1. The Adventure Challenge: Couples Edition — a book of scratch-off dates to add some spontaneity to any relationship. Each activity is a surprise until you scratch it off. Snap a pic of all the fun during each challenge and add it to your memory book.
Promising review: "I was gifted this and LOVED it! This is something truly SPECIAL and MEANINGFUL that I would purchase as a gift for any occasion. Not only was the whole experience freakin FUN and memorable; we really enjoyed reading the introduction to The Adventure Challenge! It made my boyfriend and I realize A LOT about life! From the packaging to the intricate details of the product...this is something you won't regret purchasing. Love what this company represents and was honored to be a part of the experience! Keep up the great work!" —Monique S.
Get it from The Adventure Challenge for $39.99.
2. A National Geographic geode kit that'll make for a ~smashing~ gift. Now hand them those goggles, please!
It comes with 10 geodes of varying sizes as well as goggles and a display stand.
Promising review: "My 9-year-old niece gets these every year for Christmas. It is a new gift every time! She loves to put on safety glasses and swing that hammer! The geodes are always beautiful. She also loves the element of surprise! This is a wonderful gift that will engage even kids who are not into the sciences. Every year she takes pieces in to share with her class. She also loves to give pieces away as little gifts or mementos. Nat Geo never disappoints!" —Kristin D.
Get it from Amazon for $28.53.
3. A heartwarming (and body-warming!) love letter blanket for the couple who still swap love notes. This is a great opportunity to recreate early letters you sent each other, or you can create a list of all the things you're looking forward to doing in the future! And you can choose from a preset cursive font or use your own handwriting.
Frankie Print Co is a Canadian small business based in Calgary, Alberta.
Promising review: "Blanket came out WONDERFUL! Our handwriting on it is clear and legible, unsmudged, and the frill on the border of it is an awesome touch." —Joseph Gaither
Get it from Frankie Print Co on Etsy for $159+ (available in three sizes and two handwriting styles).
4. A screaming goat because it accurately portrays their mood 99% of the time. It sits on a tree stump and shrieks whenever you touch it, and all I can say is "same."
Promising review: "I spend about 90% of my day silently screaming at the computer because, well, welcome to customer service. Since this little goat arrived, I no longer look like I am practicing for my appearance on Jerry Springer. I just push the little goat. He screams (but not in a disruptive way). I smile. I am no longer annoyed. I survived peak season because of this goat." —Gab
Get it from Amazon for $7.65.
5. Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza, a fast-paced card-slapping game so they can destroy their family and friends at the next game night.
Promising review: "Bought this by accident because I thought these were baby flash cards. Saw these were actually a card game and tried it with my husband and fell in love with this game. It's fun and competitive. :D" —ChocorateChippu
Get it from Amazon for $9.84.
6. A miniature baking set if an Easy-Bake oven was their favorite toy as a child. It's also a neat gift for anyone who's obsessed with mini foods.
The set comes with a storage tin, rolling pin, wee knife, pizza/dough cutter, mixing spoon, three wee spoons, mixing bowl, pizza/pie pan, pie server, sheet pan, silicone cake and cupcake molds, two silicone finger mitts, and 48-page recipe book. The recipe book comes with explanations on how the food chemistry works so it's great for newbie food scientists.
Promising review: "I gave this to my sister for Christmas and she immediately used it to make mini treats with the kids. They LOVE it! I just kept getting texts and pictures from them about how functional and FUN it is." —Leslie Palmer
Get it from Amazon for $28.07.
7. A unique Lego flower bouquet to show your love is as endless as the life of these flowers. You can choose to gift them the fully assembled blooms, but they may also enjoy putting them together with you!
Promising review: "This is a great gift for anyone who loves flowers. They are as sturdy as they get since they're legos and although they do take a while to build, it's a very fulfilling process. Love it and would set aside as something to gift to several people at any point. They look beautiful!!" —Gaby
Get it from Amazon for $47.99.
8. A box of hydrocolloid nose patches for anyone who's obsessed with skincare. These target oily pores and slurp out the gunk in the zits around the nose and on the nose bridge. If you're familiar with the small circular pimple patches, know that this is pretty much the same thing but it'll cover a larger surface area.
Promising review: "It's gross in the most spectacular way. The amount of disgusting gunk that came out of my face was appalling and I instantly gagged. However, my nose has never felt so clean and smooth for consecutive days. If you have oily skin I definitely recommend washing your face first and apply it to the nose before moisturizing the rest of your face. If I could give this 10 stars I would. Everyone is getting this for Christmas." —Justina
Get 10 patches from Amazon for $16.55.
9. A capybara desk companion that'll lend them some tranquility and spa-like vibes on busy work days.
Dapple & Dot is a small business based in the UK.
Promising review: "The perfect gift for my partner to add to his work desk. It made me want to order myself a frog witch one!" —Hayley Chapman
Get it from Dapple & Dot on Etsy for $13.14.
10. A Silly Poopy's Hide & Seek game because the kid in your life is currently in their potty humor phase — let them delight in finding a rainbow-colored fake poop that gives seekers clues to its whereabouts. Know any parents in desperate need of some alone time? Reviewers swear by this thing for keeping their children entertained so you very well may earn yourself a "~Holy crap~ this gift is amazing text!"
Promising review: "This game is HILARIOUS. My kids love playing with it and taking turns hiding it. (They're 8-, 6-, and 3-years-old). They all think poop is funny and run around yelling 'Silly Poopy where are you?' It keeps them busy for at least half an hour at a time and they leave me alone. Also? It's pretty durable. I found it outside in my garden in the 20-degree winter weather. I guess my 8-year-old left it out there for a few days. It also gets thrown down the stairs and Silly Poopy just keeps on giggling and having fun." —Adele
Get it from Amazon for $12.99.
11. A box of 100 conversation starters so you never stop learning new things about your S.O. But don't toss out the deck once you've gone through it; revisit it in a little bit and you may be surprised how your answers change.
Promising review: "After 30 years with my spouse, we didn’t really talk much anymore. It was the usual what work junk happened, what was on the schedule, what we needed from the store, and what was on our phones. I am so grateful I stumbled on these cards. I gave them and a puzzle to my husband for Christmas. I think he thought it was corny, until we started. I started off telling him how much I miss conversation with him and that I love him and I would like to date him again. It has been wonderful to sit and work on the puzzle, with some low music on in the background, TALK and share a glass of wine together. We are loving these cards!" —KTB
Get it from Amazon for $20.95.
12. A Dyson Airwrap if they get hand cramps and a case of dead arm every morning drying and styling their hair. It comes with a variety of attachments — smoothing brushes, a round brush, curling barrels, and more — to help them look like they walked out of a salon when they simply walk out of the bathroom in the morning.
Promising review: "I have waited a few years to get the Airwrap because it’s so darn expensive. I finally purchased it six weeks ago, and it has changed my life. This tool replaces your hair dryer, curling iron, and straightener. It’s great to pack for traveling since it’s the size of a larger curling iron with a few attachments and so lightweight. I’ve never had so many compliments on my hair, and I put in half the effort I did previously. My hair looks a lot healthier, too, hot tools are bad for your hair, and if you can curl your hair with hot air instead of a hot iron, it’s a win." —alisonshops6
Get it from Nordstrom for $599.
13. A pack of Crayola Globbles to keep kiddos busy sticking, squishing, squeezing, stacking, and slinging without you or their parents worrying about sticky residue on ceilings and walls.
Promising review: "I waited over two months to write my review! My 4-year-old daughter plays with these DAILY! YES, they do attract dirt and hair. HOWEVER, they are so easy to rinse off that it's not a big deal! We took these to a family gathering and gave two away because they were SO loved! The two we gave away went to a 12-year-old and my 19-year-old brother. They discovered throwing them at the ceiling fan and watching them shoot across the room, which was pretty entertaining! None of them have busted or ripped, and they are definitely NOT gentle with them! I will definitely be buying more!" —Kindle Customer
Get a pack of six from Amazon for $10.69.
14. A reverse coloring book that'll get their creative juices flowing if traditional coloring books feel stale or aren't as relaxing as they once were. This coloring book is a bit different: The colors are already on the page — their job is to add the lines.
Promising review: "This is definitely no coloring book. You can do so many things on each page, and you see different things each time. I did a couple like this one where I drew the faces and animals I saw — it can be similar to seeing things in clouds or the bathroom floor tiles. Or it can be a loose framework — I did a couple of pages where I made mechanical or botanical stuff. Many of the pages are obviously floral, but you can change them up any way you want. When I’ve drawn all of the pages, I might get another copy and do them differently. There are also more books by the same author, so I might want them as well. I’ve never had so much fun doodling. It’s easy to get into the zone with this book." —KathyG
Get it from Amazon for $9.90.
15. A reparative K-beauty snail mucin essence for rejuvenating their face, lightening hyperpigmentation, and prepping their skin so it's ready to drink up all the benefits of a moisturizer.
Promising review: "This stuff is incredible. I have suffered from minor acne for almost two years, and I finally realized the products I was using were far too harsh for my dry, sensitive skin. After using gentle products and eventually moving on to K beauty, I found this to lighten all the scarring from the years of picking at my breakouts. My scarring is still a bit noticeable, but it has gotten tremendously better thanks to this product and this product alone." —Marc
Get it from Amazon for $17.
16. How to Be More Tree — a grounding and beautifully illustrated book stuffed with life lessons we can learn from trees, because life can get overwhelming sometimes.
This made Oprah's list of favorite things in 2023!
Promising review: "I bought as a Christmas gift for my brother, an arborist. He loved it for obvious reasons, but y’all, this book is for everyone. I’m ordering one for me too! Beautifully illustrated and written. A true gem." —NolaFanGirl
Get it from Amazon for $12.60.
17. A sad duck night-light so they have always have a late-night study buddy, movie-watching companion, or a friend with whom they can commiserate after a rough day.
Promising review: "Like a lot of us, this duck is just doing the best they can. They look a bit sad and forlorn, but they’re a literal bright spot in your day. I work from home, and I don’t typically like a lot of lights on when I’m working, but this little friend gives off just enough light to make my day a little more cheerful, and I haven’t bitten anyone since I started using it as a little desk lamp. It has also come in quite handy when I’ve lost power during a few summer storms. It’s not bright enough to read with, but it is good at banishing the creepy things that live under your bed. It seems to hold a charge for a good amount of time, and it charges easily on my laptop while I’m working. I didn’t have many expectations for this little light but it’s cute and useful, and I am considering buying a few more." —Rebecca Swanson
Get it from Amazon for $15.99.
18. A bag of medium roast coffee beans if they're looking to expand their coffee palate or just looking for a reliably delicious "everyday" brew.
Tasting notes: milk chocolate, toffee, dried fruit
These are my go-to beans! Absolutely love 'em! I've even started buying the 5-lb. bag just for myself because it's pretty much the only coffee I drink at home.
Promising review: "Knew nothing about this brand before but saw a lot of positive reviews so decided to give it a try without any expectations. And it was amazing. First of all, it was absolutely freshly roasted when it arrived and just the perfect roast not too dark or light. Great flavor as an espresso." —Wei C.
Get a 12-ounce bag from Partners Coffee for $17.25 (available in larger sizes and a variety of grinds).
19. A pair of noise-reduction earplugs to dull loud noises and background sounds, as well as muffle voices, so they're great for people with auditory sensitivities and folks who just want some peace and quiet to focus or find zen.
The earplugs also come with a carrying case and eight different ear tips (XS–L) to ensure the perfect fit.
Promising review: "If I could, I'd give these 10 stars for comfort. I have very small ear canals and have always struggled with earplugs. They're usually too big and difficult to insert properly. And once they're in, I can't sleep in them more than a couple nights without my ears getting sore. These are different. The smallest tips are just right and they insert perfectly as you twist. They also come out easily by twisting. They are not totally noise canceling, but they're just right in my opinion. I mostly use them while traveling and sleeping hotels. They block noise enough to allow me to sleep but not so much that I can't hear my alarm in the morning. And I haven't noticed any soreness even after wearing for nearly a week. Definitely recommend!" —Nicole G.
Get it from Amazon for $24.95 (available in eight colors).
20. A rotary cheese grater that'll immediately transport them to their favorite place: Olive Garden, with a steaming bowl of pasta sitting in front of them and a waiter murmuring, "Say when!"
Promising review: "Fantastic grater! Get one! Super pleased with this purchase. Wish I had purchased it sooner. Makes grating cheeses so easy. Simple to use and to disassemble for cleaning. Can assemble with handle to right or left for ease of operation. Has worked well for me with parmesan, gruyere, asiago, and fontina. Would buy again. Would make a great gift." —CJBS
Get it from Amazon for $22.95.
21. A skin spatula for the person with a 20-step skincare routine. It'll help remove blackheads and de-gunk pores using high-frequency vibrations. This can also help skincare absorb better since pores won't be blocked with debris.
Promising review: "I never write reviews, but I could not pass this one up. I have been fighting with my skin for years! After my last pregnancy, I started developing cystic acne; my skin was congested with oil, whiteheads, blackheads, you name it. After all those years of desperately doing my own extractions, trying every mask, cleanser, and device, my skin was left scarred and discolored. I hated the texture of my skin. I impulsively bought this and tried it the day it was delivered. I was amazed at how well it extracted all the gunk I could and couldn't see lurking under my skin. I use it every night to cleanse, then apply my serum and moisturizer. I took the first set of photos on May 27 and still didn't love how my skin looked under makeup. I could tell it was doing something, though, so I stuck with it. Three days later, I woke up in shock! Took the second set of photos wearing the same makeup (but needed much less). I am finally happy with the way my skin looks, and I posted a selfie without a filter for the first time since I can remember! Just try it! (All photos were taken in natural light. Must've gotten some cloud cover in the last one. No filters on ANY of them! I'm still in shock!)" —Marlena H.
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in three colors).
22. A TikTok-famous 1,000-piece puzzle from The Magic Puzzle Company because there's more to it than meets the eye! Not only is the illustration so beautiful that they'll probably glue and frame their puzzle when it's completed, but it also features 50 Easter eggs throughout *and* a magical twist that reveals itself once the puzzle is finished.
Promising review: "I bought this as a gift for my husband because he absolutely loves puzzles and magic, so it was a no-brainer! I was honestly way more excited to finish putting this puzzle together than a normal puzzle because I couldn’t wait to see the end result. Blown away. I’m super impressed and will be purchasing a different version. Oh, and they weren’t kidding about the no dust in the box...very pleased with this purchase!" —Nlbrimberry
Get it from Amazon for $22.97.
23. An extra-extra long plushie so stinkin' adorable and absolutely ridiculous you may order one for yourself. Whether you're shopping for someone who's 8 or 18, you can't go wrong with this cutie!
24. An adorable pickleball set if the've fallen in love with the sport and don't want to spend $$$ to rent equipment every time they go to the courts.
25. A popcorn bowl with a built-in kernel sifter to spare them the pain of snorfling a handful of popcorn into their mouth and accidentally biting down on a kernel. OUCH! This bowl functions like a colander with a removal filter that separates the popped and unpopped kernels. And when they're not eating popcorn, they can use this bowl as a fruit dish!
Promising review: "I ordered this popcorn bowl for my son who loves popcorn, but it has so many other uses. I make homemade coleslaw often and it always collects moisture in the bottom of the serving dish. Not with this bowl! All the moisture is pulled away to the bottom, keeping my coleslaw fresh and crispy. It's great for broccoli salad too!" —Gina doesn't like wet coleslaw
Get it from Uncommon Goods for $48.
26. Subpar Parks, a hilarious book documenting the 1-star reviews people have left for National Parks that'll make them giggle and groan. ("Didn't even get to touch the lava?" Excuse me?????) Don't worry, there's more: beautiful illustrations and informative text celebrating Mother Nature's glories.
Promising review: "I worried that I'd miss photographs in a book about national parks. Nope! Not at all! The illustrations in this book are actually much better than photos. The pictures take me to the park and then let my imagination roam around and see things in my mind's eye. The words go well with the pictures and the quirky bit of humor, that drew me to this book and encouraged my purchase of it, stays on the right side of gentle teasing versus mean making fun of people. I'm glad I bought this book and am enjoying perusing it and planning trips to the parks!" —Mary M.
Get it from Amazon for $15.63.
27. A teen-approved Y2K-inspired phone charm for anyone who's absolutely stumped when it comes to what to get the 14-year-old in their life.
28. A working mini Dyson vacuum because — believe it or not — parents swear by this pint-sized picker-upper. It's great for kiddos who are obsessed with copying their parents, and it even has a little suction power so they can help clean *some* of the messes they make.
You'll need four C batteries.
Promising review: "Easily my 15-month-old grandson's favorite toy. He's learned how to press the buttons to turn the motors on and off and really enjoys pushing this around, just like the big people do with their vacuum :) It's well-made, durable, and survives frequent drops. No small or sharp parts. It really does vacuum, there is a small dirt container to empty lol...but it's not really that powerful. It's a great toy though. Your kids/grandkids will get a lot of enjoyment out of it." —Chuck over in Wisconsin
Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in three colors).
29. A extra-long bath pillow so their full body is relaxed and cozy during their next bath. Bath pillows are great, but when they're only those itty bitty neck pillows, their tailbone is bound to go numb after sitting too long on a hard bathtub.
Promising review: "I absolutely love it. My tub is an old-fashioned soaking tub and it was slippery to stay seated comfortably and I always ended up on my tailbone — youch. I got this mat so I can sit comfortably and rest my head. OMG, nirvana! I was in the tub so long relaxing, I had to add more hot water. The suction grips stayed put and the pillow for my head was perfect. Finally, I can sit without sliding around. After the bath, I hang the loop at the top over a plastic hanger and hang it over the tub to dry overnight. In the morning, I roll it up and store it in the towel closet." —Belle Jardiniere
Get it from Amazon for $37.99.
30. A Baboon to the Moon Go Bag if they're a frequent traveler — especially one who does not want spinner luggage — in search of their dream bag. Ding ding ding, we have a winner!
I have the Small size (40L) and it is my preferred travel bag for trips that don't require my spinner luggage, which, for me, are typically shorter trips (1–3 days) and trips that don't involve planes. It's surprisingly roomy and if you pack smart, I can def see there being enough room for at least a week of clothing. Lugging around a heavy crossbody duffel bag or holding the hand straps is not very fun, especially when you're navigating small aisles and busy terminals, so the backpack format is ideal and in my experience it has been remained comfy even after walking around Grand Central Terminal for about an hour. I also really love the material of the bag and that water doesn't soak into the bag, as well as how easily scuffs wipe off with a little big of cleaner. Functions aside, the aesthetics of this bag are top notch and it comes in so many fun colors.
Get it from Baboon to the Moon for $169+ (available in three sizes and nine colors).
31. A pair of cushiony inserts to zhuzh up their trusty Uggs, whose lining is matted down and considerably less cushy. They can also pop these into other shoes they own to add some warmth and coziness.
Promising review: "I love to use these in all of my boots! I live in snow country, and I can literally put these in my waterproof boots, without socks (true!) and my feet stay warm, dry and comfortable for hours! I also use them in warmer weather to keep my feet comfortable and not too hot... Being able to toss them in the washing machine is awesome, to keep them fresh and odor free! I have used these for the last 5 years and will continue to use them." —Shelley McGinity
Get them from Amazon for $19.95 (available in women's sizes 5–12). They're also available in men's sizes 7–15 for $19.95.
32. An incredibly practical and oh-so-luxurious faux fur throw blanket that'll keep 'em nice and cozy during movie nights, in the car, in bed, at breakfast, in the shower...OK maybe not that last one. If they're always cold (even though the thermostat says 78 degrees), get them this.
Promising review: "I bought three of these as they are silky soft and super high quality. Thick and luxurious with a velvet backing. Colors are luscious. I have two in the light gray and one in a deep blue. Buy one already! You deserve it." —azuremountain
Get it from Anthropologie for $98+ (available in nine colors).
33. An AeroPress organizer stand for anyone, myself included, who has been begging for this for ages. Now every piece has a place!
Promising review: "This AeroPress Organizer Stand is game-changing! I was looking online and didn't like the other stands that other people had made. This stand is clean and easy to use. I love that my coffee station finally is all organized and looks clean! Anyone who has an AeroPress should really buy this at the same time! It was well worth the wait!" —Mallory S.
Get it from Aeropress for $34.95.
34. A pair of Veja sneakers because they feel good on, look great with anything, and upgrade their white sneaker game tremendously.
Get them from Veja for $175 (available in women's sizes 4–12.5)