Ten thoughtful last-minute gifts that take only minutes to buy | Canada Voices

Surprise, it’s the end of December!

Despite many of us having participated in the hoopla of the holiday season for decades by now, conversations over the past week have followed the inevitable pattern of people discussing the date and declaring, “There is no way I’m going to get everything done by Christmas.”

So if the calendar sneaked up on you, you are certainly not alone. And whatever the reason (party schedules, illnesses and a Canada Post disruption come to mind), it might also mean you need a few ideas when it comes to last-minute gift giving.

We know gift cards aren’t for everyone, and we’re not about to suggest the ones in the grocery store aisle that cover off your basic necessities, whether those are streaming services, food delivery, books or restaurant chains.

Instead, we have suggestions that are more niche to give people real-life experiences, delivered in the form of an e-gift card that can go from your browser to your loved one’s inbox in mere seconds.

For the one who’s a lifelong learner

A year-long MasterClass subscription gives access to more than 200 classes that range from a script course with Mindy Kaling to cooking with Wolfgang Puck to wilderness survival with Jessie Krebs.

Price: From $156 (sale price may vary)

Get it here

For the one who still loves paper products

Other than suggesting a subscription to The Globe (not-so-subtle hint here), you can also buy your paper-loving pals a voucher to Pocketmags, where they can choose from hundreds of magazine titles.

Price: From $8 to $60

Get it here

For the one who’s a digital reader

If you have someone in your life who is more inclined toward e-readers, there are gift cards galore to support their literary habits. Two of the most popular brands, Kobo and Kindle, each offer options, both found on Amazon.ca (which also owns Kindle).

Price: From $5 (for Kindle) or $25 (for Kobo) to any price

Get a Kobo one here or Kindle (Amazon) here

For the one who doesn’t pamper themselves enough

We all know the type – the person who does a million things for everyone else, but rarely takes the time to think about themselves. The beauty of a gift card to Wayspa, which they can use at top spas across the country, is that it will feel like a waste not to use it, and there’s nothing they hate more than waste.

Price: Any amount

Get it here

For the one who’s heading on a trip

The Gifting Owl card is a smart idea for people who are travelling this year, and who may not want to spend the extra cash on an excursion while they’re away. The site offers more than 12,000 experiences around the world, from sightseeing tours in New York to surf lessons in Sydney – and there are plenty of options to be had in Canada, too.

Price: From $50 and up

Get it here

For the one who’s a foodie – or a wannabe foodie

We’re all inundated with the millions of recipes to be found online, so wouldn’t it be nice to get a curated food experience for once? An Insider membership to Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street riffs off the popular cooking show to give fans live cooking classes, a magazine and advice on any of your kitchen troubles.

Price: US$69.95

Get it here

For the one who’s watched everything on Netflix

There comes a point in every streamer’s life when they’ve reached the end of their recommendations – and that’s when they need Mubi, the service that offers a curated list of international films, including many hard-to-get options.

Price: $49.99 for three months; $129.99 for a year

Get it here

For the one who has dreams of being a rock god

Fender Play is perfect for the aspiring musician (specifically, guitarist) who’s interested in gaining skills but not yet ready to head out into the world to get them. They can choose from online lessons or dedicated classes with a specific instructor, all under the umbrella of the iconic Fender brand.

Price: From $25US and up

Get it here

For the one who just found running

Longtime runners extol the virtues (and their addictions) to Strava, where they can record runs, participate in competitions and talk to other members of the community, both near and far.

Price: US$99.99 per year

Get it here

For the one who’s in the middle of a renovation

You’ve listened to the discussions about which walls to take down and which appliances will look best alongside each other, but you know your friend is going to need some design help when their reno is finally done. Give them a Room Edit card, where they can get an interior designer’s expert eye on their plans, from one single room to a whole house worth.

Price: $50 to $1,000

Get it here