Best last-minute gifts for 2019: Gift cards, Netflix, Disney Plus and more – CNET

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This story is part of Holiday Survival Guide 2019, featuring tips on the best ways to manage the holiday season.

Gift cards and online subscription services are two of the best and quickest last-minute gifts you can get. They’re simple to buy — many are available on Amazon — highly flexible and can accommodate a wide range of budgets. 

Read more: Holiday gift guide 2019: CNET editors’ top picks | The hottest Christmas toys 2019Best gifts under $100 this holiday season | Best gifts for 12-year-old boys in 2019 | Best holiday gifts under $50 | Best gifts for teen boys in 2019 | Best bar gifts for Christmas 2019 | Best gifts for girlfriends in 2019 

Whether you’re looking to give a practical gift, like groceries, or something more entertaining, such as a subscription to Netflix, Disney Plus or Spotify, your last-minute shopping can all be done nearly instantly and from the comfort of your home. And you can still give most of these in person — with a plastic or printed card — as well as by email or, in some cases, text message. Here are a handful of last-minute gift ideas from subscription services to stocking stuffers for everyone on your holiday list.

Disney/Screenshot by Bonnie Burton/CNET

Disney Plus gives you access to the near entirety of the Disney entertainment universe — including Marvel, National Geographic, Pixar, “classic” Disney titles and the full Star Wars library. That includes The Mandalorian, the instant hit that brought Baby Yoda to the world. And thanks to Disney’s recent purchase of Fox Studios, you’ll find the full library of The Simpsons included with this subscription service, too. The cost is $6.99 per month, but preordering 12 months of the service brings the price down to $70 — or just $5.83 per month. And because it supports four simultaneous streams and seven discreet user profiles, it’s a great gift for most families. Just keep in mind that some Verizon and Fios users will already be getting a free year to start.

You can buy Disney Plus for yourself, or give Disney Plus as a gift.

Read our Disney Plus review.

This is the most versatile gift card of them all: Amazon sells just about everything anyone might need. They’re available at price point options between $1 and $2,000, and they come in nearly every conceivable configuration i.e. physical, printable and digital — deliverable in person or sent via email, text message or US mail.

Read more: Best gifts for dad in 2019  

Zhang Peng

Apple gift cards make great last-minute gifts and are available in denominations from $25 to $200 and can be redeemed online or in an Apple store for hardware devices, software purchases and services including iTunes.

Fandango/Screenshot by Shelby Brown/CBS Interactive

Take ’em to the movies with a Fandango gift card that can be redeemed (online only, not in the theater) for tickets or to rent or purchase movies streamed to the device of their choosing. 

Angela Lang/CNET

Netflix’s HD streaming plan costs $12.99 per month. So, a $50 gift card would cover a subscription for more than three months.

Sephora

Sephora gift cards make the perfect gift for a friend or family member who loves beauty products. They can be used to buy cosmetics, perfumes and skincare products. Available in denominations from $25 to $250.

Angela Lang/CNET

Spotify’s physical gift cards are available in denominations of $30 or $60, and there’s also a $99 Spotify Premium gift card that can be redeemed for one full year of the company’s ad-free, unlimited tier of service. (Note that you can’t use these gift cards for Spotify’s student plan, which costs $5 per month and includes access to Hulu and Showtime.) 

Starbucks

Starbucks gift cards make simple and effective last-minute gifts: Use a Starbucks gift card to procure beans, snacks and baked goods or cups of coffee. Available as a physical card or email, dollar options range from $25 to $100. 

Uber

Give the gift of transportation. The company offers both digital and physical card options in denominations from $10 to $500, and you can give the gift of a ride or food delivery (through the Uber Eats service).

Walgreens

Available in $25, $50 and $100 denominations, Walgreens gift cards can be used to buy a whole bunch of things — including meds, bathroom supplies, cosmetics, wine, coffee and food. Big caveat: These last minute gifts can’t be used at Walgreens Home Medical Centers or at Walgreens.com, however, and promo coupons or codes can not be applied to gift card purchases.

Amazon

With more than 450 store locations in the US, Amazon-owned Whole Foods is a handy source for groceries and prepared foods. Pick from a variety of designs in denominations from $25 to $200.

source: cnet.com