Between a barrage of parties and travel plans, we don’t need to tell you about the busyness of the holiday season (in fact, we’re sure you’re in the thick of it right now!). To help ease the seasonal stress, we’ve gathered some thoughtful last-minute gift and wrapping ideas for any situation you might find yourself in—even in the 11th hour.
Gift a Thoughtful Title
We love designer Alessandra Branca’s long-standing Christmas tradition of gifting vintage books, which feels especially personal. “I’ll find and collect books that I feel are appropriate for people—they can be fun little hostess books, or they can be serious books about history. It’s the most common stocking-filler item in our household and one of the gifts that I give the most.”
Make it extra special: If you’re pressed for time to hunt down vintage books or rare first-editions, pick a set of books with embellished covers, which is certain to be a sentimental addition to the giftee’s collection.
Top Gifts with a Handmade Accent
DIY expert Megan Pflug masterminded these adorable gift toppers, which will add a whimsical handmade moment to presents of any size. The best part? You can easily get these supplies, fast!—or straight from your backyard. Mini ornaments make cute toppers too.
Gift a Homemade Treat
Who doesn’t love a little something sweet, especially at this time of year? This no-bake raspberry-pistachio cheesecake hits all the right notes for the perfectly thoughtful edible gift: delicious, easy to whip up, and very photogenic. Your busy hostess friend will appreciate it—as will everyone else at her holiday table!
Make it extra special: Turn your gift into a full package by including a few extras with your cake. A stylish tea towel, cake server, and cake stand give your recipient everything needed to serve up the treat, plus items they can use long after the holidays have ended.
Wrap Gifts with Extra-Extra Flair
Don’t just stick to the usual reds, greens, and metallics for gift wrap. We’re wholehearted believers that the sky’s the limit when it comes to wrapping presents, so have a little fun! Here, a trio of ribbons (yes, those are pom-poms!) against graphic paper makes for an especially memorable unwrapping experience.
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