Similar to last year’s post, I still believe that Amazon gift cards are one of the best last minute gifts. If you’ve been out shopping today, you probably agree with me. The beauty of an Amazon gift card is that Amazon has nearly everything you can imagine. That’s why I used it as a wedding registry when everyone else was using Bed, Bath, and Beyond.

This year I’d like to add Ebay gift cards to the Lazy Man Hall of Fame of last minute gifts. My sister-in-law got me one last year and it was great. Like Amazon, it can be used for almost anything. I think it might be better than Amazon. It gives the receiver a chance to be frugal and get a coupe of second hand things instead of just one shiny one. Of course you can buy plenty of new items on Ebay as well.

The other advantage to these gifts is that you can determine the value at the last minute as well. Rather than explain why you’d want to do this, allow me to use a scene from one of my favorite new television shows, The Big Bang Theory. A little background is necessary. Sheldon’s character is extremely analytical in nature and subscribes to the notion that gifts of equal value should be exchanged. Penny’s unexpected gift was something that Sheldon hadn’t planned on. Hilarity ensues.

As you can see, it wouldn’t have been as funny if Sheldon just went in the other room and fired off an order for an Amazon gift card or Ebay gift card.