So you've waited until the last minute to grab gifts for your loved ones this holiday season. No worries, I won't judge you.
Maybe you've had a lot going on in your life this month and gift shopping fell on your list of priorities. Or maybe you're one of those weirdos who thrive on the adrenaline rush that shopping on Christmas Eve provides. Like I said, I won't judge you.
What I will do is help, because just the thought of someone having to face the massive crowds packing into the malls this time of year gives me hives. If you find yourself at a loss for easy gift ideas that require no trip to a Calgary mall, I've got you covered. Here are some simple, budget- and time-friendly vegan and gluten-free gift ideas for when you've waited until the last minute:
Chocolate bark
To me, nothing is more festive than chocolate bark. It's like the dessert version of a Christmas tree; it just tastes like Christmastime. Plus, it's ridonculously easy to make, which makes it a great last-minute DIY gift (especially if you're able to nip down to your local dollar store or craft store and score a cute holiday-themed cookie tin. Then you, my friend, are golden).
I guarantee* that if you make chocolate bark for your loved ones, they will not begrudge you your insane last-minute-shopping proclivities. Why? Because their mouths will be too full to complain.
I swear by this recipe for dark chocolate peppermint bark -- it's vegan, gluten-free, and comes together in a snap. But if you're feeling saucy, you can customize this recipe by swapping out the bits of candy cane for pistachios and dried cranberries, or bits of vegan marshmallows and vegan, gluten-free graham crackers for what will probably be a mind-blowing s'mores bark.
Jar o' baking supplies
This gift combines a DIY can-do attitude with expert-level thriftiness and it has some serious wow-potential. The idea is simple: grab a large jar (bonus hipster points if it's a mason jar) and fill it with layers of the dry ingredients required for your favourite vegan or gluten-free baked good. Does your sister like brownies? Dump some cocoa powder, flour, etc. in there! Does your piano teacher dig scones? Plop in the fixings for a dynamite scone recipe!
BUT be sure to include in your gift a written recipe for your recipient to follow. (Whether you include it as a separate index card, or stick the recipe on the jar like a label is totally up to you. Life is an adventure!)
I like The PPK's punk rock version of this idea, but I'm sure you can knock this one out of the park with the help of any great recipe and your magic touch.
Sponsor an animal
Assuming the people you're giving gifts to aren't terrible and/or materialistic people, sponsoring an animal at a local shelter is, in my opinion, one of the best ways you can spend your gift budget. Not only will you impress the hell out of the people you shop for (because you'll appear to be so compassionate and caring), you'll also bring joy to animals who need your help.
The Calgary area has many animal rescues and shelters to choose from, and even though I'm a huge cat lady at heart, I can't play favourites with these organizations.
Here are just a few local shelters where your donations can brighten an animal's life this holiday season:
- The Alice Sanctuary
- MEOW Foundation
- AARCS (Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society)
- ARF (Animal Rescue Foundation)
- Dino Dog Rescue
- Alberta Spay and Neuter Task Force
Wine
Depending on who you're shopping for, wine may not be a wise choice. But if you know your audience well enough, gifting wine can be a huge success. Though some wineries aren't kosher for vegans, a quick trip to Barnivore.com can help enlighten you on what wines are and aren't vegan-friendly.
Jackson Triggs makes some of my favourite vegan wines and their products are widely available throughout the city. I recently scored some bottles of JT malbec and merlot at 4th Street Liquor & Wine, where I saw that some of their bottles are holiday-ready with festive bows attached. If, for some reason, your local liquor store doesn't have the snazzy bow-clad bottles of JT, you can always spruce up your giftable bottle of cheer with the help of a gift bag or any bows/ribbons that may be lying around your house.
For exact locations of specific bottles of Jackson Triggs (or, really any other booze you might be in the mood for giving or drinking), I recommend checking out this site to save you from going on unnecessary wild goose chases. And be sure to buy yourself a bottle of wine while you're at it. That'll make things much easier on you, and you can finally kick back, watch your guilty pleasure holiday movie, and pour yourself a big glass once you've got your last-minute gift situation sorted out. You deserve it.
Did you leave any shopping to the last minute this year? If so, why do you like to make me break out into hives? Comment below or tweet me at @PickyBitchez.
*This guarantee is not legally binding. Please do not come crying to me if your family doesn't actually like your chocolate bark gift. Instead, drop any uneaten bark off at my house ;)
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