It’s Too Late for Shipping, But These E-Gift Cards Will Arrive on Time

For the person who moved away from their favorite bakery or brunch spot, Goldbelly will ship food from certain restaurants and other small food businesses nationwide. Writer Lauren Ro loves Goldbelly and uses it to ship brunch from New York–based Russ & Daughter’s to her parents every year.

A Milk Bar gift card will let them choose from famous confections like Milk Bar Pie and capital-B Birthday Cake.

A gift card to Whole Foods can help cover some of the store’s infamously pricey produce — or they can pick up lunch in the prepared-foods section.

So they can order their favorite takeout after a long day.

DoorDash is another excellent option for getting pho, pizza, or pad Thai delivered straight to their door.

Ditto for Grubhub.

It’s what America runs on, after all.

According to Ghetto Gastro co-founder Jason Gray, Salt Fat Acid Heat author Samin Nosrat keeps Fly by Jing’s Sichuan Chili Crisp out on her kitchen counter.

As a tinned-fish convert, I certainly wouldn’t mind receiving a gift card to buzzy seafood company Fishwife. (In fact, the brand’s collab with Fly by Jing made the list of my top five tinned fishes.)

If they need any suggestions of what to buy with a Golde gift card, we’re big fans of the Superwhisk and the Turmeric latte blend.

Here’s one for the soup, sandwich, and salad heads.

Everyone gets a craving for a Chipotle burrito every once in a while.

A Starbucks gift card is certainly not the most original gift — and we’ve made fun of them before — but you know it will get used (and definitely appreciated) by a bleary-eyed college student, teacher, or sleep-deprived parent.

So they can indulge in the infamously maximalist menu and order all the chicken-parm pizzas, fried mac-and-cheese balls, and slices of white-chocolate raspberry-truffle cheesecake their heart desires.

When Strategist writer Arielle Avila scanned teen Discord servers, Roblox was mentioned more than any other game. A gift card lets them use Robux for in-game customizations, upgrades, VIP access, and more.

An iTunes gift card might be outdated, but an Apple gift card is quite useful. You can put it toward a new laptop, AirPods, or any other electronics or accessories sold by Apple,as well as pay for an Apple Music or Apple TV+ subscription.

If you can’t tell the difference between Gods of War and Gears of War, you should probably just give your favorite gamer a gift card.

For the person who’s always gotta have the newest gizmo.

Steam hosts over 100,000 games, so your giftee is guaranteed to find something to spend it on.

For the person currently subsidizing five different streamers.

Tween Minecraft fans will appreciate Minecoins currency cards to purchase new skins or textures packs.

For anyone who’s been forced to make their own account after Netflix’s password-sharing crackdown.

Help the cord cutter in your life upgrade to Hulu+, which comes with live TV.

A gift that everyone from your Billie Eilish superfan niece to your Swiftie cousin to your Dead Head dad will enjoy.

For the movie buff whose idea of a perfect Saturday is sneaking into three screenings in a row.

For the avid reader who likes to support small businesses.

For the big thinker who would love the chance to shop from the New York Review of Books’ highly curated catalogue of both classics and new works.

According to the Strategist staff, the Gapaissance is upon us.

We’ve heard over and over that Abercrombie is unexpectedly excellent right now as well.

Simply — and perfectly — designed T-shirts, casual pants, sweaters, and accessories for men and women.

A J.Crew gift card would be a welcome present for someone who wants to refresh their basics. The retailer makes several Strat-recommended pieces for both men and women.

Quince’s cozy loungewear, made from luxe cashmere and French terry, will keep them warm all winter long. A gift card will let them pick their preferred color and size — or choose something else from the retailer’s vast selection of clothing, jewelry, and home goods.

From its home offerings to clothing for the entire family, anyone will be able to make use of an H&M gift card — and get a lot out of it with the brand’s affordable pricing.

Get them this gift card, then send them our guide to all the best things to buy at Nike.

They can get a Strategist-approved puffy laptop case, a chic leather bucket bag, or the classic reusable nylon tote.

Stocked with comfortable-yet-cute basics, Brandy Melville is still a top shopping destination for teen girls.

Garage’s baggy jeans and baby tees are also highly coveted among the tween and teen set.

For the person who likes their clothing to come with Amazon-fast shipping.

If they’re anything like Strategist writer Tembe Denton-Hurst, who checks the retailer’s website daily, they’ll be happy to have this ASOS gift card to cover their next haul.

For those looking to expand their “Bushwick Birkin” collection.

An especially good last-minute gift for the hard-to-shop-for teenager.

Streetwear purveyor End is brimming with affordable designer finds, so a gift card here should go a long way.

Zappos is a one-stop-shop selling clothes, shoes, and accessories for the entire family, which makes it perfect for nearly any fashion-forward giftee.

Casetify offers so many custom case designs and collections to keep phones, tablets, and laptops protected that it’s probably best to just let them choose their favorite.

Whether they want a Super Puffor TikTok-famous vegan-leather pants, this gift card will help get them there.

Gift a fashion-obsessed friend a Zara shopping spree so they can indulge in all the oversize blazers and leather jackets their heart desires.

In addition to Anthropologie’s in-house brands, your recipient will be able to shop labels like Mother, Levi’s, Sunday Riley, and more. The brand’s own employees have also said great things about the housewares, which they often buy for themselves — especially the candles and glassware.

Whether they’re tall, short, or curvy, Madewell has a pair of jeans (and a ton of other Strategist-favorite clothing) that will suit them.

So they can pick out a pair of oversize barrel jeans, some breathable running shorts, or a beachy linen dress.

According to several teens we’ve spoken to, Lisa Says Gah is the perfect place to get hair clips for a “Phoebe Buffay or any girl who fits the wacky artistic-but-cool archetype.”

For the fashionista on your list whom you wouldn’t dare shop for, this Danish fashion brand serving up effortless cool-girl style definitely won’t disappoint.

Supply the gift card, and leave it up to the stylish person (or Pookie fan) on your list to decide what they want from Revolve.

For the person who loves classic leather goods.

So they can treat themselves to some sculpting shapewear or some cozy loungewear.

For someone stylish looking to switch up their specs.

For the person who loves to sleep in, we love Lunya for its machine-washable silk sets and cooling cotton PJs, among other things.

From the CloudKnit sweatpants to the MegaFleece to the exercise dress, Outdoor Voices has plenty of Strat-approved apparel to choose from, for both men and women.

Alo Yoga’s sleek matching sets have become the unofficial “clean girl” uniform.

Any sporty — and sustainable — giftee will love shopping Girlfriend Collective’s collection of athleisure made from recycled plastic bottles.

For that sports bra, yoga mat, or must-have belt bag.

We’ve been recommended Patagonia’s stylish-yet-durable bags, shorts, and windbreakers so many times we’ve lost count.

It’s hard to think of someone who wouldn’t benefit from the chance to add a few more of Uniqlo’s high-quality basics to their wardrobe.

Don’t know their size? Don’t worry. Size-inclusive label Universal Standard will have them covered from size 00 to 40.

For the person who’s been carrying around the same wallet since college.

For when you want to get them a Boat and Tote but aren’t sure what monogram (or ironic phrase) they’d prefer.

A tip from Strategist contributor Erika Veurink: “The Lands’ End you buy now stands a strong chance of becoming an eventual heirloom,” so you can feel confident that gift card will get them a high-quality present.

Maya Brenner’s delicate necklaces and bracelets are endlessly customizable with charms, initials, and birthstones, so they can create a piece that’s tailored to them.

Whether they’re looking for a new pair of hoops or an engagement ring, Mejuri has it all.

In addition to straightforward gift cards, BaubleBar has gift cards for specific items like custom bracelets, phone cases, hair clips, or necklaces for a more personal touch.

For the inveterate overpacker.

For the person planning an elaborate winter getaway.

Or go with an Airbnb gift card if they’ve already accrued enough airline miles to last a lifetime.

For the person who loves going to see their favorite artists and teams play live.

They can use this gift card on a ride to the airport (bonus: It will work for for food deliveries, too).

Or you could give them credit toward their next Lyft ride, through the app where they can also rent a Citi Bike.

57Hours will help your recipient plan everything from ski day trips to a 21-day mountaineering expedition in Argentina.

Give your workout buddy the chance to try something new with a gift card to ClassPass.

The makeup-and-scent emporium is a paradise for beauty enthusiasts. (Don’t forget to point them to our lowdown of which products are the best bang for your buck.)

Our beauty writer Rio Viera-Newton is “psychotically obsessed” with Ulta, and especially with how it offers both drugstore and luxury brands side by side.

Give the gift of no-makeup makeup and glowing skin.

So they can stock up the brand’s Instant Angel cream, which Strategist writer Tembe Denton-Hurst calls “the perfect moisturizer.”

For those with ingredient sensitivities, all the products carried at Credo Beauty are guaranteed to be clean and cruelty-free.

If their bathroom cabinets are filled with sheet masks and serums, they’ll probably be delighted by the gift of K-beauty from Soko Glam.

A gift card to shop Big Night’s hip kitchen essentials would be perfect for the friend who’s always hosting dinner parties.

From blobby candles to gradient puzzles, there are tons of cool home and lifestyle items to choose from at Areaware.

Contemporary home and design store Coming Soon helped spawn a whole host of copycats carrying Gaetano Pesce and Maison Balzac.

There’s no better housewarming present than a gift card to the MoMA Design Store.

For anyone who might appreciate some especially colorful, pro-canna home goods and accessories.

For the person who collects old Jet magazines and has been trying to get their hands on an original Black Panther Party newspaper.

For your friend who always has a Slow Burn candle on deck.

The plant parent in your life will be delighted at the idea of getting a new green baby (or some new tools to help them care for the existing ones).

So they can upgrade to linen sheets or get a new bathrobe.

We love Brooklinen’s linen bedding, as well as its oh-so-soft cotton sheets.

This gift card will let them choose between relaxing bath salts, a massage-oil candle, or a Strategist-approved vibrator.

Phoebe Wahl’s charming cards, calendars, and coloring books are highly collectible.

The stationery nerd in your life will go wild over Ban.do’s stickers and notebooks.

In our roundup of the 100 best pens, Baron Fig’s Rollerball came out on top. But the New York City–based company makes a bunch of other great office gear, too, to upgrade their WFH situation.

With this gift card, they’ll be able to shop big-ticket furniture items as well as a range of curated artist collaborations.

For the person whose art is tacked to the wall with push pins.

The newly engaged couple on your list will be overjoyed with whatever dent this makes in their wedding expenses.

For the person who scorched all their pans learning how to cook.

If you’re looking for a gift card for a more experienced home chef, Material Kitchen makes sculptural-looking cookware (and its Japanese-style knife is a real knockout).

Great Jones’s good-looking cookware has been approved by multiple experts for its durability and how easy it is to clean.

Instagram-friendly cookware brand Our Place makes some of our favorite drinkware, as well as a range of do-it-all pots and pans.

For the person who spends all summer grilling and hanging out in the backyard.

The coffee connoisseur in your life will get to pick out exactly what they want from Fellow with this gift card, but we’re big fans of the brand’s grinder and Stagg electric kettle.

If you’re not sure which Squishmallows they already have in their collection, go with a gift card so they can pick out their next BFF themselves.

Fat Brain Toys carries oodles of educational toys that challenge and inspire, like DIY racetracks and brainteasing puzzles.

From wooden playsets to dress-up costumes, Melissa & Doug’s toys are well made and classic.

For the shopper who always looks forward to Nordstrom’s Half-Yearly and Anniversary sales.

So they can pick up everything from cleaning gear to the perfect cords.

At Macy’s, they’ll be able pick out whatever they want in any number of categories — from clothing to beauty products to homewares.

For the person who’s about to renovate.

Handy types would appreciate a gift card to Home Depot, too.

Goody is a gifting platform where your recipient can pick out something they love from a variety of Strategist-approved brands, including Malin + Goetz, Dagne Dover, and Graza.

For the person who spends all their money on their pet anyway.

Hard-to-shop-for guys will find everyday wear as well as gear for just about any outdoor activity at Huckberry.

An REI gift card will help ensure they have all the gear they need for their next outdoor adventure.

It’s like gift-card inception — a gift card that can be redeemed for dozens of different retailers.

Whether they’re lovers of crocheted trivets, face planters, vintage jewelry, or all of the above, Etsy has just about everything their heart could desire.

If you’re not sure what your recipient is into these days, Target is a safe bet, as the store carries everything from beauty products to electronics to home décor.

Same goes for Walmart.

When you’re at a complete loss, a gift card to Amazon will get the job done.