Hello, weary gift-giver. The best last-minute gifts can save you from a sticky, “I forgot something about you” situation, just when you thought you had Serve to everyone on your list—and when you get it right, you seem to think about that idea for months (not just hours).
Since you’re obviously strapped for time, we set out to find thoughtful last-minute gift ideas that are guaranteed to keep you happy, from awesome gifts for women Who snuck through the cracks of your cute list to gifts for friends Who swore they didn’t want anything this year. But before we get there, here’s everything you need to know about holiday shipping deadlines.
When is the last day to order Christmas gifts online?
Lots of brands will be able to guarantee delivery if you order at least a week before Christmas — but things get a lot more complicated once you get past that limit. The clock is certainly ticking, but there are plenty of trusted online retailers (hello Amazon Prime) that offer fast, affordable shipping options until your packages arrive. Just right on time:
Amazon: Amazon offers a variety of shipping options, including same-day delivery through December 24th. Principal members Get free one-day shipping on all orders by December 23, no minimum price required. Prime members who place (really) last-minute orders on December 24th are also eligible for FREE Shipping on select purchases of $35 or more in approved territories.
Nordstrom: There’s no set date for the holidays at Nordstrom, but plenty of products have a special label if they can arrive before December 25th. Some zip codes also have same-day delivery, and you can buy a lot of products online with next-store pickup daily.
targeting: Like Amazon, Target offers free two-day shipping on a wide range of gifts. To qualify, you must use your RedCard or place an order of at least $35. If you’re within a few days of the holiday, you can also place orders for store pickup, which will usually be ready within a couple of hours.
There are plenty of other stores that allow you to buy products online and pick them up at the curb or in-store almost instantly, including Sephora, Ulta, Best Buy, and Apple. And if you wake up on December 25th and realize you don’t have a gift, don’t worry: Digital gift cards make great last-minute Christmas gifts. From Cheap gifts that looks expensive Secret Santa gifts This will be the talk of your family exchange. These are the perfect last-minute gifts that will crown you the queen (or king) of the holiday season—procrastination and all.
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