Just because you’re not able to visit with friends and family in person doesn’t mean you can’t stay connected. Whether you’re a last-minute gift-giver or you need the perfect sympathy gift, there are so many digital options.
Our Top Picks
For parents or grandparents
For friends or coworkers
- Netflix Membership Gift Card ($9.99)
- Disney+ Bundle Subscription ($19.99)
- Coffee Subscription Box ($20-$40/box)
For a birthday gift
- Kindle Unlimited Subscription ($9.99)
- Airbnb Travel Gift Card ($25 and up)
- Crafting Subscription Box ($27.95-$39.95/box)
For a get-well gift
- Guided De-Stress Meditation ($29.98)
- Music Streaming Gift Card ($25 and up)
- Food Delivery Gift Card ($25 and up)
Jump ahead to these sections:
- Digital Gift Ideas for Mom, Dad, or Grandparents
- Digital Gift Ideas for Friends
- Digital Gift Ideas for Employees or Coworkers
- Digital Birthday Gift Ideas
- Digital Sympathy Gift Ideas
- Digital Gifts for Someone Who Has Everything
- Digital Gifts to Enjoy at Home
When you give something digitally, it’s easy to email, DM, or even text your gift to the recipient. Not only does this cut down on delivery time, but it also saves you a trip to the store. No matter who the lucky recipient is, this list has something for you.
Digital Gift Ideas for Mom, Dad, or Grandparents
When it comes to digital gifts, choosing the right gifts for older adults is more challenging than a friend closer to your age.
Not only will you have to consider the recipient’s comfort level with technology, but you’ll also want to think about their interests. Try these ideas to brighten the day of your parents or grandparents.
1. Virtual flowers
You don’t have to visit a flower shop to choose a blooming bouquet. You don’t even have to send real flowers!
You can send real flowers online with an online delivery service, or you can choose photos of your favorite virtual flowers to send via text, email, or DM.
2. eCards
If there’s one thing parents and grandparents love, it’s cards! Send a virtual card to your loved one’s email with an eCard.
You can make your own or choose a service like Paperless Post or American Greetings. Include a heartfelt message to send a bit of love from afar.
3. Virtual hugs
Sometimes the simple things make the best gifts. You can send a virtual hug to a parent or grandparent to let them know you’re thinking of them.
To do this, choose your favorite hug gif or image and send it to them via email or text message. Share some kind words and click send!
4. Audiobook membership
The gift of reading never stops giving. In our digital world, audiobooks are an increasingly popular way to experience stories in a new way.
Whether or not your loved one has listened to an audiobook before, this is a great way to let your loved ones take their favorite books on the go. You can gift an audiobook on its own or within a subscription service, like a Kindle Unlimited membership.
5. Virtual family time
Most parents and grandparents appreciate experiences above things. Gifting some virtual family time is a powerful way to stay connected as a family.
You can host a meeting over Zoom, Facebook Messenger, or Google Hangouts.
Digital Gift Ideas for Friends
Whether you’re sending a quarantine care package or a birthday gift, there are a lot of options for things you can gift to your friends digitally. Any of these options below are great gifts anyone would be excited to receive.
6. Streaming service subscription
Nowadays, it’s common to skip cable altogether since there’s a huge world of online video content on streaming services.
Gifting a subscription to a video streaming platform like Amazon Prime, Netflix, Hulu, or Disney+ is a great way to add to your friend’s to-be-watched list.
7. Online class subscription
If your friend is a lifelong learner, give them a subscription to an online learning platform.
Places like Skillshare and Masterclass utilize expert professionals to teach a variety of courses in anything imaginable.
8. Online gaming pass
Most gaming devices today have an online membership that enables users to play with friends (and strangers) over the internet, making the gaming experience even more collaborative.
If you know what gaming device your friend uses, this is a fun option all your friends can get in on. You can find these through an Xbox, Playstation, Steam, and Nintendo.
9. Virtual happy hour
A lot of friend groups join together after work for happy hour drinks. If you’re not able to get together in person for any reason, a virtual happy hour is a great alternative.
Mix some drinks, and use a video chat platform to get together. If you want to make it extra-special, send a Kindle or e-book version of The Essential Cocktail Book: A Complete Guide to Modern Drinks and a special set of glassware to pour your drinks in.
10. Virtual scrapbook
Friends share some of the strongest memories together. Creating a virtual scrapbook with all of your favorite photos, videos, and mementos is a fantastic way to share these fun times with your friend digitally.
There are a ton of free and paid apps to use as well, so it’s never been easier to share the memories that matter to you.
Digital Gift Ideas for Employees or Coworkers
Sometimes you want to treat your employees or your coworkers to something special. These are the people who lend a helping hand on a daily basis, so it’s important to strengthen these relationships.
11. Museum pass
Did you know many of the world’s best museums are available online? It’s true, and you can give a virtual “pass” so your coworker can check out the latest collections.
When social distancing, this is a great way to do some virtual exploring. If you want to brush up on your art history beforehand, send them an e-book version of Art That Changed the World.
12. Digital publication subscription
As a professional, your coworker is always learning. A subscription to a digital publication like a local newspaper or The New York Times, local artist’s magazine, or professional newsletter can be a thoughtful gift.
Better yet, this is sure to spark more ideas for the workplace as well.
13. Professional membership
Professional memberships to organizations and groups help strengthen anyone’s career.
Whether you know your coworker is trying to climb the corporate ladder or you’d like someone to go to events with, this makes a great gift.
14. Coffee or tea subscription
Let’s face it—we all need a bit of caffeine to power through long workdays, especially when the afternoon sluggishness hits.
Gifting a coffee or tea subscription, like this three-month gift set from Amazon, lets your coworker or employees experience a bit of a pick-me-up no matter where they are. Yum!
15. Software download
Last but not least, software is also a useful digital gift for someone you work with. If there’s a software or tool you know they use frequently, this type of gift could make their life a lot easier.
For example, they may want a Hallmark Card Studio download or a Microsoft 365 12-month subscription.
Digital Birthday Gift Ideas
Birthdays are a special time of year for celebrating someone in your life. This day is all about them, so make sure they get their gift in time. If you’re running behind or you just think they’d like something a bit more tech-savvy, these ideas are perfect.
16. eReader gift card
If the birthday boy or girl is a big reader, get them a gift card for an online book store. They can choose the latest bestseller to add to their digital downloads, adding it to another tablet or eReader device. If they use a Kindle or have the free app on their phone, a Kindle Unlimited subscription should do the job.
17. Food delivery
Is there anything better than a freshly cooked meal? There is—it’s a freshly cooked meal that you don’t have to cook yourself.
There are a ton of food delivery services to choose from nowadays. While not available in every city, giving a gift card to Postmates, Grubhub, or Uber Eats could be a wonderful way to let someone know you’re thinking of them. Plus, there are no dishes to worry about!
18. Language courses
For the traveler in your life, gift a foreign language. It’s never been easier to learn a new language online.
Choose an online course or platform and give an online language membership, like a Babbel subscription, to give them access to a new world of communication.
19. Travel gift card
Even if you can’t visit with your loved one on their birthday, you can still encourage them to come to you or have a getaway of their own.
A travel gift card to a place, like Hotels.com or Airbnb, goes a long way towards making a trip more affordable, whether you chip in towards the cost of the hotel, rideshares, or airfare.
20. Favorite movie or book
Finally, gift a bit of yourself by sending your loved one your favorite movie or book.
You can do this digitally by purchasing the digital copy of the movie or book online and sending it to your loved one.
Digital Sympathy Gift Ideas
Offering your sympathy if someone’s fallen ill or lost a loved one is an important way to show your support. Whether you need a get-well gift or a kind way to help someone in need, try these digital ideas.
21. Sympathy eCard
A card with a heartfelt message goes a long day to offer some support in a time of need. If you’re unable to get to the store or send a physical card in time, a sympathy eCard is a great alternative. In just a few clicks, your card arrives safely in the recipient’s inbox.
22. Meditation app
When dealing with times of stress, it helps to take a few moments to unwind and reflect. As we all know, this is easier said than done.
A meditation app helps people pause in the moment and focus on things like deep breathing and concentrating their thoughts. While it’s not a miracle cure, this type of app could do wonders for someone’s mindset in a time of stress.
If they're not a fan of apps you can send them the MP3 version of this guided meditation with 14 tracks.
23. Online memorial
If someone you love experienced a loss, you might feel comfortable making an online memorial for their deceased relative.
Always ask permission first, but an online memorial makes a great reminder of one’s digital legacy. There are a lot of free options, and it’s easy to customize your online page to meet your needs.
24. Candle lighting
Throughout the world, people of all different cultures light candles as a way to spread warmth and focus their prayer or meditation.
If you can’t be there with someone physically, sending a virtual candle is a great way to let them know they’re in your thoughts.
25. Donation
Finally, you can easily donate to a number of charities online without needing to leave your home or pick up the phone. Making a donation in your loved one’s honor is a powerful way to give back.
Post-loss tip: If you are the executor for a deceased loved one, the emotional and technical aspects of handling their unfinished business can be overwhelming without a way to organize your process. We have a post-loss checklist that will help you ensure that your loved one's family, estate, and other affairs are taken care of.
Digital Gift Ideas for Someone Who Has Everything
Shopping for certain people in your life isn’t always easy, especially if they seemingly already have “everything.” When you encounter these situations, give them a gift you know they’ll use.
26. Password manager
This might be one of the most practical gift ideas on this list. We all know that cybersecurity is important, but how often do we take the time to check in with our own digital health?
A password manager does the heavy lifting of ensuring all one’s passwords are safe and secure. It’s a tool they'll sure to use every day.
27. Music streaming
Did you know that not all music streaming libraries are the same? Platforms like Amazon Music Unlimited, Spotify, and Apple Music all have access to different artists and albums.
Gifting a new streaming service could open your recipient to a new genre or musical taste.
28. Virtual gym membership
It’s not always possible to hit the gym. Work, family, and general life get in the way sometimes. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t still get fit.
A virtual gym membership is exactly what it sounds like. Your recipient logs into their virtual account and has access to hundreds of workout classes all from the comfort of their home.
29. Online grocery shopping subscription
Similar to finding time to go to the gym, it’s not always easy to make time to grocery shop.
Luckily, there’s a service for that. There are a number of online grocery delivery services, like Amazon Pantry, that will shop for you and leave your groceries at your door. It’s that easy!
30. Task subscription service
For the not-so-experienced DIYer in your life, a task subscription service like Amazon Home Services or TaskRabbit ensures they never have to build furniture or paint the bedroom ever again.
A task subscription service is a very thoughtful gift for any would-be home improver.
Digital Gifts to Enjoy at Home
If a loved one works hard day in and day out, so treat them to something special. Whether it’s their birthday or you just want to brighten their day, these make excellent gifts.
31. Meal delivery kit
Sometimes you want the luxury of eating out, but you also want to spend some time in the kitchen. The solution is a meal delivery kit.
These gourmet kits come with everything they need to put together a top-notch meal, no cooking experience or complicated ingredients required.
32. Wine subscription
For the wino in your life, a wine subscription service introduces them to flavors beyond their own neck of the woods.
Trying a few select wines from the top wineries in the world is quite the treat! Wine subscription services help her find the right bottles for their taste.
If you want to add a little something extra, add in an aerator, opener, and other wine drinking accessories.
33. Crafting subscription
Finding inspiration to craft isn’t always easy, but a craft subscription helps. Whether they love to knit, paint, or create home projects, a crafting subscription puts them in the right state of mind so they can do more.
We like the Adults & Crafts - DIY Craft Subscription Box.
34. Adobe Creative membership
For the creative in your life, an Adobe membership is a great way to share access to some of the top digital tools on the market.
An Adobe Creative Cloud membership gives access to all of Adobe’s programs, from Photoshop to Illustrator. They’ll have a new masterpiece in no time!
35. Beauty or makeup subscription
Finally, sometimes we all need to pamper ourselves. A beauty or makeup subscription, like the Allure Beauty subscription box, puts the self in “self-care.”
When they sign up, they’ll get to pick a few goodies to be sent their way each month. It’s like a holiday every time you check the mail!
The Digital Age of Gift Giving
As you can see from the size of this list above, there’s no shortage of digital gifts available nowadays. Whether it’s a subscription box or a useful service, the internet is full of gifting possibilities.
Like with any gift, consider his or her interests and the feeling you’re trying to spark. If your heart is in the right place, you’ll never go wrong.