In a real “blink and you missed it” turn of events, Christmas is just four calendar days away. If you’ve yet to cross everyone off your holiday shopping list, time is quickly running out to place online orders. It’s just about too late for shipping, and most gifts won’t get to you on-time, even if you pay extra for two-day shipping. But you can still order to pick up in-store at a bunch of different merchants, including Best Buy and Nordstrom, and Amazon is still shipping some items by Christmas. (Just be sure to double-check at checkout: Arrival times vary depending on your location, so something that’s showing up as arriving before Christmas for me might not be the case for you, especially on Amazon.)
If you’d like a complete list of the absolute last day to submit holiday orders, you can check out our coverage here, and find all of our holiday gift guides here. In the meantime, here are some gifts you can buy now and still receive by Saturday, December 24. But don’t dillydally, as stock and availability is constantly changing.
Toy and play expert Chris Byrne says that anything Bluey is a winner this year — like this play set, which comes with its own snazzy case.
Strategist technology writer Jordan McMahon has tried every single Kindle since 2013 — and says that this one is “the gold standard.” It’s on sale and will still arrive on time, so they can spend their break reading.
Here’s an activity to do together over winter break — and you’ll get some fun soap out of it.
Publicist and mom of two Sonya Li Casino says this LED star projector was a hit with her son, who received it as a gift for his third birthday. “We love turning it on before bed and just watching the light show,” she says. “It’s really mesmerizing and relaxing.”
We have no idea if they work, but the person who couldn’t take their eyes off of Kourtney Kardashian’s Italian wedding this summer would appreciate these gummies.
You can’t go wrong with a pair of AirPods, beloved by teens, athletes, and tech writers alike. Just a heads-up that today is the last day to order from Best Buy for Christmas delivery, but you can pick up in-store right up until Christmas Eve.
Whether they sip on tea, coffee, or hot chocolate, they’ll appreciate never having to gulp down a lukewarm cup again.
A powerful blender from expert-recommended Vitamix looks great perched on any kitchen countertop — and this one has a whopping 64-ounce capacity.
If you order by 3 p.m. ET on December 24, you can pick up your online order in your local Nordstrom or Nordstrom Rack (pending availability). Our suggestion? Fuzzy slippers from makers of some of the plushest blankets.
Or, if you want to gift one of those plush blankets, we’re confident it’ll be a great gift for the hard-to-shop-for teenage girl in your life.
Gift (heavily discounted) coziness with these gray Nordstrom pajamas.
I think you should treat yourself to this half-off sweater that’s slouchy but not schlubby (and would be very cute on Christmas morning).
If you still need a Secret Santa gift for your college-age cousin, here’s a fairly safe — and under $25 — bet.
Over at Anthropologie, in-stock items — including these not-so-basic tapered candles — are guaranteed to arrive by December 23 if you order by 9 a.m. ET on Thursday, December 22, and select express shipping ($17).
That shipping guarantee includes sale items, which are an extra 40 percent off, making this cuddly throw just $54.
Let your little one primp and preen with you without sacrificing any real beauty products to their routine.
Everlane has express shipping, so this lovely sky-blue zip-up can still make an appearance under the tree.
A stylish backpack that’s polished enough to be a workbag but sturdy enough to bring on a hike.
The last day for expedited shipping from Sephora is December 22, though some products qualify for free same-day shipping with the code FREESAMEDAY if it’s in stock nearby. We found another Urban Decay palette for half-off last week, but if you’re into the classics, the Naked3 has 12 rosy-toned neutral eye shadows.
Full-size fragrances are 20 percent off with the code FRAGRANCE20. We like this not-quite-perfume perfume if you’re into subtle scents.
Sephora’s clearance section has a lot of very nice gift sets. This duo from clean skin-care brand Youth to the People contains toner and a face mask to gently exfoliate chapped winter skin.
This gift set has a scalp-scrubbing shampoo and the hair mask that Rio Viera-Newton says moisturizes her “sad” hair “without creating any heaviness.”
The latest you can place orders for delivery at Ulta is at 1 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 22, or you can choose to order online and pick up in person if you submit by December 24 at 3 p.m. local time. That means you still have time to order the Drybar hair-straightening brush that Sarah Michelle Gellar says she loves to give as a Christmas gift.
Over at REI, orders will still arrive in time if you choose “Fastest Shipping” before 9 a.m. PT on December 21. A cozy Patagonia fleece is a great gift for an avid camper.
For folks who are already dreaming about the next beach day, this Yeti backpack has enough room to fit six bottles of wine (and a picnic lunch). This bright purple will also be easy to spot in the great outdoors.
Today is the last day for domestic next-day shipping at Shopbop. Here’s a classic beanie for just $8 if you’d like to spend less …
And if it’s really too late, get 25 percent off when you give the gift of an Areaware Gift Card worth $50 or more with code GIFTCARD25 at checkout.
The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
