Are you on the hunt for the perfect gift, but short on time? We have plenty of gift inspiration to help if you’re buying for a child or teen. Here are some last-minute Christmas present ideas that will go down a treat!
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If you’re in serious need of some ideas for presents to buy your child or teen, or a family relative or friend, then you’ve come to the right place! We’ve put together some ideas for presents by age – things that our kids and teens have liked, so you’re sure to be onto a winner with your gift.
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Last Minute Christmas Present Ideas
General Gifts
Here are some suggestions for general present ideas that aren’t age specific but can be enjoyed throughout the year or as a special treat:
An annual pass or membership for a nearby attraction, such as a sports club, local pet farm or activity centre. A zoo membership or a pass to another family attraction near you can work well too, depending on where the family is located.
A monthly subscription is a great gift that keeps coming all year – it could be a kids’ magazine subscription, a beauty box, a crafts box, a books club, and so on.
A voucher for “time together” is also a lovely idea – not always obvious, but time spent with you is a real treat. Something as simple as a trip into town together, followed by a bite to eat, can mean the world to a child.
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Last Minute Christmas Present Ideas For Younger Kids Aged 4-8
#### Coding Critters
One popular pick for younger kids is Coding Critters, which are STEM toys as well as cute interactive pets. Kids code along with their new pet’s storybook adventure – for example, can you code Ranger to play hide and seek, fetch a ball from the tennis ball launcher, or catch Zip after a ride down the slide? You can also use the pet playset to design your own code games.
#### Stationery
Stationery is always a hit with younger kids. Shops like Smiggle, Paperchase and Flying Tiger all have fun bits you can pick up to put together a colourful stationery package – always a winner in our house. Notepads, pens, stickers, pencil toppers and paper clips: the brighter and more colourful, the better.
#### LEGO
LEGO continues to stay super popular. The LEGO Friends and City ranges in particular are firm favourites.
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#### Lottie Dolls
If you haven’t heard of Lottie Dolls, these are from a company in Donegal, and they’re based on the average proportions of a nine-year-old child rather than those of an adult woman.
Lottie Dolls are all about celebrating childhood, play and imagination – with a strong focus on diversity and inclusion to ensure all children are represented. They come in all sorts of versions, from Fossil Hunter to Stargazer.
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Last Minute Christmas Present Ideas For Tweens Aged 8-12
#### Board Games
A good excuse to get the kids off-screen and spend some fun time together. There’s always something new on the board game shelves, but one idea we really like is an Invent Your Own Board Game kit.
It comes with 220+ pieces, a game board, sand timer, spinner, die, markers, stencils and stickers, so you can create your own family game night classic.
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#### LEGO
From Harry Potter and Frozen to Minecraft, Jurassic Park, Star Wars and plenty more, there’s definitely a LEGO set for everyone!
#### Jewellery
For tweens, jewellery can make a great gift. It makes them feel a bit special and a little more grown up. Charm bracelets are always popular with girls, with the added bonus of being able to buy more charms for future gifts, and leather bracelets are a nice option for boys.
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Last Minute Christmas Present Ideas For Teens Aged 13+
#### Smellies!
Particularly popular with girls, but not gender specific either. Bath and body brands with natural products and fun packaging tend to go down well, and most offer online ordering if a busy shop visit isn’t practical.
Alternatively, a voucher towards a facial, a hot shave at the barbers, or a nearby beauty salon for nails would all be popular choices.
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#### Headphones or Speakers
Good headphones or wireless speakers are a must in most teens’ lives, from listening to music to watching videos and chatting with friends. Wireless earbuds remain a popular choice, and there are options across most budgets and brands.
If they already have a pair, a Bluetooth portable speaker is a handy gift. These small speakers connect to most phones and tuck easily into a backpack. It’s worth checking with their parents what they already have before you buy, so you don’t double up.
#### Vinyl and/or a Record Player
Vinyl remains popular, so either a record player to get them started, or a favourite album on vinyl, can be a lovely gift. Many vinyl records also come with a CD or downloadable version, so you get multiple formats in one buy.
Otherwise, a subscription to a music streaming service, or streaming credit, is also a good present. Concert tickets are another option, if you know their favourite artist.
#### A Free Gift for a Teen
Finally, if you’re looking for a free gift idea for a teen, something to inspire and easy to print. The Great Sportsmanship Programme has a graphic of a verse on the topic of sportsmanship.
You can print it and gift it, or frame it. The image reads:
“For when the One Great Scorer comes to write against your name,
He writes – not that you won or lost – but how you played the game.”
Download the poem graphic for free
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are good last-minute Christmas gifts for younger kids?
For kids aged around 4-8, simple, hands-on gifts work best when time is tight – think STEM-style toy sets, colourful stationery packs, LEGO sets, or dolls with a strong play value. These are widely available in toy shops and online, even close to Christmas.
What can I get a tween at short notice?
Tweens (roughly 8-12) tend to enjoy board games, LEGO sets aimed at older kids, and simple jewellery like charm or leather bracelets. These are easy to find quickly and don’t need much wrapping planning.
What are good last-minute gifts for teenagers?
Popular last-minute options for teens include bath and body sets, wireless headphones or a portable speaker, a record or streaming subscription, and gift vouchers for beauty treatments or grooming. A thoughtful free printable, like a framed quote, can also make a lovely extra touch.
Are experience gifts or vouchers a good last-minute option?
Yes – an annual pass, a monthly subscription box, or simply a voucher for time together can be arranged quickly and often means more than a physical gift, especially for older kids and teens.
More Gift Inspiration
Looking for more ideas? You might also like:
- 50 Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Kids
- Excellent Experience Gift Ideas for Kids and Teens
- 21 Awesome Gifts For Children With Additional Needs
- 15 Completely Different Board Games to Play With the Family
- 11 Christmas Gift Ideas For Tweens
- 25 Stocking Filler Ideas for Teenage Girls and Boys
- 20 Cool Christmas Gift Ideas For Teens That Aren’t Money
Save this article to come back to whenever you need quick gift inspiration, or browse our other Christmas gift guides for more ideas by age.
Have your say! Do you have any other ideas for last-minute Christmas present ideas for kids and/or teens? Leave a comment below and let us know – we’d love to hear from you!
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