Shipping deadlines? Checkout lines? Traffic? Christmas morning panic? Amateur hour—all of them.
Whether you’re forgetful, inconsiderate, or just plain unorganized, eleventh-hour gifts don’t always demand springing for exorbitant shipping fees or, worse, diving between Target’s sliding doors mere milliseconds before the store closes.
These last-minute gift ideas prove that you can be thoughtful, creative, and budget-conscious, all while appreciating the convenience the 21st century.
Entertainment
A subscription or gift card to a popular streaming service is a present that truly keeps on giving. It requires very little effort on your part, and expects very little effort on your recipient’s part.
If, for some reason, you’re feeling especially ambitious, you could curate a list of show or movie recommendations based on your giftee’s unique tastes, or even suggest a virtual watch party to enjoy some streaming time together.
Here are a few options to consider:
Gaming
If the person you’re gifting is a gamer, nothing—and I mean nothing—says lovin’ like some in-game currency or, better yet, credit that can be used toward full games.
Just make sure you know their gaming preferences, including the platform or platforms they use to game.
Here are some popular platforms to check out:
Online Learning
Even though school’s out for a bit, for the person who loves to learn and explore new ideas, gifting them access to an online course or workshop could be perfect.
Platforms offer a wide range of subjects, from photography to coding, cooking to creative writing. They can explore a new passion or develop their existing skills over the break.
Your choices include:
- Udemy Gift Courses (Note: You’ll need to select a specific course to gift)
- Skillshare Gift Membership
- MasterClass Gift Membership
Subscription Boxes
Sometimes, a gift that keeps on giving month after month is the perfect solution. Remember how happy Clark Griswold was when he got that Jelly of the Month subscription? Wait, maybe I’m mis-remembering that.
Anyhow, From coffee and snacks to books and beauty products, there’s a subscription box for almost every hobby. Best of all, it’s a tangible gift that you can initially give virtually.
There’s something for everyone:
- FabFitFun Gift Cards
- Birchbox Gift Cards
- Cratejoy (Use this to find a specific box)
Audiobooks
There are officially too many podcasts to sift through, so let’s all resurrect the tried and true audiobook.
Whether a single audiobook or a gift membership to an audiobook service, this is a great gift for someone to enjoy stories while commuting, exercising, or relaxing.
Audible might be the biggest name, but it’s not the only one: