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These 42 Virtual Gifts Are So Good, Nobody Will Suspect You Bought Them Last Minute

No wrapping paper needed

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A design by Dasha Burobina for PureWow featuring our favorite virtual gifts to buy in 2024.
Dasha Burobina for PureWow

If you're anything like me and wait until the last minute, miss holiday shipping deadlines and then scramble to get it all done year after year, may I suggest shopping for virtual gifts? Lucky for us procrastinators, there are plenty of gift ideas that can be bought with the click of a button and delivered digitally in no time. From a treasure trove of online classes to letting them DIY their own organic snack gift basket (so they get exactly what they want, when they want it), there are tons of fabulous virtual gifts that everyone in your life will adore. In this list, you'll find experiential gifts for kids, the best gift baskets on the market and some of the best subscription boxes that will come in handy throughout the year.

After all, what says "I’m thinking of you" or "You’re appreciated" better than an unexpected treat in their inbox or on their front doorstep? I searched high and low for the best-selling and top-rated virtual gifts, breaking things down by categories like gift cards, subscription boxes and experiences, while also considering customer reviews and editor-approved favorites. Whether you're trying to impress the teen in your life or looking for something special for your partner, the virtual gifts below have been vetted, so you be assured the gift recipient will be pleased.

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For the Lifetime Learner

1. MasterClass Subscription

Masterclass

For your college roommate who loves becoming an expert in everything and anything, there’s Masterclass. The star-studded lecture series has been offering a variety of courses taught by successful athletes, actors, scientists, mixologists and more since 2015. Each course covers a variety of topics as the instructor moves through the lessons. Whether your pal wants to learn some acting skills from Natalie Portman or take a beginner cooking lesson from Gordon Ramsay, the gift of a one-year membership means they can take unlimited classes.

For the Sweet Tooth

2. Uncommon Goods DIY Dessert of the Month Subscription

Uncommon Goods

The sweet tooth in your life will be utterly delighted with this DIY dessert subscription from Uncommon Goods. Choose from a three- or 12-month subscription, which will send the company’s best-selling baking kits right to their door. Among the confections: Hong Kong bubble waffles, Scandinavian cinnamon buns, strawberry hand pies and mochi ice cream. Better invite yourself over.   

For the Wine Lover

3. Confetti Virtual Wine Tasting

Confetti

Wine tasting is an educational (and tasty) experience that connoisseurs will take delight in. Your recipient will receive a wine tasting kit ahead of the fun-filled session, where an expert will walk their group through a detailed tasting of each wine in the kit, while also receiving information about the region and grape type. This is definitely a fun, affordable experience that can be enjoyed directly from the comfort of their couch.

For the Craft Beer Enthusiast

4. Craft Beer of the Month Club

Craft Beer Club

If they would pick beer over wine, then you know what to do. Every month they'll be sent 12 or 24 craft beers from breweries across the country, so they can sample different flavors. Each box offers beers from two different breweries in four different beer styles, which change every month. They can even learn more about the beers, including where they originated from and what they pair well with, in the included Monthly Beer Club newsletter.

For the World Traveler

5. Tinggly Experience Gift Box

Tinggly

If you want to gift an experience, Tinggly has a bevy of them on offer for everyone in your life. From weddings to birthdays, solo trips and gap years, it’s easy to bequeath your traveler with an experience they won’t forget. Once you choose a gift box, Tinggly will mail it to the recipient’s home. Inside is a catalog of activities from which they can choose one to book through the company’s website. There’s no expiration date and exchanges are accepted. So, sit back and let them choose the bucket-list item for their next trip—Venice gondola rides, spa treatments, cooking classes and hot air balloon excursions are all on the table. (And that's just a start.)

For the New Parents (and Their Kiddos)

6. Lovevery Subscription Box

Lovevery

Take the guesswork out of trying to figure out exactly what toys are most age appropriate (or that they don’t already own) for your little niece or nephew with this adorable activity subscription box ($80 per box). There are lots of box options to choose from for newborns all the way up to 4-year-olds, and each one comes packed with toys and games to help stimulate and develop their growing minds. Add to that the fact that everything is made with sustainability in mind—i.e., organic fabrics and nontoxic paints—and you’ve got yourself a total no-brainer. (FYI: This fun play kit got a stamp of approval from our Happy Kid Awards in 2023.)

For the World Explorer

7. Ancestry Membership

Ancestry

If your kiddo has been interested in learning more about their family history, they'll love a gift membership to Ancestry. They can explore their roots with the U.S. Discovery membership or research more widely with the World Explorer tier. It'll be a fun little present to do together and discover more about your family tree.

For the Bookworm

8. Book of the Month Membership

Book of the Month

If your giftee is a dedicated book lover, they will certainly appreciate a subscription to Book of the Month, where they will receive five-to-seven editor-selected books each month. Not only will your recipient always have something new to read, they will also get the opportunity to connect with fellow subscribers to discuss what they're reading, which is another fun membership bonus they'll enjoy.

For the Salon Frequenter

9. Glamsquad

Glamsquad

If your giftee loves going to the salon, surprise her with a monthly membership to Glamsquad that will bring her favorite beauty services straight to her home. When you gift her a membership, she can expect two blowouts a month, 10 percent off any additional services (like hair, makeup and nails) and she gets to choose her beauty professional. Plus, any unused bookings can be rolled over to the next month.

For the Philanthropist

10. Charity Navigator Donations

Charity Navigator

There have never been more causes worth donating to. Not to mention, contributing in someone else’s name is a thoughtful way to show you care. In terms of where to donate, I'm a fan of Charity Navigator, a trustworthy site that investigates nonprofits and where their money is going. You can donate as little as $1 (or as much as $100,000!) to any charity on the site, and you can use the site's Charity Basket feature to donate to multiple organizations at once.

For the Sports Junkie

11. ESPN+ Membership

ESPN+

They never miss a game, so we bet they'd love watching live soccer, basketball, tennis and more events from the top leagues and tournaments any time of day. In fact, there are thousands to choose from, so they'll never be without something to watch. P.S. The membership covers up to three devices, so you can get in on it, too.

For the Avid Shopper

12. Stitch Fix Personalized Outfits

STITCH FIX

If she constantly complains about having nothing to wear, she'll love Stitch Fix. After taking a quick and easy style quiz, she's given a personalized, unique-to-her online shop with clothes curated for her personal style. She can set the price range for specific items she's looking for—from tops to dresses.  Or, she can partner with a Stitch Fix stylist who will send her a box filled with hand-selected options, which costs $20 per order but converts to a credit toward whatever she decides to keep.

Best for the Music Lover

13. Audible Gift Card

Audible

Is there any situation that can't be made just a little bit better by a great book playlist? I don't think so, and if there's someone in your life you think would agree, an Audible subscription is a fabulous way to appeal to their reader side. A free destination for educational and entertaining content, there are a variety of getting options to choose from starting with 1 month (which equals one audible credit), and going all the way to 12 months (which equals 12 credits).

For the Bloom Lover

14. The Bouqs Co. Floral Subscription

The Bouqs Co.

Flowers are a great gift for a reason: They never disappoint. The Bouqs Co. offers gorgeous blooms available as a one-time delivery or a monthly-flower subscription. If you opt for a long-term subscription for the special someone in your life, you can change the frequency from weekly, bi-weekly, monthly or bi-monthly.

For the Music Lover

15. Ticketmaster Concert Tickets

Ticketmaster

You can never go wrong with gifting a set of concert tickets for your recipient's favorite artist. Ticketmaster makes that process easy by giving you the option to either purchase tickets directly, or through a gift card with a preloaded amount that ranges from $25 to $500. If you go the gift card route, you can choose whether you want to send your giftee an e-gift or physical card, giving you plenty of options to make your shopping process a breeze.

For the Organic Eater

16. Thrive Market Grocery Membership

Thrive Market

Think of Thrive Market as a virtual grocery store. Offering more than 6,000 different products—from yummy munchies to eco-friendly cleaning products—Thrive allows your pals to stock up on snacks without leaving their houses. After they build their box, they can choose how frequently they receive deliveries and can change their order at any time. And with more than 90 different diet offerings (including gluten-free, vegan, keto and more), they'll find dozens of goodies that fit within their dietary restrictions for as low as $5 a month.

For the Zen Seeker

17. Headspace Subscription

Headspace

To help your friends and family cope with everything that’s going on in their life, give the gift of calm through a subscription to Headspace, a user-friendly meditation app. The app has hundreds of guided meditations to deal with everything from stress and anxiety to sleep management and establishing a meditation practice.. “Headspace is what I turn to when everything feels too intense," says PureWow assistant editor Delia Curtis. "I always know that I’ll feel at least a little bit better after doing one of the guided meditations."

For the Gym Buff

18. Obé Fitness

obé Fitness

OK, I know there’s some stigma around gifting, like, a treadmill, to someone who might take it as an insult. But this is so not that. You know that your old roommate has been missing the gym, so give her the gift of at-home fitness with obé Fitness’s signature 28-minute classes, all of which are quick and effective (and only $25 a month). Once she signs up, she can opt to take a live class in strength, cardio or stretching or choose one from their on-demand selection.

For the Caffeine Addict

19. Trade Gift Coffee Subscription

Trade Coffee

Perfect for your pal who starts their day with a cup of Joe, Trade Coffee will mail fresh, gourmet blends right to their doorstep. Choose anywhere between two to 24 personalized coffees hand-picked from the best roasters in the United States, and score a free bag for yourself while you're at it. Every bag is also roasted on demand and delivered at lightning to ensure ultimate freshness.

For the Beauty Guru

20. Allure Beauty Box

Allure Beauty Box

It seems like every other day your sister-in-law texts you photos of her latest makeup obsession. She’s a great candidate, then, for a beauty subscription box, which will send her new products every single month. For the ultimate beauty buff, the Allure Beauty Box is a cut above. She’ll get deluxe and full-size picks that are vetted by a team of experts, plus a mini-mag with tips and step-by-step instructions on how to use the products.

For the Amazon Prime Expert

21. Amazon Gift Card

Xavier Lorenzo/Getty Images

If Mom is constantly shopping on Amazon, surprising her with a digital giftcard to her favorite online retailer is the way to go. Choose between a standard, animated or a customized layout for the e-gift card, so you can make it extra special to suit her preferences. Gift cards start at $25 (and go up to $150) buying all her necessities with or without Prime.

Best for the Overworked and Overstressed

22. Cratejoy Self-Care Therabox Subscription

CRATEJOY

Each of these sweet care packages includes one carefully curated exercise designed to encourage a happier outlook, as well as seven full-size items intended to help them take care of themselves emotionally, mentally and physically. Picture things like gratitude journaling, candles, cleansers, sunglasses, nourishing lip balms and postcard pep talks.

For the TV Fanatic

23. Disney+ Membership

Disney+

Gifting a streaming service membership (I'm partial to Disney+ right now) means your nearest and dearest will never be without entertainment. "As a big Marvel and Star Wars fan, it was a no brainer to get a membership with Disney+. Also having Hulu is a sweet deal, so I can continue binge-watching Scandal to my heart's content," says Chelsea Candelario, PureWow beauty and cultures editor.

For the Mixologist

24. Shaker & Spoon Tastemaker Subscription

Shaker & Spoon

Get boozy with it and give your friends’ bar cart the facelift it needs. Every one of Shaker & Spoon's boxes comes filled to the brim with all of the necessities required to make tasty cocktails each month—bitters, syrups, garnishes, mixers, a recipe card and more. All they need to do is add their liquor of choice and, voila, delicious drinks made from the comfort of their own home. I'll cheers to that!

For the Sweet Treat Lover

25. Sugar Wish Sweet Treats

Sweet Treat

A little sweet treat (especially around the holidays) has never hurt anybody, and if you want to give spirit of sugar, look no further than Sugarwish. Here is how it works—you select from one of the brand's e-cards (or make your own) along with choosing what to send and the gift size. From there, they will get dozens of different treat options, and their selection will be delivered right to their front door. Sounds great, doesn't it?

For the Explorer

26. America the Beautiful Lands Pass

USGS

A fantastic option for the person in your life who seems to always be hiking, running and/or camping, the U.S. Geological Survey has a $80 pass for entry to all of America’s 62 national parks. Valid for one full year, the America the Beautiful Lands Pass covers the pass’s owner and three accompanying passengers (who have to be 16 and older) in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle. Basically, your pal and their guests can drive one car into any National Park and get in gratis. Hopefully, you’ll get invited along on an adventure or two.

For the Fashionista

27. Nuuly Subscription Service

Nuuly

Anthropologie, Free People and Urban Outfitters are some of their favorite places to shop, but you and I know they can get pricey. That’s where Nuuly comes in. The subscription service allows you to rent six styles from the aforementioned stores and many more brands every month for only $98. Oh, and there’s free shipping and free returns, meaning there are no hidden fees.

For the Foodie

28. Goldbelly Food Subscriptions

Goldbelly

Just because you can’t take them out to dinner IRL doesn’t mean you can’t treat them to a meal (and the opportunity to skip doing the dishes for one night). Goldbelly offers a mecca of different treats from across the country, with everything from the best pie places (from $65) to popular BBQ spots (from $110). Or select from a variety of subscription boxes, cooking classes or care packages put together by top chefs that they (and their stomachs) will love. Bon appétit.

"Goldbelly's curation and shipment is so top-notch that I've never been disappointed by a delivery, whether I'm enjoying Mother Clucker chicken sandwiches straight from Texas or key lime pies fresh from Miami," says Candace Davison, PureWow VP of editorial.

For the Bargain Shopper

29. Italic Membership

Italic

Italic is a membership-based site that uses the same materials and manufacturers as your fave designer clothing, accessories and home goods...all served up at prices you can actually afford. Yes, you're paying a membership fee (of only $60) just so your friend can spend more money, but trust us, it’s worth the savings they can score on luxe sunglasses, men's belts and $32 leggings that are nearly identical to a pair from Alo Yoga.

For the Aspiring Chef

30. The Chef and the Dish Cooking Lessons

The Chef and the Dish

The Chef and the Dish is like inviting a chef into your kitchen to teach you how to cook, except it’s entirely over Skype, so you can be in the comfort of your own home. You can gift one virtual private lesson (gift cards require a $100 minimum) taught by pros from around the world, who will walk them through main dishes like pho, paella and fresh pasta. Or, you can get them a monthly Class Pass subscription, so they can unlock more classes, receive personalized 1:1 with a private chef and get access to more recipes, behind-the-scenes content and more.

For the Pinterest Interior Designer

31. Art Crate Personalized Art Subscription

ART CRATE

For anyone who just bought a new house, moved apartments or just happens to love a gallery wall, this service is for them. Art Crate will set your giftee up with a curator each month to select one piece of art for their space (and provide solid decorating advice). Choose a gift card amount, which can then be applied to four different month-to-month plans based on their preferred artwork size, budget and whether they want frames or not. If they're ever unhappy with a print, Art Crate offers a money-back guarantee.

For the Gut-Conscious

32. MyGirl Wellness Better Belly Subscription

My Girl Wellness

Unexpected? Yes. Will she love it? Also, yes. The My Girl Wellness’s Better Belly System subscription comes with a probiotic that replenishes good bacteria in the gut, a digestive enzyme to aid the body in the breakdown and proper nutrient absorption of food and the brand's famous magnesium-rich "You Go Girl" supplement that regulates bowel movements and eases painful constipation. PureWow’s associate fashion commerce editor Stephanie Meraz raves, "I’ve been incorporating these into my daily routine for over two years now, and you know it’s a top-notch product when your naturopathic doctor gives it the stamp of approval after assessing the ingredients and blend."

For the Busy Fashionista

33. Daily Look Subscription

Daily Look

Daily Look is the subscription box for the fashionista who needs options. The clothing subscription box comes with 12 items in sizes from XS to 3X. There’s a $40 style fee that can be applied as credit to any purchases, with the average cost of an item being $60. Your bestie can request clothes for any occasion, business casual to classic wardrobe staples and date night. Shipments can come monthly, bi-monthly or quarterly, with the option to skip a delivery. There's also an option to preview your box before it ships, so their stylist can make any requested adjustments.

For the Staycationer

34. ResortPass

ResortPass

Whoever said you had to skip town to have a good time didn’t know about ResortPass. The platform gives easy access to luxury hotel amenities in a plethora of cities such as Los Angeles, New York and Miami. The day pass (from $25) allows you to relax on private beaches, spend the day in a spa, lounge by rooftop pools and more. It’s great for a staycation if the recipient lives in a big city like Los Angeles or New York, where it’s easy to drop into hotels like The Roosevelt and The Dominick. The pass is also great while traveling—simply reserve amenities for the cities you’ll be visiting.

For the Bravo Addict

35. Cameo Personalized Videos

Cameo

Cameo is an online service that allows you to buy personalized shout-outs from celebs and reality stars—ideal for your Bravo-obsessed coworker. The company has a roster of thousands of athletes, comedians and personalities to choose from, including Debra Messing, Billy Porter and tons of Bravo-lebrities. The stars set their own price per message, which can range from $1 to over $1,000, and you can request exactly what they say in their video.

For the Hostess

36. Party Trick

Party Trick

I know planning any gathering can be stressful, so give the hostess in your life some peace of mind. Party Trick allows you to let them take the lead on planning out their next festivities. From curated menus to helpful decor guides to fun games to play, the app puts everything in one place. Buy them the party pack for specific themes or an annual unlimited subscription.

A Thoughtful Self-Care Gift

37. Ambrosia Box Subscription

Ambrosia Box

The Ambrosia Box is a thoughtful gift that will encourage the recipient to practice the art of self-care. Each box has a seasonal theme and includes four full-sized products that span beauty and wellness, from sunscreen to bath salts, candles and artisan soap bars. No sample sizes here—Ambrosia is on a mission to help people cultivate daily rituals for mindful living.

For the Sentimental One

38. Postable Letters

Postable

When it comes to holiday notes, forget email. Send snail mail right from your phone with Postable—starting at $4. Just pick a card, write a message and Postable will send your recipients a request to input their mailing address and then handle the shipping for you.

For the Vintage Lover

39. iMemories Photo Service

iMemories

Many of us still have precious family memories stored on video tapes. If your recipient falls into this category, consider gifting them a subscription to iMemories, who will digitalize their old video tapes. Additionally, they will be able to stream and share their videos via the iMemories Cloud app, meaning they will never have to worry about important footage being lost again.

For the Bread Stan

40. Eli Zabar Bread of the Month Club

Eli Zabar

For the bread lover in your life, I recommend a membership to Eli Zabar's Bread of the Month Club. Eli Zabar is a family-owned business known for their prime selection of meat, cheese, fish, bread and sweets. With their monthly membership, your giftee will receive a different type of bread every month—from their signature French rye bread to a dozen assorted bagels.

For the Young Adult and Middle Grade Reader

41. Owl Crate Subscription

Owl Crate

Owl Crate is a book subscription focusing on young adult and middle grade literature. Each monthly box comes packed with a signed hardback, monthly magazine, pin, handwritten author letter and bookish goodies from small businesses and artists. Great for kids, teens and anyone who loves the YA genre.

For the Romantic

42. Venus et Fleur Gift Card

Venus et Fleur

Life may be like a box of chocolates, but nothing says I love you like a gift card from Venus et Fleur (which starts at $50). The brand's Eternity Rose arrangements are picked at full bloom and undergo a treatment with a non-toxic solution, non-allergenic wax and natural oils to dehydrate and preserve the flowers so they can last more than a year when cared for properly. Your giftee will love customizing their arrangement with colors and designs, and you can send them a hint that their gift card is on the way when you checkout. And if you need more incentive, our editors found this to be one of the top choices for floral delivery.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are Virtual Gifts?

Virtual gifts can be delivered electronically, often in the form of a gift card or voucher, which gives your recipient access to a service (like a streaming platform), subscription (think a coffee or book of the month) or experience. They’re notified instantly of the gift via email, though some retailers offer a physical card as well. Virtual gifts are a great idea because they can usually be sent anywhere, especially when it comes to subscription services. It’s an easy way to let someone—whether that’s a friend, faraway family member or coworker—know you’re thinking about them and appreciate them.

What to Look for in a Virtual Gift

When shopping for a virtual gift, here are some things to keep in mind:

  • Expiration: make sure that your gift recipient has plenty of time to activate their gift. Depending on the retailer, there could be no expiration date, while others will set a time limit.
  • Delivery: if you’ve subscribed someone to receive a series of products, give them a head’s up so they know to expect it. Some companies, like those that do cocktail subscriptions, may require someone over the age of 21 to sign for the package.
  • Shipping: many companies will deliver within a week, but check the policy to make sure the first shipment arrives within your desired time frame.
  • Customer reviews: before you buy, see what others are saying. Reviews can clue you in on what people really love, and any hiccups or surprises that you should expect.
  • Subscription length: do you want to gift a monthly or yearly subscription? Often, companies will offer a discount for longer subscriptions. If you do plan to give more than a one-off box of olive oil samplers or 30 days of Hulu, just make sure you’ve also got the billing straightened out. Renewals are usually automatic, so unless you’re planning to give the same thing next year, it’s best to have the gift automatically end so you’re not on the hook for remembering to cancel.

How I Chose These Virtual Gifts

I searched high and low for the best-selling and top-rated virtual gifts on the market. I broke things down by categories like gift cards, subscription boxes and experiences, while also considering customer reviews and editor-approved favorites. Whether you're trying to impress the teen in your life or looking for something special for your partner, the virtual gifts below have been vetted, so you be assured the gift recipient will be pleased.

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dana dickey

Senior Editor

  • Writes about fashion, wellness, relationships and travel
  • Oversees all LA/California content and is the go-to source for where to eat, stay and unwind on the west coast
  • Studied journalism at the University of Florida

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Associate Editor

  • Writes across all lifestyle verticals, including relationships and sex, home, finance, fashion and beauty
  • More than five years of experience in editorial, including podcast production and on-camera coverage
  • Holds a dual degree in communications and media law and policy from Indiana University, Bloomington

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PureWow's editors and writers have spent more than a decade shopping online, digging through sales and putting our home goods, beauty finds, wellness picks and more through the wringer—all to help you determine which are actually worth your hard-earned cash. From our PureWow100 series (where we rank items on a 100-point scale) to our painstakingly curated lists of fashion, beauty, cooking, home and family picks, you can trust that our recommendations have been thoroughly vetted for function, aesthetics and innovation. Whether you're looking for travel-size hair dryers you can take on-the-go or women’s walking shoes that won’t hurt your feet, we’ve got you covered.