44 Thoughtful Last-Minute Gifts to Give in 2023

It happens to the best of us: Sometimes, we just miss the shipping deadline to get that holiday gift on their doorstep in time.

Luckily, with the advent of email notifications, two-day delivery, and in-store pickup, you can snag plenty of last-minute gifts that don’t look like you scrambled to find something. From snack and wine delivery subscriptions your recipient can curate themselves to gift cards they can use to buy everything from books to vacations, there’s an idea for practically every interest and budget. We even included online courses they can complete on their own time if they’re the type of people who hate clutter.

So if you have no idea if a physical gift will ship in time or you’re pressed to find something for a last-minute visit, keep reading for some thoughtful last-minute gift ideas.

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Delicious treats

  • Satiate their hankering for a good gouda or creamy brie with a monthly cheese subscription.

  • This brisket will arrive from South Carolina on their doorstep in no time, frozen or thawed.

  • There are plenty of choices from Milk Bar, which is sure to be a hit.

  • Four different teas (enough for 16 cups) sent monthly will give them their fix but also open their world.

  • Gifting just got sweeter. You select the number of treats, and Sugarwish takes care of the rest.

  • Looking for a last-minute gift that’s perfect for your favorite vino fan? We recommend a few bottles from NakedWines.com.

  • Spoil your giftee with a salami delivery and hope they invite you over for a dinner party at some point.

  • Filled with gourmet picks from all over the country, each box contains three 5-ounce bottles and is shipped quarterly.

Something personalized

  • If you’re looking for a classic bouquet, you can’t go wrong with UrbanStems. It’s available in 48 states and some bouquets have next-day delivery.

  • Cameo offers over 40,000 celebrities and entertainment personalities to choose from.

  • The bundle features three diaper types: Everyday, training pants, and overnights, with custom sizes based on weight and age.

  • Customers can take a quiz to learn more about their hair type and get everything from custom hair care to select skin and body products.

  • The Book of the Month Club is a service narrows a selection of new releases down to five options.

Out of the ordinary gift cards 

  • Otherland features creative, luxurious scents and lets customers build a box of their own candles.

  • Goldbelly brings regional foods like NYC bagels and Southern BBQ right to their doorstep.

  • A ClassPass membership helps them figure out what they like without the pressure of committing to a gym right away.

  • Every purchase on the site helps support independent bookstores around the country, and the selection is massive.

  • A Hotels.com gift card can help them easily book accommodations.

  • Reservebar excels in specialty wine and spirits, but recipients can have their pick of just about anything.

  • Quip toothbrushes come with regularly delivered brush head replacements so they can just set it and forget it.

  • From cozy cashmere to classic button-downs, we can’t think of anyone who wouldn’t be able to put an Everlane e-gift card to use.

  • Hulu, like Netflix, is a must-have for TV fans. This gift card can be used to sign up or pay for their next few months with the service.

  • Warby Parker has affordable prescription glasses (pairs start at just $95, including lenses), and stylish non-prescription sunglasses.

  • They’ll enjoy the chance to custom-frame something for their home with Framebridge.

  • Recipients can try out different brands and styles they may not usually buy and it’s easy to return pieces.

  • Airbnb has thousands of listings for private home vacation rentals around the globe and across the US.

  • From confetti to marble patterns, Calpak offers suitcase designs for every traveler.

Useful tech

  • This bestselling drawing class is perfect for complete beginners or advanced artists looking to pick up new skills.

  • The Paperwhite has a backlit screen with zero glare so they can read it both outside and in bed with the lights out.

  • Great for those who have just started outfitting their home with smart capabilities, or enjoy the convenience of having Alexa around to answer questions.

  • Secure a pair of these online and have them shipped in short order or pick them up the very same day.

Subscriptions they’ll actually use

  • If they love to dabble in other languages, Babbel is a considerate and immediately deliverable option.

  • An Audible subscription gives them credit to choose an audiobook or several to tide them over on long trips, commutes, or runs.

  • Each month, they’ll get a curated box of crafting supplies as well as a virtual workshop to walk them through the steps.

  • Every month, Rocksbox will send three pieces of jewelry chosen by a personal stylist, with free shipping.

  • The gift of Amazon Prime is always one that’ll be met with extreme appreciation, given that it is both practical and thoughtful.

  • Perfect for the fashionista in your life and lets them rent something new for any occasion.

  • Get unlimited access to movies and shows from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and National Geographic.

  • Send beautiful bouquets on a regular basis at the rate of your choosing — weekly, biweekly, or monthly.

  • Listen to narrated meditations with a Buddhist monk or leverage wind-down guided exercises to enjoy better sleep.

  • MasterClass is an online platform that has an array of classes taught by celebrities and industry leaders.

  • You can send a box directly to their house or purchase an e-gift card, which they can redeem immediately.

  • Any caffeine fiend will love receiving beans or grounds direct to their door each month.

  • Meal kits are perfect for anyone who enjoys cooking but lacks the time to do all the planning.