10 Last Minute Christmas Gifts for Extended Family

You know ‘em, you love ‘em, you probably only see them on holidays… which means finding the perfect gift for extended family is kind of a tall order. Not only may you not have the firmest grasp on what their newest hobbies and passions are, you want to make this one count if it’s the gift they’re going to get from you this year. All together, it’s enough to make anyone procrastinate actually shopping.

Maybe that’s how we ended up here 😬

Not to worry, though. Happens to the best of us. And even if you need last minute Christmas gifts for extended family on the very shortest of notice, we’ve got you covered with some digital gift cards an aunt, grandpa, cousin, or in-law would love.

Do gift cards actually make a good Christmas gift?

Gift cards don’t live up to the bad reputation they’ve gotten as “thoughtless” or “boring” gifts. In fact, 54% of American adults who put gift cards at the very top of their list this year in a recent National Retail Association (NRA)  survey. So enough with the knicknacks –  get your extended family a gift card they’ll be excited to cash in on goodies like:

• Family friendly activities they can do together
• Cerebral gifts and fun gifts
• Candles to keep their home cozy all winter long

Get to Know GiftYa

Whether your extended family will be at the gathering this year or not, you can send them some love with just a few clicks with GiftYa. Take your pick of thousands of local and national brands. Then, customize your gift with a photo or short video clip – maybe that video of their kid catching their first fish? Finish the gift with a personalized message, then send it off to be delivered immediately or schedule it for any date and time you choose – Christmas morning, for instance.

But GiftYa isn’t just easy to send, it’s easy to use, too. Your extended fam can redeem their gift right from their phone like any other e-gift code, or they can link it to a card they carry with them everyday for easy use. When they make a purchase at the qualifying brand, their gift balance will automatically be applied until it’s gone. And if for any reason they don’t totally love the gift you send them (crazy, I know!) they can re-gift or exchange their balance for another brand in just a few clicks.

Not sure where to start? Here are a few of our favorite options in the catalog for neighbors to get the wheels turning.

1 - Omaha Steaks

Bringing Nebraska Steaks to Your Door Since 1957

Get an Omaha Steaks gift card by following the link!

It’s hard to find a great gift for your extended family, particularly if – even though you love them – you don’t know them that well. Luckily some things like soft mittens, cozy candles, and mouthwatering food always go over well – and the little taste of luxury offered by Omaha Steaks is just one of them.

Omaha Steaks has been around since 1917, but they famously started selling meat from magazine ads in 1952. Since then, they’ve been shipping their products from Omaha to all over the place. Considered to be America’s Butcher, Omaha Steaks carries everything your extended family might need for a luxurious at home meal – cuts of beef like filet mignon, strip steak, sirloin, ribeye, t-bones, and more.

Not to mention, they can also get plenty of other delicious food like burgers and franks, chicken and more, other meats, seafood, sides, desserts, and even wine to complete the meal. There’s something for everyone to enjoy. 

Get a digital Omaha Steaks gift card by following the link!

2 - A Meal Delivery Service Gift Card

For When the Flu (Or Just Holiday Business) Puts a Snag in Their Meal Prep Plans

Buy an Uber Eats gift card instantly when you follow the link!

The holidays are nothing if not hectic. So when they find themselves with a head cold and still plenty of Christmas shopping to do, or the work holiday party keeps them late, or their Christmas obligations keep them from stocking up at the grocery store when they usually do, a meal delivery service gift card will really come in handy.

No matter what the holiday season throws their way, they can count on fresh, hot comfort food from their favorite restaurant – whether it’s the local burger place or the nearby location of their favorite national seafood chain.

Buy a digital DoorDash gift card when you click the link!

3 - Best Buy

For All of the Electronics and Appliances on Their List This Year

Grab a Best Buy gift card by following this link!

A new washing machine might not sound like an exciting Christmas gift, but if your extended family’s went kaput at the start of snow spots and basketball season, they’ll really appreciate a little cash to put towards it. And if none of their appliances have experienced an untimely failure, they’ll still have plenty of great options to choose from at Best Buy.

From phone accessories to smart watches, collectible toys to personal grooming tools, gaming headsets to selfie lights to drones, Best Buy has something for everyone. 

They can even pick up games and accessories to go with this year’s big electronics gifts – whether they finally jumped on the Nintendo Switch bandwagon or they just need some batteries for Furby. 

Grab a digital Best Buy gift card by following this link!

4 - A Gift Card to the Movies

So They Can Catch All of the Holiday Releases

Get a Cinemark Theaters gift card by following this link!

When you think of movie releases, you probably think of summer blockbuster season, but the holidays are actually a popular time for new movies, too! With so many people taking time off to spend with loved ones during the most wonderful time of the year, there are plenty of people in movie seats to see the latest and greatest studios have to offer.

That’s why a gift card to Cinemark or AMC Theatres makes a great gift for your extended family. It doesn’t matter if they munch their popcorn down to Greta Gerwig or Christopher Nolan – they’ll have a great time with this last minute gift!

Snag a digital AMC Theatres gift card by following the link!

5 - StubHub

For the Biggest Live Events This Winter and Beyond

Send a StubHub gift card in just seconds by following the link!

Calling all sports fans – does your family always tune in to catch the home team’s game? Whether it’s football, hockey, or basketball – there are plenty of professional leagues playing over Christmastime and beyond. 

But your extended family doesn’t have to be into sports for a Stub Hub gift card to be a great gift. With choices ranging from ballet to rock concerts, comedy specials to wrestling matches, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Send a digital StubHub gift card in just seconds by following the link!

6 - Barnes & Noble

Winter is the Perfect Time to Catch Up on Some Reading

Buy a Barnes & Noble gift card by following the link!

Brick and mortar bookstores like Barnes & Noble need our support. If you have a book worm in your family, they’ll love anything you can find for them at the last major bastion of in-person book buying. After all, it will help Barnes & Nobles survive stiff competition from megastores selling books at a loss. 

Whether they have a Nook eReader or prefer paperbacks, they can find something they’ll love at Barnes & Noble. B&N stocks everything from magazines to cookbooks to journals to lego sets. So whether they need the next book in their fantasy romance series or they’re looking for a cookbook to kick off their resolution to eat healthier in the new year, this one is sure to put a smile on their face.

Buy a digital Barnes & Noble gift card by following the link!

7 - Yankee Candle

Keep Their Home Cozy All Winter Long

Get a Yankee Candle gift card by using the link!

Home fragrance is a very personal choice. What does Christmas smell like to you? Balsam fir, or fresh baked cookies? Wintry night air, or tart cranberries? Whatever option they choose, they’ll find a variety of home fragrance options at Yankee Candle.

But the reason why Yankee Candle makes an especially good Christmas gift? The company got its humble start in 1969, when 16 year old Michael Kitterage didn’t have enough money to buy his mother a Christmas gift. His solution? Making her a candle using melted Crayons. And like any mother would, his loved the creation. Soon, his mom’s friends wanted candles. Then everybody in town. And today, Yankee Candle makes a great seasonal gift for anyone on your list. 

Get a Yankee Candle gift card by using the link!

8 - Apple

Apps, Music, and Electronics They’ll Be Excited About

Pick an Apple gift card by following this link!

Apple is known for selling all sorts of fun toys and games. Whether it’s a shiny new laptop or the latest iPhone, a smart watch to supercharge their fitness goals or just a fun game from the App Store, your extended family will be happy to have a little extra spending money for Apple. From AirPods to AppleTV+, they’re sure to find something wonderful. 

Pick an Apple gift card by following this link!

9 - REI

Stock Them Up for All Their Outdoor Adventures

Buy an REI gift card by following this link!

For some of your relatives, winter is probably the perfect time to curl up by the fire with a mug of cocoa. For others… only if it’s a campfire. Winter sports are in full swing by Christmas, which means any outdoorsy extended family is probably hitting the slopes or hiking the trails every weekend. 

At REI, they can find everything they need to head out into the winter wonderland – from ski binding services to snow shoes. 

Buy a digital REI gift card by following this link!

10 - Visa

Give the Gift That’s Basically As Good as Cash

Build a custom Visa gift card in just a few clicks by following the link!

Accepted anywhere that Visa credit cards are accepted, giving a Visa gift card is like giving cash. That means your family can use it to upgrade their kitchen appliances or go on vacation to escape the winter cold. They buy artisan Christmas cookies or buy gifts for their kids. The choice is totally up to them.

With Gift Card Granny’s build a card feature, you can create a gift your extended family will be thrilled to receive with in no time flat. Choose from an expert created design or add your own photo and message – mabe a nice shot of the whole gang together dressed up in their holiday best? 

Most custom gift cards print the same day and ship out the next, so you’ll have the ultimate last minute gift for extended family in hand before you can sing Falalalala lala la la.

Build a custom Visa gift card 

And There You Have A List of 10 Great Last Minute Christmas Gifts for the Extended Family!

We hope that one of these is the perfect last minute gift for your extended family. Still looking? Check out the full GiftYa catalog for other local and national options you can send at the last minute!