10 Last-Minute Gifts to Impress Anyone on Your List
The only thing worse than showing up to a holiday party empty handed? Arriving with a gift that screams I bought this at the gas station on the way over. Thankfully, we’ve schemed up 10 thoughtful last-minute gift ideas to salvage your reputation as the most generous guest in your friend circle. These gifts are ready to be picked up immediately or shipped to your recipient’s door in under 2-days. And when things are really cutting it close, remember—virtual gift cards can go a long way.
1. Masterclass Annual Membership
If you didn’t know, this star-studded lecture series has been offering a variety of courses taught by successful athletes, actors, scientists, mixologists and more since 2015. This holiday season, give the gift of an annual membership so your lucky recipient can use their extra time to learn some acting skills from Natalie Portman or take a beginner cooking lesson from famous Chef Gordon Ramsay.
2. Ketel One Botanicals
Forget the wine. This year, upgrade your holiday go-to by gifting Ketel One Botanicals—vodka distilled with real botanicals and infused with natural fruit essences. With no sugar, no artificial sweeteners and no artificial flavors, the spirit comes in three fancy-sounding varietals: Peach & Orange Blossom, Cucumber & Mint and Grapefruit & Rose. Just add soda for a delicious cocktail with only 73 calories and 0 carbs per serving. (Your sister-in-law will love it.)
KETEL ONE BOTANICAL. Made With Vodka Distilled With Real Botanicals And Infused With Natural Flavors. 30% Alc/Vol. © Double Eagle Brands, B.V. Imported by Ketel One USA, Aliso Viejo, CA. Ketel One Botanical (per 1.5oz.): 73 Cals, 0g Carbs, 0g Protein, 0g Fat; White Table Wine (per 5 fl. oz., USDA ARS, National Nutrient Database May 2016): 121 Cals, 3.82 Carbs, 0.1g Protein, 0g Fat.
3. 100 Movies Scratch Off Poster
Make movie marathons even more exciting with this (aesthetically pleasing) poster. After you’ve seen one of the featured films, scratch off its square to reveal an image inspired by the movie. Celebrating 100 classics ranging from family-friendly animation to haunting horror, this scratch-off poster makes the perfect wall art for a home theater and a great gift for your favorite movie fanatic.
4. WTHN Accupressure Mat Set
Enter: The latest wellness trend. Simply laying on this acupressure mat for 15 minutes per day can actually help alleviate stress, soothe sore muscles and melt away tension. AKA, it’s an ideal gift for anyone going through it these days. This set from WTHN even comes with a guide to stretching and breathing exercises to get them started.
5. Happy Socks The Beatles Collector Box Set
Peeking out from beneath a pair of cropped pants or scrunched around the ankles with a swingy minidress, Happy Socks are an extremely low-lift way to spice up an otherwise plain ensemble. They’re also excellent gifts, whether for your Beatles-obsessed dad, your caffeine-addicted sister or your doughnut-loving niece.
6. Homesick Holiday Candles
You know that wonderful feeling when you catch a whiff of something that smells just like home? Well that’s what Homesick is all about. From Holiday Mantle to Jewish Christmas and Grandma’s Kitchen, each scent is meant to make you feel like you’re back home—which is especially important this year when families might be celebrating the holidays remotely. Create a set of three candles and gift your recipient the feeling of cozy nostalgia.
7. Milk Bar Cookie Tin
There’s no treat shop quite like Milk Bar. The wacky imagination of founder Christina Tosi has gifted us such sweet-tooth brilliance as B’day Cake Truffles and Compost Cookies, and now you can ship these confections anywhere in the U.S.
8. Hasbro Clue ‘Downton Abbey’ Edition
Sick of puzzles? Let’s move on to board games—specifically this one that’s based on the beloved PBS series, Downton Abbey. In this game of Clue, someone inside the Crawley estate is responsible for the disappearance of a priceless family heirloom...so, whodunit?
9. The Sill Digital Gift Card
Not sure where their green thumb stands? Leave it up to them by sending an e-gift card from The Sill, where they can shop from an assortment of succulents, hard-to-kill plants, and small trees. It gets delivered by email with instructions on how to redeem. Just forward to the recipient directly from your inbox, or replace your email with theirs during checkout.
10. Barefoot Dreams In the Wild Throw Blanket
Who’s down to hygge later? We’re all staying home more often this year, so give them a gift they’ll definitely use. This oversize throw is not only reversible, but it also comes in three neutral animal prints that will fit in with practically any decor scheme.
