Still Stumped? These Cool Gifts Are So Much Better Than What You Usually Give
Be the gift champ this year.
There’s still time to nab gifts that are unique, thoughtful, tasty, and practical (or even all those rolled into one). Whether you’ve got a skin-care aficionado, snack enthusiast, fashion maven, or even some furry friends left on your list, this is a tiptop collection of clever goods that all those folks would be pleased to receive — just be sure to prepare yourself for accolades. And, if you pick up a gift or two for yourself, I won’t tell.
01This Spoken Flames scented candle that can burn for more than 50 hours
A quality scented candle is worth its weight in gold — but that’s only part of the reason why this candle from Spoken Flames is worth a look. It’s made from an all-natural coconut wax blend that’s vegan and nontoxic, as well as free from any phthalates. The wooden wick also produces a soft crackling sound as it burns, helping set a relaxing ambiance as bright notes of orange, clove, and cedarwood waft through the air. And if you still remain unconvinced, with a burn time of more than 50 hours, you won’t need to replace this anytime soon.
02An oil-free air popper that can make 18 cups of popcorn in just 3 minutes
Whether you’re preparing to watch a movie or in the mood for a light snack, this air popper from GreenLife can help you whip up some popcorn in no time at all. There’s no need for oil or butter in order to pop your kernels — simply pour them inside, then flick the switch on the bottom to start heating them up. Though if you’d prefer a little extra flavor, the top features a built-in warm tray that you can use to melt butter, chocolate, and more. All removable parts are safe to toss into your dishwasher’s top rack, while the remaining pieces easily wipe clean with a damp cloth.
03The freezable chiller stick that cools down room-temperature wines
Forget to put the wine in the fridge before your guests arrived? Not a problem when you have this chiller stick from Corkcicle. Simply keep it in your freezer, and it’ll always be ready to go when you want to bring that bottle of room-temperature red down to its ideal cellar temperature, or even keep that cold white wine deliciously chilled. The pour-through feature lets you refill your glass without having to pull it out of the bottle — and with a built-in aerator, don’t be surprised if your vino suddenly tastes even better than usual.
04An affordable subscription box that’s filled with delicious Japanese snacks
Buying individual Japanese snacks can quickly add up — instead, opt for this subscription box and save yourself some money. For less than $40 a month, you’ll receive a rotating variety of delicious goodies, including uniquely flavored KitKat bars, Calpis soda, instant ramen, as well as other classic Japanese treats. And since each box features between 15 and 20 full-sized snacks, you can easily reach for more without having to worry about running out.
05A vibrating face brush that helps break down dirt & oil in your pores
When no amount of scrubbing seems to get that face clean, it may be time to give this face brush from PMD a try. It can vibrate up to 7,000 times per minute, which helps break down the dirt and oil inside of your pores for a thorough cleaning. The head also features two types of bristles: large ones at the tip that work to target parts of your face prone to build-up (like your nose and chin), and smaller bristles that deliver a gentle scrub suitable for your entire face. Once you’ve finished cleansing, the silicone head is even odor-resistant, antibacterial, as well as waterproof, making it oh-so-easy to clean afterwards.
06This variable speed hand blender that blends, whisks, & froths
Smoothies, salsas, pasta sauce — this hand blender from GreenLife is sure to come in handy when making all sorts of meals. You can easily adjust its speed simply by pressing and releasing the buttons on the handle, making it easy to switch from blending soup to frothing milk at a moment’s notice. Its scratch-resistant blade guard also helps protect your cookware from damage if you decide to use it right over the stove. And unlike some hand blenders, this one comes with a slew of extras: two interchangeable blending heads (one for whisking and one for frothing), as well as a measuring beaker.
07These spillproof jugs that can hold up to 80 ounces of water
Staying hydrated can be difficult when you’re busy — unless you have one of these water jugs by your side. They’re made from shatter-resistant plastic and can hold up to 80 ounces of water each, making them great for sipping throughout the day. The integrated handles also make it easy to take them with you when you’re on the go. And unlike some water jugs, these come with screw-top lids that are completely spillproof, even with the straws inserted.
08A fitness band that was developed by physicians & neuroscientists
Whereas traditional fitness watches track stats like calories and heart rate, this band from Apollo uses noninvasive touch therapy to help boost your body’s resilience to stress. The result? It can help you relax, sleep, focus, and recover faster, leaving you feeling better all around when worn over time — and you don’t need to wear it on your wrist in order for it to work. Try placing it on your ankle, or even clip it to your clothing. Plus, the downloadable Apollo Neuro app helps you track your improvements, as well as create daily schedules to help you transition from work to relaxation.
09The birthstone earrings that won’t tarnish, rust, or turn green
From deep red garnets to vibrant emeralds, these stud earrings from Tini Lux come in all 12 different birthstones — and you can choose either a gold or silver setting depending on your style. Each pair has been lab tested to ensure that the settings are made from pure titanium, ensuring that you won’t have to worry about them tarnishing, rusting, or turning green over time. And if you don’t care to show off your birth month, you can also grab them with dark onyx as well as shimmering opal stones.
10These water-resistant hoop earrings that hug your ear lobes
Available in gold and silver, these hoop earrings hug your ear lobes for an undeniably cute (and perfectly on-trend) look. They’re crafted from biocompatible titanium, making them suitable for sensitive ears. And while some pieces of jewelry are prone to fading over time, not to worry — these earrings won’t rust, tarnish, change color, or turn green if you decide to wear them in water.
11This collagen-infused sheet mask that helps lock moisture into your complexion
Not all sheet masks are created equal — and that’s never been more apparent than when taking a look at this mask from PMD. It’s infused with collagen that works to plump up dry, dull skin, while also creating a protective barrier overtop of your complexion. The result? You’ll likely notice that your skin doesn’t dry out nearly as quickly throughout the day. Plus, you only need to wear it for as little as 15 minutes in order to absorb all its skin-nourishing ingredients.
12A BPA-free water bottle that comes with a protective silicone sleeve
You don’t need to be bougie in order to appreciate this water bottle from PMD. Take a peek down at the base, and you’ll find a separate compartment filled with sparkling rose quartz crystals that are sure to give you a much-needed dose of good vibes while you sip. The silicone sleeve also helps protect it from damage, and it even features a built-in hanging loop so it’s easy to carry around using just one finger. Each order also includes one metal straw, as well as a second straw made from soft silicone.
13The unique cleanser pods that help exfoliate, brighten, & soften skin
If you’ve ever felt that your face wash is a little too harsh on your skin, you’ll definitely want to take a look at these cleansing pods. They’re derived from four different superfruits (pineapple, mango, Georgia peach, and lemon) that are chock-full of nourishing antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, allowing them to gently cleanse away makeup and impurities without leaving your skin feeling uncomfortably dry. They’re freeze-dried, so all you need to do is break one open and add a bit of water. Unlike the cleanser you’ve likely been using, these pods can also help exfoliate away flakes as well as brighten and soften skin.
14A meal kit subscription that delivers fresh ingredients & recipes
If you like to cook but don’t love coming up with new recipes (or combing the grocery store for that one unusual spice) get on board with this meal kit subscription from Hello Fresh. You can choose from 40 recipes per week, ranging from Fit & Wholesome to Quick & Easy and even Family Friendly, with everything needed to whip up tasty meals landing right on your doorstep. For the holidays, Hello Fresh is offering a new customer special for 16 free meals along with three surprise gifts and free shipping on your first box.
15A hydrating treatment that leaves hands & lips feeling oh-so-smooth
Few things are as irritating as having to deal with dry lips and hands, which is only part of the reason why I’m a big fan of this hydrating treatment from Augustinus Bader. Both the lip balm and hand cream are formulated to leave skin feeling soft as well as hydrated — and since they absorb quickly into skin, there’s no need to worry about feeling greasy afterwards. You also get two bonus creams with each order: one that helps improve skin elasticity by stimulating collagen production, as well as a second that’s formulated to help protect against environmental aggressors.
16The scented candle that’s designed to reflect your astrological sign
Not only can these scented candles burn for up to 60 hours, but each one also features a personalized astrological design on the front that was created in collaboration with noted illustrator Bárbara Malagoli. The wax is made from a blend of natural oils, with light notes of plum nectar, pink peppercorns, and cedar to help you set a relaxing vibe — even if Mercury is in retrograde. They’re hand-poured into their premium glass containers that also make excellent decor.
17This 7-layer weighted blanket that can help ease anxiety
Having trouble falling asleep at night? Try snuggling up underneath this weighted blanket. The added weight makes it feel like you’re being wrapped in a giant hug, which can help ease anxiety, stress, insomnia, as well as other issues that keep you up at night. Its box stitching also works to ensure that the glass beads on the inside are evenly distributed throughout — so there’s no need to worry about them bunching up while you’re catching Z’s. And while it is heavy, it isn’t hot, as the double-sided bamboo and cotton fabric lets your skin breathe to help you stay comfortably cool.
18This collection of three versatile, lip-plumping glosses
Grande Cosmetics is a much-hyped beauty brand, and for good reason. This collection offers three fan-favorite Lip Plumper glosses in versatile nude and clear shades. These glosses offer long- and short-term hydration and are designed to instantly plump lips without any stinging involved. The formula is packed with moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and vitamin B3, and after using twice a day for a month, can even help increase lip volume.
19The adjustable pillow filled with organic buckwheat hulls
Unlike the pillows you likely have on your bed, this one from Sweet Zzz is filled with organic buckwheat hulls that give you some extra neck support when you’re relaxing. The hulls also help air circulate throughout the pillow to keep you cool when you snooze — and you can easily adjust how supportive it is by adding or subtracting hulls as needed. If you remain unconvinced? Place it overtop of your eyes when lying down, and the extra weight from the hulls can even help soothe away migraine headaches.
20A jade stone facial roller that can help soothe away puffiness
Whether your eyes look tired or your face seems a little puffy in the morning, this roller can help. It’s designed to help soothe away inflammation simply by rolling it across your face — though you’ll want to do so in an upward and outward motion for best results. And unlike some rollers, this one is made from genuine jade stone rather than plastic.
21This gift set for a luxurious shaving experience
Make a chore into an indulgence with the sumptuous Holiday Glow Gift Set by Athena Club. It includes their top-shelf Razor Kit along with a lovely Creamy Body Wash and a hydrating Dewy Body Lotion. You can opt for just the set or one with a razor blade subscription. This is a limited edition, so grab it while you can — it also comes in packaging that’s totally gift-ready.
22An ice roller that can help shrink the appearance of pores
Whether you’re sweating from a heavy workout or trying to shrink the appearance of pores, this ice roller is a solid choice. You only need to leave it in the freezer for about 15 minutes to cool it down — though if you keep it in there, it’ll always be ready to go when you need it. Once chilled, gently roll it across your face to help reduce puffiness, soothe away redness, and more. The best part? When used on a regular basis, it can also help even out your skin tone so that you’re left with a more refreshed, brighter complexion.
23This pet-friendly gift set that comes with a bottle of wine
Your dog is your best friend, so why not surprise them with this gift set from OneHope? Each set comes with a checkered bandana and collapsible water/food bowl that your dog may not appreciate as much as you do, though they’re sure to have fun with the “Pawnot Grigio” stuffed toy. And while your dog certainly deserves a gift, you do too — which is why you can also further personalize every gift set with a bottle of red or white wine.
24These teeth whitening strips that are formulated for sensitive mouths
Whereas some types of whitening strips can leave your teeth feeling uncomfortably sensitive, these ones are formulated without any peroxide, harsh bleaches, or alcohol. The result? They won’t damage the natural enamel on your teeth. And while they are formulated to be gentle, don’t be fooled. When used twice a day for two weeks, many reviewers not only reported seeing noticeable results, but they also experienced very little to no irritation.
25This 2-step system that can help you achieve thicker, longer lashes
When no amount of castor oil seems to be helping boost your lashes, it may be time to give this two-step system from Grande Cosmetics a try. The lash enhancing serum is formulated with a nourishing blend of vitamins and amino acids, all of which work together to help thicken and lengthen your lashes within just three months. On top of that, each set also includes a mascara that’s chock-full of peptides to help strengthen lashes so that they’re less brittle — and unlike some mascaras, this one is buildable and clump-free, as well as resistant to water.
26The high-rise sweatpants made from 100% organic cotton
Loungewear doesn’t have to leave you looking sloppy, and these unisex sweatpants are proof. They’re made from 100% soft, organic cotton, with a standard fit that’s neither too loose nor too baggy. Pair them with tees, crop tops, hoodies, or even a plain sports bra — the high-rise fit almost guarantees that they’ll look good with just about any top in the closet.
27A cozy snood made from soft wool-cashmere
Throwing on a hoodie can be a huge fashion faux pas when you’re wearing formal clothes — but that’s where this snood comes in handy. It covers your head as well as part of your chest, making it easy to keep your ears and neck warm without having to worry about putting on clashing layers. Plus, the wool-cashmere fabric features a rib knit for an oh-so-luxurious look that’s just as soft as it is stylish.
28The ambiance-boosting candle reminiscent of a lakeside retreat
If you’re in the mood for a quick jaunt to the countryside but it’s not quite in the cards, get as close as you can with this luxurious Selene candle. It’s made from a natural wax blend that has a whopping 60-hour burn time, so your at-home getaway can last for days. And if the lake isn’t your jam, you can also choose from scents that exude the feels of a crisp fall day, the beginning of spring, or a day at the beach.
29This luxe wooden wine box, complete with a sparkling brut
If you want to gift a bottle of wine, go all the way and opt for this wood gift box from OneHope. The box is etched with the classic OneHope logo and, most importantly, contains a bottle of their Gold Shimmer Sparkling Brut California. This fan-favorite brut is dry and crisp, with notes of apple, pear, and tropical fruit. Enjoy with cheese, seafood, or, sure, on its own.