OK, I’m not Santa. He’s busy. But I promise I have some great stuff for you, like cowboy boot stockings, a mini Bob Ross painting kit, and a DIY miniature museum kit.
1.
Amazon
"The Museum" — a brand new addition to Laurence King's "The World" puzzle series. This 1,000-piece jigsaw design is set in The Met, so they can pick out some of their favorite pieces from the New York museum as they piece it together.
Get it from Amazon for $24.99.
2.
A pack of custom playing cards you can personalize with family photos, memes, or pics of their fave celebs. You can select images for the face cards and the card backs. Go Fish is gonna be so silly — "got any Nanas?"
Promising review: "OK, honestly, I am blown away! These cards are wonderful, and we are so excited to gift them! The quality and the price are wonderful, and it honestly is the perfect gift for any special event. I'm for sure going to buy more in the future and give them as gifts to everyone!" — Jessi
Get it from Amazon for $14.99.
Get it from Amazon for $14.99.
3.
Amazon
, Amazon
A limited-edition "Cozy Comfort" body lotion that smells like sueded vanilla, milk mousse, creamy ambrette, and mahogany woods. In other words? The fragrance equivalent of a warm, cuddly sweater. We already have word that it's EOS's best scent yet.
EOS just dropped a bunch of items in their new holiday collection, including a Cozy Comfort Body Mist, a travel-sized Cozy Comfort body lotion, and a shimmer version of Vanilla Cashmere, the TikTok-viral holy grail.
Promising review: "This smells really, really good! The scent is very soft and subtle, and it smells good enough for me to purchase another bottle to keep it on standby when this one is finished. It is VERY MOISTURIZING on the skin. Very. No irritation." — JD.Fenelly
Get it from Amazon for $11.99.
Promising review: "This smells really, really good! The scent is very soft and subtle, and it smells good enough for me to purchase another bottle to keep it on standby when this one is finished. It is VERY MOISTURIZING on the skin. Very. No irritation." — JD.Fenelly
Get it from Amazon for $11.99.
4.
Brass Monkey
A Useful Guide to Useless Facts that are Kinda Useful, a book that's pretty self-explanatory. They will learn how to curse in Morse code, know the odds of being dealt a five-card poker hand, and be able to ask "where's the bathroom?" in seven languages.
Promising review: "The guide is a fun, clever, and surprisingly educational read packed with fascinating trivia that will keep you turning pages. Each fact is short, entertaining, and memorable, making it perfect for casual reading or sharing with friends and family. Lighthearted, easy to read, and full of 'I didn't know that!' moments. Both educational and fun." — Justin N.
Get it from Amazon for $12.
Get it from Amazon for $12.
5.
Amazon
Yuzu kosho chili paste they can use to top oysters, season meat, mix with mayo for a sandwich topping, make salad dressing, jazz up soup — I could go on for a while, but you get the picture. It's citrusy, spicy, and briny, the trifecta of delicious condiment flavors.
Promising review: "I just heard about this for the first time on a YouTube cooking show, and now I can't live without it. It's salty, mildly spicy and tangy. Adds so much in a tiny amount to so many recipes." — S. Underwood
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
6.
Amazon
Weird Medieval Guys, a silly coffee table book from my favorite Twitter account featuring quizzes, how-to guides, diagrams, and flow charts that'll give them a goofy peek at what their life as a peasant might have looked like.
Promising review: "I didn't expect the book to be so beautifully designed and printed. Plus, the illustrations and the author's comments are hilarious. This book would make a great gift." — Chicago Lady
Get it from Amazon for $24.57.
Get it from Amazon for $24.57.
7.
A Hally hair gem pen that's a modern iteration on the classic hair bedazzler of the '90s. Just load up the gems and stick them on like a stamp.
It comes with 240 gems to start.
Promising review: "I bought the Hally gem pen for my daughter’s special event, and it was a total hit! ✨ The gems were super easy to apply, stayed in place all day, and added the perfect sparkle to her hairstyle. Removing them was just as simple — no damage, no tangles. We got so many compliments on her festive look, and she felt like a little star." — Alina
Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in two color sets and refill packs).
Promising review: "I bought the Hally gem pen for my daughter’s special event, and it was a total hit! ✨ The gems were super easy to apply, stayed in place all day, and added the perfect sparkle to her hairstyle. Removing them was just as simple — no damage, no tangles. We got so many compliments on her festive look, and she felt like a little star." — Alina
Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in two color sets and refill packs).
8.
A pack of "zombie" plant seeds to grow a houseplant that has death-defying properties. When they touch the leaves, they wilt (or play dead) for a few minutes before being "resurrected" and fanning back out.
This is a mimosa pudica plant, also known as a shameplant!
Promising review: "This was a fun plant. My kids enjoyed watching the leaves pull up and then spread back out. I even mailed one to a family member so they could try it out. I would buy this again!" — Nene582
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $11.95.
Promising review: "This was a fun plant. My kids enjoyed watching the leaves pull up and then spread back out. I even mailed one to a family member so they could try it out. I would buy this again!" — Nene582
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $11.95.
9.
Amazon
Santa Cookie Elf Candy Snowman — a holiday version of the mega-popular Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza. The fast-paced game is easy to learn and delivers a heavy dose of high-energy, adorably illustrated fun right when you need it.
Here's how to play: You deal all the cards out to your two to four players, and everyone keeps their mini-deck face down. Everyone takes a turn putting a card down in the middle of the table, saying one of the words "Santa," "cookie," "elf," "candy," and "snowman," in that order. If the picture on your card matches the word that's said, everyone slaps their hand on the card in a pile as quickly as possible. The last person on the pile has to take the stack and add it to their cards, and whoever runs out of cards first wins!
Promising review: "We played it at our family Christmas party. Everyone played and we had so much fun. It’s just a small box of cards, so you can fit it in almost any bag." — Brad
Get it from Amazon for $9.95.
Promising review: "We played it at our family Christmas party. Everyone played and we had so much fun. It’s just a small box of cards, so you can fit it in almost any bag." — Brad
Get it from Amazon for $9.95.
10.
A beginner watercolor kit for anyone who's been a little art curious lately. Reviewers love this model for its wide range of colors, impressive pigmentation, and beautiful packaging. One reviewer said the paints are "smooth and creamy," which is enough to convince me.
Kuretake Co. was established in 1902 in Nara, Japan. Grab some brushes and paper.
Promising review: "These Gansai paints are PURE pleasure to use. They provide a lovely semi-transparent effect when used with more water; they provide the opaque qualities of gouache when used more heavily. They apply with almost a sensual softness. The price point for them is great for the beginner and professional alike, and won't break the bank. Just to give them a try." — Byron
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in three sizes).
Promising review: "These Gansai paints are PURE pleasure to use. They provide a lovely semi-transparent effect when used with more water; they provide the opaque qualities of gouache when used more heavily. They apply with almost a sensual softness. The price point for them is great for the beginner and professional alike, and won't break the bank. Just to give them a try." — Byron
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in three sizes).
11.
Uncommon Goods
A ticket stub diary to help them organize their loose theater, museum, concert, and sporting event tickets so they can fondly look back on all their favorite memories. Remember when you two caught a ball at Yankee Stadium? Thanks to this book, they'll know the exact date.
There are sleeves for the tickets and room to jot down notes about the event.
Promising review: "I still can't get over what a great idea this is. I had an envelope of random ticket stubs that I was always worried about losing, which are now organized and look great. It's a really beautiful way to show some respect to the memories attached to the little scraps of paper." — Bonna
Get it from Amazon for $15.76 and Uncommon Goods for $17.
Promising review: "I still can't get over what a great idea this is. I had an envelope of random ticket stubs that I was always worried about losing, which are now organized and look great. It's a really beautiful way to show some respect to the memories attached to the little scraps of paper." — Bonna
Get it from Amazon for $15.76 and Uncommon Goods for $17.
12.
A whole box of sheet masks for the person who runs through those things like tissues. The popular K-beauty find comes with 30 masks pumped full of lightweight formulas that boast different benefits, like calming, hydrating, and glow boosting. The boxes even have a set of tweezers to help them pull out their next sheet — how luxurious!
Promising review (for the Cryo Ice version): "This product is an absolute gem for its exceptional value and remarkable quality. It actually cools and moisturizes your skin, which is a game changer. It significantly reduces my redness, making my rosacea appear less red and more manageable. It truly lives up to its promise and is quite effective. I appreciate that it only takes 15-20 minutes." — ✨Mailli✨
Get it from Amazon for $19.87+ (available in seven formulas).
Get it from Amazon for $19.87+ (available in seven formulas).
13.
Murdle: Volume 1 — a book featuring 100 logic puzzles from the popular daily puzzle site, Murdle. Armchair detectives can work to crack the case and find out who did it, where, and with what. There are four levels of difficulty, ranging from elementary to impossible, so they can stay challenged as they go.
For Elementary puzzles, you need to find the suspect, location, and weapon. For Occult Medium puzzles, the added challenge is that the murderer always lies, and the other suspects tell the truth! For Hard Boiled puzzles, you also need to find a motive. And for Impossible puzzles, you have to discover all four elements and deal with the lying witness statement from the murderer. Each puzzle has a logic grid to help you keep track of the evidence.
Promising review: "The puzzles are a lot of fun, but the characters, storylines, and other details take the Murdle experience to another level. I have no idea how the author came up with all of this creativeness! You can Murdle solo or with friends. I look forward to future volumes, but this one will keep me busy for a while!" — Liz Gately
Get it from Amazon for $12.84.
And when you need more puzzles, check out Volume 2 for $9.51.
Promising review: "The puzzles are a lot of fun, but the characters, storylines, and other details take the Murdle experience to another level. I have no idea how the author came up with all of this creativeness! You can Murdle solo or with friends. I look forward to future volumes, but this one will keep me busy for a while!" — Liz Gately
Get it from Amazon for $12.84.
And when you need more puzzles, check out Volume 2 for $9.51.
14.
Amazon
, Amazon
Or Murdoku, a book of murder mystery logic puzzles. There are 80 crime scenes to examine, which start easy and get menacingly challenging.
The puzzles are logic puzzles, not Sudoku puzzles, so expect clues and a graph to help you rule out suspects.
Promising review: "Amazing! These puzzles are so fun. It’s nice that they start easy and get harder, so you can get used to the format first, then continue to be challenged as you learn how they work. Fun, visually appealing, and sprinkled with humor. I finished this one in about 1.5 months (of fairly dedicated work) and ordered Volume 2 before I was even done with the first one. It’s a higher price point than many puzzle books, but you get high quality for what you pay." — EN
Get it from Amazon for $17.70.
Promising review: "Amazing! These puzzles are so fun. It’s nice that they start easy and get harder, so you can get used to the format first, then continue to be challenged as you learn how they work. Fun, visually appealing, and sprinkled with humor. I finished this one in about 1.5 months (of fairly dedicated work) and ordered Volume 2 before I was even done with the first one. It’s a higher price point than many puzzle books, but you get high quality for what you pay." — EN
Get it from Amazon for $17.70.
15.
A mini Bob Ross paint-by-numbers kit that comes with three different numbered canvas designs, seven paint pots, a mini brush, and an easel to display their tiny masterpieces. It's perfect for adults and teens looking for a quick project and kids working on their fine motor skills.
The kit comes with two landscapes and one portrait of Bob.
Promising review: "I have to admit I was skeptical because of the price and size. However, I got these for my husband for his birthday (he loves Bob Ross), and what a find!! We had so much fun mixing colors and painting. Would definitely recommend. The fact that they are small makes them even more special. I wish there were more to paint!" — slb m
Get it from Amazon for $6.51.
Promising review: "I have to admit I was skeptical because of the price and size. However, I got these for my husband for his birthday (he loves Bob Ross), and what a find!! We had so much fun mixing colors and painting. Would definitely recommend. The fact that they are small makes them even more special. I wish there were more to paint!" — slb m
Get it from Amazon for $6.51.
16.
17.
A building block set that lets them create their very own WORKING gumball machine. It even comes with 24 capsules filled with tiny treasures so they can start using it right away. Intriguing: Reviewers say the pieces are comparable in quality to Lego bricks.
As a fun surprise, the front swings open to reveal a secret mini toy store.
Promising review: "THIS is the greatest build since beginning my collection. Lego must be jealous because this is so great! Bricks clicked together so smoothly, and inside has the little toy shop that pulls out to get your ‘tokens’ back for another toy surprise! It even comes with the little containers, toys to build, and paper quotes to make the build even more enjoyable! Pictures don’t do this one justice, it’s just GREAT!!!! ❤️" — Jeanene
Get it from Amazon for $69.99.
Promising review: "THIS is the greatest build since beginning my collection. Lego must be jealous because this is so great! Bricks clicked together so smoothly, and inside has the little toy shop that pulls out to get your ‘tokens’ back for another toy surprise! It even comes with the little containers, toys to build, and paper quotes to make the build even more enjoyable! Pictures don’t do this one justice, it’s just GREAT!!!! ❤️" — Jeanene
Get it from Amazon for $69.99.
18.
Amazon
I've Venn Thinking — a creative card game that lets players compete to find the funniest similarities between an unlikely pairing, like the Incredible Hulk and TSA agents (not a fan of shoes).
To play, draw a red and blue disc at random to create a Venn diagram. Players then compete to find the funniest thing that they both have in common, either using the included cards or their imagination.
Promising review: "My friends and I are obsessed with this game. It's like a Cards Against Humanity situation, except you've been given two random topics and have to find something hilarious they have in common. You would think there's no way there are enough cards to make that many combinations, but there seriously are. You open the box and there are like a billion answers to the topics, so the world is really your oyster when it comes to picking the most hilarious answer you can. Highly recommend this game. I would not be surprised if this went viral on TikTok." — Neal P.
Get it from Amazon for $22.
Promising review: "My friends and I are obsessed with this game. It's like a Cards Against Humanity situation, except you've been given two random topics and have to find something hilarious they have in common. You would think there's no way there are enough cards to make that many combinations, but there seriously are. You open the box and there are like a billion answers to the topics, so the world is really your oyster when it comes to picking the most hilarious answer you can. Highly recommend this game. I would not be surprised if this went viral on TikTok." — Neal P.
Get it from Amazon for $22.
19.
Amazon
A tin of emergency googly eyes sure to help them out whenever they're in a pinch during a prank war. The pack comes with three different sizes, so get ready for everything in your home to suddenly start staring back at you.
Promising review: "I used these for a prank on my roommate and stuck eyes everywhere. They come in different sizes, some small and some big. They are pretty durable, as we keep finding them on different random objects. They were even stuck onto a door, and stayed the entire time we lived in that apartment. They are easy to use, as the back is sticky. They also put a lot in the single tin." — Flint_Ste.el
Get a tin of 150 from Amazon for $8.95.
Get a tin of 150 from Amazon for $8.95.
20.
A spiral cactus they'll assume you paid top dollar for at an expensive plant boutique. Bonus: Spin the pot around in their face to hypnotize them into admitting you're their favorite favorite. 🌀🌀🌀
Don't forget to grab a pot (make sure the size matches the size of the cactus you buy) and soil!
Promising review: "I was delighted to discover a high-quality spiral cactus at an exceptional price. The product arrived securely packaged, with protective paper wrapping. Wear protective gloves when handling the cactus. The spiral cactus arrived in good condition, without a pot, but with a few roots, ready for planting. The package includes comprehensive cactus care instructions. If you're looking for an exceptional spiral cactus, look no further; this is the ideal choice." — PositiveMinded G
Get it from Amazon for $45+ (available in four sizes).
Promising review: "I was delighted to discover a high-quality spiral cactus at an exceptional price. The product arrived securely packaged, with protective paper wrapping. Wear protective gloves when handling the cactus. The spiral cactus arrived in good condition, without a pot, but with a few roots, ready for planting. The package includes comprehensive cactus care instructions. If you're looking for an exceptional spiral cactus, look no further; this is the ideal choice." — PositiveMinded G
Get it from Amazon for $45+ (available in four sizes).
21.
A handheld bookshelf filled with tiny books (based on real publications!) they can shake in fury whenever they get worked up. Once the tiny earthquake has subsided, they can let off some steam by meditatively putting all the tiny tomes back.
Promising review: "I didn't know what to expect from this super adorable anxiety bookshelf, but it delivered! I shake it up when I feel anxiety, even frustration, and I sort all the little books back onto the shelves anyway I want, and it is sooo satisfying! The bookshelf is super cute and well-built. It is sturdy and beautiful. The tiny books are detailed, and their covers are amazing. They aren't actual books, but they really look like they are. This is the most gratifying gift I have ever purchased for myself. Beyond satisfied!" — Elda M Ferguson
Get it from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in four colors).
Get it from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in four colors).
22.
Or, similar vibe here: a DIY miniature museum kit for anyone who's still thinking about how funny Night at the Museum was. Now listen, Lunch Box! This light-up 3D puzzle comes with 1,074 pieces and takes about 10 hours to complete, so you'd better not disturb the process.
Promising review: "This was just a fun model from beginning to end. I love how it came with a little hammer and glue. Took me about four days to get it all completed. SO much detail from the books to all the little trim pieces and railings. The hardest part was getting the dinosaur skeleton together without it falling apart. Haha. I had to switch to super glue on that one. This is a MUST-have puzzle; the pics almost don't do it justice. It's so pretty." — FraggleRock
Get it from Amazon for $55.24 (also available in 10 other styles).
Get it from Amazon for $55.24 (also available in 10 other styles).
23.
A high-end bottle of Takesan Kishibori soy sauce if you want to show them what they've been missing by sticking with grocery store brands. No offense to Kikkoman, but this elevated sauce from Shodoshima, Japan, offers a richer, more complex flavor that has happy reviewers pledging their allegiance.
Promising reviews: "This is my go-to soy sauce for sushi and all Japanese dishes. The depth of flavor from aging in oak barrels is obvious, as are the nuances in the flavors, compared to the sauce aged in stainless steel. I always have a bottle in reserve." — CN
"A few years ago, a food blog evaluated soy sauce brands and put this one on top. The usual Kikkoman is fine, but this is better. I gave it a try, and... Well, now Amazon reminds me that I've purchased this product four times already. That says something; it's not like I go through soy sauce that fast. As artisanal products go, this is affordable. It's worth the experiment!" — Esther
Get it from Amazon for $14.99.
"A few years ago, a food blog evaluated soy sauce brands and put this one on top. The usual Kikkoman is fine, but this is better. I gave it a try, and... Well, now Amazon reminds me that I've purchased this product four times already. That says something; it's not like I go through soy sauce that fast. As artisanal products go, this is affordable. It's worth the experiment!" — Esther
Get it from Amazon for $14.99.
24.
Chronicle Books
Other-Wordly, an illustrated book of cool words from around the world, many of which don't have an English equivalent. You know that dreamy state of being only half awake? The Italians call it dormiveglia.
Promising review: "As a language teacher and student, I frequently gift this book to others. It is really beautifully illustrated and the included words and languages represented are unique. Better than others out there. Fun to come back to for inspiration." — Virgo Tendencies
Get it from Amazon for $14.99.
Get it from Amazon for $14.99.
25.
A 3-in-1 portable chargerthat opens up to charge their iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch all at the same time. When they're done, it folds into a little dollop of a device that's easy to throw in a bag for later. Fights over the outlet and tangled cords are just not something we have to worry about these days.
Promising review: "These are fabulous for travel — they charge three devices from just one USB port, especially [helpful] when frequenting hotel rooms. The first one is now permanently stationed bedside to help clean up the clutter, and this will go into my briefcase for future excursions. Compact, and effective!" — see2xu
Get it from Amazon for $69.99+ (available in four colors).
Get it from Amazon for $69.99+ (available in four colors).
26.
A 16-ounce box of classic salt water taffy from Shriver's, the oldest business on the Ocean City boardwalk in New Jersey. Jam the whole package in their stocking, or break it up and give a handful to each family member.
Promising review: "Shriver's has been my favorite taffy ever since I was a kid. I moved away from home and thought I couldn't taste it again! Not too long ago, I had a medical accident that affected my quality of life. Ever since then, I've been knocking things off my bucket list. How happy am I that I got to achieve this goal! Thank you, Shriver's, for making this possible for me! You unlocked happy memories, and helped me make new memories for me and my children." — Cosmic
Get it from Amazon for $16.99.
Get it from Amazon for $16.99.
27.
A Polly Pocket shaped like Michael Scott's mug. Inside, you'll find some of the beloved employees of Dunder Mifflin (Pam, Jim, Dwight, Michael, Kevin, and Kelly), accessories (like the stapler in Jell-O or Dwight's pumpkin head), and tiny rooms for the characters to try to work in. There's even Angela's cat and the bat in the attic!
How many show references can you find in this set? I can't believe they included Kevin's spilled chili. 😭
Promising review: "I'm a vintage Polly Pocket collector as well as a huge pop culture fan, and this is SUCH a fun addition to my collection. It's detailed with tons of fun little Easter eggs and pieces. The packaging is great, and clearly designed to display the set without unboxing it. I kept the packaging but display it on a shelf, and it's cute whether open or closed. It's relatively large compared to the original Bluebird compacts, but it makes up for it with how many rooms and scenes it depicts." — Laura
Get it from Amazon for $34.95.
Promising review: "I'm a vintage Polly Pocket collector as well as a huge pop culture fan, and this is SUCH a fun addition to my collection. It's detailed with tons of fun little Easter eggs and pieces. The packaging is great, and clearly designed to display the set without unboxing it. I kept the packaging but display it on a shelf, and it's cute whether open or closed. It's relatively large compared to the original Bluebird compacts, but it makes up for it with how many rooms and scenes it depicts." — Laura
Get it from Amazon for $34.95.
28.
An egg mold set that turns regular eggs (boring) into bunnies and bears (exciting, adorable). Reviewers mention they also work well for rice, so maybe it's time you enter your creative bento box phase.
29.
A tarot deck with a full set of the Major and Minor Arcana cards to color and design as they see fit. They can learn about the tarot basics as they color — I see a vibrant divination career in their future!
The 78 cards come with illustrations based on the classic Rider-Waite-Smith deck and a 112-page paperback guidebook. Grab some colored pencils here!
Promising review: "So I was overall very hesitant to buy this product, mainly because some of the other coloring tarot options I've seen were not exactly the greatest. However, after watching an unboxing vid or two, I decided to go for it. I could not be happier with this deck. I like the simplicity of the art on the cards, leaving plenty of room to add your own details. The cards are also sturdy enough to handle a little tossing around, and even after layering some of my colors, there is absolutely no bleed-through." — Ellie
Get it from Amazon for $16.85.
Promising review: "So I was overall very hesitant to buy this product, mainly because some of the other coloring tarot options I've seen were not exactly the greatest. However, after watching an unboxing vid or two, I decided to go for it. I could not be happier with this deck. I like the simplicity of the art on the cards, leaving plenty of room to add your own details. The cards are also sturdy enough to handle a little tossing around, and even after layering some of my colors, there is absolutely no bleed-through." — Ellie
Get it from Amazon for $16.85.
30.
Blank Beauty
, Blank Beauty
A custom nail polish from Blank Beauty — as in, literally any shade you want! The website even lets you pull a specific color from a photograph so you can pick something sentimental.
Hey, here's a lovely shade of purple inspired by the time we went to that lavender field. Or, hey, here's a shade of green that perfectly matches your eyes. Here's a pastel pink taken from your pet bunny's paw. You get the idea.
Get it from Blank Beauty for $9.
Get it from Blank Beauty for $9.
31.
A Bitzee that's a modern take on the classic digital pet, aka the tried and true method for avoiding the "can we get a puppy?" conversation. Inside this ring box-like capsule, your child can interact with one of 15 virtual pets that respond to touch, tilt, and swipe. As they play, they can unlock more pets.
When their pets evolve into Super Bitzees, they can find cool outfits and mini games. In a rare turn of events, batteries are included!
Promising review: "My 8-year-old loves this thing so much that she hasn't put it down since she got it. It was the star of the show for Christmas, and I got so many hugs for getting it for her. This is basically the modern take on the old school Tamagotchis, but it has a fluttering LED bar that zips up and down at an extremely high rate of speed to mimic the appearance of an actual digital pet floating in midair. Seems weird at first, but that fluttering light bar also allows you to feel like you are really touching the animal — very cool in action. If you are a parent looking for the perfect gift for a 5-10-year-old child, then do yourself a favor and grab one of these; you will not regret it! Really awesome toy for a very reasonable price." — M. Myers
Get it from Amazon for $35.79+ (available in two styles).
Promising review: "My 8-year-old loves this thing so much that she hasn't put it down since she got it. It was the star of the show for Christmas, and I got so many hugs for getting it for her. This is basically the modern take on the old school Tamagotchis, but it has a fluttering LED bar that zips up and down at an extremely high rate of speed to mimic the appearance of an actual digital pet floating in midair. Seems weird at first, but that fluttering light bar also allows you to feel like you are really touching the animal — very cool in action. If you are a parent looking for the perfect gift for a 5-10-year-old child, then do yourself a favor and grab one of these; you will not regret it! Really awesome toy for a very reasonable price." — M. Myers
Get it from Amazon for $35.79+ (available in two styles).
32.
Cain's Jawbone — a murder mystery puzzle book that goes beyond challenging. Only three people solved the puzzle when it was first released in the '30s. Does your recipient have what it takes to join the elite ranks?
There are 100 pages, which are out of order, so the reader needs to first figure out how to rearrange them to solve Torquemada’s murder mystery. Eagle eyes might have seen this book make an appearance in Knives Out when Daniel Craig's character Benoit Blanc is in the bathtub — weird that he's not on the list of puzzle solvers.
Promising review: "So fun and challenging. Great gift for puzzle and mystery book lovers." — nick
Get it from Amazon for $12.95.
Promising review: "So fun and challenging. Great gift for puzzle and mystery book lovers." — nick
Get it from Amazon for $12.95.
33.
Amazon
A six-pack of ramune soda so they can try a bunch of flavors at once. Sadly, the best flavor, lychee, isn't in the lineup, but pineapple also sounds really enticing!
If you've never had one before, ramune soda comes in a glass bottle with a marble lodged in the top. Just push the marble down to open it, then drink with the marble caught in the neck of the bottle.
Promising review: "These drinks were the best. They came safely packaged and were ready to be opened. Each flavor was a whole new, different sensation for my taste buds. They were all very good." — Gerardo
Get them from Amazon for $21.94.
Promising review: "These drinks were the best. They came safely packaged and were ready to be opened. Each flavor was a whole new, different sensation for my taste buds. They were all very good." — Gerardo
Get them from Amazon for $21.94.
34.
Eugenie2 / Etsy
Cowboy boot stockings to add a little country magic to their yee-hawlidays. You can even embroider their name on the top.
35.
A jigsaw sticker book for people who love puzzles, literature, and meditative busy work. Get your most melancholy friend the Edgar Allen Poe edition and your most romantic (or gossipy) friend the Jane Austen one. Not hard to piece together who the best gift giver is...
Promising reviews (for the Edgar Allen Poe version): "Lots of fun! Portable. Easy to use and keep track of the pieces. The illustrations are beautiful and detailed." — Lydia
(For the Jane Austen version): "I absolutely love this sticker puzzle book. Illustrations are beautiful. Each puzzle has a written part of the story to go with it, so it reads like a super-mini story. The perforated pages come out without a hassle. Puzzle pieces are scattered about the page as one would expect from a puzzle. Quality is fantastic!" — joeshmoe
Get them from Amazon: the Edgar Allen Poe one for $12.93 and the Jane Austen one for $10.48.
36.
A set of LED lightsaber chopsticks to make fights over the last dumpling extra dramatic. They can change colors (red, blue, yellow, purple, and multicolor) so you can either make them match or change to red and blue to recreate The Duel on Cloud City.
Promising review: "The chopsticks are very durable, and the glow is bright. They're a bit bigger than I expected — but very pleased nonetheless with the product because it serves the purpose and is entertaining for kids, right up to adult Star Wars nerds. It also made the perfect gift for my fellow Star Wars nerds. I've been too busy playing with them rather than using them to eat food — but hopefully that will eventually happen before the batteries need changing." — Anthony
Get it from Amazon for $11.99 (available in two styles).
Get it from Amazon for $11.99 (available in two styles).
37.
Amazon
A Today in History daily perpetual calendar so they can be treated to a different historical fact every morning. Did you know Yosemite National Park was established on October 1? Maybe you'll get a lil' factoid along with your birthday card next year.
Promising review: "Got this perpetual calendar for my husband for his birthday. He's a history buff and loves it. He actually turns it every day. Once in a while, he'll say, 'I didn't know that!' So if you want a not-too-expensive side gift, I would consider this." — Vicky
Get it from Amazon for $15.99 (also available in five other styles, including life hacks and word of the day).
Get it from Amazon for $15.99 (also available in five other styles, including life hacks and word of the day).
38.
A giant 1-pound bag of marshmallows for anyone who picks the boring cereal out of Lucky Charms. I don't blame them if they end up taking romantic selfies with the bag.
Promising review: "Buying these charms was one of the best decisions of my life. The bag is twice the size of my head. The marshmallows are aesthetically pleasing and delicious. It's everything I ever wanted in a snack." — Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $12.99.
Get it from Amazon for $12.99.
39.
A gift box of Japanese bath salts to transform their bathroom into an onsen. The silky mineral mix (basically the consistency of powdered sugar) is collected from Japanese hot springs and will turn their bath water a thick, milky consistency. Reviewers say it's super relaxing and leaves their skin feeling soft!
Promising review: "This onsen bath powder is wonderful and fragrance free, which made the bath feel clean, calming, and very relaxing. I have very sensitive skin, and it made my skin feel great, not irritated or dry afterward. I loved this powder and enjoyed the experience a lot and will definitely buy it again." — Joyzer
Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in packs of one, two, or three).
Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in packs of one, two, or three).
40.
Amazon
A Victorian flower dictionary so they never have to endure another humiliating faux pas of sending a bouquet with lilac (first emotions of love) or cypress (mourning) to a wedding — good heavens! This helpful hardcover guide will help them navigate the language of flowers so they never send mixed messages again.
41.
Amazon
Sour blue raspberry gushers for masochist snackers who think their tongue has had it way too easy.
42.
Amazon
, Amazon
A Burt's Bees 12 Days of Joy Advent Calendar in case your recipient is the type of person to lose lip balms as fast as they buy them. For 12 glorious days, their lips will be hydrated.
43.
An Emotional Support Pals advent calendar so they can treat themselves to a tiny, squishy friend for 25 days straight. Whether they decide to pace themselves or just rip the thing open and dump out the contents is their business.
Promising review: "These are awesome, tiny, kid-sized little stuffiness. My students LOVED these, especially the fact that some of them were food. One of the students eats nuggets EVERY DAY, and he was really thrilled to see a stuffed nugget. I honestly don't care much about all the emotional support stuff, but they were really adorable, unique little Christmas goodies to give my students after some hard work learning. The quality of all of them was very nice too." — M. P.
Get it from Amazon for $43.51.
Get it from Amazon for $43.51.
44.
Amazon
, Amazon
How to Be More Tree — a charming book filled with illustrations, detailed advice, and important lessons inspired by our ancient neighbors. Your frazzled friend could probably learn something from the peaceful pine tree, right?
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 $7.98.
Get it from Amazon for $7.98.
45.
MTLove Design / Etsy
, MTLove Design / Etsy
A shaker phone case you can personalize with photos of their favorite people and pets — like...perhaps...you???
MTLove Design is a small business that sells custom products.
Promising review: "I love my case! It’s so nice and the pictures are so high quality!!" — Rosario
Get it from MTLove Design on Etsy for $9.99+ (available in many Samsung and iPhone types and up to 10 photos).
Promising review: "I love my case! It’s so nice and the pictures are so high quality!!" — Rosario
Get it from MTLove Design on Etsy for $9.99+ (available in many Samsung and iPhone types and up to 10 photos).
46.
A silly One Piece novelty mood light for the swashbuckler in your life. Luffy's arm actually bends, so they can put a spotlight on their favorite figure or plushie.
Promising review: "Cute lamp for fans. Small desk-sized lamp. Warm light. Not too bright." — Psychic Medium Valentina Lomborg
Get it from Amazon for $39.99.
Get it from Amazon for $39.99.
47.
An unofficial Taylor Swift Eras sticker book featuring over 1,100 stickers. Swifties will get a kick out of finding all the refs, from paper airplanes to red scarves.
Promising review: "I bought this sticker book for my Taylor Swift-loving daughter, and it did not disappoint! She uses the stickers on everything from cards to water bottles. They didn’t forget any era either! Super fun and cute — stickers are good quality too." — Ele W.
Get it from Amazon for $5.45.
Get it from Amazon for $5.45.
48.
A Lego mineral set for anyone still complaining about the AMNH's gem room renovations. Like, geez, here! Just build your own! It comes with six eye-catching gems (the watermelon tourmaline and purple amethyst geode being obvious standouts) and three stands to display their majesty.
49.
A jar of delectably tangy Tiptree lemon curd because the process of making your own is, quite frankly, annoying. They can slather this liquid gold on toast, mix it into yogurt, or just eat it straight out of the jar.
Promising review: "I usually make lemon curd from scratch, but this week I wasn’t up for it, so I decided to try Tiptree Lemon Curd — and I’m so glad I did. The curd is excellent. It’s rich and tart, with a creamy, smooth texture that spreads easily, just like homemade. The flavor is bright and fresh, perfect on toast, scones, or desserts. For anyone who loves quality lemon curd without the effort, this is definitely worth the price." — P Bush
Get it from Amazon for $6.73 (also available in lime or passionfruit).
Get it from Amazon for $6.73 (also available in lime or passionfruit).
50.
Room Shop
, Room Shop
And a crossbody purse with a giant bow on the strap to turn them into a giant, walking present. You know they're a gift to this world; now everyone else can, too!
It's made of scuba material and is machine washable. Room Shop is a couple-owned small business based in Philadelphia.
Promising review: "Love my bag! Super cute statement piece and fits everything. I love the magnetic closure for extra security. I purchased the ivory one for my bachelorette weekend, but plan on using it for all my bridal events to come!" — Customer
Get it from Room Shop for $118 (available in six colors).
Promising review: "Love my bag! Super cute statement piece and fits everything. I love the magnetic closure for extra security. I purchased the ivory one for my bachelorette weekend, but plan on using it for all my bridal events to come!" — Customer
Get it from Room Shop for $118 (available in six colors).