Too tight on time to get traditional gifts? These last-minute Christmas gift ideas make it look like you planned for weeks.
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Sometimes, time gets away from you. The next thing you know, Christmas is in a week and you’re empty-handed! Don’t fret—we found all the best last-minute Christmas gifts for home cooks, bakers and newbies in the kitchen. Whether you’re seeking holiday hostess gifts or gifts for the chef in your life, these editor-vetted picks are sure to impress.
Want to gift something more traditional? These last-minute Amazon gifts and Christmas flower arrangements are always well-received.
For the Ice Cream Aficionado
Jeni's Ice Creams Pint Club
Some people may disagree, but in our humble opinion here at Taste of Home, ice cream is a year-round treat. For fellow frosty treat fans, a subscription to Jeni’s Pint Club offers a tasty monthly surprise. Every month, recipients receive a curated selection of four flavors delivered directly to their doorstep. The flavors range from seasonal to standard, so you truly never know what you’re getting. Plus, some flavors may not yet be available to the general public, giving subscribers an exclusive peek into upcoming releases.
“I was impressed with the wide array of flavors in my ice cream subscription box. The mix had a little bit of everything—chocolaty, fruity, salty and even savory,” says Deputy Editor Katie Bandurski in her review of this ice cream subscription.
For the Cookie Monster
Levain Bakery Cookies
Levain cookies are our go-to last-minute gifts for our favorite foodies. Between the behemoth size and decadent taste, they’re sure to impress even the most skeptical snacker. Just ask Deputy Editor Katie, who swears by these oversized delights.
“After one bite, I knew the hype was real,” says Katie in her review. “These cookies are truly perfect. They’re crispy around the edges, gooey in the center, studded with melty chocolate and crunchy walnuts. My journey for the best chocolate chip cookie was finally coming to a close.”
For the Flower Child
Pining for You Bouquet
Flower delivery is a classic gift no matter the occasion. We’ve tested lots of services, but Bouqs stands out for its incredible arrangements and secure shipping. When it comes to stunning holiday greenery, we’re absolutely smitten with this festive Pining for You bouquet.
“I can’t have a real Christmas tree due to allergies, so this bouquet was the perfect way to bring that fresh pine scent into my home for the season,” Katie says. “I was able to enjoy the greenery for several weeks after the roses and more fragile flowers died.”
For the Bookworm
Book of the Month
A subscription to Book of the Month club is a no-brainer for readers. Every month, subscribers choose a book from a pool of vetted new releases that span several genres. Our editors have all given this service as a gift at some point, and it’s always well-received.
“I gifted a three-month subscription to my mother-in-law who always has her nose in a book,” says Content Director Nicole Doster in our review of the service. “The gifting process was seamless, and I appreciated that they had an option for a physical gift card so I didn’t show up to Christmas empty-handed. I even got a notification when she signed up!”
For the Partier
Toast the New Year Cooking Class
Sur La Table is one of our favorite places to find gifts for cooks, pie bakers and other kitchenistas. While most items take a little while to ship, you can find an instant gift in one of their many online cooking and baking classes! This Toast to the New Year cooking class offers a fun date night for those who like to celebrate. Chef Vanessa walks attendees through cooking their very own meal of Pepper-Crusted Seared Steak, Lobster Risotto, Champagne Chocolate Truffles and a toast-worthy Kir Royale cocktail to ring in the new year.
For the Coffee Connoisseur
Trade Coffee Subscription
Savvy sippers and caffeiene fiends, rejoice! A Trade Coffee subscription ships fast and includes access to dozens of different expertly-roasted, fresh beans. Shop the service’s premade subscriptions, or build your own for a totally custom gift for java junkies.
“If you enjoy trying new coffee, a Trade Coffee subscription is the best way to experience beans tailored exactly to your tastes,” says Katie in her review of the coffee subscription. “In my testing, I was most impressed with the attention to detail, freshness and flavor. Trade makes it easy to upgrade your day. Plus, it makes a wonderful gift!”
For the bread fan
Wildgrain Box
A Wildgrain subscription is a little like getting a little bakery in a box each month. Whether their carb tastes lean savory or sweet (or even gluten-free), recipients will enjoy a full fleet of fresh-from-the-oven treats—no baking knowledge required! Katie says of her Wildgrain experience, “I love having Wildgrain products stocked in my freezer for on-the-go sandwiches or snacks. Everything I’ve tried has been fresh, convenient and delicious.”
For the curious coffee drinker
Coffee Tasting Class
We love Uncommon Goods for their fun finds and fast shipping. But physical gifts aren’t the only thing they offer! Uncommon Experiences are online classes that cover everything from pet portrait painting to cooking. I personally tried out the Coffee Tasting class and couldn’t have had a better experieince.
After attending, I can attest that this is a great gift for coffee lovers. It’s also perfect for a date activity! The Q&A at the end with teacher Julien Langevin is worth the price of admission itself, to be honest. The information that they share and the way they guide the class is such a treat.
For the Carb Loader
Sfoglini Pasta Club
Nothing makes a night cozier than a big bowl of premium pasta. So naturally, it also makes a lovely cozy gift for the holidays—especially when the recipient gets a box filled with six packages with a Sfoglini subscription! Each package also arrives with a six-recipe booklet filled with information about the pasta and culinary tricks and tips for serving.
“I tried this gift subscription and was impressed by the variety,” raves Katie. “I eat pasta on the reg, and was still introduced to new flavors and shapes, like rye trumpets or saffron malloreddus.”
For the One Who Has Everything
Happy Box
We love gift boxes, but sometimes they can come across as impersonal. Not so with Happy Box! Giftees choose from a pool of gifts to build their own shipment. Possibilities include candles, candies, socks and other treats. And because it’s customized, it’s much more personal than a premade assortment, so it makes a great best friend gift.
“This is my new go-to gift for far-away friends and family members,” says Katie in our review of the service. “I loved that each item was tailored to my tastes and hand-picked by Megan. Happy Box felt much more personal than many other pre-packed gift boxes. And the fact that it’s a women-owned company that gives back to the community? That’s pretty cool, too.”
For the Picky Person
Sugarwish
Need a secret santa gift stat for someone you don’t really know? A Sugarwish box is our gifting hack for avoiding awkwardness. Just choose the size and category of treats and let your recipient pick their favorites. Categories san everything from candy to snacks, dips, drink mixers, candles and more. Choose a personal shipment, or opt for a party box for a delicious gift for the whole family or office!
In our Sugarwish review, tester Maddie says, “My Sugarwish arrived in a gorgeous candy cane-striped red and blue box at my door. The packaging was a 10/10, and all six snacks I chose were neatly assorted inside sealed treat cups. It only took three short days for it to arrive, and I was amazed at how fresh the candy tasted.”
For the Cheese Lover
Boarderie Charcuterie Gift
Nothing says self care like a premade charcuterie board like those from Boarderie, which ship out temperature controlled and oh so pretty. In our Boarderie review, tester Annamarie Higley notes, “My favorite part of the Boarderie board was the experiential aspect. A few friends and I had a lovely time huddling around the board, trying each item, discussing the flavors, swapping opinions and sipping wine intermittently. It was such fun to consume the board with as much intention as it was created.”
For the Long-Distance Lover
Chest of Chocolates with Wine
Harry & David never disappoints when it comes to finding some seriously thoughtful gifts—and they also offer one-day delivery on some items! One of our favorite finds is this Chest of Chocolates with Wine, which comes with a decadent assortment of sweets paired with two premium bottles of wine.
“The chest of chocolates and wine were packaged very carefully—some of the best packaging I’ve seen when it comes to keeping items safe and intact,” shares Shopping Editor Mary Henn. “Contents seem a bit smaller in person than what’s pictured online, but there’s a good variety.” Want to see our other favorite finds from Harry & David? Read our review of the retailer!
For the One Who Misses Summer
Jack Stack BBQ Sampler
Those of us who covet our barbecue can’t help but miss grilling weather in the winter. Give the gift of smoky goodness with a BBQ sampler box from Jack Stack. It is truly some of the best barbecue I’ve ever had. I heated some up for a friend get-together, and nobody even guessed it came through the mail! Pick up a package as a unique gift for him (or treat yourself—it’s the holidays, after all)!
Goldbelly also has tons of other food gifts that ship quickly. See some of our editors’ favorite finds for more inspiration!
For the Francophile
Online 2-Day Croissant Workshop
Ooh la la! With this guided online class, your favorite Francophile can learn to make one of the most important French pastries of all. The two-day croissant workshop from Sur La Table offers all the knowledge required, from making the dough to laminating to baking. It’s an engaging way to get started on their French pastry journey!
For the New Yorker
William Greenberg Black and White Cookies
If you haven’t had a black and white cookie, they’re sort of a midpoint between cookies and cupcakes. I brought a tin of these classic William Greenberg black and white confections to a party, and they were absolutely devoured. Whether you’re a cake person or a cookie person, a vanilla person or a chocolate person, you’ll enjoy these. Get more than you think you need—they go quickly!
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For the crafty one
Adults and Crafts Crate
Looking for the perfect gift for a crafter? We tested the Adults and Crafts Crate, a monthly shipment containing a new craft each month. Tester Caroline Lubinsky’s box came with two stickers, craft directions and all the different tools and materials needed to make a resin serving tray. This included the mold, the resin, handles for the tray, a lighter and colored powder. She found the box easy to follow and a fun way to spend an afternoon indoors.
For the Newbie in the Kitchen
Wolfgang Puck Teaches Cooking
Sure, you can gift a gourmet food gift to your friend that struggles to boil water. Or, you can help them learn how to make their own meals with this cooking class taught by famed chef Wolfgang Puck. The course consists of 16 lessons covering culinary tasks like training your palate, crafting a standard béchamel sauce and which kitchen essentials they should invest in. They’ll come away so much more confident in the kitchen!
For the Tropical Fruit Fanatic
Miami Fruit Box
Folks who enjoy tropical fruit can enjoy a hearty serving with a Miami fruit box shipment. I received nearly a dozen different fruits in my fruit delivery, from watermelon guava to mini bananas. Size choices include 4-5 pound or 8-10 pound boxes. My 5-pound box had almost too much fruit for me to eat alone. Cutting and freezing the leftovers made for some seriously tropical smoothies throughout the week!
for the foodie
Explore Local Box
Recipients will taste something new each month with a subscription to the Explore Local box. This tasty and interesting exploration of different American cities offers tons of local fare, plus a little booklet containing info about the city. It was fun trying local Charleston coffee, kettle chips and a bag of sesame seed cookies called “benne wafers,” which I’ve never heard of before. This snack subscription box is an ideal gift of the month club for foodies who go on road trips solely for snacks.
For the Food Network Fan
Alton Brown Cameo
Alton Brown once said, “Laughing brains are more absorbent.” And this former Food Network star is still just as entertaining as ever! For folks who grew up with Good Eats or Cutthroat Kitchen, getting a personal Cameo video from Alton Brown for Christmas is akin to winning the lottery.
For the Funny One
Smelly Club
A candle club is a great gift for almost anyone, but finding one under $25 is challenging. Smelly Club is aptly named, as it offers candles that are just as unique as they are well-crafted. Folks with a sense of humor will delight in unwrapping scents like baked bread, root beer float and biscuits.
“This is a good pick for someone who likes variety and doesn’t mind wacky candles,” says tester Caroline Lubinsky, who tested this candle subscription. Pro-tip: gift alongside a candle warmer lamp for those who have pets or children!
For the Pina Colada Lover
Maui Gold Pineapples
Fresh fruit is always a fun gift, but why not add a little tropical flavor to sweeten the deal? Grown on 1,350 acres of land on the slopes of Maui’s Haleakala, Maui Gold pineapples are so decadent, they’re hardly in the same world as typical grocery store ananas. After trying some, I think normal pineapples might be ruined for me now. These are so flavorful!
For the Restauranteur
Gordon Ramsay Teaches Restaurant Recipes at Home
If your recipient is the type to swear by HexClad, they’ll enjoy learning a few of Chef Ramsay’s techniques in his Masterclass course. The 15-unit class covers time-saving prep, cooking and plating, all presented by the famed Food Network star. They’ll learn a lot and come away with techniques applicable to almost any dish.
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for the tea lover
Tea Runners Club
Because of the myriad options available, Tea Runners is equally appealing to both beginners and seasoned drinkers, notes Deputy Editor Katie Bandurski, who tested this subscription as part of our review of different tea subscriptions. Choose from four box options: Black, Pure, Herbal or Original. Each box includes four sampler pouches of tea, 10 tea bags and a postcard with some basic info about the club, tea origins and steeping instructions.
Inside Katie’s box, each tea impressed with its freshness and flavor.“The tea was so delicious—much fresher than any Earl Grey I’ve had before,” says Katie.
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For the Budding Bartender
Shaker and Spoon
The budding bartender will create craft cocktails fit for the fancy cocktail lounge with a subscription to Shaker and Spoon. Each month’s box comes with all the ingredients required to mix up instagram-worthy drinks, minus the alcohol.
“As a budding mixologist, I was truly blown away by the attention to detail included inside this Ginspirations cocktail kit from Shaker and Spoon,” says Shopping Editor Madi Koetting. “Gin typically isn’t my spirit of choice, so I chose this kit to better understand what ingredients pair well with the liquor and sharpen my gin-based cocktail chops,” adds Madi.
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For the Baking Champ
Crumble Crate
Everyone has a friend that’s always bringing the best brownies to the party. Get her a gift that levels up her techniques with a subscription to Crumble Crate! Each month’s box comes with pre-portioned ingredients, a new baking tool and instructions tailored to making one dessert. The focus is on learning new techniques, so it’s a great gift for newbies and practiced bakers alike.
“I appreciate that more specialty ingredients, like almond flour, are included,” says Katie, who learned how to make an apple rose tart. “I didn’t need to buy an entire bag just to use a quarter cup in one recipe.”
