Best digital gifts and subscriptions for when you can’t be there in person

There are two kinds of people in this world: Those who get all their holiday shopping done in November, and those who wait until the very last minute. If you fall into the latter category, there’s a loophole that’ll not only hide the fact that you’re a procrastinator (which happens to the best of us) but will also guarantee that your giftee gets something they actually want or need.

We’re talking about digital gifts and subscriptions. Sure, knowing how to give a good virtual gift — good as in more personal than a Visa gift card — is basically an art form. But with this gift guide, you’ll find we’ve rounded up a gift that’ll fit the bill for just about anyone on your list, from family and friends to coworkers to lovers and everyone in between.

Each of the following gifts is delivered online or with a recurring delivery to their door, so you don’t have to worry about shipping costs or delivery times.

Credit: Shutterstock / Hamara

No one is gonna turn down new stuff to watch. If you’re gifting to someone who already has the go-to’s like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+, consider other cable alternatives:

• Paramount+ ( Paramount+ Essential starts at $7.99/month): Paramount+ is the go-to place for nostalgic Nickelodeon shows, reality icons like RuPaul’s Drag Race and Love Island US, plus access to live sports. Paramount+ also offers a SHOWTIME subscription (Paramount+ with SHOWTIME) for $12.99/month.

• Max (starts at $9.99/month): Max is home to HBO originals like House of the Dragon and The White Lotus and non-HBO content like Abbott Elementary and Friends. It’s also the streaming service that many new movies hit first when they come out.

• Shudder (starts at $5.99/month): Horror junkies who have already tackled Netflix’s hit-or-miss collection will dig Shudder’s massive library of (actually good) scary movies only. Aside from a few classics like Hellraiser, a big chunk of the lineup is made up of films that probably weren’t in theaters — but that blow mainstream disappointments out of the water. Mashable’s Sam Haysom has some suggestions.

Credit: Walmart

Walmart’s Amazon Prime competitor might be a wiser choice for your friends who make way too many trips to Walmart each week. It’s another “free shipping” situation, but with no order minimums — and for just $12.95/month. Other perks include fuel discounts, early access to deals during major sales like Black Friday, and a bonus Paramount+ Essential subscription worth $59.99/year on its own.

Credit: Planta

Plant parents could use a babysitter sometimes — whether they’re nurturing their first plant ever or taking a stab at a feisty orchid. A paid Planta subscription ($9.99/month) goes past watering reminders: The app recruits their phone’s camera to diagnose sick plants and make suggestions based on the amount of light in the room. Planta Premium also offers fertilizing, misting, repotting, and pruning help.

Credit: Milk Bar

Milk Bar’s multi-tiered confetti cakes are definitely prettier than any of us, but that’s what makes them such an iconic long-distance birthday gift. Loved ones with an eye for aesthetically pleasing foods would also appreciate a just-because tin of Milk Bar cookies or truffles. Prices range from $27 to $161 plus delivery fees. Gluten-free options are available.

Credit: YouTube

Picture this: Falling asleep to ASMR or a binaural beats playlist *without* being jolted out of a trance by an ad. For $13.99/month, YouTube Premium bars ads and continues playback when the YouTube app is closed. YouTube shares membership fees with content creators who otherwise profit from viewers watching ads.

Credit: Urban Stems

Flowers as a last-minute or long-distance gift is only cliché if you let it be. The online flower delivery service UrbanStems puts a modern twist on its floral arrangements with thoughtfully chosen color schemes and vases outside the traditional glass. The bouquets blow away anything you could find in the flower section at Whole Foods, and subscription prices start at $60 per delivery. You can choose weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly.

Credit: MasterClass

If your loved one always talks about mastering a particular skill, there’s probably a MasterClass course for it. MasterClass doesn’t offer just any online courses — they’ll be coached by, well, famous people. Annie Leibovitz teaches photography, Jane Goodall teaches conservation, Gordon Ramsey teaches cooking, and more. With a subscription starting at $10/month, your loved one can choose from more than 200 instructors, with new classes added every month.

Credit: Jackbox Games

On the rare occasion that they get tired of Mario Kart, anything from Jackbox is going to be a good-ass time. Jackbox’s on-screen games are played on a phone app and are perfect for long-distance Zoom hangs. (Only one person has to have a Jackbox account. The others just have to download the app and enter the room code). Priced at $24.99 to $29.99, each Party Pack comes with four to five super unique games that really make you think — and confirm the funniest person in the group.

Credit: Nuuly

Perfect for the Urban Outfitters, Free People, and Anthropologie stans, Nuuly is a $98/month service that offers rental pieces from sweaters to dresses to jeans (from the aforementioned brands and more). If they end up loving one of their rental items, they can buy it. Rent the Runway and StitchFix offer similar deals, but StitchFix has a $20 styling fee per order and only gives you three days to decide whether to buy the clothes.

Credit: CodeSpark Academy

If you’re looking for a kids’ gift that’s not Moana or Marvel, consider CodeSpark Academy, which stars cute, memorable monster characters called The Foos. Parents will love it because it’s educational: It teaches coding through challenges that require kids to devise their own chain reactions. For kids, though, it’s just fun. Gift memberships start at six months for $59.99 ($9.99/month), but 12-month and lifetime subscriptions are available.

Credit: Punchbowl

Credit: Punchbowl

Greeting cards may be a “duh” gift, but are heartwarming nevertheless. Punchbowl‘s selection probably blows that of your local CVS out of the water, and it offers myriad customization options — you can even throw in a gift card from stores like Amazon, Target, Disney, and Sephora. Cards can be sent to multiple recipients for free, but removing ads or scheduling a date requires a paid membership.

Credit: ClassPass

Know a fitness obsessive or self-care fanatic who wants to shake up their routine? Enter: ClassPass, a wellness subscription service for dabbling in different studio classes, gyms, and spa/beauty treatments. Plans start at $19/month for eight credits they can put toward boxing sessions, yoga classes, facials, massages, manicures, and more.

Credit: Microsoft

A free year of multiplayer gaming and access to online gaming catalogs is a great gift for anyone with any console. PlayStation Plus Essential is $79.99 annually (with a bonus Sony movie credit), and you can get Xbox Game Pass Core for $9.99/month. For Switch players, a $19.99 yearly Nintendo Switch Online individual membership will let them play Mario Party with friends and dip into a library of classic games.

Credit: Shutterstock / Burdun Iliya

Getting groceries can be the absolute worst thing when you’re already tired or stressed out. Instead of dealing with long lines, missing items, or people breathing too closely as you reach for the last roll of paper towels, why not gift your loved ones an Instacart+ subscription? They can skip the grocery run and have their groceries delivered right to their doorstep in as fast as 30 minutes. Their membership includes free delivery on orders over $35, plus extras like Peacock Premium (worth $79.99/year) and a New York Times Cooking subscription (worth $50/year).

Credit: Adobe

One doesn’t have to be a graphic designer to get a ton of use out of Photoshop — it’s a must-have software for anyone with a creative side. Folks in marketing can make ads and cool emails, aspiring photographers can learn layering and blending, or anyone who draws in their free time could bump things up to animation. Prices start at $9.99/month for Lightroom and Adobe Express, and go up to $59.99/month for the full Creative Cloud suite.

Credit: Rosetta Stone

Learning a new language in adulthood isn’t off the table just because you can’t remember a thing from high school Spanish. Rosetta Stone is one of the OG language-learning services, known for its deep dive into accent pronunciation, culture, and not pressuring you like the Duolingo owl. Plans start at $239.40 for 12 months of access to a single language — good for a giftee who’s planning a trip abroad.

Credit: Literature and Latte / Mashable composite

Know someone who thinks in long form? They need Scrivener. It’s like a hybrid of Microsoft Word and a notes app like Evernote, aimed specifically at writers organizing large projects like novels, screenplays, or research papers. Different templates and tools for honing in on chunks of writing make it easy to organize thoughts. A standard license will run you $59.99.

Credit: Blue Apron

Trying new recipes is fun. Planning one of those recipes when you’re dead tired after work is not fun. Meal boxes from services like Dinnerly and Blue Apron allow you to customize meals online and receive pre-portioned ingredients for those meals right to your door. Meals can be tweaked depending on dietary restrictions (like gluten-free or vegan) and how many people are eating.

Although subscription prices vary on portion sizes, they’re way better than what grocery stores charge nowadays. Other meal kit options include HelloFresh, Purple Carrot (for plant-based meals), and Splendid Spoon.

Credit: Tidal

People love to say they don’t want to pay for Tidal on top of Spotify or Apple Music — and then they complain that they really wish they could listen to Prince’s posthumous album. While Tidal used to be big for exclusive albums from Beyoncé and Jay-Z, it’s now the go-to for audiophiles thanks to its glorious hi-fi streaming. Individual subscriptions go for $10.99/month.

Credit: Escape the Crate

The idea of using clues to escape a fake locked room within a time limit is fun. The knowledge that there are multiple horror movies based on getting stuck in one? Not so much. Best of Cratejoy winner Escape the Crate brings the problem-solving adrenaline of an escape room to their home. Boxes start at $26.50 apiece; each one is filled with a set of themed puzzles and riddles that one to six people can complete in a couple of hours.

Credit: Birchbox

If their relationship to makeup is like Ron Swanson’s to tools, opt for Birchbox. If they’re interested in beauty but have never been inside a Sephora, go for Birchbox, too. Boxes start as low as $22/month, but if they’d prefer to pick out their own stuff, a Birchbox gift card still gives them access to way more makeup than they’d find in a store. Plus, Birchbox frequently offers discounts on premium brands that Ulta and Sephora rarely discount.

Credit: FabFitFun

FabFitFun is like having a birthday four times a year. Once every three months, eight to 10 full-sized products arrive at your door, and it’s really nice stuff. The variety is impressive: Boxes could contain anything from hair and makeup products to exercise gear to blankets and other cozy items. A gift card can be applied to a box ($69.99/each or $219.99/year), member-exclusive sales, or single purchases directly from the website.

Credit: Headspace

Meditation apps have become an increasingly popular way to de-stress, sleep better, and get a better grasp on mindfulness in general. Headspace has hundreds of guided meditations anchored toward everything from stress and anxiety to productivity and exercise, providing an excuse for much-needed breaks throughout the day to get back into the right headspace. Gift a three-month subscription for $38.99 or $69.99 for one year.

Credit: Craftsy

You can think of Craftsy as MasterClass for people who could spend three hours in Hobby Lobby. Its Premium subscription tier unlocks over 2,000 expert-taught video classes on everything from embroidery to sourdough baking, plus a huge pattern library. Gift a membership for $10.25/month or $113 for the whole year.

Credit: KiwiCo

Keeping kids busy for a Saturday can be a task, let alone for a whole winter or summer break. Kid-friendly subscription boxes pick up where TV leaves off, offering hours worth of hands-on activities to do alone or with parents each month. Our favorites include learning about other countries with Little Passports or making math and science fun with KiwiCo.

Credit: Grove Collaborative

The quest for effective, natural household products shouldn’t require a trip to some expensive specialty shop. Grove Collaborative has one of the best online selections of eco-friendly cleaning, baby, pet, and bath brands like Mrs. Meyers and hello. You don’t have to subscribe to shop here, but VIP members get free shipping on orders over $29, exclusive discounts, early access to new products and deals, and seven free gifts for just $29.99/year.

Credit: Amazon

A subscription to Amazon’s premium audiobook service expands their entertainment options far past music, which is great for those with a boring commute. Paying $14.95/month will get your gift recipient one monthly credit for a full audiobook they can keep forever, plus access to thousands of other titles and podcasts. Some books are read by well-known talent like Michelle Obama and Jonathan Van Ness. (And others by professional audiobook narrators who have their own fandoms, such as Julia Whelan.)

Credit: Book of the Month

Being in a book club with strangers across the country is a bookworm’s dream. That’s essentially what Book of the Month is: The company’s judges (which include up-and-coming authors themselves) feature five must-reads each month. Then, the subscriber chooses which one(s) they want based on synopses and reviews from other readers. Give a gift subscription starting at $59.99 for three months.

Credit: Omaha Steaks

Shopping for premium cuts of meat or decent seafood can get as expensive as going out to eat. Omaha Steaks offers choice cuts, burgers, really nice filet mignon, sides, and more in larger portions and at better prices than many brick-and-mortar stores, all delivered to your door in vacuum-sealed packaging. Meal boxes, family portions, and sides like au gratin are also available, and everything comes with easy-to-follow instructions (even for people who are definitely not meat connoisseurs).

Credit: Atlas Coffee Club

Anyone who thinks that their Starbucks go-to is the pinnacle of coffee is about to be blown away by the menu at Atlas Coffee Club. Each month, Atlas spotlights a few sustainably farmed coffee beans from a specific country as “Coffee of the Month” options, which are available in monthly subscriptions from 15 to 60 cups starting at $11/month. They come in the form of grounds, whole beans, or pods that are compatible with Keurig and Nespresso machines.

Credit: the sill

Indoor plants are an easy solution for loneliness — not only because they can take a space from drab to homey, but also because it just feels good to take care of something. If you’re not sure of their skill level (or of the collection they already have), a gift card to The Sill lets them pick out some new greenery on their own. Its houseplants start at $39 and can be upgraded with different-colored planters.

32. An Uber or Lyft gift card

Credit: Uber

The gift of not having to walk in the rain or take public transportation with heavy groceries is a godsend. Pay for some rides with an Uber or Lyft gift card. (The Uber one can also be used on Uber Eats.)

Credit: Bath Bevy

After a long day of work, why not treat your loved one to a relaxing bath? Opt for a monthly Bath Bevy subscription and choose from carefully curated and handcrafted bath and body products. There are bath bombs, bubble bath, bath salts, and more. Each box has five to seven items in beautiful packaging for that perfect unboxing experience. The subscription is $39.56/month if you get it for a year.

Credit: Spotify

For those who consider Spotify Wrapped day a national holiday, a Spotify subscription is a great gift. For only $11.99/month, you can play not only music but also podcasts and audiobooks. With a Spotify Premium subscription, you can download music to play offline, play any songs, get unlimited skips, and there are no ads. You can create and share specific playlists with each other.

Credit: DOGTV

A 24/7 TV channel for dogs — need we say more? Its researched-based programming features music and clips that calm pooches. Prices range from $9.99/month to $74.99 for a full year. (Hey, that’s eons cheaper than an annual ad-free Netflix plan.)

Credit: Silk + Sonder

What started as a basic wellness planner subscription service in 2017 has evolved into a thriving community. You can purchase a one-time e-gift card, a monthly e-gift card, a recurring monthly membership, or specific items from the platform’s shop. There’s even a Sonder Kids edition for the little ones in your life.

Credit: Steamy Lit

If your giftee is obsessed with Hallmark movies or loves to curl up with a steamy romance novel, Steamy Lit’s “The Steam Box” is the ultimate present. The company showcases women and non-binary authors, and their subscription options include quarterly ($54/each), semi-annual ($51/each), or yearly packages ($48/each). And unlike other book subscription boxes, this one takes self-care to the next level by offering customers the option to choose a “vibes included” tier, which includes a book, an adult item, and a few specialty items as well.