Last minute gifts that keep on giving

Do you want to really make your Christmas gifts count this year? Here are a few ideas for things you can pick up right at the last minute – some of them as late as Christmas morning itself – that could make a positive contribution to your giftee’s health, wealth and happiness over the coming weeks and months.

As fun as most novelty gifts can be, much of it is destined to be shoved at the back of a drawer or end up as landfill. However, there are lots of other gifts you can give that will keep on giving for much longer. Have a peek at my final festive gift guide for 2017 and let me know what you think.

DREAM / PLAN money box at HEMA, £4.00. It keeps on giving because it helps to set savings goals, plus it prevents small coins and notes from being lost. I also love the slightly insane Alice In Wonderland style Glamingo flamingo money box from Paperchase, £10.00.

Morphy Richards 3.5L Sear & Stew slow cooker, £22.99. One of the best reviewed slow cookers in the UK. It keeps on giving because it cuts fuel costs AND lets you turn cheaper cuts of meat etc into delicious stews, casseroles, soups and more, so they’ll be eating well for less.

A 3-month subscription to BEAUTY PIE. I am no longer willing to recommend this company or its products.

Sainsbury’s Check Sherpa Throw, reduced to £24.00. It keeps on giving because you can put it over your knees on the sofa, or on top of your bed, so you don’t have to crank up the heating. If you’re worried about someone getting cold, I can also heartily recommend the whole Heattech thermal clothing and accessories collection from Uniqlo.

A £15 / £25 / £50 gift card for Netflix. It keeps on giving because it’s a cheap night in when you’re broke, you can watch some very smart documentaries to buff up your knowledge, or you can watch comedies for a laugh when you’re a bit down in the dumps. Buy at Tesco, GAME, John Lewis etc, and if time is tight do a Click & Collect so you don’t have to worry about delayed post.

For an experience that’ll get them out of the house, try the Christmas special offers from Lastminute. With prices from as low as £9.00, there’s something for just about everyone. Some of these can be bought on the day with a gift voucher to print out and put in a card, so look for the e-vouchers offers if you’ve run out of time.

Goodness Project gift box or subscription for healthy snacks, prices from £22.95. This gift keeps on giving when you want to make sure someone’s eating enough, or you want to support them in their goal of living a healthier lifestyle. For perking up plain budget meals, this 16-jar Schwartz spice rack is just the ticket too.

Jump Start Your Money Confidence, £8.99 paperback. Yes, blatant self promotion, sorry. This is a 30-day challenge for anyone who thinks they’re useless with money, because there are so many things you can do to improve your habits and your situation. There’s an in-depth review here if you’d like to know more.

Do you know anyone who’d benefit from any of these gifts that keep on giving? I think they’d be great for students, elderly relatives, anyone who’s on a tight budget, or for a friend who needs a little pick-me-up or some pampering.

Hope you’ve enjoyed all the recent Christmas prep guides, trend reports, food and drink features, and all the gift guides. Please let me know which have been your favourites and I’ll be sure to do some more next year to keep everyone happy and thrifty.