Three last minute gifts under $20 (that aren’t iTunes)

So now you’re hosed. It’s Christmas Eve and you need a truly last-minute present or stocking stuffer. Now, the simple thing to do would be an iTunes gift certificate, which you can print out or email. Bang presto, problem solved.

But suppose you know someone who doesn’t own an iPod (they exist, you know). Or maybe you just want something different. So, here are some other gifts you can pull together at the 11th hour, even if you can’t get to the store.

Netflix Gift Subscription – Available for as little as $8.99 (for a one month, one disc subscription), Netflix allows you to rent DVDs through the mail. But the real draw here is their growing library of movies available via Watch Instantly, allowing you to stream movies to your computer (PC and Intel-based Mac) or to your TV via any number of devices (including the PS3 and XBox). So, even at the lowest denomination, you’re giving them a month of great films.

World of Warcraft – The original game is available as a digital gift from Blizzard. For $19.99, they get the original game and a month of play; more than enough to hook them into this highly addictive MMO. But if they already have a subscription to this popular game, you can also let them try new-kid-on-the-block Warhammer Online, available as a free download and trial. The only problem is it’s a 10GB download, so you’ll want to start now. They also offer an unlimited trial, but that’s not much of a gift, so kick in for a paid subscription and give them full access to the MMO.

Charity Navigator Gift Cards – But let’s say you need a gift for an adult (who’s not a gamer). One thing people often do is make a donation to a charity in the other person’s name, but with a Good Card from Charity Navigator, you can give him the ability to choose for himself where the donation goes. You can send it via email or print it out, and the Charity Navigator site (which is a nonprofit as well) will help him make a responsible choice for his giving.