Gift cards
There’s a reason why people (myself included) walk into Target for one or two items and leave with a cart full. From electronics and home goods to clothing and food -- and much, much more -- the sky’s the limit. No doubt your giftee will appreciate a Target gift card and choose the exact gift(s) they’d like. The cards come in many fun designs and you can select any amount from $5 to $500. You can also choose how you'd like it delivered: mail, email or text.
If your giftee’s an Apple person, an Apple gift card makes the perfect gift. Whether they want a pair of AirPods or some AirTags, they can choose exactly what they’d like. But they can also use the gift card for purchases from the App Store, iTunes and more. You can select the design, amount you’d like to spend and whether you’d like it mailed or emailed -- and your gift recipient will take it from there.
From tech and toys to beauty products and clothing, Walmart is a good one-stop shop for all your holiday shopping needs. Email gift card amounts range from $5 to $500 and you can choose from tons of different designs. If you’re looking for some ideas on what to get, check out the best Walmart gifts we found.
Who doesn’t like the gift of food or rides? When you give someone an Uber gift card, they can use it for either one. There are many designs to choose from and you can add a personal message, too. You can select any monetary amount from $25 to $500, and you can get it mailed to your gift recipient or emailed.
There's almost nothing you can't find on Amazon, which means whoever you gift this to will find something that makes them happy. You can choose from dozens of designs, including some with a video for your gift recipient. The minimum amount you can load on a card is $5 and it goes up to $2,000, so you can send whatever amount you want.
If your giftee loves to shop, then a gift card might be the way to go. QVC offers deals on everything from electronics and kitchen gadgets to fashion, beauty and jewelry, so there's something for everyone. Go for an e-gift card and your gift can arrive in seconds, or schedule it to arrive via email.
StackSocial specializes in digital items all year long, and it comes in handy for finding a last-minute gift with a ton of subscriptions, software and membership deals. Upgrade your loved one's tech with new apps or services, help a traveler learn a new language or nab cheaper flights, or simply secure a discounted membership to a big-box store for bulk-buying discounts. You’ll also find digital gift cards to Restaurant.com (which includes more than 62,000 restaurants across the United States), a wine shop, movie theaters and much more.
Sure, you can run into your nearest store to grab a gift card, but that works only if you're about to see your recipient in person. If you need one delivered, head to eGifter, which offers a huge selection of electronic gift cards that arrive instantly via email. You can even include an online greeting card, invite others to chip in and add a photo or video for a more personalized touch.
Food and drink subscriptions
Gifting someone a coffee membership is a great gift (especially if you live with them and will get to taste the coffee too). CNET’s David Watsky has tried many coffee subscriptions and he says Atlas’ Coffee Club is the best one for the price. The coffees come from all over the world, from Columbia to Peru to Tanzania. Each shipment also comes with a postcard of the destination and tasting notes, which are fun touches. A three-month subscription usually starts at $60, although it’s on sale now for only $50, which is a great deal. (Six- and 12-month subscriptions are available too, on sale for $94 and $184.)
Bokksu curates a collection of the best snacks from Japan and presents them in a one-time or recurring monthly tasting box. CNET's David Watsky looooves gifting Bokksu to friends and family. Inside the colorful boxes, you'll find a delicious assortment of Japanese snacks like senbei rice crackers and seaweed tempura, along with Japanese candies like yuzu gummies and matcha-strawberry Kit-Kats. What's more, Bokksu includes some info-packed literature explaining a bit about each, including historical and cultural significance. Bokksu boxes start at $40 for one month and are cheaper the more months you get.
For your friends or family who enjoy a cold, frothy brew, give the gift of a monthly beer subscription. The Craft Beer Club is a popular choice among craft beer enthusiasts -- and for good reason. Each month you get a shipment of beer featuring small, independent brewers from around the country. Many of the tasty brews are award-winners and can be hard to get your hands on depending on where you live.
Each box features two different breweries and a mix of four styles from each one, for a total of 12 beers. A three-month subscription is $65 but prices vary depending on what type of subscription you choose.
Blue Apron is an excellent meal kit delivery service that offers delicious oven-ready meals and easy-to-follow recipes at a decent price. CNET's David Watsky did the math, and the service often costs about the same -- or even less -- than buying all the ingredients at the store yourself. That's why it's our choice for the best meal kit delivery service in 2024. Blue Apron e-gift cards range from $70 to $280.
Streaming and entertainment
Unlimited on-demand music is one of the technological joys of the 21st century, so give someone the gift of Spotify or another music subscription service. And what a gift that is: Access to all the music in the world (more or less) with options for offline listening, playlist sharing and more. You can get anything from a $10 gift card to a $100+ full-year subscription.
Not sure which one to choose? Check out CNET's roundup of the best music-streaming services.
I've been a Netflix subscriber for as long as I can remember, so I'm always shocked to find that some folks don't have the service. How else can they stream all their favorite movies and shows? Let's help these people out! Gift cards can be purchased via Amazon or at Walmart, Target and other retailers, and prices vary depending on what plan your gifteee chooses.
Why stop at a single book when you can gift someone a virtually unlimited supply? Audible allows access to thousands of titles each month, so your giftee can enjoy tuning in to audiobooks while exercising, traveling or on the go. A one-month gift subscription costs $15, and your recipient gets one book credit to start them off. You can also purchase three months with three credits ($45), six months with six credits ($90) or 12 months with 12 credits ($150).
Experiences
Does your giftee have a guitar they've been meaning to learn how to play? Give them a nudge in the right direction with Fender Play. It offers three- to five-minute bite-size lessons to build confidence in beginners, and expands to more intermediate lessons that'll have them playing their favorite tunes in no time. They can choose between learning how to play acoustic and electric guitar, bass and ukulele, and the production quality is so detailed it'll feel like they're learning in person. Currently, you can get a three-month subscription for under $30 on Amazon.
Give the gift of travel with an Airbnb gift card. Cards are only available digitally, but since you can apply the funds toward any booking, it shouldn't be a problem. With Airbnb, giftees can pick their own destination, amenities and length of stay. The card doesn't expire, but it must be linked to their account within 90 days of purchase. Card amounts run from $25 to $2,000 when you purchase directly from Airbnb.
Some people already have everything they want, or they're extra particular about what they like. In those cases, give the gift of an experience that will get them off the couch to try something new. Uncommon Goods offers thousands of live online experiences, including flower-arranging lessons, cocktail-mixing sessions and astrology-chart classes. Experiences start at $20 and go up to $260.
There's nothing better than a live performance, especially after a long winter. Give them something to look forward to with last-minute concert tickets from StubHub, helping them catch performances from the likes of Taylor Swift, Bad Bunny, Adele, Andrea Bocelli, Harry Styles and more.
If live music isn't their style, you can give them the gift of laughter with performances from comedic legends such as Rob Schneider and others. StubHub also carries tickets to Broadway-style musicals and local ballet performances if you're looking to spend a classy night out.
Check CNET's coupon page for money-saving codes from StubHub before you buy.
Anyone who wants to dive deep into a topic with an expert will enjoy MasterClass. The online learning service offers over 180 classes taught by A-list celebrities, with new content released each month. You can get into cooking with Gordon Ramsay, poetry with Amanda Gorman, filmmaking with Martin Scorsese, skateboarding with Tony Hawk and more. A standard subscription for an individual costs $10 a month, but is on sale for just $6 a month right now.
Who wouldn't want to be "officially" designated a lord or lady? Buy your giftee a square foot of land in Scotland -- and the accompanying lordship or ladyship that goes with it. Each plot comes with a personalized title certificate (delivered via email within 24 hours) and a unique plot number. This conservation-minded effort also promises a tree planted for every order. Title packs start at $50.
Xtreme Xperience race car driving
If you know someone who's always craved the thrill of breakneck speed, you can give them exactly that. Your giftee can choose to do an open-road tour or a Super Track Experience, which lets you zip around a racetrack with no speed limits. Gift vouchers start at $100.
Come Jan. 1, everyone will be racing to the gym to start their New Year's resolutions of getting into better shape. Help your giftee get ahead of the curve -- and get motivated -- with ClassPass. They can take classes at thousands of studios, gyms and spas, allowing them to bounce from SoulCycle to HIIT to a traditional gym. The variety will keep their workouts novel, helping them stick to their goals.