As the holiday season fast approaches, picking the right gifts for your loved ones grows ever more important. But if you've waited until the last minute to get your Christmas shopping done, don't fret. People's tastes can differ quite a lot, but when it comes to children it's safe to say that there are certain perennial favorites out there that rarely fall flat. With that in mind, here are some excellent last minute gift ideas you can use:

A Trip to Disneyland

Disneyland often bills itself as "the happiest place on Earth", and there are few children who are completely immune to its charms. By booking a trip to one of Disneyland's worldwide locations you're signaling to your child that, in addition to valuing his or her presence, you also appreciate the time you're going to be spending together. If possible, try to organize the actual trip close to the child's birthday, in order to maximize the moment's special qualities.

Their Favorite Sweets

If your child has a sweet tooth, what better way to reward him or her than with his favorite kinds of candy? This kind of offering can also work as a temporary solution until you find the means to purchase a full-fledged gift. Be sure to keep in mind that sweets are not exactly a boon for health, so try to focus on candies with low sugar content or at least keep the total quantity of sweets offered within reasonable limits.

An Alpaca Blanket

Children need to feel sheltered and secure, something that can clearly be seen by how much they adore anything warm and fuzzy in their early childhood. Rekindle these warmth-filled memories by gifting them a snuggly alpaca blanket this Christmas. Made out of soft brushed wool, these blankets are perfect for covering up during winter's chilly nights and are sure to bring back fond memories of childhood.

A Fun Board Game

Despite what their reputation might suggest, board games are actually increasing in popularity among all categories of consumers, children included. Maybe it's the joy of interacting with real humans instead of a computer screen, or maybe all the board game clubs that have arisen lately are to blame. Whatever the reason, the act of purchasing cool board games like Catan or Splendor is bound to resonate with kids that are old enough to play them.

A Bicycle

A true staple of the holiday gift-giving season, the bicycle shows no signs of disappearing anytime soon. If your child doesn't already have one, buying a bike can lead to lots of happy moments down the road, and may eventually encourage your offspring to take their first baby steps into the world. Be sure to always take your kid's size into consideration when buying a two-wheeler, and don't be afraid to invest in training wheels if need be.

And so we've reached the end of our list covering popular Christmas gift ideas for your children. Keep in mind that kids are especially prone to getting excited over any and all potential presents, so treat this special occasion the way it deserves and pick something that you know will make them happy.