will match their decor perfectly. Browse our collection of custom throw pillows to make a pillow for any occasion — Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, holidays, weddings, and more. Once you’ve chosen a design for your custom pillow, upload your photos and customize the text to make the perfect pillow your loved ones will adore. Choose between cotton weave, plush, and sherpa pillows to make a cozy and unique keepsake. Shutterfly’s design template online makes it easy to make your own pillow – you can choose different background colors and layouts that work with your photos.

Tote Bags

Personalized tote bags are perfect for carrying around your laptop, notepad, pens, planner, and other office supplies. These tote bags can also be easily personalized to make great custom gifts for coworkers and friends. If you’re designing one or more cotton tote bags to give as gifts and want to add another personalized gift to go along with it, Shutterfly offers a huge variety of other customizable gifts.

Custom Magnets

Don’t worry about where to buy magnets anymore. With Shutterfly, you can create magnets for every occasion as special gifts. The custom magnets can stick to so many different surfaces that you know your friends and family will be able to find a place for your gift.

Tile Coasters

Personalize coasters using tiles as your foundation. Adhere scrapbook paper—whether it’s floral or rustic themed—for unique decor that can be used in the kitchen or dining room.

Personalized Socks

Keep your gift recipients’ toes warm this winter season with a set of personalized socks. With customized socks, you can add a multitude of photos such as photos of head cutouts of your favorite people or of your furry four-legged family members. Choose between different template designs some to ring in the season with or some just to congratulate them for their birthday. No matter what design you choose to incorporate into your personalized socks, your friends and family will get a good laugh at how comical their gift is.

Customized Blankets

Another way to keep warm and toasty around the fireplace is with a customized photo blanket that has images of your most cherished memories. As you snuggle up around your warm blankets, you will be able to see all the amazing pictures printed onto your one-of-a-kind custom blanket. From fleece blankets to woven photo blankets, you can keep warm with your favorite memories and pictures.

Custom Ornaments

For a present that gives every year, consider making a custom ornament that will be featured on your Christmas tree every year. Ornaments can feature different images and a variety of styles that are unique to each type of ornament. Choose from 9 different types of ornaments that can accent any Christmas tree and add photos that reflect your holiday season.

Wrapping Up

We hope this list of last minute gift ideas will help to inspire your purchases before the special occasion is officially here! Whether it’s something they need, or something a bit more sentimental, that special person in your life will appreciate the thought, effort, and love that you put into getting their gift. Don’t forget that the best gifts are both practical and personalized. If you’re still unsure of a last minute gift, try a custom cutting board or a canvas tote bag. Whatever gift you pick, don’t forget a personalized note card, and you’ll have the peace of mind that they’ll appreciate the thoughtfulness.