We have developed a one-pot method for the direct intermolecular reductive hydroxyalkylation or alkylation of amines using lactones or esters as the hydroxyalkylating/alkylating reagents. The method is based on the in situ amidation of lactones/esters with DIBAL-H–amine complex (for primary amines) or DIBAL-H–amine hydrochloride salt complex (for secondary amines), followed by reduction of the amides