Trawling through busy retail stores seeking gifts is a daunting task. Shopping online can be just as time-consuming, and you may run into delivery delays. Even if you successfully secure a haul of presents, many will wind up in closets or charity stores. It’s time to try an online gift. Digital presents and online gift cards are easier to give. Shop from your comfy sofa or cozy bed—no gift wrapping or shipping needed. We have a virtual smorgasbord of delicious digital gift ideas.
You should also consider subscriptions as gift ideas. Check out our Best Subscription Boxes for Gifting, the Best Gift Subscriptions for Kids, and Best Beauty Box Subscriptions.
Updated October 2026: I've added entries in several sections, including food, gaming, and travel; removed discontinued options; and updated all links and prices.
They may not be all that imaginative, but electronic gift cards let your loved ones choose what they actually want, and it's never disappointing to receive one (assuming it's at a place you like). Gift cards are everywhere—you can also look beyond the retail giants to find highly rated independent stores near your giftee.
The way to anyone’s heart is often through their stomach. Food can bring comfort and joy, and everyone loves an excuse to treat themselves and skip the chore of cooking for a night. Many local restaurants and delis will offer gift cards or picnic baskets, so it's worth checking if your giftee has a favorite.
We are living in a golden age of entertainment. It has never been easier to get great TV and film pumped into your home. Cord-cutting gives us more control, and there’s an increasingly wide choice of streaming services you can give as presents.
Music makes a wonderful gift. It can conjure memories, boost your mood, and get you dancing. Our Best Music Streaming Services guide runs through our favorites and why we like them in more detail, but these subscriptions are the best options for most people. (Spotify, one of our top picks, no longer offers gift cards.)
Kindle Paperwhite
There’s nothing quite like settling down with a good book, whether you read it on a Kindle, tablet, or smartphone. Ebooks and ebook subscriptions make great gifts, and many fantastic audiobook versions feature big-name casts for folks who love to listen. Amazon dominates this scene, but it’s not the only game in town.
Some of the best journalism you can find online requires a subscription. Magazine, journal, and newspaper subscriptions make great gifts for anyone.
There may be too many gaming subscription services now, but that’s good news for gift shoppers with gamers on their list.
If you have family or friends with questionable online security habits, no amount of nagging will change their ways, but buy them a digital security gift, and they might just try it. Here are a few security-related digital gift ideas. (We also have more info in our Best Password Managers and Best VPNs guides.)
Everyone wants to acquire new skills, but motivation can be hard to come by. If your loved ones talk about learning a musical instrument, a new language, or picking up some photography skills, why not spring for some online lessons to help them get started?
Staying fit is crucial for good health and overall well-being, and our favorite fitness apps and services can help anyone do it with online classes that guide workouts from home. Exercise some caution when gifting fitness services, though. Make sure your intended recipient is genuinely interested.
Some retail memberships or subscriptions give access to better deals, free priority shipping, and other benefits that make them highly appreciated gifts.
Many of us are getting back into the swing of traveling and are looking to make up for lost time, so why not give the gift of a trip?
Many of us have more than we need, and gifts can be hit or miss. Making a charitable donation in someone’s name is a great alternative that lets people know you’re thinking of them and also does some good in the world. Just be careful to do a little research on your chosen charity or service before you spend. Organizations like Charity Navigator and Charity Watch can help you find the most deserving and trustworthy charities.
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Source: Wired
