Why You Can Trust CNET These Digital Gifts Are Quick, Easy and Actually Thoughtful
As a bonus, you don't have to worry about shipping and they won't go out of stock.
- She received the Renau Writing Scholarship in 2016 from the University of Louisville's communication department.
- Desiree's previous work has appeared in various print and online publications including Search Engine Land, PCWorld, Wired magazine and PBS MediaShift.
It's a time of year that's both joyous and tiresome. You're checking your list, and checking it twice, only to suddenly realize you might have forgotten that one person on your list amid all the holiday hustle and bustle. But take a deep breath. A digital gift could be the answer you're seeking. Digital gifts are diverse, easy to buy and can make everyone on your list a happy camper. Not to mention, you won't have to navigate the crowded parking lots and long lines at the store.
We put together a selection of the best digital gifts for your loved ones and friends, even those on your list who are tough to shop for. From classes and unique dining experiences to subscription services and gift cards, awesome digital gift ideas for a variety of tastes and preferences are listed below.
If you know someone who enjoys reading but doesn't always have the time to hunker down with a book, consider gifting them an Audible subscription. People with long commutes (or runners and cyclists) will appreciate being able to listen to a book they've been meaning to read, and having an alternative entertainment option to music.
A one-month gift subscription costs $15, and your recipient gets one book credit to start. You can also purchase three months with three credits ($45), six months with six credits ($90) or 12 months with 12 credits ($150).
With its extensive library of movies and TV shows, Netflix is the gift that keeps on giving. You can buy Netflix gift cards online or in-store through retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Target and Best Buy.
Gift cards can go toward a Netflix subscription, which comes in three tiers: standard ad-supported ($7 a month), standard ($15.50 a month) and premium ($20 a month).
Got someone with wanderlust on your holiday list? Consider getting them an Airbnb gift card. It might not pay for their full trip, but it will help them fund their next place to stay on their next adventure. Choose any amount between $25 and $2,000.
Take your loved ones on a culinary adventure with at-home cooking classes from top-rated chefs around the world. The Chef & The Dish lets you choose any dish from their vast menu, then connects you with Michelin-level culinary masters via video chat. You'll cook and learn while your personal chef watches and instructs you.
Private classes start at $149 per person. Choose any amount for your gift card, starting at $100.
Music streaming app Spotify is packed with songs and podcasts. In addition to recommendations based on your listening history, it creates personalized playlists for you, keeps you updated on new releases from your favorite artists, lists where they're currently touring and more. You can gift someone an ad-free Spotify subscription by buying a gift card. Gift cards only work with Premium Individual plans and not Premium Student, Premium Family, Premium Duo or trial offers. We found multiple options through Best Buy, Target and Amazon.
Apple Music is the in-house music and video streaming service from Apple. Like on Spotify, you can listen to music and playlists on-demand, access internet radio and more. The fun part about Apple's gift cards is that you're not locked into any particular service by buying one. Your recipient could instead choose to use it for Apple TV, iTunes, the Apple Store and more.
Xbox Game Pass is an all-you-can-play video game subscription. The service offers a few different plans to best suit your gaming style. One option is Game Pass for PC, which costs $12 per month and includes a subscription to EA Play. Game Pass for the console starts at $11 a month. The third option, Game Pass Ultimate, offers games for PC, console and the EA Play subscription, as well as the Xbox Live Gold and Microsoft's cloud gaming beta service ($17 a month).
The Calm app offers a wide range of guided meditations to assist in relaxation. The sessions, which range from three to 25 minutes in length, can also help with developing a daily meditation practice. Calm includes soundscapes, sleep stories read by celebrities, well-being check-ins, breathing exercises and more.
If you know someone who's obsessed with yoga, consider getting them a CorePower Yoga gift card. CorePower has studios throughout the US, but it also offers virtual classes, both live and on-demand. Classes range from full-body yoga flows and hot-power yoga to meditation and technique lessons.
You can select any amount up to $500 on the gift card. The cost of studio classes varies by region, or you can get unlimited access to CorePower's online library of classes for $20 per month.
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 2023. Blue Apron e-gift cards range from $70 to $280.
Atlas Coffee Club is a high-quality coffee and thoroughly giftable, which is why it's on CNET's list of the best coffee subscriptions. The company delivers single-origin craft coffee from over 50 countries, so your recipient will get to try beans from all over the world. CNET's David Watsky says Atlas is the most giftable of the coffee subscriptions because "each send feels very much like a friend sent it from the other side of the world."
Give three months for $60, six months for $109 or a year for $199.
Help someone get an early start on their New Year's resolution to learn something new with a gifted subscription to MasterClass. The online learning service has thousands of classes taught by A-list celebrities. You can dive into cooking with Gordon Ramsay, filmmaking with Martin Scorsese, writing with R.L. Stine, science with Neil deGrasse Tyson, self-expression with RuPaul and more.
You can give three different annual subscription tiers through the MasterClass website: Individual ($120), Duo ($180) or Family ($240).
Stitch Fix is a clothing delivery service that you can customize to arrive at a frequency that best fits your schedule. Clothes shopping is stressful enough, but Stitch Fix lets you do it from the comfort of your home. You can sign up to get boxes delivered regularly, request a box for a special occasion or shop in the Stitch Fix online store.
Stitch Fix also has a gift card program that you can use in the online store or apply to items selected by a Stitch Fix stylist. For more ideas, check out our favorite clothing subscription boxes.
Book of the Month Club features five to seven recommended books every month. Once you choose a book, they deliver it to your door. (You also have the option to pay extra for two "add-on" books each month.) Book of the Month gives great recommendations for an affordable price and offers the choice to skip a shipment if you're not interested in the selections that month. Choose between three- ($60), six- ($100) and 12-month ($200) subscription plans.