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29 last-minute gifts that are still thoughtful and unique

 3 years ago
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29 last-minute gifts that are still thoughtful and unique

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We've all been there — the holidays are just around the corner, your schedule starts getting more chaotic, and suddenly Christmas is closer than you thought and you still haven't picked out a gift!

Whether it just slipped your mind to prepare ahead of time or you decided to give a gift last-minute, 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 where two- or even one-day shipping might come in clutch. As a last resort, repurpose this clever hack to ensure they will still have a gift to open.  

Check out our 29 picks for last-minute gifts they'll think you pored over: 

A Murray's Monthly Clubs subscription for cheese lovers

Murray's Cheese/Facebook

Cheese of the Month subscription, from $63

Send the best of Murray's cheese and satiate their hankering for a good gouda or creamy brie with a Monthly Clubs 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.

A 12-pack of wine from an independent winemaker for under $100

NakedWines.com

Give a wine gift from NakedWines.com

Looking for a last-minute gift that's perfect for just about anyone over 21? 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. 

For a limited time, you can get an assortment of wines for even cheaper. New customers who sign up using their email get $100 off their first box of 12 wines. Insider Reviews reporter Mara Leighton tried the service and found it to be a great value. Read the full review here.

A Disney+ gift subscription

Alyssa Powell/Business Insider

One-year gift subscription to Disney Plus, $69.99

It gives unlimited access to movies and shows from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and 20th Century Fox, and costs just $6.99 a month or $69.99 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.

A flower subscription service for freshly delivered blooms

The Bouqs Co./Instagram

The Bouqs Co. flower subscription, from $36 per shipment

Send beautiful bouquets on a regular basis at the rate of your choosing — weekly, every two weeks, monthly, or every two months. Choose from a variety of floral themes, from farmers' market fresh blooms to gorgeous rose arrangements. This new twist on a classic gift is one that'll keep on giving.

A gift that's as uniquely sweet as they are

Sugarwish/Facebook/Business Insider

Sugarwish treat boxes, from $19.98 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.

A Headspace subscription for soothing meditations

Headspace/Facebook

Headspace subscription, from $12.99 per month

This year has 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.  

A Masterclass subscription to learn from the best

Alyssa Powell/Business Insider

Masterclass subscription, from $15 per 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 creative writing classes taught by Margaret Atwood to a cooking lesson with Thomas Keller. 

While you can choose to gift just a few months subscription to a loved one or friend, if you're interested in using Masterclass yourself you may want to opt for their current 2-for-1-holiday sale. Through December 28, if you buy a yearly pass for $180, you'll get a second yearly pass for free to gift to someone else. 

An Amazon Prime membership to make life easier

Amazon

Amazon Prime membership, $39 for 3 months or $119 for a year

The gift of Amazon Prime is always one that'll be met with extreme appreciation given that it is both practical and actually 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. 

An e-gift card to Everlane for anyone who appreciates the basics

Everlane

Everlane e-gift card, starting at $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. 

A Hulu gift card for the TV-obsessed

Hulu

Hulu gift card, available at Walmart, from $25

Hulu, like Netflix, is a must-have for TV fiends. 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. 

An Amazon Kindle for book lovers who travel frequently

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

A Book of the Month subscription for bibliophiles who like to hold books in their hands

Book of the Month Instagram

Book of the Month Club, from $49.99 for 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. 

A gift card to their favorite music streaming service

Best Buy/Business Insider

Send a gift card or subscription to SpotifyAmazon 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 often found 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.

A box full of nostalgic treats

Amazon/Business Insider

Oreo, Golden Oreo, Chips Ahoy, and Nutter Butter Gift Box, $12.88

If they never quite outgrew this favorite childhood snack (or if they're just one for sentimentalism), this box full of Oreos, Golden Oreos, Chips Ahoy, and Nutter Butter cookies will have them feeling like they're back in the good old days in no time. Prime members can receive one-day shipping on this item depending on what time of day they place their order, so if their big day is tomorrow, we've got you covered.

A bouquet to satisfy any sweet tooth

Harry & David

Sweet Chocolate Covered Donut & Cake Pop Bouquet, available at Harry & David, $49.99

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 for last-minute shoppers, express shipping can be applied to this gift.

An e-gift card to Warby Parker for the daily glasses-wearer

Warby Parker

Warby Parker e-gift cards, from $50 to $295

Glasses have become a means of helping people to 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.

A wine subscription for new bottles delivered right to their door

Winc

Winc gift card, starting at $60

Winc is a wine delivery subscription that brings the good stuff right to your recipient's door. Users take a quiz and share information about their taste preferences before receiving expert recommendations about bottles they may like. They can choose what to include in their box, and since each bottle is priced individually, they can control the cost of each delivery. Gift cards can be emailed to the recipient and used toward the cost of a box (or a few, if you're feeling extra generous). 

A BarkBox subscription for anyone who's just a little too obsessed with their dog

BarkBox

BarkBox subscription, starting at $35

Whether they just got a new puppy or they've had one for a while now, you can't go wrong with a BarkBox subscription for any dog parent. To give it as a gift, simply input the name of their pup and its 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 can be redeemed immediately.

A coffee subscription to help them stay caffeinated

Atlas Coffee Club

Atlas Coffee Club 3-Month Gift Subscription, $50 (holiday deal, originally $60)

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.

A gift card to frame their art or photos

Framebridge

Framebridge gift card, 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.

A fun and convenient way to freshen up their wardrobe

Stitch Fix

Stitch Fix gift card, starting at $20

It's natural to settle into a dressing routine, but 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.

A travel-planning service that does all the work for them

Airbnb

Airbnb gift card, from $25

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.

This is also a thoughtful option for anyone who has to travel right now since experts and the CDC note that private home rentals are currently safer than hotel stays.

An electric toothbrush with recurring brush head refill deliveries

Goby

Goby gift card, choose your amount

Give them the gift of better oral hygiene with a Goby toothbrush, which pairs with an automatic subscription so they'll always be brushing with the most thorough and efficient brush head.

A customizable suitcase

CALPAK

CALPAK gift card, 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. 

An Echo Dot for the smart-home enthusiast

Amazon

Amazon Echo Dot, available at Best Buy $29.99

If you have at least one days' worth of foresight, the new 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. 

A Birchbox subscription for beauty and skin-care lovers

Birchbox

Birchbox subscription, starting at $30-$45 for 3 months

There's a reason Birchbox is so popular — it's a super affordable way to find and learn about new beauty, skincare, and grooming products without the risk of spending too much on full-sized options the recipient might not like. For $30-$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.  

A Blue Apron subscription

Blue Apron

Blue Apron subscription gift, starting at $60.00 for one week

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 and prepping 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 price of the subscription.

A salami of the month club for the meat lovers

Food52

Olympia Provisions Artisanal Salami, 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 soon when we can all get together again. 

A hot sauce subscription for heat seekers

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 five-ounce bottles. 

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Disclosure: This post is brought to you by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners. We frequently receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising sales team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at [email protected].



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