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17 Great Last-Minute Christmas Gifts You Can Print or Email

Avoid the crowds and long lines by getting one of these online gifts that'll arrive on time.

Rick Broida Senior Editor
Rick Broida is the author of numerous books and thousands of reviews, features and blog posts. He writes CNET's popular Cheapskate blog and co-hosts Protocol 1: A Travelers Podcast (about the TV show Travelers). He lives in Michigan, where he previously owned two escape rooms (chronicled in the ebook "I Was a Middle-Aged Zombie").
Nelson Aguilar
Nelson Aguilar is an LA-based tech how-to writer and graduate of UCLA. With more than a decade of experience, he covers Apple and Google and writes on iPhone and Android features, privacy and security settings and more.
Rick Broida
Nelson Aguilar
5 min read
$19 at Amazon
fender-play-lifestyle-0454
Fender Play
The gift of guitar lessons
See at Uncommon Goods
Mixology products
Uncommon Experience
Help them try something new
See at QVC
qvc-gift-card
QVC gift card
For the keen online shopper
See at StackSocial
StackSocial Deal Days sale
StackSocial
Software, subscriptions and memberships
See at BetterHelp
screen-shot-2022-04-20-at-10-57-25-am.png
BetterHelp
The gift of therapy
See at Airbnb
Airbnb logo
Airbnb
The gift of travel
See at MistoBox
mistobox
MistoBox Coffee Subscription
The gift of coffee
See at ClassPass
classpass-gift-card-1
ClassPass
Give the gift of exercise
See at Xtreme Xperience
xtreme-xperience-race-car
Xtreme Xperience race car driving
Get behind the wheel or ride along in a supercar
See at Established Titles
established-titles-proclamation
Established Titles
A piece of Scotland -- and a title to go with it
See at Audible
A collage of thumbnails for Audible books.
Audible
Give the Netflix of books
See at CrateJoy
cratejoy
Cratejoy
The gift that keeps on giving
See at Target
01-spotify-headphones
Spotify
Music anywhere, anytime
See at Amazon
screen-shot-2020-11-19-at-12-18-28-pm
Netflix
The gift of streaming, Part 1
$50 at Target
Sylvie and Loki in finale
Disney Plus
The gift of streaming, Part 2
See at StubHub
stubhub-coldplay.png
StubHub
Treat them to a show
See at eGifter
gift-cards-2018-04
eGifter gift cards
Who doesn't love them?

We're nearing the end of the holiday shopping season, and you're probably tired of dealing with the packed parking lots and long lines at every store you visit. You can always buy online, but you might not get it in time for Christmas.

As time runs out on your gift-hunting mission, there are certain options that can eliminate some of your stress. That's why you might want to consider printing out a gift, or even sending it via email. You might be hesitant about a digital gift, but don't fret: These great last-minute Christmas gifts won't make you look like a panic shopper who ditched creativity for convenience. Remember, your goal is to get a gift that will appeal to your friend or family member's interests. It really doesn't matter if the item isn't a physical present they can unwrap on Christmas morning. 

From music lovers and travel junkies to those who love binge-watching the latest streaming TV hit, our guide to the best last-minute Christmas gifts will definitely spark joy. You'll see all types of creative and interesting gift ideas, including printable gift cards, streaming services, subscription gift boxes and more.

Danny Zapalac

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. You can get a one-year subscription for $150, but you can also find three-month subscriptions for as low as $27 on Amazon.

Uncommon Goods

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.

QVC/CNET

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 on Christmas Day. 

CNET

StackSocial specializes in digital items all year long, and at this late Christmas-gifting stage it comes in handy 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.

BetterHelp

Mental health is just as important as physical health, so give the gift of therapy this holiday season. Whether your giftee has been struggling or would just like to talk things through to get clarity on a certain situation, a trained therapist can help. You can sponsor anywhere from one month to a year of therapy for your recipient. Costs range from $65 to $95 per week.

Sarah Tew/CNET

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.

Mistobox

If you have a coffee connoisseur on your list, there's no easier way to put a smile on their face than by gifting them coffee for several months. MistoBox offers coffee from 60 smaller roasters, allowing your giftee to try artisan brands from across the US. Choose from weekly, biweekly, triweekly or monthly deliveries. Gift subscriptions cost $20 per shipment, and you can choose how many shipments you'd like to give, ranging from two to 24.

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. A standard package is $89 per month, but gift card options start at $20.

Xtreme Xperience

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.

Established Titles

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.

Amazon

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).

CrateJoy

Don't forget the ever-popular subscription box. Cratejoy's Geek & Gaming section can help you pick a perfect monthly delivery for your favorite tech-minded friend or family member, but there are boxes for lots of other categories as well. (If you order at the last minute, the first box won't arrive in time, but you can print a here's-what's-coming certificate and give them something to look forward to.)

Sarah Tew/CNET

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.

Netflix

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 watch Stranger Things, The Crown, Derry Girls and countless other Netflix-exclusive gems? Let's help these people out. 

A standard plan with ads costs $6.99 per month. If you go ad-free, it's $15.49 per month, and a Premium plan will set you back $22.99 per month. Gift cards can be purchased via Amazon or at Walmart, Target and other retailers.

Marvel Studios

Disney Plus gives you access to the DEU -- Disney entertainment universe -- including Marvel, National Geographic, Pixar, The Simpsons and Star Wars. It also includes newer shows like Loki, plus old-school classics such as Doug and DuckTales.

The service supports four simultaneous streams and seven discrete user profiles, making it a great gift for families. You can buy Disney Plus for yourself or give Disney Plus as a gift.

Read our Disney Plus review.

StubHub

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.

Sarah Tew/CNET

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.