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25 last-minute holiday gifts you can still buy

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Don’t fret, there’s still time

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Everything that’s old is new again, and this wood-framed portable speaker ($57.99 on Amazon with two-day shipping) is a glamorous yet practical gift.
Amazon

The holidays are quickly approaching and while some may have their shopping all wrapped up, most of us are still scrambling to buy a few last-minute gifts. December always seems to fly by, and before you know it you’re at that critical window when internet purchases may or may not make it in time.

Sound familiar? Don’t fret. Thanks to free, fast shipping options at retailers like Amazon and Walmart gift-givers can still score quality items in the nick of time. The hardest part can be choosing the perfect gift for each person on your list, which is why we’ve rounded up some of our favorite last-minute gifts, below.

Note: While we’ve tried to ensure that all of these products can ship quickly and make it in time for your holiday gift giving, it’s best to confirm the shipping dates for a specific product. Need even more suggestions? Check out our gift guide here, or consider giving one of these 15 new books on design and cities.

Books and puzzles

Midwest Architecture Journeys

  • $27

A favorite of our Curbed Chicago editor, who writes, “Chicagoans familiar with some of the region’s most famous architects might be pleasantly surprised to learn what other architectural wonders the Midwest holds. Edited by design journalist Zach Mortice and with an introduction from Curbed’s architecture critic, Alexandra Lange, the essays and photographs take the reader through buildings by Bertrand Goldberg and Bruce Goff but also unearth interesting stories of grain silos, indigenous mounds, and parking lots.”

Ballpark: Baseball in the American City

  • $22

This new book by critic Paul Goldberger traces how baseball and stadium design reflect our changing opinions of cities. It’s a fun look at how American’s favorite pastime mirrors ideas about American urbanism, and a must-read for any design-minded sports dad. Read more, over here.

Decor and accessories

Kitchen and entertaining

Tea Forte Single Cup Loose Tea Brewing System

  • $20

This easy-to-use tea brewing set is a favorite of news editor Megan Barber thanks to a double-walled design that keeps tea hot without burning your hands. The set includes the insulated cup, an integrated stainless steel infuser basket, and matching lid. It’s microwave and dishwasher safe.

Gardening upgrades

For the kids

Outdoor goods

Nite Ize Gear Line

  • $17

Keep camp organized with this gear line. You can hang it vertically or horizontally; it attaches to almost anything thanks to twist ties at each end, and the S-carabiners can hang everything from gear to clothes. Need a few extra S-biners? You can buy those, here.