Last-Minute Gifts From Aldi That Don't Feel Like They Came From a Grocery Store

The holiday gifting season doesn't have to be stressful. When you need a quick gift, consider the resource that is Aldi grocery stores.

From bottles of wine to gourmet foods, Aldi shelves are stocked with easy, ready-to-go gift options. Added bonus: the stores are less overwhelming than a full grocery store, and you can get your regular shopping done, too!

With supply chain issues and distribution, not all Aldi stores will have all these items. Supplies are limited. Keep this in mind when you make a quick stop.

Even if what we have on this list isn't available, you can count on Aldi to be an easy go-to for last- (and first-) minute gifts. Plus, with most gifts under $10, these Aldi options are great for gift exchanges, Dirty Santa, or White Elephant presents.

The Snack Gift

Even if there's no mistletoe, you can gift a box of Aldi's chocolate covered pretzels or "sweet and salty" Mistletoe Treats ($3.49). Give a little bit of holiday cheer to favorite cashiers, restaurant waiters, hair stylists, or teachers. Attach a gift card, and you've got an easy gift with a festive feel.

Catch a Gingerbread House if You Can

For less than $10, a Benton's gingerbread house or train ($5.99) is a quick gift option for family holidays, especially ones with young kids that need to keep busy on cold days. Each Aldi kit includes everything you need to build and decorate a gingerbread structure or train.

Say "Olive You!"

Gourmet olive bars and charcuterie trays are hot trends in the food space. Aldi features multiple olive options to gift on their own (with an added bow on top) or as part of a gourmet food basket or charcuterie tray set-up.

Olive oil is a great staple for holiday cooking, and Aldi's olive oils and olive oil gift sets are wonderful hostess options for foodies and new cooks.

Look for:

• Specially Selected Olive Medley Gift Jar ($7.99)
• Specially Selected Country of Origin Extra Virgin Olive Oil Gift Set ($7.99)

A Gift in a Bottle

Aldi's hostess alcohol options include everything from a chocolate wine to mulled wine and Prosecco. Aldi doesn't stop with simple wine offerings, however. These choices come from different countries and offer a variety of unique flavors, all under $10.

Look for:

• Grand Mori Valdobbiadene Prosecco ($9.99)
• Christkindl Mulled Wines ($4.99)
• ChoccoSecco Sparkling Chocolate Wine ($6.99)

BYOBeer

If grabbing a quick bottle of wine as a last-minute gift doesn't match with your recipient, maybe a six-pack of Aldi lager, ale, or hard cider will be well-received? Each of these options is unique and seasonally themed for sips of flavors like cranberry merged with familiar beer flavors. Add a bow and your gift is ready to go (in a beer stein!)

Look for:

• State of Brewing Winter Lager
• Great Lakes Christmas Ale
• Wicked Grove Cranberry Hard Cider

Light the Way

Aldi's candles are a great holiday hostess gift or something special to keep on hand for unexpected gift giving. Need a teacher gift or a surprise friend exchange option? Candles are a festive option. Aldi presents the present of a candle with fun containers and festive scents. You might even need to gift one to yourself (hint, hint Santa!)

Look for:

• Huntington Home TimberWick Candle ($5.99)
• Huntington Home Holiday Candle (from $3.99)
• Huntington Home Festive Candle (from $3.99)

Make Scents

Attach one of six Scentsicles ornaments to the top of a package, or gift the entire package for full-on holiday aroma. These Aldi seasonal scented ornaments bring the smells of the holidays home in O'Christmas Tree, White Winter Fir, or Christmas Berry. A great option for a gift basket, these ornaments come in an easy-to-gift festively-labeled jar.

Tip: Grab yourself a package, and hang Scentsiclees on your tree or add to a pine wreath for fresh smells.

Merry Cheese-Mas!

Holiday hostesses might be making a trendy charcuterie board for your get-together. You can help them create their own special spread with Aldi's Specially Selected Cheese Pairing Spreads, a Specially Selected Panino Tray, and Carr Valley Bread Cheese Assorted Varieties.