Last Minute Birthday Gift Ideas:
You're Almost There!

Home » Last Minute Birthday Gift Ideas

1. Lottery Tickets.

   This works best for hard-to-buy-for friends. Go to the gas station or grocery store and get the same number of tickets as their age. Just think what someone might win with 40 lottery tickets!

   Put them right in the card or wrap them with a ribbon.

2. Homemade Gift Certificate for Their Favorite Meal

   Write a homemade gift card stating "Good for 1 lunch at Mimi's" or wherever. This is:

   • Easy, since you can write that right in the birthday card, and
   • Thoughtful because it's a free meal PLUS time with one of their favorite people: You!

   Just be sure and pin down a date right there. You don't want them to have to beg to redeem their "coupon".

3. Babysitting.

   Does your birthday friend have young children? Give the gift of free time by volunteering your own child to babysit, or get the phone number of your friend's regular babysitters and pay them yourself.

   Write up a gift certificate to make it seem more official.

4. Spa treatments.

   Most neighborhoods have some sort of nail salon and most give gift certificates. You can pick one up on the way home from the grocery store. Even men like the occasional pedicure.

5. Movie tickets.

   Swing by the local theater and buy 2 movie tickets to be used anytime. If you're a big spender, throw in enough for popcorn and drinks.

6. Grocery Store Gift Certificates.

   Most grocery stores have big kiosks full of gift certificates for a million places, from restaurants to Home Depot to clothing to, well, grocery stores.

   What could be easier? They even have cute little gift card holders in which to present them.

7. Starbucks.

   Who doesn't love a free cup of something from this place? Even if you don't, at least acknowledge that your birthday target MAY enjoy an iced latte or hot chocolate and scone. I know I do.

   Again, a super easy to find last minute birthday gift. If there isn't a Starbucks within 5 miles from wherever you are sitting right now I'll be surprised.

8. Personalized picture frame.

   This works for your sweetheart, good friend, or family member. Buy a frame at your local hobby shop or even grocery store. Find a photo of yourselves together and put it in.

   Don't have a photo handy? If you have ANY photos of the birthday person, have one made up at a one-hour photo shop. Places like Costco or Walgreen's let you upload your digital photo online and then pick up the print in an hour.

9. Balloons.

   I dare you NOT to smile when someone approaches you with a bunch of balloons.

   The grocery store is your friend again here. Pick out 1 fancy mylar balloon with a cute birthday theme, add 6 more regular balloons in complementary colors, add helium and a ribbon and you're all set.

10. Gigantic cookie.

    Young, old, boy, girl... everyone loves a giant chocolate chip cookie. Especially if their name is written on it with frosting.

    If you don't have time to bake one yourself, Mrs. Fields never disappoints.

For the quickest last minute birthday card, send an e-card from 123Greetings.com.

Return from The Last Minute Birthday Gift to Home