45 thoughtful last-minute gifts that don't feel rushed

Food Gift Card, available at Goldbelly, from $25

Goldbelly is one of our favorite food delivery services because it brings regional foods — from NYC bagels to Maine lobster rolls to Southern BBQ — right to one's doorstep. A gift card is great because it lets the giftee decide what they're craving, rather than trying to guess what they'd want.

Gift Card, available at ClassPass, from $5

Whether they're already a fitness buff or aspiring to be one, a ClassPass membership is a great gift to help them figure out what they like without the pressure of committing to a gym right away. They can dabble in yoga, barre, Pilates, kickboxing, and anything participating classes near them using ClassPass credits.

The Ultimate Drawing Course  - Beginner to Advanced, available at Udemy, $24.99

Udemy is one of our most recommended online learning platforms because of how thorough the classes are and how easy they are to take at one's own pace. This bestselling drawing class is perfect for complete beginners, though there are plenty of other options if your recipient is a little more advanced in their drawing skills.

Gift Card, available at Bookshop, from $10

For readers who care deeply about preserving local bookstores, you need look no further than a Bookshop gift card. Every purchase on the site helps support independent bookstores around the country, and the selection is massive.

Travel Gift Card, available at Hotels.com, from $10

If your giftee is someone who desperately needs a vacation (but maybe needs a little nudge), a Hotels.com gift card can help them easily book accommodations if that's been a big obstacle for them.

Gift Subscription, available at Audible, from $15

Whether they're already big on audiobooks or have yet to discover how great they are, an Audible subscription gives them credit to choose an audiobook or several to tide them over on long trips, commutes, or runs.

Cheese of the Month subscription, available at Murray's, from $62/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 cheese aficionados 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.

Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Cassette Tape, available at Drizly, from $65.99

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 subscriptions, starting at $66.90/three 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. It includes options for 13 languages, including Spanish, French, German, Italian, Indonesian, and Turkish.

Personalized video message, available at Cameo, from $1

If they're a big movie buff or pop culture fan, 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.

A whole Carolina brisket from Lewis Barbecue, available at Lewis Barbecue, starting at $149

With the holidays approaching, 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.

Apple AirPods Pro, available at Target, $169.99

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.

Desserts from Milk Bar, from $27

Who says they can't have birthday cake during the holidays? There are plenty of choices from Milk Bar, which is sure to be a hit.

Read our full review of Milk Bar here.

The Crafter's Box membership, available at The Crafter's Box, from $71.50/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. Each month, they'll get a curated box of crafting supplies as well as a virtual workshop to walk them through the steps.

Gift cards, available at Reservebar, from $25

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.

Read our full review of Reservebar here.

Monthly tea boxes, available at Sips by, from $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.

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.

Read our full review of Quip versus Philips Sonicare here.

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. 

Read our full Rocksbox review here.

Honest Diaper + Wipes Bundle, available at Honest, from $82.99/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. 

Magazine subscription, available at Amazon, from $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.

Rent the Runway membership, available at Rent the Runway, $94/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.

Read our full review of Rent the Runway here.

Give a wine gift from NakedWines.com, from $10

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. 

Read our full review of NakedWines.com here.

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.

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. 

Find out more about our favorite flower-delivery services here.

Sugarwish treat boxes, available at Sugarwish, from $23

Gifting just got a little bit sweeter. You select the number of treats, and Sugarwish takes care of the rest. The recipient then chooses which treats they want to receive once they redeem the gift, so it's the perfect last-minute item for anyone with a sweet tooth.

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.  

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 Prime membership, available at Amazon, from $14.99/month

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 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. 

Check out every style we've tried from Everlane here. 

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 Kindle Paperwhite, Available at Amazon, $139.99

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 waterproof Kindle Paperwhite here. 

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. 

Send a gift card or subscription to Spotify, Amazon Music Unlimited, or Apple Music, from $8.99/month

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.

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.

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.

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.

Read about our experience with Atlas Coffee Club here.

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 their home with Framebridge. Bonus points if you also print and send cute photos for them to frame.

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 Gift Card, available at Airbnb, from $100

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 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 Echo Dot, available at Best Buy, $49.99

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 Subscription Box, available at Birchbox, from $13/month

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 Subscription Gift, available at Blue Apron, from $70

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.

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. 

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.