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The best ideas for last-minute gifts (that will actually arrive on time)

Last minute doesn't have to mean low quality.

Miller Kern

and

Matt Ford

on November 21, 2024

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Safe bets for last-minute gifting. Credit: pexels

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Don't feel bad. We've all done it. At one time or another, the hustle and bustle of life gets on top of us all. Which is to say, we've all left the gift buying until the last minute. And let's face it: Gift-buying can be a tricky task. You love your parents, boyfriend/girlfriend, friends, and other family members, but sometimes they're hard to shop for and time just gets away from you.

That's why we're here to help. Finding a last-minute gift that's actually meaningful is hard, but it's not impossible. There are still ways to get personalised or sentimental gifts even in a time crunch.

Gift cards are generally the first thought when it comes to last-minute gifts, and while those are great, they're not your only option. Throughout this guide, you will see some gift cards, but don't feel like you're stuck getting one.

Depending on how last-minute you're pushing it, you do have options. This is especially true if you're an Amazon Prime member and get free one-day shipping. As long as your last-minute shopping doesn't happen literally hours before Christmas Day, you should be golden ordering something from Amazon.

Safe bets for last-minute gifting include online services, items with digital delivery, stuff with fast shipping, and subscription services. Check out our top choices below.

These are the best last-minute gifts ideas in 2025.

Credit: Interflora

Bouquet of Flowers

Best For A Timeless Gift

Flower delivery is a classic gift. Everyone can appreciate a gorgeous bouquet of flowers to put on their desk or kitchen table. Bespoke Christmas bouquets begin at just £37 but why limit yourself with the cheapest option? It is Christmas, after all.

£37 Interflora

Credit: Amazon

Gift Card

Best For Who Knows What They Like

This Amazon gift card comes in fun gold packaging with a bow and everything. So, they still get to open a present, but they have the freedom to pick out whatever they want. Standard prices start from £15 though you choose any amount you like.

£15 Amazon

Credit: Udemy

Online Course

Best For The Keen Learner

Udemy offers online courses on almost every topic, so you can pick one that your loved one is interested in. You could even snag a couple of courses as they're usually on sale at very reasonable prices. Which is great because there's no limit to learning.

£15 Udemny

Credit: Netflix

Netflix Gift Card

Best For The Binge-Watcher

Almost everyone uses Netflix (even those folks who don't have their own account). It'll be nice for them to be able to have a month or more paid for, and you know you're getting then something they like.

£25 Amazon

Credit: Vue International

Cinema Gift Card

Best For Film Buffs

If that special someone prefers the cinema experience to streaming, there are few better gifts that a pre-paid voucher. Prices begin at £10 but consider spending a bit more so they can treat themselves to a tub of popcorn and pick 'n' mix. Delivered by email.

£10 Amazon

Credit: Pexels

Wine Selection

Best For The Vino Connoisseur

When in doubt, give them alcohol. That's a hard and fast rule and it's always a winner. These days you can get good quality wines from Amazon. But even better (and faster) is a gift card from Naked Wines so they choose their own selection.

£34.95 Amazon

Credit: Etsy

Downloadable Prints

Best For Artistic Mind

For wall art that you can gift immediately, purchase a downloadable file from Etsy. You can print it from a number of stores and pick up a nice frame while you're at it.

£8.86 Etsy

Credit: Spotify

Spotify Gift Card

Best For The Music Buff

Spotify is an awesome service, but having £10 taken out of the bank every month is much less awesome. Remedy that problem by gifting someone with one or more months' worth of music via an electronic gift card.

£30 Amazon

Credit: ASOS

ASOS Premier Delivery

Best For The Fashionista

The worst part about online shopping is having to pay for shipping. If you know someone who buys lots of clothes online, treat them with a year's worth of free two-day shipping.

£9.95 ASOS

Credit: Glossybox

Beauty Subscription

Best For People Into Self-care

OK, so this gift won't technically arrive on time, but you can let them know it will arrive, and then keep on coming. Glossybox is a monthly subscription box for skincare and beauty products for both women and men.

£12.50 Glossybox

Credit: NordVPN

VPN

Best For Peace Of Mind

A VPN keeps internet browsing safe and secure. NordVPN encrypts data and hides IP addresses for private browsing. A year of the service works out at less than £5 per month.

£169.35 NordVPN

Credit: Sony

Xbox Gift Card

Best For The Xbox Gamer

Xbox users can buy games, add-ons, map packs, and more with a gift card to the Xbox store. A digital redemption code will be delivered via email. £50 is a good amount, though you can choose how much to spend.

£50 Amazon

Credit: Sony

PlayStation Wallet Top Up

Best For The Playstation Gamer

We couldn't possible recommend an Xbox gift card without recommending a PlayStation version too, now could we? This PlayStation Store gift card to buy games, add-ons, movies, TV shows, or a PlayStation Plus subscription.

£50 Amazon

Credit: Mindful Chef

Food Box Subscription

Best For The Foodie

Gifting a Mindful Chef subscription is like treating someone to a nice meal, but you don't have to do any cooking and you don't have to leave a tip. Their recipe boxes use ethically sourced ingredients and meals are ready in as little as 15 mins. Bon appetit!

£70 Mindful Chef

Credit: John Lewis

John Lewis E-Gift Card

Best For High Street Shoopers

Online shopping is all well and good, but some people prefer to go in-store and have a good old fashioned browse. And what better store than John Lewis? You can always rely on the quality of their products. Choose an amount starting from £10.

£10 John Lewis

Credit: Amazon

Kindle Unlimited Subscription

Best For E-Book Worms

For e-book devotees, there's literally no better gift than a paid-for subscription to Kindle Unlimited. The lucky reader will get access to near-endless books and audiobooks for just £9.49 per month. Why not them a brand new Kindle while you're at it, too?

£9.49 Amazon

Credit: Interflora

Chocolate Delivery

Best For Your Sweetheart

Did you know that Interflora deliver more than just flowers? You can also get chocolates, wines, and hampers delivered right to the front door. There's a selection of different sets to choose from — whatever their wine and choccy preference, Just order by 3pm for same day delivery.

£42.50 Interflora

Credit: Roblox

Roblox Robux

Best For Kids

If you need to pick up something for children — whether they're your kids or someone else's — chances are those children play Roblox. The online game is immensely popular and Roblox fans will love a top of Robux, the in-game currency. Prices start from £10.

£10 Amazon

Miller Kern

Deputy Shopping Editor

Miller Kern is the Deputy Editor of Shopping and Reviews at Mashable, where she writes and edits reviews, roundups, deals, and news stories about tech products, including headphones, skincare devices, laptops, sex toys, e-readers, robot vacuums, and more. She's been covering all things shopping and tech, including shopping holidays like Prime Day and Black Friday, for Mashable since 2019. Miller can tell you which products are actually worth your money. She also explores trends in the shopping sphere, such as dupes and viral TikTok moments.

Matt Ford

Matt Ford is a freelance contributor to Mashable.