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Don’t Settle for Socks: Here Are 27 Unique Gift Ideas for the Holidays
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It’s gifting season again. But that doesn’t have to mean buying the same old presents as everyone else. Sure, things like socks, candles, and mugs are classic gifts for good reasons, but sometimes we want something more fun that your giftee is unlikely to have already.
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Whether you’re shopping for a close friend, or you’re looking to bring the hottest white elephant present, we’re here to help. Below are more than 20 unique gift ideas for 2024, including custom art, overly specific kitchen tools, and fancy Crocs.
Unique Gift Ideas for 2024
A special Airbnb
Airbnb has an “OMG” category that’s a joy to peruse — and even better for booking unique, giftable stays. You’ll find wacky houses all over the world, from giant flower pots in Idaho to houseboats in France to hobbit holes in Utah.
A LEGO set
$25.99 $29.99 13% off
LEGO sets are for everyone — especially when they double as decor, like this plum blossom set. It’s part of LEGO’s Icons line, which are more difficult sets designed for adults.
A pillow that holds you
$39.95
No matter how tough your giftee might seem, we’re willing to bet they too like to be held at night. Here’s where the Muscle Man Pillow comes in. The chiseled, life-sized pillow holds you all night long (and never snores).
A Harry Styles candle
$21.99
Ever wondered what Harry Styles was talking about when he said “strawberries on a summer evenin'”? This candle set out to bring that scent to the homes of any fans, delivering a sweet yet subtle scent of watermelon and strawberries.
Hot dog toaster
$27.99
Shopping for any hot dog lovers? No? You should still consider this hot dog toaster. It cooks two hot dogs in the middle while getting the buns nice and toasty don’t the outside.
Custom bootleg tees
$18.40
These TikTok-famous tees let you upload multiple images (say of your besties), and combine them in one stylized tee, complete with text above the whole photo.
Soundwave wall art
$25.50 $34 25% off
This Etsy seller creates wall art using the soundwave pattern of your giftee’s favorite song, indicated in the corner. You also get to choose from a ton of sizes and color options to suit your loved ones’ aesthetic.
Green Day's coffee
$17.99
Have a Green Day and/or coffee fan on your shopping list this season? Check out Punk Bunny Coffee. It was founded by Billie Joe Armstrong, Tré Cool, and Mike Dirnt in 2015 and boasts some highly giftable packaging.
'Hot Ones' at home
$129.95
Want to see how you’d do on Hot Ones? Give the gambit of hot sauces a try with this gift box. Even better: Grab a friend and try to have a conversation while you do it.
A custom Funko POP! figurine
$30
Funko POP! figurines have been very good gifts for years, but they’re a great gift if the figurine is your giftee. The collectible toymaker has a “POP! Yourself” feature where you can design your own — or make a figurine to look like a loved one.
Long-distance lamps
$99
This cute pair of lamps lets you softly check in with loved ones who live far away. When you turn on your lamp, your partner’s lamp lights up with the same color, and vice versa. They’re easy to set up via WiFi, and offer a nice way to say “hello” without more texting or calling.
A budget-friendly bidet
$29.99 $35.99 17% off
I’ve had one of these cheap bidets on my toilet for two years, and it’s the one thing I miss most when I travel. It’s simple, extremely effective, and, at under $30 right now, great for gifting too.
Tickets to any show
OK, a StubHub gift card isn’t the most unique gift, but there are plenty of unique ways to frame it. Maybe tell your giftee to go to a monster truck show, an artist they’d never see, or something else out of the ordinary.
Vinyl, every month
$54+
Have a vinyl lover on your list? Sign them up for Vinyl Me Please, and they’ll receive fresh wax delivered to their doorstep every month (or just once). It’s one of our favorite things you can give a music fan.
Great pizza at home
$599.00
At-home pizza ovens have gotten huge over the last couple of years, and they make a great unique gift idea for any home chef. This Ooni Koda is the top-of-the-line option, reaching 950°F for authentic pizza.
Instant mimosas
$30
Tired of plain old mimosas? Try these instant sugar cubes. The flavor-infused cubes instantly turn any glass of bubbly into a mimosa or bellini and are easy to transport to your favorite brunch spot or holiday gathering.
Snoop Dogg’s cookbook
$13.57 $24.95 46% off
From Crook to Cook is one of the best-selling cookbooks, but its author is surprising: Snoop Dogg. The book is full of Snoop’s charm and “OG soul food” recipes that work great for holiday gatherings (and, of course, munchies).
Mini inflatable tube guy
$8.58 $12.95 34% off
Everyone knows and loves the inflatable tube guy—often seen outside car dealerships—but what most people don’t know is that he has a little brother. This 17-inch version of the flapping, wacky buy fits neatly on desks or shelves, and makes an excellent gift idea.
An avocado slicer
$9.27 $9.95 7% off
For the avocado-obsessed (there’s usually one in a group), pick up this way-too-specific avocado slicer. The neat tool has purpose-built features to open, pit, and slice up an avocado into beautiful slivers.
Martha on a Mantle
$39.99 $49.99 20% off
You’ve heard of elf on the shelf; now get ready for Martha on a Mantle. The doll lets you hide Martha Stewart around the house, making a hilarious alternative to the Christmas classic.
Beer jackets
$14.99 $20 25% off
It’s cold out there — best to make sure your beer stays cozy, just like you. These funny little parkas are made just for brews actually keep your beer can cold without making your hands freeze off while you drink it.
A weird (but great) travel pillow
$99.00
Normal travel pillows get the job done… but not for everyone. If you want something a little weirder — and maybe a little more comfortable — pick up this Ostrichpillow.
A DNA test for dogs
$99+
Dog DNA tests have been around for a while, but some serious dog lovers still don’t know about them. The kits let owners determine their pooch’s breed and any genetic health concerns, not only letting you learn more about them but also keeping them healthier.
Fancy Crocs
$595
Crocs has done a 180 in the last few years, going from punchline to designer footwear. These super-fancy Crocs are a collaboration with Balenciaga and make a very unique gift for any lovers of bold, statement-making footwear (especially in pink).
Collectible furniture
Furniture is a bold gifting move, yes, but it can be one of the best things someone ever receives. Head to 1st Dibs to pick up something cool and meaningful — like this Gaetano Pesce Broadway chair — for any interior design lovers.
A robot for litter
$699
This high-tech litter box is a cat owner’s dream. It cleans up the kitty’s mess, hugely reduces the odor, and looks much better than those regular plastic bins.
A vintage watch
Watches are one of my favorite gifts ever, but I think we should stop buying new watches as gifts. A much better way to do it is to pick up a vintage watch. It’ll be more unique and personal to your giftee (and you can often score a nicer brand for less). I’m a big fan of eBay’s watch shop, which offers expert authentication at no additional cost for many watches.
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