We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
1. An Unsolved Case Files Game for anyone obsessed with crime-solving shows and figuring out who's guilty. This game comes with all the evidence they'll need to crack this case: newspaper articles, crime scene photographs, police reports, town maps, secret letters, suspect interrogations, and more!
Promising review: "Every once in a while I come across a product that is so amazing that I want to do what I can to help the people who created the product. This Unsolved Case Files case was one of those times. My family had so much fun with this. By the end of the night we felt like we had solved a real mystery, and we felt bad for the unfortunate victims. I immediately purchased another of these files and we are looking forward to playing it as soon as it arrives. If you even *think* that this might be interesting to you then you should purchase it. It was way more fun than I was expecting, and I was expecting it to be a lot of fun. The only real downside was that we didn't really budget enough time. Our kids stayed up well past their bed time. Luckily they didn't have school the next day." —Jason Earl
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 $26.97.
2. A candle-making kit so they can finally combat their Bath & Body Works obsession by making much more budget-friendly candles at home (added bonus, they can use up all those mason jars they've been hoarding for who knows what reason).
This kit includes a bag of natural soy wax (in flake form), pre-waxed and tabbed wicks, and wick-centering devices.
Promising review: "I am amazed at how easy it is to make candles! I made small mosquito-repellent candles for my wedding. I just added a colored dye and scent after I melted the wax. Was super easy and quick to make. The hardest thing for me was to wait for it to cool down and solidify. I even had my kids help. They thought it was fun to mix colors to create their own. This wax melts nicely and doesn't really have an odor by itself." —Amanda
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 four sizes).
3. A Lego Gadgets book set that will teach them the science behind 11 different gadgets while they build them! We love an educational gift that is actually fun.
This comes with 58 Lego elements — aka everything they need to build the different items — and a 78-page book of inspiration.
Promising review: "This set is awesome for my 6-year-old. I bought this for a gift as he loves Lego and loves to figure things out. I like the fact that this adds the element of science to it. It has 11 different gadgets that you can make and there is a lot of thought behind the machines. It also explains the science behind the machine after you have built it. Some of the gadgets have paper cutouts which are cleverly designed. I love how this engages my 6-year-old. This is a great value for your money and I would highly recommend this." —Megawatt
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 $21.99.
4. An embroidery kit perfect for beginners so they can dabble in creating intricate, hand-stitched works of art.
This kit includes needles, thread, instructions, a hoop, and stamped fabric (the stamped image is water soluble so you can remove it when you're finished to create seamless art pieces!).
Promising review: "I truly loved everything about this set of three different designs. Each was packaged separately, all arrived in a large plastic bag, which is convenient for gifting or sharing. I appreciated only receiving one hoop in this set, as well as that each design had clear directions, the threads separated neatly and was accompanied with several needles. It’s perfect for those new to needlepoint or who might be picking up the craft anew. Not too challenging, but a nice variety of different types of stitches are involved with each pattern, which makes it (for me) more engaging and fun. I highly recommend this!!" —Anna Martinez
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 $11.99+ (available in six patterns).
5. A 12-pack canister of blooming tea because why would anyone want a boring tea bag when they could have blooming tea that makes a beautiful show while it steeps?! Added benefit: each flower can be reused up to three times, meaning they will get a *lot* of cups of tea out of this gift.
Make sure to grab a glass tea pot, too, to make sure they can see all the magic bloom!
Promising review: "I was looking forward to trying this type of tea out. To be honest I was just a tiny bit skeptical that it wasn’t going to be as flavorful as it looked but it turns out that these teas pack a very flavorful punch! They have a very floral taste and it’s really quite refreshing! Definitely would recommend getting this for any tea lovers in your family or friend." —Lily
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 $19.95.
6. A 3D jigsaw puzzle for those people who put 1,000 piece puzzle together like it's nothing. This highly detailed puzzle will transport them straight into Harry Potter so they can feel like they are walking through the streets of (a very tiny) Diagon Alley.
Promising review: "Bought this a couple of years ago but not gonna lie it kind of intimidated me for some reason so we didn’t do it. Recently sent our only kiddo to college and trying to stay busy so we dug it out and started it one cold winter day!! Oh my did we have fun!!!! Finished it in two days and immediately ordered The Great Hall!" —Susan Lush
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 $35.99 (also available in four other versions).
Editor's Note: BuzzFeed does not support discriminatory or hateful speech in any form. We stand by the LGBTQ+ community and all fans who found a home in the Harry Potter series and will work to provide a safe space for fans. If you, like us, feel impassioned about trans rights, learn more or donate here.
7. The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook because everybody knows Disney has ~delicious~ food, but who wants to spend like $5 on one churro?! With this book, they will be able to create their own Mickey-Mouse-shaped beignets, Dole Whips, and over 100 other recipes. This gift keeps on giving…if you're lucky, they may even make you a treat to try!
Promising review: "Beautiful hardcover cookbook with so many yummy Disney recipes from the parks! There is lots of Disney foodie history in it, plus recipes that look easy to follow with high quality ingredients. There are fun maps of each of the parks inside where the food is located from, which makes it fun. As an avid Disney fan, I have never seen a cookbook like this." —Nicole
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 $11.99.
8. A DIY miniature greenhouse that comes with all the materials for them to build every inch of it — we're talking floors, doors, furniture, and even a functioning LED light. This craft isn't just fun to build, but is a great collector's item they can keep for years to come.
Promising review: "I got this for my daughter for a project over her summer break from school. I was amazed at the quality of the parts and materials as well as the assembly instructions. Note that this is NOT for the faint of heart! It looks like it could easily take 20 hours, or longer to fully assemble this as it is a serious doll house kit, and can definitely provide lots of enjoyment for someone who likes building these kinds of things. Worth the money." —Life and things
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.
9. A pack of modeling clay so they can create beautiful works of art whether they are a seasoned artist or have never touched a mound of clay in their life. One reviewer says this is the best clay that doesn't require a kiln!
Promising review: "I love this clay! It is inexpensive and great for my craft projects, and very easy for my kids to use as well. It is very lightweight when dry, so it is good for jewelry, and it is easy to sand down any rough edges. Just what I was looking for!" —Lauren Lovato
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 $9.99+ (available in three colors).
10. A Sur La Table online cooking class, because if you give a man a fish he can eat for a day, but if you teach him to fish he can eat for a lifetime! No more ordering out every day — with these classes they can learn to make tapas, stir fried noodles, gnocchi, and so much more.
Classes range from 90–120 minutes and prior to the class they will receive a packet with necessary ingredients so they can be ready to jump right in!
Shipping info: You get to select a date that would work best and you will receive immediate e-delivery of event info!
Get a ticket from Sur La Table for $29+/household.
11. A copy of The Antiquarian Sticker Book that includes stickers so beautiful, they may not even want to take them out and use them. This beautiful book contains over 1,000 Victorian-inspired stickers, perfect for anyone who loves scrapbooking or decorating.
Promising review: "These stickers are amazing! They range from quarter sized creatures to full pages of stained glass. The colors are vibrant, and the book includes a huge variety of all the letters of the alphabet. They peel and stick very easily and don't come off." —June Gerron
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 $14.28.
12. A murder mystery book designed to challenge even the most crime-show-obsessed person you know. This book includes 20 murders for them to solve, so buckle up Nancy Drew — there's about to be a new detective in town.
Promising review: "The illustrations are very well done. Definitely have to say you need a logical mind to figure out these puzzles. You get a deep feeling of success when you figure out whodunnit." —Renee Goff
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 $14.39.
13. Or, for something more family friendly (aka no murders) — a monthly subscription to Finders Seekers mystery puzzles so each month they can explore a new city through puzzles, codes they'll decipher, and escape room challenges.
You can get just one month's subscription or get it for three, six, or 12 months — the more months you get, the cheaper it is per month!
Promising review: "I have been getting Finders Seekers boxes for over a year, and I cannot lie, I'm obsessed. The mysteries are a lot of fun, and they are so much fun to do with friends, especially those that haven't done something like this before. Occasionally, the puzzles are evil (I'm looking at you, Paris box!), but the fact that after a year they can still challenge me is a good thing." —Rachel C.
Shipping info: Standard shipping is $6 and if you order before December 16 you'll get it in time for Christmas. If shopping last minute, you will get a customizable PDF you can download or print so you can let them know their gift is on the way.
Get it from Cratejoy for $26.40+/month.
14. A National Geographic geode kit that will give them the satisfaction of breaking open a seemingly boring rock to discover something beautiful. Not only is this fun and interactive, but it's educational and can spark an interest in science and discovery by learning how geodes are formed and how they can differ so much in appearance.
This comes with geodes, learning guide, magnifying glass, safety goggles, and display stands. A hammer is not included.
Promising review: "I absolutely love this....amazing gift if you plan to do that or a wonderful treat yourself! Hands on is always fun and for visual learners like myself the best kind of brain food we can get. It comes with a booklet that gives you all sorts of cool information and facts to learn about before or after you smash into your rocks. I love how there's a wide variety of different geodes and sizes. The price cannot be beat for what you're getting. The best part about this product is you're learning while having a good time and at the end of the process you have some lovely geodes to display. They also have a story to tell because you open them yourself. My only advice to anyone is to carefully open your geodes, do not just smash into them! Take the time to slowly crack them open and get two halves. One more awesome thing I love about this is that it comes with safety goggles and a magnifying glass so that you can check out all the amazing details of the geodes before you crack and after you open them. Stunning and beautiful, one of the best purchases I've ever made!" —Dane Mireles
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 $16.99+ (available in three quantities).
15. The Highlights Book of Things to Do perfect for those kiddos in your life who are somehow always bored. This book is chock-full of different activities, from making rock candy to creating erupting foam to constructing ice lanterns.
Promising review: "This is a good quality book well worth buying. It became my 7-year-old daughter's favorite activity book during summer vacation this year. She would pick it up whenever she had time and do some activities. Sometimes she would share the funny content with me or ask me to do projects with her. I found it very interesting while informative. Highly recommend it. Will definitely try Things To Draw and Things To Write books as well." —Jess S.
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 $10.66.
16. A wireless Bluetooth mic so anywhere they go can become their own personal stage. Now belting out "The Climb" by Miley Cyrus will just hit that much harder because they finally have the mic they deserve instead of an old hairbrush.
It's compatible with with any smartphone or tablet, lasts up to 10 hours on a single charge, and can even be connected to their device via cable. Check out BuzzFeed's full write-up on this karaoke mic.
Promising review: "I don’t even know where to start! I drunkenly bought this microphone because I absolutely love karaoke. I came home one day after work and there it was! A rectangular Amazon box with a mystery inside of it. I eagerly opened it and found the most beautiful pink/rose gold microphone you’ve ever seen. I obviously immediately turned it on and started singing. I have used it in the car, at work, and at parties. I have gotten a lot of strangers to sing into it and everyone loves it. I went to the beach and found out I didn’t have a speaker but it turns out you can Bluetooth connect it to your phone and it’s just as loud. Needless to say this is a purchase you won’t regret so don’t think twice!" —Elsy Menjivar
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 $19.99+ (available in 15 colors).
17. A challenging 1,000-piece puzzle with an end result so beautiful they may never want to take it apart.
Promising review: "I love Michael Storrings's artwork. This puzzle was very fun to put together. The completed puzzle is beautiful. The product is a good quality, and the item I received did not include any damaged or missing pieces." —Henrietta S.
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 $16.99.
18. An Airbnb virtual experience so they can experience the world and new cultures firsthand…without having to get up from their couch. With such a wide variety of opportunities — magic classes, guided meditation with sheep, wildlife safaris — you could knock off everyone on your list in one place.
Promising review: "Had a great time with Chiara & Nonna! They were both so friendly, warm, and helpful. Learning to cook with them was a lot of fun and yielded some delicious food. Their instructions were easy to follow and they made sure that everyone in the group felt included, got the help that the needed, and that no one was left behind. A great experience!" —Brandon talking about Pasta with the Grandmas
Shipping info: You get to select a date that would work best and you will receive immediate e-delivery of event info!
Get one from Airbnb for $2+/person.
The photo on the left is from the coffee masterclass ($13+/person) and the right is a history tour of Pompeii ($22+/person).
19. A Brooklyn Brew Shop kit that includes everything they will need to create their very own hard cider. Just get them this kit and a jug of apple juice and patiently wait until they gift you a bottle. 😋
This kit comes with a reusable glass fermenter, three packets of yeast, vinyl tubing and a clamp, a racking cane and tip, a chambered airlock, three packets of cleanser, and a screw-cap stopper.
Promising review: "Great little kit to get started home brewing wine and or cider. All you need to add is the juice and sugar. I brewed my first gallon of wine ever using this kit and made a delicious apple wine. I have now upgraded to six bottles and I keep five of them going at all times. Well worth the money. These make a great gift for somebody who likes to DIY or just a fun little hobby to work on. I regularly use this kit to make wine that tastes way better than the stuff I can buy at the store for a fraction of the cost." –Screant
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 $47.85.
20. A handheld electric milk frother so they can kick their $6-a-day coffee shop habit, without having to give up the delicious drinks.
It's battery-operated, requires two AA batteries that aren't included, grab 'em here. And you can just run it in some soapy water for easy cleaning!
Promising review: "I bought it at first out of curiosity, and figured worst case scenario I was down 10 bucks. When I tell you I use this thing every single morning, it is no joke. Totally changes the taste of coffee when you froth the creamer and honestly works great for blending miscellaneous drinks as well. I’ve mixed supplement power into a drink using this and it works wonderfully. 110% recommend." —Courtney Sham
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 $9.99+ (available in nine colors).
21. A keepsake journal for the sentimental person in your life. Now they can gather up all those old ticket stubs and other mementos that are scattered about their house and put them together in an organized, ring-bound book.
Promising review: "Got this for my boyfriend as a gift to present tickets to his first comedy show. Loved the comedy show, but also really loved the memory book to store our future stubs as we frequently go to movies, concerts, and shows. Really sweet gift for anyone who values sentimental items and collects their stubs!" —Rachel
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.
22. An easy-to-use gardening kit to make sure they always have fresh herbs at their fingertips whenever they are cooking a gourmet meal.
This kit comes with five types of Certified USDA Organic Non GMO seeds, including Italian Large Leaf Basil, Coriander Cilantro (slow bolt), Peione Parsley, Broad Leaf Sage and Thyme, five Certified USDA Organic compostable peat pots, five Certified USDA Organic rich potting soil discs, five custom wood burned plant markers, and a 25 page growing guide manual.
Promising Review: "I bought this for my son and me to experiment with an herb garden during the quarantine. We had a blast setting these little growers up. It comes with everything needed to start an herb garden. The little soil discs were weird at first to get expanded but we got the hang of it easily. My 8-year-old had enjoyed the planting and watching the seeds develop over time. We are moving into the transplanting phase soon and hopefully, we will be able to keep it growing through the summer. This kit comes with enough seeds to plant several times. Very well presented with different booklets for each phase of the seeds." —Virginia LaBorde
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 $29.97.
23. A travel-inspired Paint by Sticker book that is a perfect alternative to an adult coloring book. It's full of easy-to-follow templates so even those of us with ~zero~ artistic ability can create beautiful works of art.
Promising review: "I really enjoy this book series. I have purchased three so far, and each one is unique in its own special way. It is very relaxing to simply peel and stick and see a colorful picture emerge before your eyes. The book is very sturdy, so you do not need anything hard to press down on (I often do it in my lap), and the pages (stickers and images) are all perforated, and very easy to remove. I've never had a page rip while tearing it out." —Rooney Belle
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 $10.96.
24. A heavy duty pizza stone to create scrumptious pizzas, whether they've tossed the dough themselves or simply unboxed a frozen pie. Each bite of crispy crust will trick even advanced palates into thinking it actually came from a pizzeria!
It can be used on grills too!
Promising review: "Whether you make pizza from scratch or enjoy a frozen pizza from the market, this pizza stone is essential for the best at home pizza experience. Preparing your pizza on a stone assures a crispy crust and removing the pizza from the oven, on the heated stone, assures you that it will remain warm while the slices are consumed." —Steve
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 $26.99+ (available in three sizes and three versions).
25. An illustrated travel journal for any list-loving frequent (or aspiring) traveler. Full of thought-provoking topics, this book will help them plan their next destination while also looking back and remembering everything they've already experienced. And once it's fully filled out, it becomes great keepsake for years to come!
This journal is the perfect time capsule.
Promising review: "This is an awesome purchase, especially for young adventurers. I bought this for myself at a local bookstore, and I can't help but get super excited about everything I am filling out. It's inspiring to scour the internet for all of the 'natural wonders, formations, and phenomena' I want to see. On the other end of the spectrum, it includes 'spiritual places, islands, and volunteer travel'. The format is very well-organized and, if you are a list-maker like myself, you will immediately fall in love with this book. It covers every possible travel topic in a simple, easy fashion. I plan on keeping this small journal as long as I travel (which will hopefully last a lifetime)!" —Mama bear
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 $15.26.
26. An ergonomic and compact Shiatsu back and neck massager to give them the deep tissue massage they've been dreaming of whenever they want instead of just a skimpy 50-minute one they would get at a real spa.
Promising review: "I’m really happy with it so far. The unit heats up nicely (not as much as a heating pad but enough to help with pain relief). It's motor is quiet enough to not be distracting. The material feels like it should hold up pretty well over time. It has a strap so it can be attached to a chair but I haven’t used it yet (seems sturdy). I like that it’s more versatile than the chair cover units. I can use it on my neck, back, legs, and feet. There’s only one setting and it rotates in two directions. I prefer that to some of the other units I’ve used because they vibrate or 'punch' and I’m left feeling beat up." —Michelle
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 $49.95+ (available in five colors).
27. A bath caddy because the only thing better than a warm bath is one where they don't have to worry about getting their book, tablet, or phone wet. Plus, there's a super convenient cupholder so their drink is never out of reach.
Promising review: "Absolutely love this! The craftsmanship and quality of it is fantastic. I was worried as the inner ledge of the tub is small that it would be wobbly or would fall in, but it was completely stable and I was able to slide it up or down the tub with ease! 100% the upgrade bath time needed!" —Mallory Kalinoski
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 $29.59+ (available in six versions).
The reviews in this post have been edited for length and clarity.