13 Last-Minute Gift Ideas to Save Christmas
Oh, boy. Not again. We're only a few days away from the biggest gift-giving morning of the year, and you've gotten approximately zero shopping done. Don't worry! There are still plenty of quality gifts that can land on your doorstep in time for Christmas. At the very least, they're better than a gift card.
Serenity Adult Coloring Book
Say what you will about adult coloring books—or better yet, don’t. In these troubled times, though, there are few better ways to unwind than reconnecting with Mal and his merry crew. And since Firefly’s probably not coming back to the big or small screen, the Serenity coloring book may be the closest you can get. $10
Dark HorseRoku Ultra
It's the Cadillac of streaming media players. Not only does the Roku Ultra support future-proof specs like HDR and 4K, it also provides access thousands of channels of content---more than they could ever hope to watch. The best part, though, is that unlike some other streaming media players, Roku works equally well with iOS and Android houses. Anyone can use it, and everyone will love it. $120
Roku
Overview: A New Perspective of Earth
However good the view out the window might be, it's got nothing on what Earth looks like from very, very high above. *Overview *is a coffee-table book stuffed with 200 images that stitch together hi-res satellite photos. The result is a collection of breathtaking panoramic displays, an astronaut's view of our cities, shores, and seas. You can't see your house from here, and that's the whole point. $25
Benjamin GrantMr. Robot Season 1 Blu-Ray
The second season of Mr. Robot didn’t quite live up to the high-flying techno-dystopian vision of the first, but you know what? That’s okay! You can just watch the first again. A show this layered makes for great repeat Blu-ray viewing, or better yet, get it for someone who somehow hasn't yet met fsociety.
USA Network
Logitech Harmony Companion Remote
It’s hard to justify spending this much on a remote control for yourself, but that’s also what makes it the perfect holiday indulgence. Logitech’s Harmony Companion offers easy set-up, commands all manner of devices, and makes home theater control a totally frictionless experience. $143
LogitechGarmin Vivomove
Garmin has made terrific activity trackers for years, but in 2016 it created one that also happens to look like a very handsome traditional watch. The Vivomove tracks both your steps and how long you've been sitting still on the watch face, and syncs with a smartphone app for more robust readings. You can still pick up the "classic" version, with a leather wristband, in time for Christmas if you move fast. $100
Garmin
Eneloop Starter Pack
Okay, so batteries sound like they should rank somewhere between “socks” and “Dilbert mug” in terms of exciting Christmas gifts. But these aren’t any batteries! These are batteries that will mean you never have to buy more batteries again. Or at least, not for a long, long time. Eneloop is the first and last name in rechargeable energy, and in the long run they’ll get more use out of this starter pack than anything else under the tree.
EneloopDeath Star Ice Cube Mold
You won't find any fatal flaws hidden in the plans for these Death Star ice cube molds. Sure they're simple and a little bit silly, but they're also the perfect stocking stuffer for your favorite Star Wars fan. $11
Bessmate
Of-the-Month Club
Bacon of the month! Wine of the month! Cheese of the month! (Definitely cheese of the month.) There are too many monthly gift boxes to count, from food to clothes to drinks to books. While signing up someone for a membership doesn't offer immediate gratification, they'll get a reminder every few weeks of just how thoughtful you are.
Getty ImagesBose QuietComfort 35 Headphones
Bose knows noise-cancellation. And luckily, its new wireless QuietComfort 35 headphones don't skip a trick. Not only that, but these are the first Bose noise-canceling cans that also produce better-than-average sounds when playing music. They're our favorite new headphones of the year, and any remotely frequent traveler on your list will get years of satisfaction from them. $350
Bose
Atlas Obscura: An Explorer’s Guide to the World’s Hidden Wonders
Great website, great book. That’s pretty much all you need to know about Atlas Obscura, a collection of the world’s most special, secret, extraordinary places. Even if you don’t visit all of its gems, just knowing they exist will enrich your world. It won't be available on Amazon until the 27th, but your local brick and mortar bookstore hopefully has a copy or two in stock. $18
Joshua Foer/Ella Morton/Dylan ThurasAmazon Prime
Amazon Prime remains one of the best deals in tech---and it's also what's going to save your bacon this holiday season if you're already a member. Its free two-day shipping will get the good there in time, but it also includes access to Amazon Video, Amazon Prime Music, photo storage, and more. A year costs $99.
Amazon
Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug
Even if you view coffee as a purely transactional experience (drink = survival), what you put it in can still be transcendent. This insulated travel mug doesn't just keep hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold---it looks good doing it. Available in three sizes and four colors, there's bound to be a version that fits the on-the-go quaffer on your list. $25
Amazon