It's the most wonderful time of the year, but it's also the busiest. That means a lot of us end up leaving our Christmas shopping until the last possible moment, whether we're super busy or just super unorganised.

If that's you, there's no need to panic. I've been there myself more Christmases than I'd like to admit, and there are genuine ways to get it all sorted without the stress, the wasted money, or the risk of gifts not arriving in time.

Go into the shops with a list

If you head into the shopping centre without a list, you'll spend hours wandering around and waste a lot of time simply because you're not sure what you're looking for.

A preplanned list gets you in and out much faster. If you're not sure what to buy, gift guides can help point you in the right direction, like 8 thoughtful gifts for parents of all ages, or if you're stuck on the man in your life, unique gift ideas for men.

Prioritise your list too, so the most important gifts and people get bought first. Stocking fillers and smaller extras can wait until last, and only if you actually have time. Making a list also stops you overspending, as long as you stick to it.

Online shopping is your friend, if you're not too late

Online shopping is brilliant for last-minute gifts, though the downside is waiting for delivery rather than walking out of a shop with the item in hand. Most companies have cut-off dates for guaranteed Christmas delivery, so it's worth checking those before you order.

If you're genuinely down to the last day or two before Christmas, standard delivery almost certainly won't arrive in time, so this option only really works if you've got at least a few days left rather than hours.

That said, it's still quicker than driving round the shops hoping to find what you want, and if something's sold out locally, you might still find it online. Cashback and voucher codes are worth checking too before you buy, since they can genuinely knock money off an order you were making anyway. I've written up the best UK cashback websites and apps if you want a proper list.

One trick worth knowing is the abandoned basket discount. Add something to your online basket, then leave the site without buying, and plenty of retailers will email you a discount code within 48 hours or so to tempt you back. It doesn't work everywhere, but it costs nothing to try if you're not in a rush.

If you're worried about overspending in the rush, having a proper Christmas budget in place makes it much easier to shop quickly without the guilt afterwards.

The other trick here is choosing retailers that offer gift wrap and a gift message, then posting straight to the recipient. It cuts you out as the middleman entirely, so you don't need to wrap or post anything yourself.

Don't forget about click and collect

If you've run out of time to order online and wait for delivery, click and collect is a genuine lifesaver. You shop from the sofa, then pick everything up in-store whenever suits you.

Plenty of big High Street names offer this, including Argos, Next, John Lewis, and even B&Q if you've got a DIY lover to buy for. Just set your online filters to "collection only" for your chosen store so you know it's actually in stock before you head out.

Check the last posting dates before you buy

Before you order or post anything, it's worth checking Royal Mail's last recommended posting dates for Christmas that year, since they change annually depending on the day Christmas falls on. Missing the cut-off for 2nd class post is one of the most common reasons gifts don't arrive in time, and it's easily avoided just by checking the dates first.

The same goes for online orders. Most retailers show a guaranteed Christmas delivery cut-off at checkout, so it's worth checking that before you commit to standard delivery on anything time-sensitive.

Get a reliable courier service

Many of us won't get to spend Christmas with all of our loved ones, which means we need to ship some people's presents to them. With Christmas being the busiest time of the year, it's important to choose a reliable courier company, especially if you're on a tight timeline. In some locations, you can even get same-day delivery. For example, if you're in Atlanta have a look at https://www.couriersatlanta.com to see how they can help you get your gifts to your loved ones in time for Christmas with same-day delivery - amazing!

Homemade and easy-win gift ideas

If you're good at baking, homemade food gifts are a genuinely great last-minute option, and quicker than you'd think. A batch of cookies in a nice jar, or simply wrapped in greaseproof paper and tied with ribbon and a gift tag, looks properly thoughtful and only needs ingredients you might already have in.

If baking's not your thing, put together a gift bag filled with someone's favourite treats, food and drink. It's an easy win you can pull together from your local supermarket in one trip, and it's always worth checking the Christmas aisles for special themed treats you won't find there the rest of the year.

Don't underestimate the supermarket as a genuine gift source either. Most supermarkets stock so much more than food these days, clothing, gift aisles, toiletries, and usually homewares and all sorts, so it's often possible to find something lovely for someone without needing to go anywhere else at all.

Learn how to wrap presents quickly

If you've left your shopping until the last minute, you can't waste time on wrapping presents either. Some people only end up doing their Christmas shopping on Christmas Eve, so they may only have minutes to wrap a gift.

Gift bags are the easy route if you're really short on time, but it's also worth learning to wrap properly so you're not fighting a tangle of too much paper and sticky tape. A bit of practice now saves a lot of stress later.

Consider alternative gift options

If you've genuinely run out of time or ideas, there are still good options left. Gift cards work well, whether bought in-store or as an e-gift card, and subscription services like a flower delivery, beauty box, or food box make a thoughtful last-minute gift too.

You can even buy gift cards straight from your phone in seconds using cashback apps like Sprive, Cheddar and EverUp, all with a bit of cashback for you on top. If you've got a printer at home, you can print the gift card off and pop it straight in a card, so there's no waiting for anything to arrive.

Experiences are worth considering as well, or simply treating someone to a day out and letting them choose. Spending time together often means more than another thing to unwrap.

If you've got the time and the skills, a homemade gift can be the most thoughtful option of all, whether that's baking, a painting, or something else you're genuinely good at. A photo gift is another lovely personal option if you're stuck for ideas. For more general gift inspiration, I've rounded up thoughtful Christmas gifts they'll actually use and love, and how to give thoughtful gifts without overspending.

FAQs on last minute Christmas shopping

When's the last day to post Christmas gifts in the UK? This changes every year depending on which day Christmas falls on, so always check Royal Mail's current posting dates, and the dates for whichever other courier you're using, since there are so many options in the UK now. It's always worth posting as early as you can to be safe in case of delays.

Is click and collect worth it at Christmas? Yes, if you can get to the store during opening hours. It's often faster than waiting for home delivery once you're this close to Christmas, and you avoid the risk of a parcel going missing in transit.

What if I can't find the gift I want anywhere? Gift cards, experiences, or a homemade gift are all genuinely good fallbacks rather than panic-buying something the person won't actually want.

Is it too late to get a good deal if I'm shopping last minute? Not necessarily. Some shops start discounting by Christmas Eve, though you do risk your size or colour selling out the longer you wait, so it's a balance.

Final word on last minute Christmas shopping

Last-minute Christmas shopping doesn't have to be stressful if you've got a plan and you're willing to think outside the box.

It's also worth remembering there's no point buying something just for the sake of it if you're not confident they'll actually like it. You're better off going with something you know suits them, even if that's just a classic box of chocolates, than guessing and getting it wrong.

And for some of the adults in your life, gifts genuinely aren't necessary at all, since they've already got everything they need. Spending time together, a nice meal, or an experience shared can mean far more than another thing to unwrap.