Every year the Christmas season seems to come earlier to the retail establishments.  Yet even with these reminders of the season stretching back into October, many of us find that we are still trying to find some gifts right up to the last minute.  While this can be a stressful situation, it doesn't need to be, if you are willing to prepare a little for the inevitable time when you find yourself unprepared. 

A gift basket can be put together inexpensively and with some items you can get at a supermarket or other store that is likely to be open when no one else seems to be.  But in order to pull this off and make it appear as if it was planned rather than rushed, you should keep some basket making items available.  The one thing you will probably not be able to find at the time when you are putting this together is the basket itself, but these can be purchased throughout the year and stored until you need them.  If you also keep ribbon, tissue paper and cellophane on hand, all you will need is the items to fill the basket.  Then use your creativity to make up a tea lovers basket, or movie lovers basket, or whatever you think the person will enjoy.

Another good last minute gift idea that requires a little less planning is an online gift card.  Many stores will allow you to purchase a gift card that you can print out to give to the person, and these can be used online or in the store.  These are the best ones to get because not everyone is comfortable yet with online shopping.  You can prepare for this by researching stores that offer these cards, and making a folder with the links to each.  This will save you considerable time when you are running out and need the gift immediately, if not sooner.

Another option which requires only about as much preparation as the gift card is to make a donation in the person's name to a charity.  Follow the advice of making a folder with charities that will let you print out a certificate stating that the gift was made so you can give this to the person. 

To get away with even less planning, you can have a star named after the person.  Depending on how well you know them, you may want to name it after their favorite pet or something else that has meaning to them.  This makes the gift seem more thoughtful.

One final idea, if you know a little bit about the person's interests, would be to purchase them a magazine subscription.  Even if you get something they already read, they will probably be able to use your gift to extend their subscription, but you may want to find this out before getting it.  Again, a little research done well before will leave you with a list of safe magazines you can buy without worry of the person already getting it.

If you are a person, like me, who tends to have a knack for leaving some gifts to the last minute, you'll be very thankful that you took some time to prepare for it before you needed it.  Even though you are still leaving the gift to the last minute, you'll be less stressed and it will come off looking less hasty.