Have you forgotten to buy a Christmas present? It happens to the best of us. But there's no need to panic. A host of thoughtful, experience-based gifts can still be purchased online at the eleventh hour, offering a perfect solution for those who are difficult to buy for or simply don't need more physical items.
Cultural Experiences and Creative Workshops
For the culture vulture in your life, consider gifting tickets to a major exhibition or show. Tracey Emin's major retrospective begins at London's Tate Modern on 27 February 2026, while a fresh take on A Midsummer Night's Dream opens at the Bristol Old Vic on 4 March. Alternatively, treat a homebody to a National Theatre at Home streaming subscription, starting from £9.99, for a year of world-class theatre.
If your recipient enjoys getting hands-on, creative workshops make a memorable present. Forage Box offers a wild food and cook workshop for £100, while companies like Experience Days provide everything from candle making to blacksmithing. Life-drawing classes, starting from around £13 in cities including London, Manchester, and Bristol, come highly recommended for sparking creativity.
Subscriptions for Food, Drink, and Relaxation
Subscription services are the gift that keeps on giving. For coffee lovers, Rise (from £25) offers ethically sourced beans with plastic-free packaging, or try Yellow Bourbon's espresso blend from £54. Wine enthusiasts will appreciate a curated selection from Majestic (from £99) or Good Pair Days (£120 for three months).
Foodie subscriptions extend beyond drinks. SimplyCook's recipe kit (three boxes for £30) delivers spice blends and recipe cards, while Gower Cottage Brownies offers a three-month letterbox subscription of squidgy brownies for £57.97. For a touch of self-care, a Treatwell or Secret Spa gift card (from £5) can be redeemed for massages and beauty treatments across the UK.
Memberships, Vouchers, and Charitable Gifts
Give the gift of access with a National Art Pass from £83, which provides entry to over 250 UK museums and galleries and 50% off major exhibitions. Cinema buffs can enjoy 2026's big releases with an Odeon gift card from £5 or a Picturehouse membership from £15.
For the person who has everything, a charitable donation can be a meaningful alternative. Twin their toilet for £60 with Toilet Twinning, providing sanitation abroad, or buy a warm blanket (£5) or school uniform (£33) via Concern Worldwide's gift catalogue.
Several retailers are still offering pre-Christmas delivery if you act fast. Next will deliver orders placed by 8pm on 22 December (excluding homewares), while John Lewis offers next-day delivery until 8pm on 22 December for an extra fee. Specialists like jewellery brand Heavenly London (cut-off 2pm, 22 Dec) and wine merchant Berry Brothers & Rudd (cut-off midnight, 21 Dec) also have last-order deadlines for festive delivery.
