Shopping for presents isn’t always a walk in the park, and when it gets pushed until the last minute, it gets even harder, especially during the holiday season. Whether you’re shopping for your girlfriend, your mom, or your younger brother who’s just coming to appreciate your definition of “cool” — getting the right gift is important. We get it — life gets in the way, and if you’ve got a few days left, we want to help you out with the best last-minute gifts.
Because let’s face it, you’re getting pretty last-minute if you’re just beginning holiday shopping.
Instead of stepping foot into any crowded store at the busiest time of the year, snuggle up at home and order the best last-minute gifts online with the help of our thorough guide below. Many digital gifts are available right away or can be delivered in a few days.
Whether you’re looking for something for your dad, mom, girlfriend, or work BFF — we’ve got a variety of gift guides available on SPY to help you out. Thanks to Amazon Prime, streaming services, e-gift cards and subscription boxes, it’s never been easier to find the best gift at the last minute that’ll get there in two days or even instantly if it’s something digital.
Related Stories
For all the procrastinators of the world (you know who you are), we’ve rounded up some quality gifts you can order now. These last-minute gift ideas are sure to dazzle. Keep in mind: The best last-minute gifts will be personal to some degree, they’ll include fast shipping, and in a perfect world, the gift will arrive already wrapped. You can also choose digital gifts that don’t require wrapping at all.
Check out our top 55 picks for the best last-minute Christmas gift ideas.
Amazon.com Gift Card in a Holiday Gift Box
You can never go wrong with a gift card, especially from Amazon. Purchase one that comes in a cute little holiday gift box or, if you’re short on time, send it directly to your loved ones’ email so they’ll get it in their inbox on Christmas morning.
Echo Dot (5th Gen)
Here’s a hack you might have not been aware of: Amazon technology typically ships the quickest out of anything else available on the site, making the majority of the brand’s gadgets and gizmos great last-minute gifts. The new Echo Dot is a must-have for anyone who has always wanted an Alexa-enabled unit in their home. Play music, get the news and more.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
This pair of new Apple AirPods Pro earbuds will surely put a smile on any recipient’s face. They feature adaptive EQ to automatically tune music to your ears, come with three different sizes of silicone tips for a customizable fit, and offer more than 24 hours of total listening time with the MagSafe charging case.
For last-minute shoppers, both Amazon and Walmart have dropped prices on the new AirPods Pro 2 to a record-low of $199.99. Apple AirPods Pro 2 might arrive after Christmas if purchased from Amazon.
Disney+ Subscription
Everybody loves Disney, whether it’s Star Wars, the Marvel series or classics like Toy Story. And if your giftee is somebody who loves Disney (or if they have kids or grandkids who love Disney), this gift is sure to be a big hit. And like all of the best last-minute gifts, you can buy it at the last minute, no wrapping required. With big-name franchises like Star Wars and Marvel releasing exclusive content on the platform, it’s truly the must-have gift of 2020. And the best part? If you buy a year’s subscription, it’s only $70. Wait, there’s something even better — you can bundle in Hulu and ESPN for just $13/month. With that much content for that good price, you might also want to get a subscription for yourself.
Carhartt Knit Cuffed Beanie
It’s impossible to go wrong with a Carhartt beanie and that’s a fact. Pick this one up for just $20 in a number of different colors. Your giftee is going to love it.
YETI Rambler Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated Tumbler
This YETI stainless steel insulated tumbler will wow any ski bunny or camping enthusiast on your list. Each 20-ounce cup features a sturdy base, thick frame and ultimate temperature control. These tumblers are ideal for nights in by the fire, weekends away camping, beach days and beyond.
Solo Stove Ranger 2.0 Smokeless Fire Pits
Not only are Solo Stove fire pits some of the best last-minute gift ideas for 2022, but they’re on sale via Amazon Prime and set to arrive before Christmas. The popular smokeless fire pits are 43% off for last-minute shoppers if you act fast.
Keep in mind that this product may arrive after Christmas. Although this is the case, we still believe it to be one of the best gifts for men in 2022.
Waboba Moon Bouncing Ball
Last-minute toys? Amazon’s got ’em all. This bouncy ball bounces so high it basically defies gravity. Trust us when we say you’re going to have way too much fun with this one.
VAHDAM Tea Sampler
Nothing says “I Love You” more than a variety pack of nice teas. At least, if your giftee is a tea lover. For those who genuinely love teas, there is nothing better than receiving a fresh box of teas to explore and enjoy. Paired with some chocolates, flowers and even a Kindle, your giftee will love this tea sampler from VAHDAM.
Poo-Pourri Before-You-go Toilet Spray
While this might not be number one on everybody’s gift list, Poo-Pourri is an excellent smaller, casual gift for anybody you’re gifting this year. Nobody wants to be caught red-handed after walking out of the bathroom carrying an unwanted stench with them. Poo-Pourri is the answer to all your smelly toilet mishaps, no matter how messy they can get. Snag one for everyone on your list!
Theragun Elite
Therabody makes some of the best recovery equipment available. We named the Theragun prime one of our favorite massage guns of 2022, yet again, for its ingenious ergonomic design and portable size. It’s also available on Amazon with fast shipping, making it one of the best last-minute gifts of 2022.
Keep in mind that this product may arrive after Christmas. Although this is the case, we still believe it to be one of the best gifts for men in 2022.
Masterclass
One of the best last-minute gifts of 2022 is, yet again, Masterclass. It’s one of the best digital gifts that can also be purchased and sent to anyone on your list the day before the occasion at hand. They have an extensive library of classes from experts in a wide range of fields from cooking to writing, tennis, business development and entrepreneurship. You can learn from famous comedians like Steve Martin, chefs like Gordon Ramsay and star athletes like Steph Curry.
Gifting Masterclass is basically gifting a year’s worth of access to world-class expertise, and they’ll have no idea you left the purchase until the day before.
New Kindle Paperwhite
Is your loved one an avid reader? Then we’ve got the perfect gift. Thanks to Amazon and Prime Shipping, one of the year’s most popular gifts is also one of the year’s best last-minute gifts. And even if your giftee already has a Kindle, Amazon just released a brand new Kindle Paperwhite with an improved display, memory and battery life. The new Kindle Paperwhite is sure to be a popular gift come Christmas time and is perfect for early shopping or ordering for an upcoming event, as it’ll arrive in just a few days.
Bariboo Wave Wine Rack
Aspiring sommeliers will love this elegant wine rack. The stylish yet functional rack is excellent for showing off a collection. It stores up to 12 bottles at a time, and its clever design means it doesn’t take up too much space. Plus, it’s a cinch to put together. Combine this chic wine rack with a subscription to a wine club like Firstleaf, and you have the perfect last-minute gift ideas.
Cinzano Prosecco
Top-shelf bottles of champagne or bourbon are some of the best last-minute Christmas gifts, especially if you live somewhere with on-demand alcohol delivery services. As the year comes to an end, it’s time to celebrate. Gift everyone (and we mean everyone, we’re looking at you, grandma) a bottle of Cinzano this year through Drizly and get the party started.
Toniebox Audio Player Starter Set
This screen-free listening device is perfect for any PAW Patrol-loving kid. It’s ideal for bedtime stories and musical moments alike, serving simultaneously as an excellent educational toy for children. The device comes with Chase, Skye, Marshall and Playtime Puppy for added fun.
Mixology Bartender Cocktail Kit
Do you have someone on your holiday shopping list who just moved into a new home or apartment? What about someone that loves delicious craft cocktails? This bartender’s kit is one of the best last-minute Christmas gifts of 2022. It comes with a handsome wooden stand for their bar cart and cocktail recipe cards.
FOREO Facial Cleansing Brushes
Who doesn’t love a little pampering? Especially after a holiday, birthday or another special occasion — treat your loved one right with a facial cleansing brush. It’ll keep their pores exfoliated, their complexion fresh, and their skin soft. You can find facial cleansing brushes for every budget, and we’ve included a value option, a mid-range option and a premium option below.
Facial cleansing brushes were one of the best-selling gifts for women in 2021, and they’re still a great last-minute gift idea in 2022. Most importantly, all three of our picks arrive in just a few days, making them some of the best last-minute gifts of the year.
Dollar Shave Club Gift Subscription
Dollar Shave Club is the original men’s shaving club, making it easy to give subscriptions as a gift. There are a few ways to give DSC products, which is why they were some of our favorite last-minute Christmas gifts for 2021. You can choose from any of the brand’s popular holiday gift sets, or you can buy an e-gift card and give a lucky guy in your life his own membership to DSC. We’ve tested this shave club ourselves and highly recommend it!
TeeTurtle The Original Reversible Octopus Plushie
This adorable plushie makes for a great last-minute gift or stocking stuffer for any young kids on your shopping list. The fan-favorite toy reverses to reveal two different colors and will surely bring a smile to anyone’s face this holiday season (and beyond!).
Audible Monthly Membership
The best last-minute Christmas gifts are often digital gifts, which is why Audible is a smart gift idea for procrastinators. You’ve heard about it from your aunt, grandpa, kids, and even your favorite YouTubers. Audible is the subscription option for audiobooks you need to gift to any bookworm in your life this year. New memberships are available at just $0.99 for the first three months and then $14.95/month after that. There are several plans to choose from, including access to Audible’s entire Plus catalog, one free audiobook a month and even exclusive discounts. It is the gift that keeps on giving.
All-New Echo Dot for Kids
Now, your kiddo can have their very own Echo Dot with this made-for-kids speaker. Here, your child can play their favorite songs and listen to educational podcasts. You can even choose to place parental controls to block some of the content your child might see.
Grubhub Gift Card
Is your giftee feeling hungry? Like, always? Well, the best last-minute gift to give any food lover is a Grubhub gift card. With this essential snacking tool, giftees can have the opportunity to order out from anywhere locally they want. Maybe they’ve got a hankering for a go-to spot or maybe it’s a place they’ve been wanting to try for months. However which way they decide to use it is up to them, but we’re sure they’ll find a serious need for it.
Bond Touch Bracelets
Many of us still miss loved ones due to social distancing guidelines and limits on travel. These Bond Touch bracelets are perfect if you’ve got a special someone you can’t be with on their birthday or special day. Whether it’s your significant other, parent or BFF, snag one for you and one for them to keep in touch.
Zulay Original Milk Frother
If you’ve got a beverage lover in your midst, a milk frother is one of our favorite last-minute gifts because it’s small, straightforward and, most importantly, arrives in just a few days. This one is available for a very reasonable price on Amazon and creates rich, creamy lathers in just a few minutes. It’s available in a wide variety of colors and comes with its own metal stand for simple storage.
Firstleaf Wine Club Subscription
So you know your giftee loves wine, but you can’t recall their particular tastes, huh? Forget trying to impress them with a rare Pinot, and instead get them this subscription to a wine club, Firstleaf. You gift them the membership, and they get to answer a few short questions to help tailor their first shipment to their liking. From there, your giftee will try their newly delivered monthly wines, report back to Firstleaf on what they did and did not like, and let the process repeat! And you know, you can probably needle them a bit to get a bottle or glass sent your way now and then.
Read More: We Tested the Top Wine Clubs
Instant Pot Duo Mini 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker
Change the way your giftee cooks forever with the Instant Pot. If they don’t already have a pressure cooker, now’s the time to gift one because it’s a simple, effortless and delicious way to provide meals for one person or multiple people. Throw everything inside and set the timer depending on the recipe’s preferences. It’s that easy.
Casper Sleep Pillow
The gift of a good night’s sleep is something everyone wants. The present that keeps on giving allows for better neck alignment to keep you comfy at night. The pillow keeps you cool courtesy of its 100% cotton cover with a breathable percale weave to boost airflow. It’s filled with microfiber fill to deliver support and comfort, plus it won’t get clumpy, and when you fluff the pillow, it perks right up. The outer layer is removable and can be tossed into the washing machine for convenient cleaning.
Sony SRS-XB23 EXTRA BASS Wireless Bluetooth Speaker
Look no further than Sony for a high-powered, portable speaker you won’t want to shut off available for delivery in time for Christmas. This device is strapped with a 12-hour battery life and a waterproof design for beach days galore. The best part? It’s almost half off right now.
Disco Ball
Need a little bit of decoration to gift this year? Look no further than a disco ball. No matter what time period we’re living in, it’s safe to say that you can’t go wrong with a disco ball. This one is currently on sale and will arrive in time for Christmas.
Promptly Journals Compact Childhood Journey Journal
This sophisticated journal is a thoughtful gift for a friend who recently became a parent. Each journal contains prompts, placeholders for photos and mementos, and the space you need to journal every important milestone in a child’s life.
Homesick Scented Candles
Candles are always a foolproof gift idea, but consider one of these Homesick Scented Candles for something a little special. Each candle features unique scents that embody the essence of each particular metropolitan area or state: Southern California has accents of zesty oranges, lemon, rose, vanilla, and musk, for example.
Blue Apron Gift Card
If you know someone who would love a little instruction in the kitchen or someone who needs to eat a little healthier — Blue Apron is an excellent service to get started on. They deliver up to three meals a day, seven days a week in most zip codes, and their meal kits come with detailed instructions for prep for every meal. Your girlfriend, best friend, parents, etc., will learn to cook and make some pretty delicious stuff. To get them started, you can instantly buy a meal e-gift card on Blue Apron’s site, making the gifting super easy for you.
Ray-Ban Aviator Classic Polarized Sunglasses
You can never have too many pairs of sunglasses, and these timeless Ray-Ban aviators will always be in style. Aviators have been popular since the look debuted in 1937, and they’re still going strong. The metal frames have polarized lenses initially made for military use, as they improve clarity while cutting down glare and eye strain. The lenses offer 100% UV protection and are made of scratch-resistant glass, ultimately making these shades one of the best Christmas gifts for women and men across the globe.
Keep in mind that this product may arrive after Christmas. Although this is the case, we still believe it to be one of the best gifts for men in 2022.
Uber Gift Card
The same way someone might need a Grubhub gift card is the same way one might need one from Uber. This will get any giftee to and from just about wherever they need to go this holiday season and beyond. We’re sure they’ll be more than thankful for this one on New Year’s Eve.
Danjor Linens Queen Size Bed Sheets Set
Let’s keep it real for a second: everybody can use a pair of fresh, clean sheets. Seriously. Everyone. No matter who you’re gifting last minute, pick up some ultra-cozy, high-rated sheets from Danjor Linens at Amazon and save your giftee a trip to Bed Bath & Beyond. Sure, it might feel like a weird gift to give, but they’ll be seriously thankful.
HBO Max
While Disney+ is an epic choice for children and nostalgic adults alike, we couldn’t leave out HBO Max for the sheer amount of content this subscription service holds. For just $14.99 a month, gift your favorite movie-obsessed pal HBO Max, where they can watch several must-watch movies and TV shows. It’s an excellent way to spend this winter indoors, so we suggest it.
Magnolia Bakery Sampler Pack
You’ve heard of Magnolia Bakery, haven’t you? This is the world’s best banana pudding out of New York City. And, lucky for you, they deliver nationwide if an order is placed two days in advance. Just place an order two days before Christmas and you’ll have your giftee’s mouth watering.
Crocs Shoes
Do you have a loved one who loves their Crocs? Who doesn’t? After all, Crocs are officially back in style, and since they’re sold on Amazon, they also happen to be a great gifting option for anyone shopping last minute. They have a wide range of sizes, colors and styles available for all ages, all available via 2-day shipping. Just make sure you verify the date so you know they’ll arrive in time!
W&P Craft Cocktail Kit
Once called the “Carry-On Cocktail Kit,” W&P recently changed their approach for this favorite of ex-frequent flyers due to the year we’ve had. With a simple new name, the Craft Cocktail Kit is still an awesome gift to give somebody who gets to fly on the reg or likes to make single cocktails at home. Each compact cocktail kit has several different drink options, including Moscow Mule, Bloody Mary, Champagne, Old Fashioned and Margarita. Each tin contains all the drink components, a recipe card, a spoon and a linen coaster.
Upgraded Beard Grooming Kit
Do you need a last-minute gift for your favorite bearded boy? You can’t go wrong with this upgraded beard grooming kit. It includes beard oil, beard balm, wooden hair tools and trimming scissors, among other fantastic and necessary items for maintaining a healthy mane. It arrives already packaged in a sleek black gift box, so the presentation will impress with minimal effort. Score.
One Night Ultimate Werewolf Board Game
This murder/mystery-esque game is great for your competitive friends who love a good game night. It’s all about werewolves, villages, a spooky night and finding out who the werewolves really are. It’s exciting, simple to learn and the games go by quickly. It’s also available to purchase on Amazon with speedy shipping.
Anker Soundcore Q20 Noise Cancelling Headphones
Nowadays, a good pair of noise-canceling headphones is a modern necessity. They’ll block out the din at the office, on trains and planes, and even in your living room when your family is driving you crazy. These noise cancellers from Anker come with oversized dynamic drivers that produce hi-res audio and reduce ambient noise by up to 90%. They’ve got exclusive base technology that strengthens low frequencies, and the batteries last for up to 40 hours in noise-cancellation mode. This gift works for nearly anyone in your life and won’t totally break the bank despite the high tech level. They’re also available for Prime shipping in two days.
Amazon Basics Electric Scalp Massager
The perfect relaxation tool for kids, adults and pets. This scale massager includes 84 nodes that create a comforting kneading massage. There are four modes to choose from, an ergonomic handle and a rechargeable battery for easy use.
Best Buy Gift Card
If you have a tech lover in your life, a Best Buy digital gift card is a safe bet for a last-minute gift. Not only can they spend it on whatever they want, but Best Buy tends to have great deals on top-rated gadgets throughout the lead-up to Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and all throughout the holiday gifting season.
Your giftee can spend it entirely at their leisure since there are no fees or expiration dates, and they can check and track their card balance at any time on Best Buy’s website.
Ajna Acupressure Mat and Pillow Set
Give the give of comfort with this Ajna Acupressure Mat and Pillow Set. It provides stress and tension relief for the neck, back, and spine using over 7000 ergonomically engineered spikes to release endorphins and alleviate tension. All you have to do is lie down on the mat and pillow to feel instant relaxation.
TRAVANDO Slim Wallet
Know a guy who keeps his important credit cards attached via a paper clip? Not a good look. Gift him this simple, fashionable slim wallet with enough space for 11 credit or debit cards, business cards and an integrated money clip for any cash he keeps on hand. This wallet also comes with industry-vetted security and protection against theft via RFID scanners. It comes in various colors and can be delivered in two days.
JBL FLIP 5 Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker
This powerful Bluetooth speaker has the battery capacity to play music for up to 12 hours. It’s small, compact and waterproof for use anywhere you go. Offered in a wide variety of colors, the brand’s PartyBoost feature allows you to connect multiple speakers for a wider range of sound.
Cuisinart GR-4NP1 5-in-1 Griddler
This super tasty last-minute gift idea is the best choice for the loved one who can’t spend enough time in the kitchen. The mini 5-in-1 Griddler is phenomenal, and it’s such a fun kitchen appliance to use for Sunday brunch or quick sandwich lunch. With this bad boy, food lovers can grill, griddle and panini press with ease. Since it’s pretty tiny, the recipient of the gift will have an easy time storing it when it’s not in use.
The Voting Game Party Game
For the party-lover in your life, try this fun card game. The Voting Game includes up to 10 people and has 160 question cards: each player must vote for who they feel is best described by each question card, and whoever gets the most votes by the end of the game wins. This is a fun way to get to know friends and family and is an excellent gift for anyone who enjoys hosting.
LifeAround2Angels Bath Bombs Gift Set
For the busy bee in your life, give them the gift of relaxation with this bath bomb gift set. Each kit has 12 different bath bombs your giftee can use whenever they need some R&R. These have incredible views on Amazon, so we’re sure your giftee will love it.
Kids Against Maturity
This year, we fell in love with Kids Against Maturity because this card game brought the silly, wacky and wildly inappropriate aesthetic of Cards Against Humanity into a lighter realm that the whole family can play. There’s total potty mouth banter for the kids and hidden innuendos for the adults involved. It’s a complete free-for-all of a game the entire family will geek over.
Urban Stems Flower Delivery
When in doubt? Send flowers. Flowers from Urban Stems can be delivered via overnight delivery, so you can wait until the last minute and still pull through for your friend, partner, sibling or parent on a gorgeous arrangement. They have a wide selection of flowers for a variety of occasions from birthdays to anniversaries, get well, thank you and even grief.
This arrangement below is called “Double the Firecracker” and has a mix of bright yellows, oranges and reds that’s perfect for fall and holiday occasions. You can specify everything from the arrangement to the message on the card from their website and even gift regular flower deliveries and gift boxes.
How To Make Sure Your Gifts Arrive in Time For Your Special Occasion
Whether you’re gifting for a birthday, anniversary, Christmas or another tentpole occasion, it pays to shop early. Given last year’s supply chain mayhem that has continued into this year for some product categories, we recommend getting started on your gift list now, so you’ve got plenty of time in case the shipping for a gift is interrupted or you change your mind and wish to gift something else. SPY editors have been collecting this year’s best Christmas gift ideas since the first week of January. Despite this, we already know some of our editors and many of our readers are going to leave Christmas shopping until the last minute. Don’t do this!
There are two strategies to keep in mind when shopping for last-minute gifts.
First, digital gifts and subscription services will be your best friend. Remember that online subscription services are one of the top gifting trends of the year, so you don’t need to worry that your gift will feel phoned in. In our guide to the best last-minute gifts below, we’ve included plenty of digital gifts that can be delivered instantly, such as meal delivery services, wine clubs, streaming services and shaving clubs. Many of these companies even have a gifting option on their website that makes it easy to purchase a subscription for someone else.
Second, keep a close eye on holiday shipping deadlines and estimated delivery dates. Amazon, for instance, will tell you exactly when your order is scheduled to arrive to your zip code. Before placing an order, check to see if it will arrive in time for Christmas, a birthday or another occasion you’re shopping for. Amazon even has a notice that indicates whether or not a specific product will arrive before the holidays.