11 of the Best Last-Minute Gifts That’ll Make It in Time for Christmas

We have officially entered the holiday season, and with only a few weeks left to buy presents for loved ones, the pressure is on. This year, a host of supply-chain issues have added to the stress, as shipping times are more delayed than in years past. Not to worry, though—you can bypass a lot of this hassle and still grab a great gift for everyone on your list by opting for products that offer fast shipping or in some cases, don't require it all. Below, we’ve gathered 11 of the best last-minute gifts that still feel thoughtful, and most importantly, should arrive in time for Christmas.

1. Rosetta Stone Membership; $30 - $179

For the friend in your life who always wishes they spoke a second language or wants to connect to their heritage in new ways, Rosetta Stone is a terrific place to start. Choose from 25 different languages and gift them three, six, or 12 months worth of courses, with prices starting at $30. Once you select a subscription package, you can write them a sweet message and pick an electronic delivery date, then Rosetta Stone will let them pick what they want to study. If you want to splurge, you can get them the Lifetime package at $179, which gives them unlimited access to all languages offered.

Buy it: Rosetta Stone

2. Blue Apron E-Gift Cards; $65 - $260

Food subscription services have been on the rise over the past few years. Blue Apron is one of the most popular, as it offers chef-designed recipes, top-quality ingredients, precise portions, and recyclable packaging materials, so you create less waste. If someone on your list is already a member or is looking to try this out, give them a gift card so they can customize their next food box or try out the brand’s wine delivery service.

Buy it: Blue Apron

3. MasterClass Membership; $15 - $23

Every month, MasterClass offers new classes so members can learn from the best in areas such as theater, sports, business, and tech. This year, give the gift of learning from experts like Dr. Jane Goodall about conservation or author Neil Gaiman about the art of storytelling. There are three tiers of memberships with prices starting at $15 per month, and now through Wednesday, December 29, you can get two memberships for the price of one. This could be a clever way to check two people off your list at the same time (hint, hint).

Buy it: MasterClass

4. Amazon Explore: Australia Koalas and Kangaroos Virtual Tour; $15 - $59

As the pandemic continues, traveling to faraway places like Australia is still tricky. Through Amazon’s latest program Explore, you can go sightseeing around the world without ever leaving the comfort of your own home. This Koalas and Kangaroos virtual tour, priced at $15 and up, will let you travel to the Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park. Once you're signed up, a guide will teach you all about different wild animals in the land down under via either a group or private 30-minute session.

Buy it: Amazon

5. Cameo; Varies

Surprise someone on your holiday shopping list with a personalized video message from their favorite celebrity. For instance, try a message from Draco Malfoy himself, Tom Felton, for the Potterheads on your list. Fans of The Office could be pleasantly shocked when they get a custom message from Melora Hardin, who played Jan, or Brian Baumgartner (a.k.a Kevin). The options really are that vast.

Buy it: Cameo

6. Headspace Membership; $13 - $70

The holidays can be a stressful time for some. Give the gift of peace of mind with a year or a month-long subscription to Headspace, a mindfulness and meditation app. Through this service, available for $13 per month and up, your recipient will have access to meditation techniques, sleep hacks, ways to reduce stress, mindfulness strategies, and more.

Buy it: Headspace

7. Disney+ Bundle; $14 - $20 per month

After the success of shows like WandaVision and The Mandalorian, Disney+ has become the streaming platform du jour for film and TV lovers. If someone on your list has been interested in joining but hasn’t done it yet, gift them a subscription bundle that includes the streaming platform, in addition to Hulu and ESPN, starting at $14 per month.

Buy it: Disney+ Bundle

8. Uncommon Experiences: Paint Your Pet; $25

Like Amazon Explore, Uncommon Goods has its own "experiences page," which will allow your recipient to virtually participate in a number of cool activities. This one with host Addie Stunkard lets your friend learn how to paint a portrait of their pet, and is priced from $25 per session. Your loved one doesn’t need to be Renoir-levels of talented to participate in this 90-minute live watercolor portraiture class because Stunkard goes over all the basic techniques that will be used.

Buy it: Uncommon Goods

9. Call Number Subscription Box; $22 - $39

For literary enthusiasts, the quest to find new titles and authors is a never-ending journey. Call Number is a quarterly subscription box curated by a librarian and features contemporary Black authors and literature. Every three months, your bookworm friend will receive a package based on one of the four genres chosen: fiction, nonfiction, YA, and indie. In the complete version, which is $39 per box, they’ll get one new book, a library packet, and up to four book- or library-themed items. You can also just have the book and packet sent to them without the extra items for $22 per box.

Buy it: Cratejoy

10. Sips By Subscription Box; $48 - $384

Winter is the perfect time to gift people hot beverages like coffee and tea. Sips by is a tea subscription box that offers the tea lover in your life four blends, which equal over 16 cups per month. You can gift three, six, 12, or 24 months of the subscription to someone on your list, with prices starting at $48.

Buy it: Sips by

11. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate: Three-Month Membership [Digital Code]; $45

For three months, the gamer on your shopping list can enjoy all that Xbox has to offer. There are over 100 games to play from multiple devices. They’ll even get access to new games the day they’re released, like Halo Infinite, just released on Wednesday, December 8.

Buy it: Amazon

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