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The best gifts that don't require shipping — gift cards, date nights, and more

Hands are holding gift box with white-red striped pattern and glittering gold bow on pastel light blue background with many star shaped confetti. Flat lay style. New year celebration concept.
These are the best last-minute gifts that don't require any shipping. (Anna Efetova via Getty Images)

Santa Claus is coming tonight, and while his bag is filled with gifts for the whole family, you may have woken up in a sweat realizing you forgot someone. Maybe they were a last-minute invite to Christmas dinner, or that gift you ordered your partner never made it — no matter the reason, you don't need to show up empty handed tomorrow.

There are plenty of thoughtful gifts that don't require any wrapping. Gift cards are always a safe bet, especially if you opt for a food delivery service like UberEats or DoorDash. If you want something a bit more personalized, look into Storyworth — it's a digital service that will email your loved one once a week for the whole year, asking them to write down their entire life journey that will be compiled into a book at the end of the year.

If you're shopping for your wife or husband, gift them an exciting date night. Uncommon Experiences offers a range of fun activities you can both do together, from chocolate tasting classes to ravioli making classes to pet painting classes.

Here are our favorite gifts you can shop on Christmas Eve that don't require any shipping.

Storyworth

Storyworth makes for an incredibly thoughtful gift this year. If you've got someone who loves telling stories, they'll love this subscription. Each week, it emails them a prompt, like "What's the best thing your mom ever taught you?" At the end of the year, it compiles their answers into a print book they can keep forever.

$89 at Storyworth

A virtual DoorDash gift card is the perfect gift for the person who loves eating out, like the new parent on your list or the city dweller whose kitchen doesn't get much use. You can gift any amount from $25 to $500 and have the card arrive in their inbox first thing Christmas morning.

$25 at Amazon

This 90-minute virtual course is with cartographer Brendan Lorber, who will walk the couple through their own romantic journey and translate it to their very own map. You can gift this course to your spouse or to the couple on your list.

$110 at Uncommon Experiences

I am in the midst of testing the best coffee subscription services, and Counter Culture coffee is right at the top. Coffee is rich and deeply flavorful without costing a fortune. You can gift a 3-, 6-, or 12-month subscription that will send two bags of coffee each month to your giftee.

$16 at Counter Culture

Uncommon Experiences

Know someone who loves their pet more than anyone else in the world? This course would make a great gift. Led by artist Addie Stunkard, it walks your giftee through painting a watercolor portrait of their favorite four-legged friend.

$35 at Uncommon Experiences

Winc

A subscription to Winc was the best purchase I made during the COVID-19 lockdown. The service delivers several bottles of wine to you each month, allowing you to try different blends and types, then customize future shipments based on your tastes. It's an excellent gift for the wine-o.

$60 at Winc

MasterClass

If you've heard your loved one say, "Wow, I wish Gordon Ramsay would teach me to cook," then we've got good news: You can gift them a cooking course directly from Gordon Ramsay. MasterClass is a subscription that allows access to courses taught by celebrity experts, each of which can help your loved one unlock new skills. 

$5 at MasterClass

Uncommon Experiences

Grab your sweetie and your apron — this fun cooking course walks you through baking a delicious homemade pizza and dessert that you two can share. The 90-minute course is taught by Lisa Marie Falcone, and you can print a small card to wrap up and gift on Christmas morning so your giftee still has something to unwrap.

$54 at Uncommon Experiences

If there's a quilter on your list, there's one thing they'll never say no to: Fabric. This subscription offers six new fat quarters every month, all tied together thematically so your giftee can create something special.

$24 at Annie's Kit Club

Driftaway works with independent roasters around the world to offer vibrant blends. If you've got a coffee lover you're shopping for, they'll love to attend this coffee-tasting course, which allows them to sample five different coffees with an instructor who can tell them about the blend and what it pairs well with.

$121 at Driftaway

Book of the Month Club

Book of the Month Club is my favorite subscription I've ever used. Each month, users select a book from the curated selection. You get a custom cover, bookmark, and hardcover book, plus a slew of extra trinkets if you complete reading challenges. It's the perfect gift for any reader.

$60 at Book of the Month Club

If you're shopping for a little one or their parents, a subscription to Disney+ would be a welcomed gift. The service houses all of the best Disney movies and TV shows, along with the extensive catalogues from Star Wars, Marvel, and 20th Century Fox.

$10 at Disney+

As a new parent, Lovevery is the best subscription I currently have. During the baby's first year, you receive a shipment of age-appropriate developmental toys every few months. As they grow older, you get shipments every three months, all of which include Montessori toys specially matched to the child's development level. This is the perfect gift for any parent with a child under 4. 

$80 at Lovevery

This Zoom course led by chef Vanessa takes your giftee through the process of cooking pan-roasted chicken thighs with lemons, capers, and olives; parmesan polenta; and roasted delicata squash with shaved parmesan and honey. It's a great, interactive course for those who love to cook at home. 

$29 at Sur La Table

Know someone who just wants some peace and quiet for Christmas? Get them a gift card to a remote cabin through Postcard Cabins. It'll allow them to book a journey and stay at a cozy cabin alone or with their favorite person.

$50 at Postcard Cabins

A Bouqs flower subscription is a gorgeous gift. Each month, your giftee will receive a stunning bouquet of the month's freshest blooms. You can opt for the original size at $48/month or the grand size at $74/month.

$48 at Bouqs

Bokksu is a service that curates a box of Japanese treats every month. They may include snacks, drinks, or home decor, but each piece is hand-selected by the staff for inclusion each month. You can sign your giftee up for a 1-, 3-, 6-, or 12-month membership.

$40 at Bokksu

Know someone whose dog is their life? Get them a subscription to BarkBox, a subscription service that delivers treats and toys once a month.

$35 at Bark Box

My late sister was obsessed with puzzles, and White Mountain Puzzles were her favorite. She had the yearly subscription, which delivered two puzzles every other month. She had the chance to pick out each puzzle, making them custom to her tastes.

$40 at White Mountain Puzzles

If your giftee truly has everything, make a donation in their name to a charity that matches their interests, like the Audubon Society.

$25 at Audubon Society