35 Last-Minute Christmas Gifts You Can Buy on Amazon Prime
Updated: Feb. 28, 2024
There's no reason to panic if you're behind on holiday shopping! With Amazon Prime, you can get everyone on your list last-minute Christmas gifts that they'll love.
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We know you didn’t mean to end up in the position where you’re shopping for last-minute Christmas gifts. But we also know you can’t always control the hustle and bustle surrounding the holidays. It’s not abnormal to find yourself so busy that you lose track of the date or forget to pick out the Secret Santa gift. The good news is that you won’t need to take any eleventh-hour trips to overcrowded malls or superstores. Amazon Prime has plenty of last-minute Christmas gifts that will be on your doorstep in less than two days!
These aren’t bottom-of-the-barrel gifts like you might find at an in-person store that’s already been picked clean by your fellow shoppers. Amazon Prime gives you access to last-minute Christmas gifts that you quite possibly would have picked had you remembered to shop earlier.
This list of gifts has something for everyone: gifts for moms that will make them feel special, gifts for dads who love keeping busy, gifts for teens who are exploring new interests, gifts for kids that will spark their imaginations, and gifts that bring whole families together for some much-needed quality time.
For the Candle Collector: Candle Warmer
When it comes to last-minute Christmas gifts, there’s no denying this candle-warming lamp that’s gorgeous (and editor-approved!). If they’ve got one burning in every room, consider buying them this safer method of melting wax and enjoying scents. It even allows their festive Christmas candles to last a little longer than if they were to light them with a flame.
For the Hot Sleeper: Rest Evercool Comforter
There are few things in this world more important than a good night’s sleep. This life-changing comforter will keep them warm and cozy on cold winter nights, and cool and sweat-free on sweltering summer ones. Made of an innovative ultra-breathable, moisture-wicking fabric, the Evercool comforter is hypoallergenic, machine-washable and available in three subtle colors. What a comfy family Christmas gift idea!
Whether you’re looking for something funny, something thoughtful or something romantic, we’ve also rounded up the best Christmas gifts for your boyfriend .
For the Coffee Fiend: Ember Mug
It’s less than pleasant taking a sip of coffee only to realize the liquid is lukewarm—especially on a chilly winter day. The Ember mug makes sure that never happens to your loved one who loves coffee. The user can select their preferred drinking temperature on the accompanying app, and the temperature-controlled mug will stay that warm for hours. Read more about it in our review.
For the Mozz Maniac: Mozzarella & Ricotta Cheese Making Kit
Mozzarella and ricotta cheese taste best when fresh, and it’s impossible to get fresher than cheese made in your own space! This Italian cheese-making kit includes everything they’ll need but the milk: rennet tablets, citric acid, cheese salt, a thermometer, a yard of butter muslin (i.e., cheesecloth) and step-by-step instructions. (Did you know Amazon sells complete gift baskets too?)
For the King of Carving: Viking Reversible Butcher Block Cutting Board
Everything in the kitchen revolves around the cutting board, and if they don’t already have a quality one, then there’s your perfect gift! This butcher block will change the entire cooking game for the better and last them for years to come. Made of sturdy, sustainable wood, one side of the board is surrounded by a recessed groove to collect juices when carving meat. The other side has three indentations that hold exactly one cup so they can be used for mise en place. It’s great for entertaining too!
For the Budding Bartender: Bar Cart
This chic cart is good for much more than cocktails! With two rimmed tiers, it’s excellent for storing bottles, glassware and other accessories. But its easy-to-clean design also makes it an ideal stand for houseplants or caddy for kitchen tools. It arrives flat-packed and is easy to assemble. Add some nice bottles of booze and a bow, and they’ll never suspect you waited until the last minute. It’s a great Christmas gift for men.
For the Jetsetter: Collapsible Carry-On Luggage
Last-minute Christmas gifts also benefit frequent flyers. Anyone who travels often needs luggage that’s ready to go and easy to stow. This lightweight suitcase is fully collapsible, perfect for tucking behind a dresser or sliding beneath the bed. It’s sturdy and multifunctional, too, with multiple handles, pockets and 360-degree spinner wheels.
For the Brunch Bunch: Waffle Topple
Bring some fun to the table with this waffle-themed stacking game, ideal for up to six players of all ages. This compact game comes in a sturdy box that’s easy to stash in a purse or backpack, so they can bring it with them next time the whole family’s out for breakfast! At only $15, it makes a stellar Secret Santa gift.
For the Smoker: Smart Meat Thermometer
Even when it’s low and slow, cooking can be stressful. Thankfully, they’ll never have to worry about over-smoking brisket or drying out roast beef this holiday with this smart wireless digital meat thermometer. It connects to an app on their smartphone, allowing them to track their food’s internal temperature in real-time. We recommend this as a great gift for dads as well.
For the 20-Something: Spicewalla Essential Spices and Seasonings
Last-minute Christmas gifts like these premium spices from Spicewalla are roasted whole, then freshly ground right before they’re packed into these tins. The set of 18 is great for a recent college grad who’s just starting out on their own or for someone who’s on a mission to become a better cook. It includes cooking staples like cumin, smoked paprika, ancho chili powder and oregano; seasonings like sea salt, black pepper and garlic powder; and baking spices like cinnamon and ginger.
For the Wino: Square Wine Glasses
Sipping on a bottle of the good stuff never goes out of style; wine glass shapes, however, can. These square glasses for vino are totally in vogue right now, and any wine drinker will welcome this trendy addition to their collection. Pair it with a wine subscription for two of the best last-minute Christmas gifts.
For the Whole Family: Wi-Fi Digital Picture Frame
This digital picture frame simplifies displaying and enjoying photos, even if the user is “technologically challenged.” It takes less than five minutes to set up, and once connected to Wi-Fi, thousands of photos can be directly uploaded to the frame via email, app, web browser or Google Photos. Best of all, multiple devices can upload photos, so your entire family can contribute.
For the Picnicker: Adirondack Folding Chair
Crafted from sustainable solid cedar wood, this Adirondack chair withstands the elements all while exuding rusting charm. If the giftee is short on space, they won’t need to give up their front porch dreams—this wooden chair is foldable and portable, so it can easily be stowed when not in use.
For the Dancing Queen: Retro Bluetooth Stereo Speaker
They can bop wherever they go with this Bluetooth speaker that looks like a retro radio. It’s small enough to fit in a purse or backpack, and it’s perfect for portable party-starting, thanks to the USB-rechargeable battery. Its small size and vintage vibe make it the perfect teen gift and an adorable bathroom or desk accessory.
For the Sticky-Fingered Chef: Tablet Stand
Are they always struggling to reference recipes on their tablet or phone while cooking? This kitchen-friendly stand makes that a concern of the past for those kids who love to cook. The Bluetooth speakers let them listen to music and podcasts while zoning out over a stove of risotto, or they can use the enhanced audio to help them follow along with YouTube cooking tutorials. An anti-slip pad keeps it in place as they scroll through recipe sites or e-cookbooks.
For the Green Thumb: Deluxe Herb Garden Kit
They’ll always have fresh herbs to liven up their recipes with this miniature garden for their porch, fire escape, windowsill or sunny shelf. This kit comes with pots, saucers, plant markers, peat, nutrition packs, a detailed grow guide and, of course, seeds. The included varieties are oregano, thyme, lemon balm, parsley, basil, curled chervil, cilantro and rosemary.
For the Gamer: Controller Neon Sign
Need a last-minute Christmas gift that kids will love and won’t break the bank? Look no further! This colorful neon sign looks just like a Playstation controller—but way, way cooler. And because it’s made with affordable LED lights, you can give their room a glow for under $25. It comes fully assembled and ready to hang.
For the Insomniac: Sleep Headphones Eye Mask
This comfortable sleep mask has built-in Bluetooth headphones, so they can listen to soothing music, an audiobook or a guided meditation while drifting off to sleep. Made of premium memory foam, it has a breathable silky lining that stays cool all night. The headphones can be paired with any smartphone or tablet and can play up to ten hours of audio on a full charge.
For the Caribbean Cruiser: Tortuga Rum Cakes
Anyone who’s ever traveled to the Caribbean undoubtedly has a soft spot for Tortuga Rum Cakes! Baked fresh daily in the Cayman Islands, each mini cake is vacuum-sealed to preserve freshness. This sampler includes six 4-ounce cakes: Kentucky Bourbon, Dominican Mamajuana Rum, Mexican Vanilla, Blue Mountain Coffee, Caribbean Pineapple and Flor de Cana Aged Rum. Psst! See Goldbelly food gifts for more inspiration for last-minute Christmas gifts.
For the Culinarian: Hand-Pulled Noodle Kit
Sichuan Chinese food isn’t just delicious to eat—it’s fun to make, too! This hand-pulled noodle kit teaches them how to stretch, bounce and rip dough into delicate noodles for soups or noodle dishes. Each kit includes a mesh strainer, ladle, dough scraper, some red chili flakes and Sichuan peppercorns, and detailed instructions.
For the Smooth(ie) Operator: Vitamix Explorian Blender
Anyone who doesn’t already own a Vitamix blender secretly, on some level, wants a Vitamix blender. There’s a reason why our Test Kitchen picked the Vitamix Explorian Blender as one of the best blenders on the market. It’s powerful, it’s versatile, and it’s one of those small kitchen appliances that, when treated right, will last ’em a lifetime.
For the Amateur Musician: Ukulele Beginners Kit
Your musically inclined friend will welcome the opportunity to learn ukulele in their spare time! An excellent instrument to pick up at any age, this beginner’s ukulele is made of solid mahogany, with pure copper gears and Aquila strings. It includes a premium tuner machine and a full set of accessories, including a ukulele strap, picks, a portable gig bag and an extra set of strings.
For the Stylish Stormtrooper: Star Wars Wine Glasses
These Star Wars glasses let them indulge their inner nerd who goes nuts for the franchise. Featuring sleek, stylized illustrations of R2-D2, Darth Vader, Boba Fett and a Stormtrooper, these stemless tumblers have a weighted base, so they won’t have to worry about spills. Even better, these colorful images are fired—not printed—on, so they won’t fade or peel off over time.
For the Knitter: Wooden Yarn Bowl Holder
Their knitting tools should be as beautiful and beloved as the things they make. This wooden yarn bowl is handcrafted out of Indian rosewood and big enough to hold a 4-inch ball of yarn. The gloss finish is smooth to the touch so as not to create any snags or static. There are also two holes in which your knitter can stash their needles or crochet hooks.
For an MUA in the Making: All In One Harmony Makeup Kit
This massive makeup kit is a fantastic gift for a teenager who’s just starting to play with makeup, or an adult who’s looking to experiment with new looks. It comes with an astounding 168 eyeshadows, six lip glosses, two lip brushes, three blushes, a blush brush, seven sponge brushes and one mirror. (Whew!) All these cosmetics are sulfate-, alcohol- and allergen-free, so they’re good for all skin types.
For the Teenager: Slam Dunk Basketball Hamper
No more dirty laundry on the floor! With this door-mounted basketball hoop and net, kids and teens (and maybe even some adults) will have fun tossing their clothes into the hamper. When it’s time to do laundry, releasing the cord at the bottom funnels all their clothes into a basket. They’ll love you for making a dreaded chore less of a bore.
For the Requisite Cash Gift: Enigma Puzzle Box
Cash and gift cards are always welcome gifts, but they can also feel impersonal. Instead of handing them an envelope, hide their gift in this wooden box. Once you’ve slipped a gift card, check or cold hard cash into the slot, they won’t be able to get it out unless they use their wits. This puzzle box is made of solid pine with a warm walnut stain, so after they’ve solved it, they’ll be happy to keep it around. Perhaps they’ll pass it back to you next Christmas!
For the Birder: Bird House Kit
Whether they’re a kid who’s ready for their first DIY project or an adult who loves staring at the birds outside their window, they’ll love this birdhouse kit. It includes cedar shingles, precut cedar walls, nails, wood glue, eye hooks and sandpaper—all they need is a hammer! Once they’ve built their birdhouse, they can use paint and art supplies to decorate it any way they please, so it’s a great gift for crafters too.
For the Salsa Stan: Kuhn Rikon Pull Chop
Know someone who goes hard on the chips and fresh salsa every time you’re out for margs? They’ll be able to make all the fresh salsa they could ever want with this easy-to-use pull chopper. Simply load it with fresh ingredients, give the cord a few pulls to get the ultra-sharp stainless blades spinning and then grab the tortilla chips. It’s also great for kitchen prep!
For the Social Media Savant: Upgraded Phone Camera Lens Kit
With this set of phone camera lenses, they can start taking pictures in a whole new way. They’ll receive a 198-degree fisheye lens that distorts their surroundings, so they can play with perspective and get artsy with their shots. Two magnifying macro lenses let them get up close and personal with tiny treasures, like insects, flowers and leaves. Plus, a telephoto lens brings faraway objects into focus. This set also includes ultra-wide angle, PL and kaleidoscope lenses, as well as a starburst filter for light effects.
For the Bread Head: Heraclea Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
This cold-pressed extra-virgin olive oil comes from the sort of bucolic, charming Mediterranean village you see in your dreams. Heraclea uses old-world techniques when processing its olives, grown in fertile Turkish soil, into oil. This box includes a metal pour spout and two oil varietals. (If this gift suits their tastes, then so might Harry & David Christmas gifts!)
For the Zen Seeker: Portable Essential Oil Atomizer Diffuser
This waterless scent diffuser is a mess-free way for their favorite scents to follow them wherever they go. It covers up to 450 square feet of space, so they can bring it to their office, tote it to hotel rooms, or transport it around the house. It even fits in a car cupholder!
For the Barbie Girl: Vintage Apron
This vintage-inspired apron gives serious Barbie vibes without the fluorescent tones. The black-and-white striped pattern is reminiscent of the swimsuit worn by the original doll. And it’s as functional as it is pretty because it protects clothes when cooking in the kitchen, tending to the garden or cleaning up around the house.
For the Ramen Fanatic: Bachan’s Japanese Barbecue Sauce
You can find bottles of Bachan’s Japanese Barbecue Sauce at all the hottest ramen spots, where this salty, sweet, umami condiment makes just about everything taste better. Made in small batches without any artificial ingredients or preservatives, this set includes three flavors: original, citrusy yuzu and hot and spicy.
For the Fidgeter: Shape Shifting Box
The Shashibo Sensory Box is not your average fidget toy! Inside this shape-shifting box, there are 36 magnets that allow it to be twisted and formed into more than 70 shapes that will captivate their minds as well as their hands. It’s available in four patterns and colors, and they can link multiple cubes together to make bigger shapes.
Originally Published: October 11, 2023
