We’re all aware that Amazon is a treasure trove of products. There are very few places you can purchase a 24-pack of toilet paper, a limited edition ADA-approved water flosser, and a housewarming succulent all in one go. But beyond Amazon’s endless digital shelves of Instant Pots and practical fare are some truly unique items that make for great holiday gifts — if you can find them.
We dove in deep looking for those giftable treasures creative enough to earn you brownie points with the toughest of giftees but can still be considered crowd pleasers, at least for anyone with a decent sense of humor. Get your wrapping paper at the ready and sift through our favorite holiday finds ahead. If it’s the effort that counts, no one needs to know you found your diamond in the rough present from this sneaky lil’ gift guide.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
Not every millennial is prepared to take on the commitment of raising a plant, even a succulent that requires minimal effort. They are, however, more likely to be prepared to spruce up their space with these cute cactus tea lights.
Luvu Mini Tealight Cactus Candles, $15.99, available at Amazon
If you want to go the extra mile, add in some extra packs of film for them so they can keep up the hobby.
Fujifilm Fujifilm Instax Mini 90 Instant Film Camera, $119.28, available at Amazon
Homesick’s candles come in a range of state-specific scents. Grab one for every one of your transplant friends’ homes.
Homesick Candles Homesick Scented Candle, Hawaii, $29.95, available at Amazon
Why we ever abandoned the idea of lunch boxes after grade school we’ll never know. Help your giftee make up for lost time with a compartmentalized lunch box (also referred to as a bento box in the adult world) that boasts temperature control.
OmieBox Leak-Proof 3-Compartment Bento Lunch Box, $39.5, available at Amazon
These lightsaber chopsticks come in a set of two. You never have to tell them you kept one pair for yourself.
ChopSabers Light Up Lightsaber Chopsticks LED Set, $17.17, available at Amazon
Stop yourself from buying another one of those ho-hum “adult coloring books” for something a little more fun.
Powerhouse Books Advanced Style The Coloring Book, $9.38, available at Amazon
There’s something about a product being made “portable” that makes it so much cuter. This hand held humidifier can even fit in their car’s cup holder.
Oulin Mini Portable Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier, $18.98, available at Amazon
If your giftee constantly works long hours, gift them something that’ll make them giggle during their commute to and from home.
AAF Titanic Kittens Car Air Freshener, $6.49, available at Amazon
Champagne should never go to waste, but this set comes with a proper bottle stopper in the off chance the bottle isn’t fully finished.
Moet & Chandon Imperial Brut With Bottle Stopper, Champagne, 750 Ml, $51.23, available at Amazon
Perfect for camping trips, apartments with small balconies, and super cool dads.
Kikkerland BQ01 Portable BBQ Suitcase, $76, available at Amazon
This portable traditional Chinese tea set includes a double wall teapot with an infuser and two double wall tea glasses to ensure your cup is cool to the touch.
Zens Mobile Moon Portable Tea Set, $49.99, available at Amazon
Get your D.I.Y. frenzied friend onto a skincare kick with a beginners oil blending kit.
Herbivore Botanicals Herbivore Botanicals – Mini Facial Oil Trio, $33, available at Amazon
Hydroponic plants make great desk buddies.
Ivolador Glass Planter Bulb Vase with Retro Solid Wooden Stand, $24.99, available at Amazon
This bubble wrap wall calendar is oh so satisfying. Friends who enjoy Youtubing ASMR videos will equally love this.
Bubble Calendar 2019 Bubble Wrap Calendar , $24.95, available at Amazon
Write a sweet note to your giftee before handing them this locket.
Dearest Mine Gold-tone Secret Message Ball Locket Necklace, $20, available at Amazon
Name one person who wouldn’t want a packet of Sriracha hot sauce in their bag. We’ll wait.
Huy Fong Foods Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce Travel Pack (25 packets), $14, available at Amazon
Pre-purchasing a set of yoga classes has become a hefty expense. Keep them similarly grounded with a simple set of mindfulness cards they can display in their home, car, or office.
Amazon Mindfulness Cards: Simple Practices for Everyday Life, $16.95, available at Amazon
Why gift them one instant pot when you can gift them a whole instant pot party?
Nostalgia HomeCraft TSC25 3-Station 2.5-Quart Slow Cooker Buffet, $52.49, available at Amazon
While our grandparents lit mother Mary candles, we’re lighting Frida Kahlo candles.
The Unemployed Philosophers Guild Frida Kahlo Secular Saint Candle, $13.95, available at Amazon
Loaning a book is serious business. We’ve all fallen prey to the friends who have continuously “forgotten” to return our favorite paperbacks. Help your friend hold their loanees responsible with a personal library kit.
Knock Knock Personal Library Kit, $15.19, available at Amazon
Have a wanderlust obsessed friend? Skip the cliché gift of giving them a map and some push pins. Instead, this globe allows you to doodle on it so they can personalize their destinations a little more.
Suck UK SUCK UK Globe Journal, Large, Multicolor [Journal], $120, available at Amazon
A wand is cool. Wand makeup brushes are awesome.
La Sante Wizard Wand Potter Makeup Brushes, $10.99, available at Amazon
Some friends are more homebodies than others. Let them know you respect their love for staying home with a piece of furniture that’ll really up their space’s hygge level.
Sonyabecca Macrame Hammock Chair, $59.99, available at Amazon
We all have that one friend, acquaintance, cousin, etc. who loves to host a regular game night. But if we have to play Settlers of Catan according to their rules one more time, we’ll lose it. Gift them a game that sounds fun for everyone and bars any potential cheating.
The Voting Game The Voting Game, $24.99, available at Amazon
We laughed, you’ll laugh, they’ll laugh. Trust us.
What On Earth Brontosaurus Paper Towel Holder – 17″ High, $22.94, available at Amazon
For your fanciest of friends.
Cajoy Pre-Tied Ribbon Pin & Clip, $5.99, available at Amazon
Clunky steamer racks are obsolete. Just use this handy piggy lid over a microwavable bowl or a pot to get the same desired effect.
Marna Marna Pink Piggy Steamer, 6-9/10″, $13.48, available at Amazon
For green thumbs that are ready to kick it up a notch.
Planters’ Choice Bonsai Starter Kit, $24.99, available at Amazon
When your giftee has pretty much everything, opting for a fancy locally-made condiment is never a bad route to go.
Mike’s Hot Honey Mike’s Hot Honey 12 oz., $8.48, available at Amazon
The gift of reusable makeup removing pads is actually one of the most ingenious gifts ever. It’ll save them from wasting money on tons of cotton pads for the rest of their lives.
Wegreeco Bamboo Resuable Makeup Remover Pads 16 Pack, $11.09, available at Amazon
A truly unique whiskey decanter. And yes, that is an antique sunken ship you see sitting in the middle.
Kemstood Whiskey Globe Decanter Set, $45.95, available at Amazon
Have a long distance beau or a mom who loves to FaceTime you to catch you up to speed on her friend drama? Facebook’s neat new Portal helps to make both users feel like they’re physically closer, despite the distance.
Facebook Portal from Facebook, $199.99, available at Amazon
You could gift them a boring ‘ol ottoman…or you could gift them this. Great for friends with kids…or not.
Christopher Knight Home Living Brebis White Velvet Sheep Ottoman, $60, available at Amazon
There’s no shame in living off packs of ramen once you realize you’ve blown half your bank account on Cyber Monday deals. Make the struggle feel a little less painful with a cute noodle bowl set.
Sun Art Cat Japanese Rice and Soup Bowl, $17.98, available at Amazon
2018’s version of the sketchbook. Albeit somewhat pricier, this gift is perfect for kickstarting your friends doodle habit into something more.
Iskn The Slate 2+ Pencil & Paper Graphic Tablet, $179, available at Amazon
And when you really don’t know what to get them, a holiday pegged gift that’s useful year ’round is a pretty good failsafe.
AmuseNd Mini Cool Mist Humidifier, $15.89, available at Amazon
