Super Last-Minute Gift Ideas—and Excuses—for Procrastinators
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December is nearly over and you haven't finished your holiday shopping. It’s OK—you’re not alone. Reader, I myself have not yet started in earnest despite my phone reminding me to start shopping every week since July. Whether you forgot to pick something up or you succumbed to choice paralysis and waited too long, there's still hope. If you're in a crunch, every gift below has at least one option that can be delivered in just a few days or picked up in-store, and while they may not be the most personal, we included things that we think most people would enjoy.
The picks below are our favorites, but we have a separate guide dedicated to the best digital gifts and subscriptions. Give that a read for even more ideas. If you're OK with shipping delays, check out our many other gift guides or buying guides.
Updated December 2024: We've refreshed this guide with new picks from the WIRED 101 and updated pricing.
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Go Digital
Fast 'n' easyFrom gift cards to game subscriptions, we have an entire guide dedicated to the Best Digital Gifts you can buy. There's something for every person at every price point. If your deadline is approaching fast, these gifts can be delivered in just a few minutes.
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A Sleek Slate
Apple iPad (2022, 10th Gen)I think everybody could get some enjoyment out of an iPad—even folks that aren't in the Apple ecosystem. The 10th-generation iPad (7/10, WIRED Review) is our top pick for most people. It's readily available and also relatively affordable this time of year. I use my iPad to play games, but they're handy for note-taking, planning, watching videos, and even getting work done. Don't even get me started on the accessories! Our guide to the Best Tablets has more recommendations.
Small but Mighty
Sony SRS-XB100Sony's affordable XB100 speaker is one of our favorites. It's available in several different colors, and if you can't find it online it might be available in-store nearby. The sound is punchy, and the battery lasts up to 16 hours on a single charge.
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Practical and Portable
Anker Nano Power BankMost gift ideas aren't one-size-fits-all, but a power bank is nearly universally useful. This model from Anker is featured in our Portable Chargers buying guide. It's affordable, it arrives before Christmas, and the tiny footprint means it can travel anywhere. Just be sure to get the correct version for your giftee—the Anker Nano is available in both Lightning and USB-C versions.
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A Pocket-Size Library
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024, 12th Generation)Our favorite e-reader and favorite Kindle for most people, the newest Paperwhite ships quickly and may even be available for in-store pickup. The battery lasts for weeks at a time, and there's enough storage space to hold thousands of digital books. You could also pair it with a Kindle Unlimited subscription to get your giftee access to popular titles spanning nearly every genre. I use Kindle Unlimited every single day.
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The Gift of Hot Water
Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Beautiful Electric KettleA watched pot never boils. A watched electric kettle boils fast, and this model looks cute while doing it. It's available in a wide range of colors to suit any kitchen decor. The first gift my partner gave me was an electric kettle, which I raised an eyebrow at … until my morning pour-over and evening tea routines became so much easier. Our favorite electric kettle features different preset temperatures for various tasks and can boil seven cups of water in under seven minutes.
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Sweet Earbuds
Nothing Ear (a)These are the very best wireless earbuds out of the dozens (and dozens!) of models we've tried. Putting their incredibly good looks aside, the Nothing Ear (a) (8/10, WIRED Recommends) have great sound and controls, a comfortable fit, active noise canceling, and an impressive 5.5-hour battery life. The affordable price tag is nice too. If your giftee is still rocking their rundown headphones from a decade ago, an upgrade might be very appreciated.
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An Excellent Hoodie
Champion Reverse Weave SweatshirtThere's a chance you already own this classic, WIRED-approved hoodie. It's classic for a reason! It's roomy yet warm, the pocket and hood are perfectly sized, and the sleeves are long enough for DIY thumb holes (because every hoodie should have thumb holes). It's available in lots of different colors and styles, and it'll hold up to hundreds of washings. Many iterations are available and affordable on Amazon, with fast shipping times. If you don't mind doing some hunting, this would make a great gift. (And if you need a little more time, just say you weren't sure what size your recipient would want. Problem solved.)
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Long-Distance Love
Aura CarverNothing is more delightful than when my long-distance sister sends new photos of my niece to the family group chat. If your family has some space separating you, our favorite digital photo frame might make an excellent gift. Invite multiple users so you all can upload photos from afar, whether they're tasteful family portraits or cat memes to make your mom laugh. There's even a speaker for video playback.
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“Your Gift Will Arrive in 6 to 8 Weeks on Purpose”
Breo BoxSubscription boxes are gifts that keep on giving. Breo Box ships its gadget-packed boxes once per quarter (four times per year). It's a wonderful option for the tech fanatics in your life, but it's far from your only choice. There are hundreds of boxes available for all sorts of hobbies and interests. The options are nearly endless.
We have a roundup of the best subscription boxes for gifting, as well as the best subscription boxes for kids, the best barbecue and hot sauce subscriptions, the best snack box subscriptions, the best coffee bean subscriptions, the best meat subscription boxes, the best beauty subscription boxes, and the best meal kit delivery services.
Subscription box companies often provide a greeting card or special email to let your giftee know what you've signed them up for, which will help get them excited while they wait for their present to arrive.
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Photograph: pixelliebe/Getty Images“You Don’t Need to Get Me Anything”
Donations to CharityDid you struggle to shop for someone because they don't want any gifts? Do you want to give them something anyway? Consider a charitable donation made in their name or honor. There are thousands of charities out there, so it shouldn't be too hard to find a cause close to your recipient's heart.
CharityWatch and Charity Navigator are good resources for finding charities that use donations efficiently.
You could also regift something. Maybe you have a nice candle that you've never burned, or you've been considering donating that cool leather jacket your relative is always eyeing. Technically, you won't be getting them anything.
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Photograph: Iuliia Pilipeichenko/Getty Images; WiredBuy Yourself Some Time
ExcusesDid you forget about someone you live with? Maybe you already know what you want to give as a present, but you ran out of time. Or cash. Or both. Meet the oldest excuse in the book: Passing the buck. Your excuses might not even be white lies. Gesture at the economy. Blame the slower shipping times, the inventory shortages, your dog eating something it shouldn't have, or anything and anyone but your own procrastinating.
But if honesty is the best policy (it usually is), you could always opt for the classics like an “IOU” or a handmade coupon book. We could all use a little grace, and your positive intentions will go a long way. Spending time together, even if it's from afar, is the best gift you can give.
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