Short on time or wrapping paper? Consider one of these thoughtful digital Father’s Day gifts
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Remember when your dad told you not to panic while teaching you how to drive as you were merging onto the freeway? Well, we’re about to tell you the same thing. Except this time, we’re not trying to teach you how to survive a busy merge — we’re trying to help you find a Father’s Day gift that will actually arrive in time for Sunday, June 21.
The holiday showed up faster than expected this year (OK, we’re mostly saying that to make you feel better, but we get it, life gets busy), so if you haven’t locked in a present yet for your dad, or the father figure in your life, there’s still time. A digital gift can show up almost instantly and includes everything from restaurant deliveries and coffee subscriptions to weekend getaways and other things he’ll actually use.
At a Glance: The Best Digital Father’s Day Gifts to Buy Online
Sure, we did put together a very comprehensive list of the best Father’s Day gifts, and some of those may even offer expedited shipping that lands on his doorstep right on Sunday. But if you don’t want to take the chance, we recommend grabbing something from this list instead; guaranteed to reach him on time, so he never has to know you spent a little longer than planned trying to figure out what to get the man who raised you.
Who knows, he might even like one of these digital gifts more than something tangible, especially if he’s the type of guy who says he doesn’t need anything and then quietly buys himself exactly what he wanted two weeks earlier. In that case, everybody wins.
The Best Digital Father’s Day Gifts to Buy Online
From cooking classes to overnight stays, these are the best last-minute gifts that can still arrive in time for the main event.
For the Learner
MasterClass
Get up close and personal with some of the world’s most famous newsmakers and artists through a subscription to MasterClass, an online learning platform that taps everyone from celebrities to CEOs for on-demand classes you can take from home. The platform has classes from Metallica, Kris Jenner, Kevin Hart, Stephen Curry, and hundreds more. Right now, you can get 50% off for Father’s Day.
Uncommon Experiences
Uncommon Experiences offers digital classes on astrology, music, cooking, and even mindfulness, all taught by experts. All you have to do is pick the date, fill in the info, and you’re good to go. Uncommon Goods will send an email with the video call link before the class begins.
For the Coffee-Lover
Trade Coffee Subscription
There are lots of coffee subscription services out there now, but Trade is one of the best. They have a few gifting options, all of which set up deliveries of coffee on your scheduled day. Plus, with Trade, your dad will actually get coffee they’re likely to enjoy, instead of a random selection.
Doordash Dashpass
DoorDash is a last-minute gifting secret weapon. Sure, the delivery service offers plenty of gift cards (and you can grab a 30-day free trial), but the better move for Dad might be DashPass. DoorDash’s membership program comes with perks like free delivery, member-only deals, and best-in-class support.
If your dad would rather spend a little less time standing over the grill and a little more time planning his next getaway — without worrying about grocery runs or last-minute errands — DashPass is the kind of gift that keeps showing up long after Father’s Day.
Flower delivery
The Bouqs
Yes, dads deserve flowers too. But if you can’t drop them off yourself, you can always turn to The Bouqs. The straightforward service, seen on Shark Tank, helps make flower delivery easier and better for both parties.
For the Traveler
Airbnb Gift Card
If they’re an avid traveler (or just need a little motivation to take a trip), consider a gift card to Airbnb. The gift card can be used for one of Airbnb’s thousands of stays or put towards an Airbnb experience.
for the reader
Book of the Month Club
Book of the Month Club makes the ideal gift for any book lover — especially those who don’t want to spend hours searching for their next great read or feel like they’ve already been through everything. The service offers three gifting options: three, six, or twelve credits. Once your dad redeems his gift code, he can choose from a special selection of books each month, and his pick will be delivered straight to his door.
For the Cook
FreshDirect Gift Card
Give your dad the gift of home cooking with a gift card to FreshDirect. A digital card gives access to over 15,000 fresh foods and pantry items that he can order at his fingertips. FreshDirect gift cards, delivered electronically, are the easiest way to buy a loved one dinner — and breakfast, lunch, and snacks, too.
for the stressed-out
Headspace
Few gifts are better than a healthier mind. Headspace has done just that for thousands of users, helping people meditate, fall asleep, and manage anxiety. Their audio experiences are very well-produced and quick, offering an easy intro to meditation for anyone.
Future Personal Training
Future connects users with professional personal trainers digitally, meaning your giftee can train whenever and wherever they want. It’s very reasonably priced and includes trainers for any discipline, be it strength training, calisthenics, or yoga.
The Chef & The Dish Virtual Cooking Lesson
The Chef & The Dish lets anyone learn how to cook authentic, regional food from a professional chef. Your giftee’s lesson will be taught over a video call, and a Kitchen Assistant will contact them before the lesson to run through a shopping list and provide tech support. The Chef & The Dish allows you to explore food from 16 different regions of the world, including Brazil, Peru, Japan, the Caribbean, and America.
Rosetta Stone
Rosetta Stone is the OG online language-learning platform, and it’s still one of the best. Right now, the service is running a deal on its lifetime membership, which includes lessons in 25 languages. The service’s best deal is a lifetime subscription to all languages for $399, but there are also more affordable options for shorter subscriptions and single-language packages.
For the (Audio)book Worm
Audible Membership
Once you get into audiobooks, you’re not sure what you were doing before. If your dad hasn’t been converted yet, send him a subscription to Audible. The audiobook leader (owned by Amazon) offers a giant library of titles with high-quality audio and a great interface. Subscriptions start at just $15 a month.
Coursera
Another great online learning platform for gifters is Coursera. The site boasts courses from more than 350 universities and companies. It’s a great option for the casually curious or those looking to start a new career or push forward their current one.
Stubhub Gift Card
Not sure which show they most want to see? StubHub gift cards are a good idea. It can be used for just about any ticketed experience, be it a concert, a sports event, or a play, all booked through one of the most trusted ticketing platforms around.
Grubhub Gift Card
If you can’t be there to cook for your dad — or you just want to send a special, one-of-a-kind treat — get him a gift card to Grubhub. He’ll be able to order whatever he wants to his door, thanks to you.
Scentbird
It can be hard to find the right fragrance for someone, which is why we love Scentbird. The service sends your giftee regular samples of high-end colognes and perfumes, and lets them try more than they normally could by buying new ones. Plus, new subscribers go through a fun quiz that matches them with certain scents.
Delta Air Lines Gift Card
Want to really spoil him? Get your dad on a plane somewhere fun. You can buy tickets yourself if you know exactly where they want to go and when, but we recommend getting a digital gift card instead, such as this one from Delta.
Cameo Digital Message
Cameo does require some lead time (so delivery isn’t instant), but it’s worth the wait. The clever service lets you pay celebrities to record a short, personalized video for a loved one. You’ll see big celebs like Brett Favre and Kevin O’Leary, as well as smaller stars (with a smaller price tag) like Colin Mochrie (Whose Line Is It Anyway?) and David Arquette (Scream).
DirecTV
We’re in an odd era of TV right now where cable is antiquated and too expensive for what you get, but most big streaming services still don’t provide live sports and events. The fix? A live TV streaming service like DirecTV. It makes a great gift for sports fans or anyone who’s always struggling to find their content.
ClassPass Gift Card
ClassPass is a great general gift because your person can use it for just about any wellness-related activity. They can check out a new fitness class — from boxing to cycling to yoga — or they can use the gift card for a spa treatment or meditation class.
Etsy Gift Card
No matter what their hobbies or tastes are, Etsy is sure to have plenty of unique items that they’ll love. The site has everything from sports memorabilia to decor to fan-made merch, and many of these items are handmade by real artists.
Boatsetter
Boatsetter is basically Airbnb for (you guessed it) boats. The site has a ton of vessels for rent — both captained and up to you to man — ranging from affordable to ultra-luxurious. It’s great for vacations or use in your hometown’s body of water.
Amazon Music
Amazon Music has some great playlists and stations that music fans will love. Plus, it’s fully integrated into Alexa and other Amazon products for easy navigation (especially with smart homes).
Walmart+ Subscription
Walmart+ offers a ton of benefits — from early access to sales to free shipping and same-day delivery. If your dad shops at Walmart, this is a great way to upgrade his daily routine — and save him some money in the long run.
Minibar Liquor Delivery
This one isn’t exactly a “digital gift,” but it’s all digital on your end. Minibar will let you deliver alcohol to someone in 30 to 60 minutes, in most cases, so you can send that present right at the last minute.
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