0 Comments

Some people are expert gift givers. They’ll pick up perfect presents throughout the year and save them until the holiday season. And then there are those who wait until the very last minute. Maybe they don’t have time to shop, or they just have no clue what to buy. If you’re reading this, chances are good that you’ve put off your holiday shopping until the bitter end. But don’t panic—there are lots of fantastic last-minute gifts you can buy right now, some you’ll have instantly and others, thanks to the number of items that come with one- or two-day shipping, will still get to them on time.


A few last minute faves


We rounded up 20 thoughtful last-minute gift ideas that are guaranteed to please, including our favorite Nespresso coffee machine; decadent caviar that won’t break the bank; a Master Class with Gordon Ramsay; and this season’s must-have water bottle. There’s truly something for everyone on your list, and it will definitely meet your December 25 deadline, whether you use express shipping, Amazon Prime, or an e-gift card. Check out our favorite last-minute gifts below.

Nespresso Vertuo Plus Coffee Maker by Breville

Nespresso

Vertuo Plus Coffee Maker by Breville

Nespresso’s Vertuo Plus is the best pod-based system we’ve tried, producing rich, flavorful coffee and espresso capped with a thick crema. The easy-to-operate machine has a 40-ounce water tank that can be positioned to the side or back of the base to fit any counter space. We recommend pairing the Vertuo Plus with our favorite handheld milk frother, the Maestri House LunaFro Max, so they can create specialty drinks like cappuccinos and macchiatos.

Marky’s American Hackleback Caviar

Marky’s American Hackleback Cavia

Marky’s

American Hackleback Caviar

Know someone with refined taste? Marky’s American Hackleback caviar makes for an extravagant gift without an exorbitant price tag. The glossy, medium-sized pearls have a nutty, buttery flavor that pairs well with eggs, baked potatoes, blinis, potato chips, and, of course, a glass of champagne. Because the caviar is perishable, Marky’s guarantees next-day delivery.

Goldbelly Gift Card

Goldbelly Gift Card

With a Goldbelly gift card, there’s no need to travel to experience some of the most celebrated cuisine across the country. They can have brunch from New York’s Russ & Daughters, Philly cheesesteaks from Pat’s King of Steaks, and pints from North Carolina’s viral Andia’s Ice Cream delivered right to their door. Besides meals and desserts from more than 1,000 restaurants, Goldbelly also offers delicacies from legendary chefs like Ina Garten, Daniel Boulud, and José Andrés.

Le Creuset 5.5-Quart Enameled Cast Iron Signature Round Dutch Oven

Le Creuset 5.5-Quart Enameled Cast Iron Signature Round Dutch Oven

Le Creuset

5.5-Quart Enameled Cast Iron Signature Round Dutch Oven

Le Creuset’s versatile Dutch oven makes a good gift for any home cook that doesn’t have one and is a longtime editor favorite. It heats quickly and evenly, gives meat a beautiful sear, and can be used to make hearty stews, roasted chicken, braised short ribs, and sourdough bread. Yes, this Le Creuset Dutch oven is a bit of an investment, but the heirloom-quality cookware is built to last a lifetime.

Dash My Mug Ice Cream Maker

Dash My Mug Ice Cream Maker

Ice cream lovers will melt over this mini machine that lets them easily whip up custom frozen desserts. Just freeze the base for 24 hours, then add pre-chilled ingredients, and press a button. The My Mug churns out soft-serve ice cream, sorbet, or frozen yogurt in 20 minutes. For firmer ice cream, transfer the soft-serve to an airtight container, and freeze for 3 to 4 hours.

Voluspa Sparkling Cuvee Candle

Voluspa Sparkling Cuvee Candle

Candles are always a great last-minute gift, but not all of them feel as special as this one from Voluspa. Housed in an embossed glass vessel with an elegant gold floral print, Sparkling Cuvee is a soothing scent with notes of sparkling wine, pomelo, oak, and rose petals. The coconut-wax candle has a 100-hour burn time and will bring instant cheer to any space.

Great Jones Hot Dish

Great Jones Hot Dish

This stoneware baking dish comes in two delightful retro prints, but we don’t just love it for its looks. “I can confidently call it one of the best baking dishes I’ve cooked with,” said former commerce writer Tiffany Hopkins. Oven-safe up to 500°F, the Hot Dish heats evenly and excels at making cobblers, cakes, and casseroles. “It’s my favorite dish for lasagna thanks to its straight sides, which allow for satisfyingly square, crackly edge pieces,” Hopkins said. “And, honestly, I love that the Hot Dish automatically makes my food look more fun—and, dare I say, more delicious.”

Brightland Alive Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Brightland Alive Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Brightland

Alive Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Brightland’s popular olive oils are made from olives grown on family-run farms in California’s Central Coast and Valley. Alive is a vibrant extra virgin olive oil with an herbaceous, buttery flavor ideal for drizzling on vegetables, mixing into dressings and marinades, and topping off ice cream and chocolate desserts. For true olive oil aficionados, try The Duo, a set that includes Brightland’s grassy, peppery Awake blend.

Trade Coffee Subscription

Whether your giftee is a coffee snob or a casual sipper, a coffee subscription will keep them supplied with a bounty of fresh beans. We love Trade because it offers specialty coffees from more than 50 roasters in a range of roasting styles. You can choose a three-, six-, or 12-month subscription, then let your recipient take a quiz to find their perfect coffee. Each bag is roasted to order and delivered on their preferred schedule.

Via Carota Cocktails Gift Card

Via Carota Cocktails Gift Card

More than a decade on, Via Carota (still) has one of New York City’s hardest tables to get, but thankfully, anyone can get a taste of the restaurant’s signature cocktails, which include classics like a margarita and negroni, and sparkling drinks like a spritz and paloma. Cocktails can be purchased individually or in variety packs. They make particularly good gifts because of the gorgeous bottles, which your giftee can refill with their own batched concoction or use as a slim vase on the dining room table.

Owala FreeSip 32-Ounce Water Bottle

Owala FreeSip 32-Ounce Water Bottle

Owala

FreeSip 32-Ounce Water Bottle

Several of our staffers are huge fans of this trendy water bottle, which comes in striking color combos that make it look like a sleek piece of modern art. But the FreeSip is as functional as it is fashionable. Its triple-insulated stainless steel body keeps water cold for up to 24 hours, and it has a leak-and-spill-proof cap with a plastic loop for easy portability. The cap also flips open to reveal a built-in straw for sipping and a wider opening for those who prefer to chug their drinks.

Truff Jalapeño Lime Variety Pack

Truff Jalapeño Lime Variety Pack

Truff

Jalapeño Lime Variety Pack

This trio of Truff hot sauces is an easy way to spice up everyday meals and a great stocking stuffer. A blend of red chili peppers, truffles, agave nectar, and seasonings, Truff Original and Truff White are medium-heat sauces that pair well with eggs, pizza, and fried chicken. Truff Jalapeño Lime is a bit more mild, with a citrusy zing that takes tacos and grilled meats to the next level.

Our Place Wonder Oven

Our Place Wonder Oven

It may look like a toy oven, but the Wonder Oven is no joke. It can air fry, bake, roast, toast, broil, and reheat. In our tests, it did an excellent job at giving roasted chicken a crisp skin, air-frying wings, and baking a pie, homemade bread, Christmas cookies, and scones. “You’d never guess I made them in a little peach-colored cube,” said our tester. Besides peach/spice, the Wonder Oven also comes in Our Place’s signature steam, char, and blue salt colors, as well as a limited edition butter yellow.

Master Class Gift Subscription

MasterClass Gift Subscription

Home cooks who want to kick their skills up a notch can learn from the very best instructors on Master Class. Alice Waters, Gordon Ramsay, Dominique Ansel, and Yotam Ottolenghi are just a few of the world-renowned chefs offering their tips and tricks for perfecting mouthwatering meals and sweet treats. Know someone who’s more into mixology? There’s a cocktail class too!

Presto Poplite Hot Air Popcorn Popper

Presto Poplite Hot Air Popcorn Popper

Presto

Poplite Hot Air Popcorn Popper

Presto’s Poplite Hot Air Popcorn Popper is an excellent last-minute gift for movie lovers or anyone who likes to snack. The machine requires no oil and makes 18 cups of popcorn in under three minutes, leaving virtually no unpopped kernels behind. Its cap doubles as a butter-melting tray, eliminating the need for a separate pan and making cleanup a breeze.

Wildgrain E-Gift Card

Wildgrain E-Gift Card

One of our favorite subscription gifts, Wildgrain offers customizable boxes of carb-y goodness, including sourdough bread and croissants, pastries and baked treats like apple cider doughnuts, and fresh pasta. Selection varies by season, and Wildgrain also offers vegan and gluten-free options. The artisanal-quality items arrive frozen and can be heated up and ready to eat in roughly 25 minutes.

NewLife by GelPro Anti-Fatigue Designer Kitchen Mat

NewLife by GelPro Anti-Fatigue Designer Kitchen Mat

GelPro

Anti-Fatigue Designer Kitchen Mat

Even if they don’t seem exciting, practical gifts can be big winners, and this anti-fatigue mat, which is a favorite of Ina Garten, is definitely that. It has a cushiony ¾-inch-thick ergo foam core that provides comfort and support to prevent body aches. Available in an assortment of patterns and colors, the mat has a non-skid bottom that ensures it doesn’t slip during meal prep or dish duty.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Posts