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    Just 24 Really Cool Gifts You Should Know About Because, Again, They're Really Cool

    If you're trying to branch out beyond gift cards this year...give these options a look.

    1. The I Love Trader Joe's Cookbook with 150 different recipes that incorporate ~delish~ ingredients from the World's Best Grocery Store™

    the cookbook cover
    a crostini with jam and cheese
    Amazon

    Promising review: "For Trader Joe's lovers everywhere, this is a fantastic cookbook! It is filled with hints and tips, shopping guidelines, nicely organized recipe categories, and beautiful mouthwatering pictures. I love how the recipes are noted if they are gluten free or vegetarian, etc. I ❤ Trader Joe's & I ❤ this cookbook!" —Love My Bookish Life

    Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).

    Get it from Amazon for $13.69.

    2. A pound of cereal marshmallows if they're really only buying Lucky Charms for the charms (duh) and tossing away the rest. 😬

    Reviewer with the bag of cereal marshmallows
    up close shot of the colorful marshmallows

    The delish treats come from Medley Hills Farm — a family-owned and operated small business based in Ohio.

    Promising review: "Amazing! I put them in hot chocolate, Rice Krispies treats, other cereals, or just eat then by the handful. Impulse buy that totally worked out." —Maddison Helsel

    Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).

    Get it from Amazon for $12.99.

    3. Mystic Maze — a 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle with all sorts of optical illusions and more than 50 easter eggs for your friend to discover along the way. And, perhaps best of all, NO PUZZLE DUST. Yes! That's a promise!

    paper bag filled with puzzle pieces next to the box showing a scene of a maze with magical creatures in it
    close up of the puzzle showing a little witch doing a spell in castle next to a restaurant and someone riding a tiger

    Fun fact: This was the most funded puzzle on Kickstarter, raising over $3 million. You can check out the Mystic Maze puzzle in action on TikTok, too (but warning: it will spoil the surprise!). And see all Magic Puzzle company puzzles here

    Promising review: "Just got this puzzle for something to do at home over the holidays. Seriously... I have never seen a puzzle quite like this! It’s very impressive and exceeded my expectations already. The packaging is beautiful inside and out. Everything about it shouts quality. I particularly liked the envelopes inside for the puzzle pieces and mystery. Heavy weight and substantial. The one holding the 1,000 puzzle pieces stays closed with Velcro! How cool! And the secret mystery envelope has a cool string loop tie. Makes you remember you can’t open it until the puzzle is done. The whole vibe of The Mystic Maze is quality and fun, and also looks like a challenging puzzle. Highly recommend!" —Kyle Fletcher

    Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime Members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).

    Get it from Amazon for $22.97 (also available in an island theme).

    4. And — to go with the above — a puzzle plateau so no pieces go missing. That name really has a ring to it, huh?

    The puzzle plateau with its drawers pulled out and holding pieces
    Amazon

    Promising review: "This was a gift for my mother. She called to tell me that by using the drawers for the puzzle pieces, she was able to work her puzzle with comfort and ease...no more standing over the puzzle pieces spread across the table, looking down for hours, which always hurt her back. She put her puzzle together much faster than usual, and all from the comfort of her chair! She loved it!" —chris winters

    Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime Members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).

    Get it from Amazon for $39.99.

    5. A shower beer and wine holder because sometimes, a bath bomb just isn't enough. Real ones know that true R&R involves a chilled glass of sickly sweet Barefoot attached securely to your shower wall — not perched precariously on the lip of your tub, so why not give your friend that precious gift?

    reviewer grabbing can from holder on tile shower wall
    hand grabbing wine glass in holder attached to bathtub wall

    PS: If you're trying to shop small this season, SipCaddy is a small biz!

    Promising review: "My wife got me this as a Christmas present and I must admit I rolled my eyes when I opened the box. 'That'll never work,' I thought to myself. We stuck it on the shower wall that day and have had no issues since. It's still sticking some 60 days later and shows no signs of slipping. It holds beer cans and plastic pint glasses like a boss, and for those days when I'm feeling super bougie, I make a cocktail, dump it in a tumbler, and it fits, too! Shower beers will never be the same again!" —Morgan

    Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).

    Get it from Amazon for $13.95+ (available in five styles).

    6. And a full-body bath pillow so they can roll off of their regular mattress and onto their submerged mattress. Not gonna lie, the second time I used this, I did fall back asleep.

    the bath pillow in a reviewer's tub
    A reviewer's photo of the pillow folded up and stored in the included mesh bag

    The pillow grips to their tub via 21 nonslip suction cups and let me tell you — they don't play around. The first time I used mine, I actually had to put my back into getting one of them to let go. That's not a complaint in the slightest, though, as it didn't move an inch during my hour-long bath! It also comes with a mesh storage/wash bag which I really appreciate.

    Promising review: "I can take a relaxing bath now! I have always loved the idea of baths but whenever I'd take one, I always was uncomfortable and just decided they were overrated. Saw this and randomly bought it... ended up spending way too long in the bath. Only got out because of responsibilities... Within a couple of minutes of bath draining, I reached for it I thought and I thought, 'Here comes the reason I'll end up never using this again...' I got back in the tub and took my towel off, expecting to just use my whole naked body to squeeze this thing out... I lifted it up and... what the heck?! It was so light! Hardly anything squeezed out!" —Nic

    Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).

    Get it from Amazon for $39.58.

    7. A giant Lego storage drawer they can use to house whatever knickknacks have taken over every surface of their home. Heck, you could even get a few so they can stack them into a dresser, desk, or coffee table!

    a stack of lego bricks made into a dresser
    Amazon

    Check it out on TikTok here! And shop the wall hangers (also pictured above) here

    Promising review: "LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, this storage container! My son got a 1,500-piece Lego set for Christmas and this fits all of the pieces nicely! Definitely recommend." —Amazon Customer

    Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).

    Get it from Amazon for $25.99+ (available in two sizes and 11 colors).

    8. clever mug — that looks like a whole pot of coffee — for the pal who's always glued to their brew.

    model holding the coffee mug
    Amazon

    Some reviewers even use this to store and display beans!

    Promising review: "I bought this mug for my dad who just started at an office job. He absolutely loves it! He enjoys making dad jokes about drinking a whole pot of coffee in the morning. The silicone lid is great to keep it warm and makes it easy to drink out of. It's made of thin glass, so it's not as sturdy as a mug and it gets hotter, but it's great quality and made well." —tess

    Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).

    Get it from Amazon for $24.97.

    9. An oversized hoodie with a built-in sleep mask that ensures some quality shut eye whether your travel-loving pal is en route via plane, train, or automobile (most likely Lyft or Uber...). 

    model wearing rose pink hoodie
    model wearing the hoodie with the hood on and the built-in eye mask covering their eyes while sitting on a plane
    Pond Los Angeles

    Promising review: "I fly a lot and am constantly trying to find a hoodie with a big hood to cover my eyes so I can catch up on some beauty sleep. I saw this on Instagram and knew it would be a game-changer. I was able to use it recently for the first time on an early morning flight, and let me tell you, it is EVERYTHING I was looking for and more. It’s comfy, cozy, oversized, and the eye covers make you feel like you’re in a whole other world and not packed like a sardine on a plane. My over-ear headphone fit perfectly under it, and I got the best sleep I’ve had on a plane — EVER! Like other reviews have said, it is big, so size down if you want something a little more snug. I have been wearing it every day and can’t wait to get it in black and blush!" —Heather G.

    Shipping info: Free ground shipping on orders over $99 to any destination within the contiguous United States. See Pond Los Angeles' full shipping policy here

    Get it from Pond Los Angeles for $102.40 (originally $120; available in women's sizes S–L and three colors, including black and cream).

    10. An as-seen-on-Shark-Tank seat gap filler they can pop in their center console to ensure they never drop another french fry, phone, or credit card into that evil little crevice!!! 

    the black seat gap filler
    a model installing the gap filler
    Amazon

    Check it out on TikTok here

    Promising review: "I have to admit, my expectations weren't very high. I thought it was more of a joke when my husband got this for me for Christmas. Little did I realize it would be one of my most favorite gadgets ever! I don't know if I realized just how many things went missing in my seat gap. It has really saved a lot of things from disappearing into that black hole. It was easy enough to fit into my car and it's soft! It's just like an extension of my seat, except it fits every curve of my seat! There really isn't another product that compares to this. That's why I gave it 5 stars!" —Tessa Forbes

    Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).

    Get a two-pack from Amazon for $19.99.

    11. A good ol' game of Cat-Opoly for the board game nerd who's also o.b.s.e.s.s.e.d. with their cat. The game works like classic Monopoly except properties are out and rare breeds (see: abyssinians, tonkineses, and Turkish vans) are in.

    cat themed monopoly with cat locations and cat-related charms
    Amazon

    Promising review: "Very entertaining! We gave this to our neighbors on Christmas Eve and they loved it. We played it that night. I love the unique metal playing pieces and cute game cards. The graphics are good and the board laid flat even though it was split and folded in quarters. It was a good buy!" —French Toast

    Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).

    Get it from Amazon for $20.99.

    12. A teensy tiny Dash ice cream maker so they can whip up some mint chocolate chip froyo right at home — no need to leave the sweet, sweet embrace of their sweats and blanket burrito. 

    A small pint-sized electric ice cream maker
    A reviewer dipping a spoon into creamy ice cream

    Promising review: "I love ice cream, especially homemade, and I have tried several brandname ice cream makers over the last few years. None of them stood up to this one. For one thing, it makes a pint at a time, perfect for households like mine with only one ice cream lover. Also, it’s incredibly easy to use and clean. I’m a total convert. I froze the cup for 24 hours, then mixed up my ingredients and stuck them in the freezer for 90 minutes (this is crucial for a good result). It took only 10 minutes of churning for soft ice cream, 15 to make it more firm. It worked like a charm." —charmdimsure

    Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).

    Get it from Amazon for $21.95 (available in two colors).

    13. A two-tier pistachio pedestal designed to give the king of nuts the respect they deserve.

    The pistachio pedestal with whole pistachios in the top tier and shells in the bottom tier
    Uncommon Goods

    The upper tier of the solid wood design holds 8 ounces of pistachios and the pieces come apart for easy cleaning. To keep the maple in tip-top shape, the seller advises giving it a once-over with mineral oil or beeswax wood conditioner every few months.

    Promising review: "The Pistachio Pedestal is my 'go-to' present for my hard-to-gift family and friends. It's handsome as well as functional, and it never fails to get compliments when it's out on a table. I love the craftsmanship and two-level design, and it makes cleaning up the empty shells a breeze. It's also a great container for snacking on other types of nuts, or edamame (soy bean pods), too! I have one myself, and I've given this to others multiple times, and it's always appreciated and well-used. A winner!" —Early Bird

    Shipping info: Economy, standard, expedited, and express (1–2 business days) shipping options are offered.

    Get it from Uncommon Goods for $54.

    14. A simply genius beard bib they can throw on and suction cup to their bathroom mirror when it's time for a trim because no matter how good of a clean they give their vanity after, they WILL find sharp lil' hairs on their bar soap, in their toothbrush, and all up in the drain, too. 

    A model trimming their beard over a plastic
    Amazon

    Promising review: "Finally bought this for my husband and I’m not sure why I waited so long. He would always shave over a towel, ball the towel up to 'clean it up when he got home from work,' forget to tell me, and then I’d see it on the bathroom floor or counter, pick it up to throw it in the washer (unaware of what surprise was inside), and beard hair would go EVERYWHERE. My husband can fully shave and then he basically has a full beard again three days later, so this happened more times than I’d like to admit. PEOPLE, DO YOURSELVES A FAVOR AND BUY THIS NOW!" —Ashley Flaga

    Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).

    Get it from Amazon for $10.12+ (available in five colors).

    15. A liquid-, stain-, and odor-repelling classic tee for the friend who — bless their heart — can't wear white without wearing their meal.

    model wearing white tee; different model wearing white tee
    Ably Apparel

    Promising reviews: "If you had to buy one thing from Ably, I would recommend these shirts! I agree with other reviews to size up for a more comfortable relaxed fit. These shirts work well for working out, hiking, traveling, or everyday. I don't even have to wash it every day. Sweat doesn't stay on the shirt so it stays dry and doesn't smell." —Hana

    "I bought it for him so we don’t have to toss every white shirt he spills food on. He loves the soft stretchy fabric and cleaning up his spills is a breeze!" —Emilie R.

    Shipping info: $5 standard shipping in the US. Free 2-Day shipping on US orders $25+. Next-day and Express delivery options also available. See Ably Apparel's full shipping policy here

    Get it from Ably Apparel for $48. The women's shirt here (available in sizes XS–2X and in 10 colors) and the men's shirt here (available in sizes S–3X and in four colors). 

    16. A cutesy keyboard cap for any of your cat-obsessed acquaintances who've been working from home for — ohhhh, THREE YEARS NOW?! It has squishy lil' toe beans they can boop whenever they hit esc, option, or whatever other key they use most often.

    white paw print key on a reviewer's keyboard
    black paw print key on a reviewer's keyboard

    Promising review: "I bought this as a gift for my boyfriend and he absolutely adores it. He immediately replaced one of his white keys with this and constantly touches it because of how soft and squishy the paw pads are! Adorable, makes me wish I were into mechanical keyboards!" —bluebell

    Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).

    Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in 13 colors).

    17. A tabletop pool game they won't have to clean out their entire basement to make room for.

    miniature orange felted pool table set
    Urban Outfitters

    The felted set comes with miniature versions of all the regular accessories including two cues, 16 balls, a triangle, chalk, and a table brush.

    Shipping info: Orders $75+ ship for free. Standard delivery takes 5-8 business days. Express and Rush shipping options are also available for a flat fee. See Urban Outfitters' full shipping policy here

    Get it from Urban Outfitters for $40.

    18. A minimalist pet portrait for the person on your list whose entire personality is their pet. That said, they like to keep their space ~aesthetic~ so a line or colorblock portrait is just the ticket.

    Three pics of the art: one line drawing of a dog, one color-block of a dog, and a line drawing of a cat, all with the actual animals they look like below them
    Animalist

    Here's what my colleague Abby Kass has to say: 

    "I fell in love with these posters three years ago and actually got one two years ago. It arrived SO fast after I placed the order, like in days. And the style is so simple yet chic. I customized the breed, design, and color, but you can also change the orientation and add text (it's super easy to do after you click on the link. They have all the options there to pick from). I did it based on my English Lab who sadly passed. It's a nice reminder that she's always going to be part of the family."

    Shipping info: Shipping is free and should arrive in 3–5 business days. See their full shipping policy here

    Get it from Animalist for $72+ (available in three sizes).

    19. A nutrient-rich, banana-scented overnight mask that comes in delightfully realistic packaging and smells EXACTLY like a Laffy Taffy. Idc what anyone says, banana candy is supreme. 

    the banana moisturizer opened and a glob of the creamy formula next to it
    a buzzfeeder holding the banana-shaped moisturizer
    Tonymoly, Chelsea Stuart / BuzzFeed

    First thing is first, I *so* wish you could scratch and sniff the photo above. I just started using this and TBH, I absolutely ordered it because it was cute. That said, I was already a big fan of Tonymoly products so I figured why not. Not only is it exceptionally fun looking, but it smells incredible and works really well on my dry skin. While it's definitely thick, it also doesn't leave me greasy which other products have. Basically, if you like banana-scented things and could use some extra hydration, try it out!

    Promising review: "This stuff is wonderful! Smells good, but not overpowering. I sleep with a fan on all the time and don't want my skin to dry out. This stays put all night and isn't greasy. My face is nice and soft in the morning. I've bought expensive brands and this works better than anything else I've used." —jan tetzlaff

    Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).

    Get it from Amazon for $13.20

    20. An apron with built-in oven mitts and a conversion cheatsheet (tucked in the pocket) so they never have to wash cake batter off their hands before googling the proper baking soda to baking powder replacement ratio.

    gif of a model wearing the blue apron and grabbing a pot with the built-in oven mitts on the sides to protect their hands
    closeup of a hand holding the conversion chart that it's in the pocket
    Food52

    Promising review: "I love this apron! It’s a heavier weight, which makes it feel like a lot on my small frame at first, but I don’t mind the extra length and feel very protected. Potholder pockets still work lengthwise for me, and I have not gotten a stain or ruined my actual clothing since I got this. Maybe I’m a messier cook than most but other thinner and smaller aprons didn’t provide the same protection. It’s a bonus that it fits my tall husband too." —Caroline F.

    Shipping info: Free Standard Shipping on orders $149+. Specific delivery estimates are provided once you choose a color/size.

    Get it from Food52 for $45+ (available in two sizes and five colors).

    21. A set of blooming tea balls for the tea drinker who is eager to show everyone that looseleaf can be just as aesthetic as latte art!!!

    an open box of individually wrapped blooming tea balls
    a reviewer photo of a clear mug with a blooming flower inside

    Reviewers say you can steep these balls multiple times with good results. You might also want to pick up a clear teapot or mug so your giftee can fully enjoy the blooms.

    Promising review: "Great flavor! I gave these as gifts and they were very well received. Combined the tea chest with the tea pot. It is like a piece of art that you drink. Just such a unique gift to give." —Amazon Customer

    Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).

    Get a 12-pack from Amazon for $18.93.

    22. A gamified core trainer so they don't have to go outside to break a sweat this winter, but they do get to pretend they're soaring through space or hang-gliding over a distant countryside.

    Models showing how you tilt and twist on the trainer following the game on a smartphone
    Amazon

    It's super simple to use! Your giftee will place their phone in the designated spot, choose their preferred game (four are included in the Stealth Fitness app), and then prop their arms up on the padded surface. Planking for three minutes is never any fun but this helps them forget what they're doing as they tilt and twist their way through challenges.

    Promising review: "I just bought the Stealth. It is amazing!! I don’t have a ton of time to work out. So I bought this and put it in my bedroom. Quick and easy to use in the morning and at night. The app makes it seem like a game so you don’t realize how long you are actually working your core. Great product." —Christopher Waldman

    Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).

    Get it from Amazon for $99+ (available in three colors/styles).

    23. A write-your-own cookbook for the Chrissy Teigen in your life. It has space for 80 recipes as well as handy recipe card templates, conversion tables, and room for photos so they can embrace their inner scrapbooker.

    inside of the recipe book with a picture of food taped to the page
    Amazon

    Promising review: "My mom has become quite the chef since the pandemic and mainly puts her recipes in a notebook. This was a perfect gift for her! Lots of colors to choose from; I ordered red and it was vibrant. You can really make this cookbook your own with customizations. There are enough pages for a whole lot of recipes as well as pictures. The layout is perfect. My mom loved this present!" —Amazon Customer

    Shipping info: Free expedited Prime shipping available for Prime Members, and non-Prime shipping options will still arrive by Christmas (see Amazon's full shipping information here).

    Get it from Amazon for $35.

    24. modern canvas that hides a pretty cool secret: Every chronological color strip is from a scene in their favorite movie. Below, we have Good Will Hunting from start to finish!

    The Good Will Hunting Frome
    Gytis Vaitkus / artjafara - http://stock.adobe.com

    Frome is a small business with more than 1,300+ cinematic canvasses from popular franchises and animated Disney films to more niche picks like Mr. Bean's Holiday (lol).

    Promising review: "My daughter loves it! She just graduated with a B.A. degree in Film. She loves films and Good Will Hunting is one of her favorites. When she got her Frome she immediately put the movie on to track the gorgeous colors. A perfect gift for a film lover. Thanks!" —Cynthia W. 

    Shipping info: Express and premium shipping options (1–5 day delivery) available at an additional cost. 

    Get it from Frome for $99.95+ (available in four sizes and in four styles).

    You after gifting any of these items: