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The Sill
- We're not down to the wire yet, so there's still time to find thoughtful, unique gifts.
- Below are options with fast shipping and instant options like subscription services or e-gift cards.
- If you're worried about a late arrival, this clever hack ensures they still have a gift to open.
We've all been there — holidays and birthdays are just around the corner, your schedule starts getting more chaotic, and you still haven't picked out a gift.
Whether it just slipped your mind or you decided to give a gift impromptu, we've got you covered. This list proves last-minute gift ideas can still be thoughtful and unique, from clever subscriptions to useful gift cards and everything in between.
Most of these can be e-mailed to the recipient just in time, while some are available at stores with two- or even one-day shipping. As a last resort, repurpose this clever hack to ensure they still have a gift to open.
Check out our 41 picks for last-minute gifts:
Murray's Cheese/Facebook
Cheese of the Month subscription, available at Murray's, from $63/month
Send the best of Murray's cheese and satiate their hankering for a good gouda or creamy brie with a monthly subscription. Whether they're a cheese aficionado or just looking for a yummy snack, they'll enjoy getting fresh cheese delivered to their door, along with detailed guides to the flavors and suggested beverage pairings for each.
Choose from options like Classic Cheese of the Month for newbies all the way up to Cheesemonger's Picks of the Month. You can pay for a month-to-month subscription or pre-pay for a three-month option.
Drizly
Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Cassette Tape, available at Drizly, starting at $62.69
If you've only got hours to send a gift, there's always Drizly. It not only delivers in a flash (generally, depending upon where your recipient is), there are gift sets, like this fun Veuve Clicquot in a cassette box, aplenty.
Babbel
Babbel subscriptions, starting at $59 for six months
Whether they love to dabble in other languages or they're looking to gain citizenship in a land not (yet) their own, Babbel is a considerate and immediately deliverable option.
Lewis Barbecue
With New Year's Eve right around the corner from Christmas, hosting — and cooking for — a party can suddenly feel overwhelming. Shipping on Tuesdays and Thursdays, this brisket (available in three sizes) will arrive from South Carolina on their doorstep in no time, frozen or thawed.
Phil Barker/Future Publishing via Getty Images
AirPods Pro, available at Target, $199.99 (on sale)
Depending on how last-minute we're talking, you could secure a pair of these online and have them shipped in short order or pick them up the very same day.
Milkbar
Desserts from Milk Bar, starting at $26
Who says they can't have birthday cake during the holidays? There are plenty of choices at Milk Bar, which is sure to be a hit.
The Crafter’s Box/Instagram
The Crafter's Box membership, available at The Crafter's Box, $65/month
Maybe they're not the most creative soul on the planet, but there's no time like the present to help them discover their inner artist.
Reservebar/Instagram
Gift cards, available at Reservebar, $10-$1000
Reservebar excels in specialty wine and spirits, but recipients can have their pick of just about anything. If there's still time, you can even have a bottle engraved for them.
Sips by
Monthly tea boxes, available at Sips by, starting at $16/month
Four different teas (enough for about 16 cups) sent monthly will give them their fix but also open their world. They can create a free profile and customize their box based on their tastes or just sign up and see what arrives.
Cameo
Personalized video message, available at Cameo, from $1
Has a certain TV show become their quarantine guilty pleasure? Request a Cameo from their favorite actor, athlete, or comedian. Cameo offers over 40,000 celebrities and entertainment personalities to choose from, with plenty of options under $150, and select talent can fulfill requests within 24 hours. Just include some details, and they'll create a personalized video message.
Quip
Quip gift card, available at Quip, from $25
Give them the gift of better oral hygiene with a Quip toothbrush, which pairs with an electric toothbrush, bundle, starter kit, or accessory, so they'll always be brushing with the most thorough and efficient brush tools.
Rocksbox
Rocksbox Jewelry Subscription Box, available at Rocksbox, $49/three months
Grant them full access to the ultimate jewelry collection, featuring top designer brands like Kendra Scott, Kate Spade, Gorjana, and more. Every month, Rocksbox will send three pieces of jewelry chosen by a personal stylist, with free shipping both ways. Get them started by choosing from three different membership packages: three months, six months, or 12 months.
Honest
Honest Diaper + Wipes Bundle, available at Honest $55.96/bundle
Do you know someone with a baby on the way? Gift them a monthly supply of Honest's premium diapers and wipes in a flexible bundle subscription. The bundle features three diaper types: everyday, training pants, and overnights, with custom sizes based on weight and age. If in between sizes, Honest recommends sizing up. Each pack includes over 100 diapers. Plus, they can personalize the diapers with a number of cute design options.
Amazon
Magazine subscription, available at Amazon, starting at $5/year
Nothing beats holding a physical issue of their favorite magazine. A subscription service makes sure it lands in their hand without the extra trip to the store. Choose from magazines like Entertainment Weekly, InStyle, Women's Health, and more that cost just $5 for an entire year.
The Sill
Plants for Beginners Subscription, available at The Sill, $60/month
Even the most novice green thumb can build a thriving garden with The Sill. Each month, the houseplant subscription delivers an easy-care hand-potted plant in a sleek ceramic planter. It's the perfect opportunity to cultivate their own at-home plant nursery.
Rent the Runway
Rent the Runway membership, available at Rent the Runway, $99/month
Rent the Runway's innovative model means they no longer have to waste money on clothes they'll wear just once or twice. It's perfect for the fashionista in your life and lets them rent something new for any occasion — whether it be WFH, date night, or staycations.
NakedWines.com
Give a wine gift from NakedWines.com
Looking for a last-minute gift that's perfect for your favorite vino fan? We recommend a few bottles from NakedWines.com. Every winemaker on the platform has been "funded" by "Angel" customers, meaning you feel like you have a more direct stake in the wine you gift — and they're all affordable and high-quality.
Insider Reviews senior reporter Mara Leighton tried the service and found it to be a great value. Read the full review here.
Alyssa Powell/Business Insider
Disney+ Gift Subscription Service, available at Disney, $79.99/year
It gives unlimited access to movies and shows from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and 20th Century Fox for just $7.99 a month or $79.99 a year after a free seven-day trial. Read everything there is to know about Disney+ over here.
And if they need some binge-spiration, here are all the new movies available to stream.
Lauren Savoie/Insider
Flower subscription, available at BloomsyBox, $44.99 per month
Send beautiful bouquets on a regular basis at the rate of your choosing — weekly, every two weeks, or monthly. Choose from a variety of floral themes, from roses to plants to pet-safe options. This new twist on a classic gift is one that'll keep on giving.
Find out more about our favorite flower-delivery services here.
Sugarwish
Sugarwish treat boxes, available at Sugarwish, from $22 for two selections
Gifting just got a little bit sweeter. You choose the number of treats, and Sugarwish takes care of the rest. The recipient chooses which treats they want to receive once they redeem the gift, so it's the perfect last-minute item for a picky eater.
Headspace/Facebook
Meditation App Subscription, available at Headspace from $12.99/month
The past few years have been full of anxiety and uncertainty, which makes a gift that includes soothing meditation options extra thoughtful. They can listen to narrated meditations with a Buddhist monk, get tips for handling stress from videos with cute graphics, or leverage wind-down guided exercises to enjoy better sleep.
Alyssa Powell/Business Insider
Annual Membership, available at MasterClass, from $15/month
For the uninitiated, MasterClass is an e-learning platform that provides an array of classes taught by well-known celebrities and industry leaders. Users can find everything from television writing classes taught by Shonda Rhimes to a style lesson with Tan France.
Amazon
Amazon Prime membership, available at Amazon, from $12.99/month or $119/year
The gift of Amazon Prime is always one that'll be met with extreme appreciation, given that it is both practical and thoughtful. If the recipient already has a membership, the money will convert into a gift card that they can use on anything they want from the site.
Everlane
Everlane e-gift card, available at Everlane from $25
Everlane is our go-to for all things considered "closet staples" — from cozy cashmere to classic button-downs, comfortable cotton tees to casual denim. We can't think of anyone who wouldn't be able to put an Everlane e-gift card to use, especially when they can start shopping as soon as they open the e-gift card confirmation email.
Hulu
Hulu gift card, available at Walmart, from $25
Hulu, like Netflix, is a must-have for TV fans. Whether or not they already have a membership (which you may or may not mooch off of), this gift card can be used to sign up or pay for their next few months with the service.
Amazon
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite, available at Target, $129.99
Kindles make the perfect last-minute gift for voracious readers. Even if the recipient swears by the feeling of a real book in their hands, once they see how much easier it is to travel with one thin tablet instead of six thick novels, they'll be grateful you introduced them. The Paperwhite has a backlit screen with zero glare, so they can read it as easily outside as in bed with the lights out. Another plus? It's waterproof.
Read about our experience with the new waterproof Kindle Paperwhite here.
Book of the Month Instagram
Book of the Month Monthly Membership, available at Book of the Month, from $49.99/three months
If the Kindle just isn't their thing, the Book of the Month Club might be a perfect alternative. The subscription service narrows a selection of new releases down to five options, and the recipient will be able to choose which hardcover book they'd like to receive each month. If they don't like any of that month's selections, they can also opt to skip and wait until next month's choices come out.
Best Buy
Send a gift card or subscription to Spotify, Amazon Music Unlimited, or Apple Music
Sometimes the simple, practical route is the way to go when it comes to last-minute gifting. If they're one for spontaneous at-home dance parties or screaming their favorite songs in the car, a free month of their go-to music streaming service can prove to be just as thoughtful as a gift that's purchased weeks in advance.
Harry & David
Sweet Chocolate Covered Donut & Cake Pop Bouquet, available at Harry & David, $54.99
You may not be able to make them breakfast in bed, but you can still ensure they have a sweet morning with this donut and cake pop bouquet delivery. All of the mini treats are dipped in either dark or white chocolate and topped with chocolate drizzle and candy toppings. Best of all, last-minute shoppers can get express shipping.
Warby Parker
Warby Parker e-gift cards, available at Warby Parker, from $50
Glasses can help people express their individual sense of style, a trend only bolstered by stylish online glasses retailers. Warby Parker has managed to make prescription glasses affordable (a baseline pair starts at just $95, including lenses), but even if your giftee doesn't wear prescription glasses, the company also makes non-prescription sunglasses that are equally as good-looking. Digital gift cards are delivered to your recipient's email immediately.
BarkBox
Dog Treats Subscription Box, available at BarkBox, from $35/month
Whether they just got a new puppy or they've had a dog for a while now, you can't go wrong with a BarkBox subscription. To give it as a gift, simply input their pup's name and relative size (small, medium, or large), and select a one-, three-, six-, or 12-month increment. You can send the box directly to their house or purchase a digital gift card, which they can redeem immediately.
Atlas Coffee Club
Gift a Coffee Subscription Box, multiple plans available at Atlas Coffee Club
Atlas makes some of our favorite coffee out there, and it fresh roasts each batch before sending it out so you know the coffee you'll get hasn't been sitting on a shelf for six months. Any caffeine fiend will love receiving beans or grounds direct to their door each month, giving you extra brownie points each time.
Framebridge
Framebridge gift card, available at Framebridge, from $25
Everyone appreciates having a beautiful frame for their photos, posters, or artwork — but no one actually likes paying for it themselves. They'll enjoy the chance to custom frame something for her home with Framebridge. Bonus points if you also print and send cute family photos for her to frame.
Stitch Fix
Personalized Styling Service Gift Card, available at Stitch Fitch, from $20
If you sense that they're no longer excited by their closet, a Stitch Fix gift card is the perfect solution. Recipients can try out different brands and styles that they wouldn't ordinarily buy, and it's easy to return pieces with the provided prepaid shipping labels.
Airbnb
Airbnb Gift Card, available at Airbnb, from $50
For the person who is currently dreaming about where to go post-pandemic, this gift card will help ensure their next trip is stellar. Airbnb has thousands of listings for private home vacation rentals around the globe and across the US. They can choose from premium luxe listings like a villa in Malibu, find a location close to a national park for outdoor exploration, or opt for a unique getaway like a tree-house rental.
CALPAK
Calpak gift card, available at Calpak, from $25
Ordering a piece of luggage that best suits them will take too long if you're strapped for time, plus you might not know exactly what they like. You're better off giving a gift card so they can choose from plenty of fun options. From confetti to marble patterns, Calpak offers suitcase designs for every traveler. We especially like the packing cubes.
Amazon
Amazon Echo Dot, available at Best Buy, $29.99
If you have at least one days' worth of foresight, the latest Echo Dot is a great last-minute gift that won't require much effort. Whether you know for a fact that they have just started outfitting their home with smart capabilities, or you at least have a suspicion that they'd enjoy the convenience of having Alexa around to answer questions and play games, the Dot is a great pick.
Birchbox
Birchbox Subscription Box, available at Birchbox, from $45/3 months
There's a reason Birchbox is so popular — it's an affordable way to find and learn about new beauty, skincare, and grooming products without spending too much on full-sized options the recipient might not like. For $30 to $45, you'll be able to gift three months' worth of boxes right to their door. For a more substantial option, you can gift six months for $84 or 12 months for $156.
Blue Apron
Blue Apron Subscription Gift, available at Blue Apron, from $65
Blue Apron's meal kits are the perfect last-minute gift for anyone who enjoys cooking but lacks the time or foresight to do the planning involved. It costs $47.95 for two servings of two recipes each week, so they'll save time shopping and prepping meals, which is arguably worth more than the subscription price.
Food52
Olympia Provisions Artisanal Salami, available at Food52, from $40
You know the type — always orders a charcuterie board, could survive on prosciutto, prefers savory over sweet. Spoil your giftee with a salami delivery and hope they invite you over for a dinner party at some point.
Food52
Fuego Box quarterly hot sauce subscription, available at Food52, $120
They'll get fired up for this quarterly delivery of small-batch hot sauce, which is curated by Fuego Box and filled with gourmet picks from all over the country. Each box contains three 5-ounce bottles.
source https://www.businessinsider.com/thoughtful-last-minute-gifts