The 50 Best Last-Minute Gifts You Won’t Be Embarrassed to Give
Don’t dillydally—shipping cutoffs are closing in.
Updated Dec 19, 2023 4:17 PM
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At the start of the holiday season, our good intentions to cross everyone off our shopping list early are plentiful. But then November turns into December, delivery windows stretch to a scary January 1 or beyond, and “sold out” stickers are a dime a dozen—especially as the final days of the Christmas countdown officially creep in. Instead of panic buying something at a pharmacy around the corner, consult our list of the best last-minute gifts you can still get your hands on.
After scouring the web, we rustled up a plethora of eleventh-hour ideas you won’t be embarrassed to present: gift cards that feel intentional, unique subscriptions that digitally deliver, and crowd-pleasing products that promise to ship in time to be tucked under the tree. Some sites are offering free expedited services along with sitewide discounts, while others will cost you a little something extra for souped-up shipping and handling. Whichever route you choose to take, be warned: Many of these best last-minute gifts have shipping cutoffs that expire imminently, so don’t dillydally.
Best Last-Minute Fashion Gifts
Next-Day Shipping at Alex Mill
Alex Mill has last-minute, next-day shipping until Tuesday, December 19. A supersoft scarf is a crowd-pleaser, but we also love the Work Jacket if they’re into denim.
Guaranteed Christmas Delivery on Bose Headphones at QVC
There are all kinds of products that have guaranteed Christmas delivery at QVC, but after digging through it all, we love that these wireless Bose headphones also come with a deal. Order them by December 19 at 11:59 p.m. ET to get ’em on time.
Next-Day Overnight Shipping at J.McLaughlin
J.McLaughlin has two-day shipping available until December 19 at noon ET. If you need a little extra time, December 20 is the cutoff for next-day overnight packages; make sure to order by noon ET. There’s an up to 40% off sale happening right now, but we can’t get over this fuzzy bucket hat.
Next-Day Delivery at Matches
Not only is Matches—a stylish hub for both fashion and home gems—offering an up to 60% off sale, it has four shipping options for the holidays. You can count on standard shipping up to December 19, but there are express, next-day, and premium options if you wait until December 20 or 21.
Overnight Shipping Until December 20 at State
Female-founded bag brand State is a surefire source for kids’ gifts, and it has a plethora of shipping options, from standard ground to FedEx overnight. You have until December 20 to order; we love this affordable pencil case you could fill with goodies like colored pens and stickers.
Best Last-Minute Food and Drink Gifts
E-Gift Card at Beanz
If caffeine is your giftee’s vice of choice, then you can’t go wrong with a prepaid card to Breville’s Beanz program. Choose a custom increment, starting at $20, that will allow them to redeem a one-off bag of beans (there are hundreds of options categorized by three main flavor profiles: fruity, caramelly, chocolaty) or set up their own subscription with one of 47 award-winning roasters from across the country. Everything is packaged within days of ordering, so their cup of joe is always fresh.
Next-Day Delivery at Brightland
Brightland is still offering speedy shipping for Christmas delivery—choose overnight until December 19. The payoff: seeing your giftee’s face light up when they unbox a pretty bottle of EVOO or vinegar paired with a practical brass spout.
Standard and Express Shipping at Caviar Russe
Give an extremely delicious gift—or just prep for some fanciful hosting—by ordering caviar from purveyor Caviar Russe. It comes via next-day express overnight from FedEx, and the company recommends getting your order in by December 20; you technically have until December 22 before 3 p.m. ET. (For New Year’s, the cutoff is December 29.)
Expedited Shipping at Fly by Jing
Fly by Jing’s soup bases and condiments have become pantry staples in many a Domino editor’s kitchen, and you might even recognize the stovetop steamer from our gift guide for food lovers. If you have a friend or family member who loves to amp up the flavor profile of a weeknight meal, take advantage of the company’s expedited shipping, which will give you a buffer up until December 20 to gift umami in a jar. (Note: It may cost you $34 extra.) We recommend going with one of the preselected sets that will arrive already boxed up so you can skip the wrapping paper.
Free Express Shipping for Holiday 4-Packs at Ghia
Editor-favorite N/A aperitif brand Ghia is offering free express shipping on Hoilday 4-Packs until December 20. You can choose from 12 to 108 cans in whatever combination of flavors you’d like.
E-Treat Delivery at Goldbelly
No address, no problem—you can rush order someone’s favorite sweet on Goldbelly as long as you have their email address. Sure, everyone’s munching on frosted sugar cookies this time of year, but a chocolate babka from a New York City cultural icon? It would be tough to top that.
Shipping Until December 18 at Millesima Fine Wine
If you want to send them some bubbly or a fancy magnum, Millesima Fine Wine has a strong selection of 20% off champagnes and up to 40% off large format bottles. The brand is still offering two-day and overnight options, but check your specific address to see if it’ll arrive on time.
Express Shipping Until December 19 at Siesta Co.
Give a tin of seafood from Siesta Co.—order with express shipping until December 19 for Christmas delivery. The brand’s Cantabrian anchovies are a true delight; serving them with a little bread and butter makes them extra-delicious, too. We love this oversize option, which feels all the more festive.
Tea of the Month Subscription at Art of Tea
A great gift for tea-drinking pals is Art of Tea’s specifically curated monthly boxes. It ships 2 to 4 ounces based on preferred types, whether that’s caffeine-free, herbal blends to wind down at night, or rare single origins sourced from across the globe. It takes the pressure off you having to pick and allows them to try something they otherwise might not.
Best Last-Minute Home Gifts
Express Shipping at Anthropologie
There’s a boatload of gifts on sale over at Anthropologie, to the tune of 40% off sale items. The shipping timelines are generous, too, for Christmas arrival: The standard option is available until Tuesday, December 19, then choose express until the morning of Thursday, December 21.
Expedited and Priority Shipping at Beast
The best-looking personal blender out there has a few delivery options left for the holidays. Choose expedited shipping until Wednesday, December 20, at 10 a.m.; and pick priority if you wait until Thursday, December 21. Plus all blenders are 15% off right now.
Free Express Delivery Until December 20 at Boll & Branch
Bedding and bath brand Boll & Branch is offering free express delivery if you order by December 20 at 2 pm EST. They’re also offering 20% off orders of $200-plus, which makes things all the more enticing. Their pajama sets are made of the same supersoft material as their Signature sheets, either of which would make an excellent gift.
Shipping Until December 21 at The Bouqs
Flower depot the Bouqs offers delivery until December 21—and a bunch of buds makes for a lovely last-minute gift. These red peonies caught our eye; they’re a nice alternative to paperwhites.
$10 Rush Shipping for Christmas Delivery at Brooklinen
Brooklinen is offering flat-rate rush shipping (1 to 2 business days) through Wednesday, December 20 at 1 pm EST. If you wait even longer, you can buy from their Amazon storefront until December 22 with Prime two-day shipping for delivery by December 24.
Expedited Shipping Until December 20 at Coyuchi
Take advantage of expedited shipping from Coyuchi until December 20, One really good gift option: the Asbury organic quilt, which takes inspiration from traditional patchwork blankets.
Expedited Shipping at Cozy Earth
We love the waffle towels from Cozy Earth—they’re absorbent and lightly exfoliating plus incredibly durable. The brand has pretty good shipping options for last-minute gifts like these: Expedited shipping is available until Wednesday, December 20.
Standard Shipping Until December 19 at Crate & Barrel
You have until December 19 to select standard shipping at Crate & Barrel to make sure your gift arrives on time for the holiday. There are loads of great gifts on sale right now, too, from Smeg appliances (in select colors) and Kitchenaid mixers to entertaining staples and picture frames waiting to be filled.
Three-Day and Overnight Shipping at Food52
At Food52, pay a little extra to get your gift there for the holidays. Three-day express shipping costs $30 and overnight shipping clocks in at $40, depending on where you live.
Fujifilm Instax Mini Instant Camera at Amazon
Not everything eligible for Prime shipping over at Amazon is…tacky. There are plenty of hidden gems hanging out at the mass e-tailer, like Fujifilm’s instant camera. Depending on the destination, the gift may even ship as fast as in two days.
Hexclad Cookware at Amazon
Cult favorite non-stick cookware brand Hexclad is available on Amazon, and while free standard delivery won’t get it there in time for the holidays, you can have the option to select expedited shipping.
Monthly Horti Subscription Box
There are plenty of subscription boxes out there to delight your green-thumb pal, but for aspiring plant parents, Horti has a program that’ll teach your giftee how to properly take care of the new leafy friend that arrives each month. They’ll have access to expert advice on everything from repotting to propagating to grooming for six or 12 months (they can modify as needed). Some packages may even ship with a surprise gardening tool, which is just another reason why it’s one of our all-time-favorite plant subscription boxes.
Expedited Shipping Until December 20 at Huckberry
The Turkish towels at Huckberry seem to be perpetually on sale, but whether that’s the truth or not, they’re a good price and the people love them. Order by December 20 for guaranteed Christmas delivery.
Next-Day Air Shipping Until December 22 with Jayson Home
Chicago-based Jayson Home still has a bevy of shipping options for the last-minute gift giver. To get your presents by December 24, order by December 19 with three-day shipping, December 21 with second-day air, and December 22 with next-day air. Home fragrance is a popular category at the retailer; Diptyque, Trudon, Maison Louis Marie, and Astier de Villatte scents are all here.
Keap Candle Subscription
Don’t let your olfactory-loving pal splurge on a luxe candle on their own. Instead set them up with a subscription to Keap: a zero-waste maker based in Kingston, New York. Its program allows your giftee to light up different restorative scents based on their fragrance preferences or the season each month.
Shipping Available Until December 19 at Our Place
In addition to a massive holiday sale happening at Our Place right now (up to 45% off), the company is offering shipping options until December 19 to get your gift there on time. Highlights of the markdowns: The Perfect Pot is just $125, the Dream Cooker clocks in under $200, and the Better Bowl Set is under $100.
Free Standard Shipping at Overland Until December 18
There are options for three-day, two-day, and next-day shipping at Overland. Plus, the brand’s site notes that orders of in-stock items received before 3 p.m. CT will typically ship out that same day. We love this extra-cozy Australian sheepskin rug that would be lovely draped over a chair.
Free Faster Shipping Until December 20 at Parachute
Parachute is offering its Faster Shipping option free until December 20 before midnight ET and is marking down its robe selection by 20%.
25% Off Last-Minute Gifts and Overnight Shipping at Sonos
It’s a twofer at Sonos: There’s a last-minute gifts sale happening right now, and there is an overnight shipping option available until December 22 (ground shipping will get your present there in time if you order by December 19). We love the Roam speaker, but there are several products to choose from.
Free Shipping on Soltech Grow Lights at Amazon
This grow light is minimal, easy to install, and doesn’t emit glowing pink light—and you can have it delivered to your favorite indoor plant lover ASAP. Soltech’s products have up to one-day delivery options, and free delivery on December 23.
Two-Day and Next-Day Delivery at Tory Burch
Tory Burch has a hidden-gem home section that’s filled with Cotswolds-style treasures worth gifting to worthy aesthetes—like these darling pressed wine goblets in a garden-party green. Orders placed by December 20 are eligible for next-day shipping ($30), or two-day shipping for orders placed on December 19 ($30).
Rush-Order Delivery at Urban Outfitters
If you’re bound to miss the holiday shipping cutoff at your favorite store, you’ll likely be able to score gifts through mid-week at Urban Outfitters. This top-rated glass table lamp is sure to please the coed in your life.
Arrives-Before-Christmas Viral Amazon Desk Chair
Know someone working remotely who, for some reason or another, refuses to purchase a proper desk chair? We suggest gifting them this armless Amazon seat that went viral for one simple yet compelling reason: You can sit crisscross applesauce in it. It has sold out more than once since gaining Internet fame but has been recently restocked and will still arrive in time for Christmas. It’s our top pick for a more practical big gift.
Two-Day and Next-Day Shipping at Solo Stove
Aside from the fact that the Mesa XL may be Solo Stove’s most versatile offering, it also ships in its own carrying case—cute—and, more important, is eligible for two-day or next-day shipping options. Tiny enough to plop on a tabletop, this smokeless firepit is the only one offered in five cute colors aside from stainless steel. A customized shade, like creamy white or saturated sage, will make this gift feel even more personal to all the friends and family members who’d rather be hanging outdoors. (It’s a great time to take advantage of Solo Stove’s up to 40% off sale, too.)
Free Shipping on Dyson at Wayfair
An end-of-year-deal that’s also eligible for free shipping over at Wayfair: This oscillating air purifier by Dyson doubles as a white-noise machine if you stick in it a bedroom (it can scrub a room up to 800 square feet) and offers a bit of cooling relief during the hotter (and subsequently dustier) months.
Best Last-Minute Beauty and Wellness Gifts
Overnight Shipping at Flamingo Estate
The Los Angeles–based home, beauty, and pantry company offers a few layers of last-minute shipping for Christmas delivery: two-day until December 19 and overnight until December 20. If you live in Los Angeles, you can select pickup until December 23 at noon PT. We’re eyeing the brand’s new Roma Heirloom Tomato Hand Care Duo—it features its limited-edition Hand Soap and Lotion that are handcrafted with rich oils and anchored with the essential oils of black tarragon and black pepper.
Headspace Gift Card
Another stressless gift idea? A subscription to Headspace. You can either personalize a gift card or send a redemption code to your loved one with three months ($39) or a year ($70) of access to the app and hundreds of guided meditations and mindfulness tools.
Expedited Shipping at Therabody
As we’ve previously written in multiple guides, the Theragun Mini makes for a great gift for those who need to loosen up taut muscles after a long run or lifting session. It’ll help your giftee safely knead out knots on their own at home. Therabody is offering Christmas-delivery expedited shipping until December 20.
Doré Gift Card
Gifting beauty products can be a risky affair, since it can be such a personal part of a daily regimen. Instead of guessing whether your giftee has oily or dry skin or hair, they can pick out the right formula with a gift card. Personally, we’d recommend sourcing one from French-made brand Doré—all of its products are EWG certified and its packaging is delightfully green just like the digital card that’ll arrive in their in-box.
Best Last-Minute Experience Gifts
Clear Gift Card
Purchase someone an airport security–line bypass with a gift card from Clear, which they can use to redeem an annual membership. Plus it will arrive instantly via email, or you can schedule it to appear in someone’s in-box on Christmas morning for a true surprise.
The Expert Gift Card
For someone who’s pulling their hair out trying to figure out how to redecorate or renovate, gift them a one-on-one consultation call with their favorite interior designer, even Leanne Ford herself, with a gift card to The Expert.
MasterClass Membership
Get two memberships for the price of one when you gift someone MasterClass this holiday. Access to these classes can be redeemed online, whether you know someone who isn’t sure how to rearrange their furniture (Kelly Wearstler can help with that) or wants insider tips on how to bake a perfect pastry (Dominque Ansel can walk them through it).
Museum Memberships
Know someone who just moved (or will soon move) to a new city? Gift them a membership to a local museum. For New Yorkers, access to the Museum of Modern Art (and a discount on its designer-stocked gift shop) is a no-brainer.
Yardzen Gift Card
Gift a dream backyard with one of Yardzen’s packages (starting at $650) via gift card. The online offering will connect your giftee with a digital design team that will help them narrow down their style preferences and figure out a budget, as well as provide step-by-step guidance on how to achieve their suggested landscape redesign.
Best Last-Minute Entertainment Gifts
Mubi Subscription
Cinephiles are likely already dropping by the theater on a regular basis, but a gift from Mubi means they can stream or download their favorites (or discover new films hand-selected by the service) to rewatch again and again. It’s $35.99 for three months, or just $99.99 for the entire year (though some rates may vary depending on your location).
Apple Store Gift Card
They probably could do with another set of AirPods, but who’s to know. Send them an Apple Store gift card to use on a new pair or on AppleTV.