Forgot to buy a present? 3 tips to simplify last-minute gift-giving

(BPT) – You may have found yourself incredibly busy throughout the holiday season, so it’s understandable that gift buying may have slipped your mind. Right now, you may feel overwhelmed by the number of items on your holiday gift list. If you’re worried you might run out of time to get all the gifts you need before the holidays arrive, you’re not alone. Many people put off holiday shopping as means to avoid the pressure of this deadline, including all the related decisions and costs. According to a 2020 study, half of the respondents bought a gift on Christmas Eve and 39% even made purchases on Christmas Day.If you need help managing your last-minute holiday shopping without being stressed or breaking the bank, check out these three suggestions.1. Plan a group giftWhile most people appreciate getting a gift no matter the size or value, it can be easier and more meaningful for them to receive a large group gift. It’s also the best way to contribute a gift last-minute in case you ran out of time or forgot.You and your siblings can easily split the cost of concert tickets for your older cousin, or your extended family can go in on a vacation package for Grandma and Grandpa. No matter what you give, the recipient will know that many people came together to give them something extra special for the holidays.To make splitting the cost easier, use a digital payment method like PayPal or Venmo. Within minutes, you can send and receive payments from family and friends to fund group gifts for the ones you love.2. Give the gift of choiceSometimes, the best gift is the one they get to choose themselves. By adding gift cards for your recipients’ favorite brands to your shopping list, your friends and family get the chance to pick out exactly what they want this year.With a large variety of top brands and merchants to choose from, the PayPal Digital Gift Store makes finding and paying for the perfect digital gift card quick and stress-free – even at the last minute. With just a few clicks, you can browse a wide selection of digital gift cards and deals, pay with your PayPal account, and add a festive, customized message. Your recipient receives the gift directly in their email inbox and can redeem it either online or in-store.3. Send a cash giftWhether you forgot to buy a gift for a loved one or they’re hard to shop for, you can still show them you care this holiday with a monetary gift, as money tops the holiday wish list for many people. According to a 2021 survey by Statista, 39% of people said a gift of money would make them happy.By giving someone a cash gift, you’re giving them the freedom to save it or spend it exactly how they like. Keep your last-minute gifting simple and fast with PayPal and Venmo, and give your loved ones the gift they actually want. Add a gift wrap, animations, emojis and stickers to your payment note for a festive personal touch.Besides these last-minute gift ideas, PayPal and Venmo also offer customers several quick and secure ways to pay for gifts throughout the holiday season, whether you’re purchasing from a local small business or from larger retailers in-app, online or in-store.To get started with your last-minute holiday shopping, download the PayPal or Venmo apps today.