Gifts in the Nick of Time

Last minute madness in your house is the norm. (You’ve actually turned it into an art form.)

So you can easily handle a little hiccup this time of year—forgotten gifts, suddenly out-of-stock orders and too-late shipping dates.

Keep calm and carry on, savvy style. These last-minute gift solutions will keep your cover, just in the nick of time.

Don’t stress when a spa gift certificate can be in their hands in mere minutes. SpaFinder is a spa aggregator which lists partners with locations across the globe, including most major urban centers in Canada. Type in the city you’re looking for, ensure the spa you are interested in has the “Accepts SpaFinder Gift Certificates” on the icon and follow the steps to purchase and print out, or email a gift certificate to your recipient with all the details. The recipient redeems at the spa in question and you’re a holistic hero this holiday.

Missed making it to the theatre to buy movie tickets to stuff in their stocking? A Netflix subscription (from 1 to 12 months) can make up for that. The online screening service offers Hollywood hits and television shows from both current seasons and past. For the video voyeur in your life, this may be an unexpected hit, especially for cottage and ski cabin visits.

Philanthropic possibilities abound in the last minute gift arena, and are one of the best ways to give while giving back. Canadian programs like Blessings in a Backpack as well as more global initiatives including Plan Canada and Kiva (a microfinance lending organization for entrepreneurs in developing countries) offer swell gift solutions. If your recipient is more grounded, they’ll be game for gifts that give to Mother Earth. Adopt a coral reef in their name, or donate to a local project with Evergreen.

For those who like to experience life to the fullest, there are some real adventures to be found online. Try That{!} coordinates unique experiences in seven provinces across the country including tidal rafting and introductory flying lessons (from $99). A gift voucher can be printed off immediately after being purchased.

For wine, beer, chocolate or hot sauce lovers, a membership to Monthly Clubs means they’ll receive a monthly delivery of their favourite goods, for as long as you sign them up (as little as one month, up to twelve).

There are many other retailers including Chapters, Amazon.ca and Sephora where you can also print off an instant gift certificate. So check some of your favourite sites and see if you can be saved by the ‘print’ button.

Holiday emergency averted.

That’s progress. Tested by Alison R., Toronto