Maybe your work bestie’s birthday is just a few days away. Or your anniversary with your partner is next week and you’re blanking on ideas. Then there are the holidays, coming up fast and bringing a whole list of friends and family to shop for. If that sounds a little too familiar and you’re scrambling for last-minute gifts, don’t worry. Being short on time doesn’t mean your gift has to feel rushed or impersonal. These low-effort, high-impact gift ideas might just save the day. They check all the boxes of the best last-minute gift: thoughtful, personal, useful, and no weeks of planning needed. Best of all, most can be ready instantly with Best Buy’s Quick and Easy Store Pickup.
Need a last-minute gift fast?
Don’t overthink it. Start with their routine. What do they do every day, and what could make it a little easier, more enjoyable, or more comfortable?
- For the coffee lover, an espresso machine can turn their daily coffee ritual into something they actually look forward to.
- For someone who’s constantly at their desk, a tech pouch, earbuds, or another small upgrade to their setup can go a long way.
- For the person who’s always on the go, try something practical like an AirTag, portable speaker, or smart water bottle.
- For the person who could use a little more downtime, self-care gifts like a massager and a hair styling tool can be great options.
- And if you genuinely have no clue, there’s nothing wrong with a gift card. Sometimes the most useful gift is letting someone choose for themselves.
Now for the fun part.
Last-minute gifts for the music lover
Whether they’re spinning old records, making playlists, or bringing music everywhere they go, these gifts keep the good vibes going.
Audio-Technica turntable
Maybe it’s your uncle with the sacred vinyl collection, or that friend who’s at Sunrise Records every single weekend “just browsing.” A quality turntable like this one from Audio-Technica brings their favourite albums to life with that crisp, warm sound only vinyl can deliver. And you don’t need to hunt down rare pressings to make it special—pair it with a couple of classic albums and boom, your gift is set.
JBL Go 4 Bluetooth speaker
A portable speaker is a great gift for just about anyone. The JBL Go 4 is small enough to toss in a bag but loud enough for a kitchen jam sesh and beach days. Plus, it’s waterproof, dustproof, and splashproof—built for people who do not treat their tech gently.
Skullcandy Smokin’ Buds true wireless earbuds
For the friend who literally cannot leave the house without their earbuds (hi, it’s me), the Skullcandy Smokin’ Buds are a no-brainer. They’re super affordable, come in adorable colours, and deliver 20 hours of continuous playtime, so you can tune out the world from packed trains in the morning to gym workouts at night.
Last-minute gifts for the perpetually running late
For the friend who’s always racing the clock, these little upgrades can make busy mornings feel a bit less chaotic.
LARQ PureVis 2 water bottle with smart sensor
This smart bottle is perfect for that friend who refuses to drink tap water because it “tastes weird.” By using mercury-free UV-C LED technology, it purifies both the water and the bottle, helping keep everything clean and fresh. Drinks stay ice-cold for up to 24 hours, so there’s no more sad room-temp water.
Plus, it tracks how much water you’re drinking with smart sensors, and the LARQ app keeps tabs on hydration habits. Perfect for your perpetually busy friend or anyone who needs a little push to stay hydrated.
Dyson Airwrap i.d multi-styler & dryer for the always-late friend
The Dyson Airwrap i.d. doesn’t just look great; it actually makes a good hair day possible every single day, even for the ones who wake up with wild, frizzy hair. Its intelligent heat control, Coanda-effect styling, and versatile attachments dry, curl, smooth, and shape hair effortlessly while keeping it protected from damage. Perfect for someone who’s always running late but still wants to look flawless.
Last-minute gifts for the “I don’t have time to cook” crowd
For anyone who wants homemade food without spending their whole evening in the kitchen, these kitchen gadgets do the heavy lifting.
Philips 2000 Series air fryer for the takeout regular
My roommate actually cried when she won this air fryer at a company Christmas party a few years ago—and it’s still the most loved gadget in our house, especially for someone whose cooking skills peak at “burnt broccoli.” It turns chicken, veggies, and more into crispy, juicy meals with almost no oil.
Now, I can’t guarantee your friend will cry, but they’ll definitely be impressed.
Blendtec total blender – 2.6L – Only at Best Buy
A good, strong blender is a kitchen must-have, and this one doesn’t disappoint. Its 3.0 peak horsepower motor crushes tough ingredients like ice easily, and with settings for everything from smoothies and ice cream to hot soups and batters, it makes whipping up anything a breeze. Who wouldn’t love it? And if they don’t… well, I’ll happily take it off your hands.
Last-minute gifts for the $7-a-day coffee drinker
If their morning doesn’t officially start until they’ve had coffee, you might as well bring the café home.
Philips 5500 fully automatic espresso machine
Mmm, just the thought of a fresh cup of coffee in the morning gets me out of bed every day—that’s what we live for! From a wake-me-up espresso to a creamy, silky latte at noon, the Philips 5500 takes care of it all. You can even customize your coffee just the way you like it—strength, size, and milk froth level all tailored to perfection.
Breville Barista Express Impress espresso machine
If you couldn’t tell already, I’m a little obsessed with coffee—and let’s be honest, so is everybody on your gift list. The Barista Express Impress espresso machine doesn’t just have a name that rolls off your tongue; it delivers chef’s-kiss-worthy results.. With low pressure pre-infusion and nine-bar extraction, it brings out the best flavour in every bean. Plus, its intelligent dosing system automatically calculates the perfect amount based on your last cup, so it’s always ready for the next one.
Last-minute gifts for the ones who desperately need a break
For the friend who’s always working, rushing, or doing something for someone else, these gifts remind them to slow down.
Therabody TheraFace Mask Glo LED skincare mask
The Therabody LED mask delivers a full-face treatment in just 12 minutes, using red, infrared, and blue light to target fine lines, uneven tone, and mild to moderate acne. And because it comes with a gentle scalp massage, they can sit back, relax, and let the mask do the work.
DEXTRA cordless hand massager
For the person who spends all day typing emails, writing proposals, and working through spreadsheets, their hands deserve a little PTO too. DEXTRA gives those overworked fingers a much-needed break. Acupressure, air compression, heat, and vibration help relax tired, stiff hands, while the cordless design makes it easy to unwind anywhere.
Looking for more gift-worthy tech? Check out our ReAthlete Drinq, DEXTRA, and Counto fitness tech review for more ideas!
Taylors of Harrogate specialty teas box (48 tea bags)
You can’t go wrong with a quality tea sampler. This set comes with English Breakfast, Decaffeinated Breakfast, Assam, Earl Grey, Lemon & Orange, Green Tea with Jasmine, Organic Peppermint, and Organic Chamomile. Whether you need to wind down or wake up, there’s a blend for every mood.
More last-minute gifts they’ll love
Garmin Forerunner 55 smartwatch for the fitness-focused friend
Do they want to get into running or take their training to the next level? The Garmin Forerunner 55 makes it simple. Built-in GPS tracks their pace, distance, and route, while daily suggested workouts, recovery time, race predictions, and PacePro help take the guesswork out of training. It also tracks steps, calories, sleep, and heart rate for everyday wellness.
Peak Design tech pouch for the cable hoarder
Is their backpack always a mess? Full of rogue chargers, tangled headphones, and mysterious cables? This Peak Design pouch keeps all those essentials organized, so grabbing the portable charger takes just two seconds.
Best Buy gift cards for anyone
Okay, a gift card might not exactly scream personal, but sometimes you just don’t know what they want. Why not play it safe and give them options? Pick a design and value, then send it right away by email. Usable online or in-store, it’s the easiest win-win gift ever!
You still have time
See? You weren’t doomed.
A last-minute gift can still be thoughtful when you choose something that connects to the person you’re giving it to. Whether they’re a coffee addict, aspiring runner, beauty lover, or someone who simply enjoys a quiet night at home, there’s a difference between buying something quickly and buying something thoughtlessly.
And if you’ve truly run out of time, there’s no shame in the gift card. Sometimes the most considerate thing you can give someone is the chance to choose exactly what they want.
Need more inspiration? Explore our Shop & gift page for even more gift ideas.
