If You’ve Left It Till the Last Minute

At this point, it’s pretty much all about the gift certificates (though if you’re celebrating Hanukkah, you might just squeak in with a mailed gift and expedited shipping before the eighth day). Amazon has gift certificates that you can e-mail or print yourself, loaded with as little as $5. (Full disclosure: I do make a small referral fee from each purchase made through Mombian, but that’s how I keep the site going.)

Other last-minute options include baked goods or the promise of a homemade dinner (depending on your culinary skill) or handmade coupons for childcare, household chores, and the like. And who could resist a big batch of homemade playdough?

What are your last-minute gift secrets?