There’s still time to make the holiday season extra-magical!
You’re not alone: Time has a curious way of speeding up as the year comes to an end. With all the fun and festive social gatherings, it’s natural to procrastinate on your to-do list, in favor of spending quality time with loved ones. So, if you're feeling a bit behind on your holiday shopping, no need to panic! There's still time to make the season unforgettable with thoughtful gifts. Whether you’re shopping for a family member, a close friend, or another special person in your life, Etsy’s collection of ultra-original gifts is the perfect place to find something extraordinary. With filters to help you snag presents that'll arrive on time, gift teaser messages to let the recipient know that a surprise is on the way, holiday-themed gift cards, and more, you've got plenty of options for giving thoughtful presents—and they'll never suspect you waited till the last minute.
Keep reading for a few of our favorite tips on how to pull off last-minute holiday magic, even when the clock is ticking.
1. Shop some of Etsy’s most popular holiday finds
We get it: Sometimes having too many options can feel more confusing than helpful. If you’re having trouble deciding what to give, here are six bestselling* gift ideas on Etsy that you just can’t go wrong with:
- Most popular art find: Personalized portraits
- Most popular toys and games find: Name puzzles
- Most popular holiday find: Personalized charcuterie boards
- Most popular jewelry find: Birthstone jewelry
- Most popular clothing find: Embroidered sweatshirts
- Most popular home find: Personalized barware
SHOP: Embroidered sweatshirt from ayesheshop, $56
SHOP: Painted wine glasses from Karen's Glass Design, $82
2. Search and filter like a pro
Once you’ve figured out what you’re gifting, you can move on to the when. Here are some tips to help you search like a pro:
- Filter by “Estimated delivery date". When browsing on Etsy, apply the “Estimated delivery date” filter to find a holiday present that’ll show up on time**!
- Filter by shop location. Further filter by the country that shops are located in to see results that are closer to you (or the recipient). This may potentially increase the odds that your order will arrive even sooner.
- Look out for shipping cut-off dates. Many sellers update their shops during the holiday season to let you know their particular cut-off dates for shipping for Christmas, so be sure to check.
SHOP: Custom cutting board from WoodLuck Engraved, $123
SHOP: Floral ornament from Lan Art and Design, $42
3. Gift cards to the rescue
There will always be someone on your list who is really hard to shop for! One way to make sure they get the present of their dreams? Give them an Etsy gift card! It’s a win-win anytime of the year, but especially when you’re short on time.
SHOP: Wooden name puzzle from Kidodido, $35
4. Surprise them with instant downloads
There’s a big beautiful corner of Etsy where you can download a gift instantly! Think: readymade vintage-style holiday art or abstract florals for everyday joy. Or, for a personalized touch, you can have Etsy artists create custom art, like these personalized pet portraits based on a photo you provide or your household’s unique place in the stars with a family zodiac art print—these custom digital prints will be ready to download in just a few days.
SHOP: Pet line drawing from Linear Portrait, $43
SHOP: Family zodiac art print from Designed By Leanne Shop, $17
5. Send a gift teaser as a sneak peek
If your heart is set on a really special gift, but you don’t think it’ll get delivered in time, there’s a way to make that work, too! Send the recipient a gift teaser to let them know something wonderful is making its way to them for the holidays. You can even include a personal note, tracking info, and a sneak peek to add to the excitement!
SHOP: Birthstone bracelet from Claudette Worters, $65
SHOP: Handmade serveware from Kaase Atelier Ceramics, $149
*According to Etsy's internal sales data from October 1, 2023 through January 1, 2024.
**The estimated delivery date is based on your purchase date, the recipient's location, the seller's processing time and location, and the shipping carrier. Other factors—like placing an order on a weekend or a holiday—may end up pushing the arrival of your item beyond the estimated delivery date. It's our hope that your item gets where it's going as soon as possible, but given the factors involved, this is only an estimate.
