In many states, the COVID-19 pandemic means stores are closed and in-person parties are canceled. But birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays are still happening. If you're looking to get something special for your loved ones, a virtual gift will have to do.
Think about what they need in this time of quarantine. Could they use some music? Are they all about streaming video? Do they need a fresh supply of games? What about food delivery? Whatever the interests of your friends and family, there's something for everyone on the internet. Here are a few virtual gifts you can send them.
E-Book Subscription
If you know a bookworm who would rather binge-read than binge-watch, then Scribd or Oyster will be right up their alley. Both have been described as the "Netflix of books," and offer unlimited access to thousands of e-books for a monthly fee.
They don't have every best-seller, but both have deals with Simon & Schuster and HarperCollins, as well as many smaller publishing houses, so you shouldn't be a loss for books to read. In November, Scribd also added support for 30,000 audiobooks.
Scribd runs $8.99 per month, but you can give three months for $25, six months for $50, or a year for $100.
Give one month of Oyster for $9.95, three months for $29.85, six months for $59.70, or a year for $119.40.
They don't have every best-seller, but both have deals with Simon & Schuster and HarperCollins, as well as many smaller publishing houses, so you shouldn't be a loss for books to read. In November, Scribd also added support for 30,000 audiobooks.
Scribd runs $8.99 per month, but you can give three months for $25, six months for $50, or a year for $100.
Give one month of Oyster for $9.95, three months for $29.85, six months for $59.70, or a year for $119.40.
Blue Apron
Whether you're buying for a foodie or someone who has the local Chinese place on speed dial, Blue Apron can help spice up the usual week-night dinner. The recipe kit service delivers exactly the amount of ingredients you'll need for a particular meal, so you won't have to buy a liter of fish oil when you only need a tablespoon.
I tried it out earlier this year in an effort to broaden my culinary horizons, and just this week, Blue Apron announced a family plan that starts shipping Jan. 5. Families choose whether they want two or four meals per week at $8.74 per person per meal rather than $9.99.
Blue Apron is also not the only recipe kit service; check out some other options.
I tried it out earlier this year in an effort to broaden my culinary horizons, and just this week, Blue Apron announced a family plan that starts shipping Jan. 5. Families choose whether they want two or four meals per week at $8.74 per person per meal rather than $9.99.
Blue Apron is also not the only recipe kit service; check out some other options.
Spotify
For the music fan, you can't beat a premium subscription to Spotify. For $9.99 per month, listen to all the music you want - offline and on - from your PC or mobile device. Create playlists for a workout, commute, or New Year's Eve party. And now until Dec. 31, Spotify has a special offer: three months for just $0.99. Just don't expect any Taylor Swift, who pulled her catalog from the increasingly popular Spotify this year. You can still get her older music on Spotify rival Rdio, which also has a subscription service for $9.99 per month.
Netflix
The most obvious choice if you want to gift a streaming-video service is Netflix, which has a wealth of options when it comes to movies and TV shows, as well as original, award-winning content like House of Cards and Orange Is the New Black. You can watch it on just about any device that connects to the Web, starting at $7.99 per month.
If you need help deciding what to watch, check out our roundup of the top geeky TV shows and movies streaming on Netflix.
If you need help deciding what to watch, check out our roundup of the top geeky TV shows and movies streaming on Netflix.
Hulu Plus
For that special someone who is obsessed with TV, Hulu Plus can help them stay up-to-date with current TV shows and relive the classics - for $7.99 per month. The benefit of Hulu over Netflix in this arena is that Netflix typically won't get new seasons of TV shows for several months to a year after their airing, but Hulu has them within days.
CBS All Access
For that TV buff with very specific tastes - that is, CBS - the network recently launched a standalone streaming service that will allow cord cutters or those without a DVR to keep up with The Good Wife, Hawaii 5-0, and all of the other thousands of procedurals and sitcoms that air on CBS, for $5.99 per month.
Amazon Prime
Of course, you can also get the first five seasons of The Good Wife on Amazon Instant Video, which is just one of the many perks Amazon offers as part of its $99 per year Prime service. In addition to free, two-day shipping, there's also Prime Music, Prime Photo unlimited photo storage, the Kindle Owners' Lending Library, and one-hour delivery in Manhattan.
Be sure to check out 60 Geeky Movies, TV Shows on Amazon You Should Watch.
Be sure to check out 60 Geeky Movies, TV Shows on Amazon You Should Watch.
Charity Donation
For the person who already has everything, consider making a charitable donation in their name. With CharityChoice, you can buy an e-card for a select amount, and the recipient can decide where to donate the funds. CharityChoice has partnered with over 1,000 charities, from the Red Cross and the American Cancer Society to St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital and the ASPCA, so they will have her pick. The organization takes a 5 percent administrative and 3 percent credit card fee, so if you know which charity your loved one would like to donate to, you can do so directly through their websites, too: Red Cross; American Cancer Society; National Multiple Sclerosis Society; National Parkinson's Foundation; American Heart Association; American Diabetes Foundation; Alzheimer's Association; The Global Fund; and St. Jude's.