Something tells us you find yourself in this situation every year: Christmas is tomorrow, you’re still scrambling to find last-minute Christmas gifts and stocking stuffers at the 11th hour, and almost nothing will ship on time. What’s a gift procrastinator to do when “last-minute” becomes last-second? Why, a gift card, of course.
The humble gift card is both universally beloved and instantly delivered (if you go the digital route). So it's a win-win if you've been slacking on your Santa duties this year. You can score one for practically any brand out there—from fashion to food delivery—tailoring each pick to your recipient. And your giftee can shop online right away, without setting foot in a store, keeping warm and pajama-ed at home while they select their own gifts.
The poetry, though, is in the initial selection. Here are 24 ideas you may not have thought of that will make the folks on your list feel merry and bright—and will let you finish your holiday shopping, immediately. Because unless you buy right now, that tree is going to look pretty bare come Dec. 25.
Baublebar is a mecca for jewelry of all styles, from dainty stackable rings to statement-making hoop earrings. The site includes a range of price points too. They have fine jewelry for fans of solid gold or gold vermeil, but they also carry lower-end fashion jewelry for folks who like to switch it up on a whim. Baublebar also makes custom items. In addition to buying printed or digital gift cards, you can design your own physical gift card!
The activewear giant carries everything needed for outdoor adventure—or simply to brave the cold: fleeces, down jackets, beanies, joggers, hiking boots and more. They even carry cute, outdoorsy accessories, like an insulated wine tumbler, camping cookware and all kinds of bags and backpacks. Great for your outdoorsy friends.
Stila is beloved for its high-quality cosmetics, from sparkly eye shadow palettes and bronzers to silky-smooth lip glosses and more. Makeup and skincare are the ideal gifts for beauty junkies, and letting them pick their own is even better.
This one-stop shop for luxury bedding and bath products — think buttery-soft sheets, pillows, duvets, towels and more—recently decided to get in on the bed-in-a-box mattress game too. In 2019, Parachute launched a 100-percent organic cotton coil mattress. The brand also sells chic home accessories like candles and dinnerware.
In the world of beauty, it’s hard to find a brand more esteemed than Ulta, and for good reason. Shoppers can get their glam on from head to toe thanks to the brand’s exhaustive inventory of products to pamper their skin, nails, and hair, plus makeup from their most-loved brads, from bareMinerals to Mac. A great gift for the glam girl.
From newbies like Elsa and Stitch to classics like Mickey and Minnie, Disney’s most cherished characters are all right here—and Disney’s online store carries a dizzying array of toys, figurines, games, apparel and more devoted to them. They even carry Disney Park-inspired products. Kids will love this card.
Got beauty on the brain? Sephora has tons of products to make you feel pretty, pampered and posh. Makeup, beauty tools, hair-care products and so much more from brands like Benefit, Drunk Elephant and Philosophy are practically oozing from the digital shelves, just waiting for a spot in your makeup bag or vanity. There’s a reason this chain is so well-known — just browsing its inventory is like waking up on Christmas morning.
You can keep it in your wallet or load it onto your app, but a Starbucks gift card will satisfy your caffeine craving no matter where you are. Fancy coffee can feel like an indulgence, but a sweet gift like this will make a venti soy latte with an espresso shot feel like a guilt-free treat any day of the week. Of course, you can pick up a scone or a cake pop while you’re at it too.
When in doubt, Amazon (if that’s not an actual saying, it needs to become one, stat!). The internet’s biggest and most exhaustive megastore sells gift cards too, and it can be used to redeem anything from clothing and housewares to electronics and e-books. And because Amazon is known for its industry-best prices and quick, convenient delivery, there’s nothing not to love.
What better gift is there than a day at the spa? Let your gift recipient choose a massage, facial or any other kind of spa treatment in the area with a Spafinder gift card, which can also be used on-site to buy luxe products by brands like SpaRitual and Pure Fiji.
If you want to support independent artists this holiday season, a Red Bubble gift card is the way to go. The site sells all kinds of quirky stuff emblazoned with the designs of creative individuals. Think wall art, smartphone cases, aprons, throw pillows and even fun socks. The options are effortlessly unique and unbelievably affordable. If you prefer, you can pick a design first then see which products are available in that print.
Ordering takeout is way too easy these days. Make it even easier for someone you love with a Grubhub gift card. The meal delivery service works with more than 300,000 restaurants in more than 4,000 cities. Search by restaurant or cuisine — or get even more granular searching by food item. Whatever you crave, you can find it on Grubhub.
There’s no end to the quirkiness you’ll discover at Uncommon Goods — after all, it’s right there in the name. A gift certificate (of course, they don’t even call it a card) can score you things as mildly whimsical as wall-mounted chess boards and beer-chilling coasters to items that are totally out there in the best possible ways — things like velociraptor garden sculptures and smartphone-controlled paper airplanes. Let your freak flag fly!
This activewear brand is all about outfitting people to move freely and comfortably so they can keep their endorphins pumping. Outdoor Voices makes cozy, high-quality, supportive yoga pants, sports bras, joggers, jackets and more. You can even shop by fabric, and there are many specialty materials to choose from, including fabrics that are moisture-wicking, lightweight, water-resistant and recycled.
Love comfy, walkable shoes? Honestly, who doesn’t? Allbirds has mastered the art of producing stylish, supportive footwear, and it has the fan base to prove it. Slip-on sneakers made of merino wool, boat shoes built to conform to your foot and water-resistant running shoes are just some of its prime offerings. Also available: insoles to make your comfy shoes even comfier.
This household name is appealing to anyone who loves cozy clothing, rustic home decor, outdoor adventure gear or an iconic nautical tote bag. Shoes? Slippers? L.L. Bean has those too — and there’s nothing quite like an authentic fleece from this beloved brand. The great outdoors is even greater with an L.L. Bean gift card.
It’s like Amazon for dogs and cats — and bunnies too! Petco carries more than 100,000 products for furry friends. Treats are just the tip of the iceberg, but there are enough to fill a fireplace stocking to the brim this holiday season. And if Spot has been a good boy, there’s no reason why not.
Sweaters, fleece, flannel — all the everyday coziness you can think of is right here at this treasured midpriced retailer. Build a wardrobe for the entire family in one shopping spree. That’s how affordable and cute Old Navy products are!
Lowe’s is a prime resource for everything a homeowner — or home dweller — could possibly need. Building products, fittings and fixtures, furniture and accessories and pretty much anything else under a roof — or in a backyard — can be found at this superstore. It’s a gift that keeps on giving.
Or how to find something for someone who already has every game they could ever want.
Gift ideasEncourage them to take more time for themselves with these gifts.
Gift ideas
Give him something useful before his next trek.
Gift ideasFrom streamers to soundbars, there are options for every budget.
Gift ideas