For many of us, Christmas is going to look a little different this year. There’ll be less festivities than usual and it might not be possible to see our loved ones in person. Whilst you’ll still be able to send gifts to your nearest and dearest via mail, it might be a good idea to consider virtual gifts, especially if you’re someone who tends to leave things until the last minute. Say nothing of the supply chain issues we’ve been experiencing all over the world. Things just aren’t getting to stores like they used to. To avoid that, I’ve put together a virtual gift guide to give you some inspiration this holiday season. 

E-Gift Cards 

I know, I know, gift cards can be impersonal – but they don’t have to be. Personally, I think the way to make a gift card feel special is to ensure your loved one can use it to treat themselves to something they perhaps wouldn’t normally. Go for a luxury store over something more generic. Whenever I get an Amazon gift card, I feel as though I should use it on sensible, practical purchases. A Sephora gift card, on the other hand? What choice do I have but to spend it on luxury makeup?

Subscription Box 

There’s a subscription box for virtually everything these days. Whether you’re buying for a skin care addict, a fragrance fanatic or a chocoholic, you’ll be able to treat them with a subscription that suits their interests. Best of all, they’ll continue receiving goodies long after Christmas is over. I actually saw one for Cuban treats where you get spices and other things to bring the Caribbean “flavah” to your home! This really is the (virtual) gift that keeps on giving. 

MasterClass 

If you haven’t seen MasterClass ads all over your social media, where have you been? MasterClass is an education platform offering, well, masterclasses on virtually every subject from leading experts. Whether your loved one wants to learn about acting with Natalie Portman or cooking with Gordon Ramsey, there’ll surely be something to pique their interest. You can buy a single masterclass but an all-access pass is much better value for money. I actually signed up for the all-access and thought it was amazing. I took directing master classes from Martin Scorsese and photography from Annie Leibovitz among the many.

A Streaming Subscription 

We all have a Netflix parasite (and if you don’t, it’s because you’re the parasite) so give them the gift of their own account this year. Or if you’ve got nieces and nephews, why not get them a year of Disney + and forever be known as their favorite aunt or uncle? Streaming subscriptions are one of my favorite virtual gifts. No matter which one, there’s usually something they’ll enjoy and think of you as they binge away…

National Park Annual Pass 

Virtual gifts for travel lovers can be tricky, but I think this covers it pretty well. The U.S. is home to some truly stunning national parks and with international travel limited right now, there’s never been a better time to visit them. An annual pass for America’s 2000+ national parks could be the perfect gift for a friend or relative looking to explore a little more of their own backyard. For a list of the best American staycations, check out this article. 

Video Game Digital Downloads 

You don’t need a physical copy of most video games these days. If you’ve got a keen gamer in your life, a digital download could be the perfect way to surprise them this holiday season. Just make sure you know what console they’ve got first…

A Donation 

If your loved one has a cause close to their heart, a donation on their behalf could prove to be a very meaningful virtual gift. 

Virtual Gym Membership or Fitness App 

Proceed with caution here. I don’t want to be blamed for you causing offense to your nearest and dearest with your virtual gifts! But if you are friends with a fitness fanatic, a virtual gym membership could make their Christmas. For more on the best home fitness apps, check out this article. 

Message From a Celebrity 

You can use the site Cameo to order a personalised message from your friend or relative’s favorite celebrity. How much you pay depends on how famous the star is – seasons greetings from Snoop Dogg will set you back a lot more than a quick hello from a one-time reality contestant, but it could be a really exciting way to make someone’s Christmas.

For more on the festive season, why not check out this list of the best Christmas markets in Europe?