And by “last minute” I mean: order TODAY. It’s the 18th of December, people! And if you want to ensure you get your gifts in time, sign up for a free trial of Amazon Prime
Kitchen Gadgets
KitchenArt 2-Cup Adjustable Measuring Cup
I just saw this thing for the first time yesterday on America’s Test Kitchen. They highly recommend this particular brand (they tried out a couple of others as well) and I have it say, it looks very cool. They also have a measuring “spoon” that works the same way. These gadgets are great for ingredients like oils, peanut butter, honey, etc. Minimizes cleanup while giving an accurate measure.
KitchenArt Pro 55210 Adjust-A-Cup 2-Cup Measuring Cup
KitchenArt 22101 Mini Adjust-A-Cup, Satin
Automatic Jar Opener
I’m getting my mom one of these for Christmas. As she gets older, she’s finding it more and more difficult to open jars, so this little gadget will make her life easier as she continues to explore her love of cooking and baking.
Hamilton Beach Open Ease Automatic Jar Opener, Model 76800
Cookbooks
This cookbook was recommended by Mackenzie over at Organic Butterfly. The recipes look amazing! Some of the reviewers said this book is best for individuals, couples or smaller families, but nearly everyone agrees that the recipes are easy and delicious.
This cookbook will give you ideas for recipes with real food that are great for busy families with kids who want good food that’s not “weird” as my teen daughter would say. Again, great reviews all the way around.
If you want a super usable gift for the loved one who loves to work in the kitchen, this is it.
Movies
When it comes to movies, we prefer family-friendly classics that are gripping yet uplifting. Here are some of our favorites.
This movie is a new release, and we loved it for the fact that it was a story about doing what’s right over doing what’s easy. Suspenseful but uplifting.
Our family fell in love with John Wayne movies years ago. The quintessential man’s man, John Wayne knows how to kick the bad guy’s tail and how to treat a woman. Â The Quiet Man is one of our favorites. In it John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara learn how to love and sacrifice for the sake of a great marriage. Funny, entertaining and thought-provoking as well.
The Quiet Man (60th Anniversary Special Edition)
Here are three other John Wayne favorites for our family.
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
Based on a true story about reaching for your dreams, The Rookie is lighthearted  and inspiring. Great movie for all ages. Â
The Rookie (Full Screen Edition)
Gifts for Relaxation/Self Care
This mat got the highest customer ratings and is an Amazon best seller. If you have a loved one who’s big into relaxation the natural way, here you go.
One thing that really makes my day is when my son offers to give (or sell, depending on his mood) me a 5-minute foot massage at the end of the day. This foot massager will allow you to have a foot massage whenever you want.
If you haven’t bought yourself a good pillow, you’re missing out. Sleep is very healing, so we’re big fans of a good sleep. We spent $1500 on a mattress (fifteen years ago, still have it) that we still love, and we’re big fans of quality pillows as well.
Using a fruit-infused pitcher has totally changed my water drinking habits. I now prefer water over any other drink (except maybe for herbal tea). A little lemon and cucumber in your water will refresh you, give you added vitamin health benefits and will make water your new best friend.
Prodyne Fruit Infusion Flavor Pitcher
And don’t forget to give yourself a few not-too-expensive Christmas gifts this year – you deserve it!!
Those measuring cups and jar opener look great!! Mackenzie is a huge fan of Ella and has raved about her food. Lots of great ideas here. Have a wonderful Christmas with your family!
Yes, the Ella cookbook looks great, doesn’t it? You have a wonderful Christmas too, Tanya!
That foot roller might be a gift to myself and, I guess, Mrs. Done by Forty if she wants to borrow it. I like the gloves, too.
LOL, nice of you to let her borrow it. 🙂 I like the gloves too – they look super cool!
Ooooh! I need to check out that 100 Days of Real Food book! Have you tried any of the recipes?
I haven’t, but FYI, she has a blog too!! So if you’re not considering the book as a gift you should check out her blog!
Those silicone gloves are soooo neat. My dad came by this past weekend to celebrate Christmas with us, so we got/gave a few gifts early! I got a dough cutter, fancy apron, lunchbox, and waffle maker. All of these things are luxuries I suppose, but they also enable me to cook more wonderful meals at home to save money!
Gifts like these are always useful and appreciated. 🙂
The waffle maker sounds so cool – cooking four at once? We need one of those at our house. 🙂
It was an early Christmas gift, but I took my wife to the symphony this weekend. It was for their Christmas show, but, shows of all sorts are going on all the time. She enjoyed it and we want to bring the children when they get older.
That sounds so fun!! We’ve done stuff like that with our kids a few times and they’ve always enjoyed it.
Great suggestions! I have the adjustable measuring cup – and it’s true, it’s especially great for peanut butter! And we eat a ton of peanut butter at my house.
I’ve only seen the new version of True Grit – may have to watch the old one for comparison’s sake!
The KitchenArt one? I’ve heard it’s fantastic!! Yes, the original True Grit is really good. John Wayne movies are always fun to watch.
Oh boy I love that foot massager. It does a pretty good job in relieving foot pain and I don’t have to pester my wife to give me a foot massage.
I know, right? Sounds like the perfect gift. 🙂
That massage roller looks amazing. I could definitely imagine myself rolling my feet at the end of a long day at work.
BTW…I still remember the true life story of the Rookie. That guy has such a good story and it’s amazing how he became a major league pitcher. Crazy enough I’ve never seen the movie. Looks like I know what I’ll be doing over winter break.
Thanks for sharing these awesome gift ideas!!!
You have to watch it over the holidays! You’ll love it. It does have some differences from the real story (it is Hollywood, after all) but it’s well done and uplifting.
Hi Laurie,
I like your movie suggestions – Finest Hours and Rookie. Certainly plan on watching them with my family.
Wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas!
–Michael
I think you’ll like them. The Finest Hours might be a bit much for little ones, but the Rookie is entertaining for all ages.
Add me in with the foot massager crowd. I’m not sure if there’s anyone who wouldn’t want that! Kitchen gadgets are always good gifts, too. The first year I was living on my own, my mom and grandma teamed up and bought me a bag full of the basics I needed, which was nice. I still have them!
That sounds like the perfect gift! I’m all about the practical stuff. 🙂 Merry Christmas, Erin!
Interesting, thanks for sharing such an awesome list of last minute gifts for Christmas, I’m really busy these days, and I couldn’t decide the gift because of lack of time. So I’ve started looking for suggestion over the internet and ended up landing on your article. This list really helped me decide the best and affordable :p gift for this Christmas. I’ve decided to gift a foot roller; it comes in my budget too!
Awesome, Raj!! Glad it was helpful!!!