I’m a Very Good Gift-Giver, and I’m Buying These 27 Unexpected Holiday Presents

Tamim Alnuweiri

November 15, 2024 at 4:00 a.m.·7 min read

Dotdash Meredith and Yahoo Inc. may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below.

Prices start at just $15.

I try to be a (somewhat) conscious consumer. This means not buying things superfluously which has led to a sharp uptake in my online window shopping. Fortunately, it helps me hone my already sharp gifting sense, which is especially apt as the holiday season is in full swing.

I’ve put my sixth sense to use and come up with 27 unexpected gifts that cover the gamut from housewarming, to ‘just because I love you,’ to the holidays and beyond. There are also a few items that are on my wishlist—I think it’s especially helpful since I often hear that I am impossible to shop for. It’s a safe bet that the things I want will work for other difficult recipients.

Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Heart

Best Gifts Overall

A (rare) universal skin care safe bet: Cosrx Glass Skin Starter Set, $30; amazon.com
For the perfectly decorated apartment: Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Heart, $220; williams-sonoma.com
For your niece/nephew (or Swiftie): Baublebar The Ultimate Custom Bead Kit, $58; baublebar.com
On my wishlist: Dada Daily “Baby Won’t You Light My” Legs Candles, $75; thewebster.com
An editor-loved tote: Coach Willow Tote Bag 24, $245 (Originally $350); coach.com
Copy Martha Stewart’s routine: Merit Beauty Five-Minute Morning Makeup Set, $176 (Originally $206); meritbeauty.com

If you are truly in a shopping rush, open each of these six items in a new tab and purchase. All your bases will be covered; the Le Creuset Cast Iron Pot is as cute as it is functional. (I'm not really a cook but I'd still be thrilled to receive it.) The Baublebar beading set is fun for crafty friends, nieces/nephews, and the very dedicated Taylor Swift fans. The Dada Daily Candle is perfect for the person who has it all, and you simply can't go wrong with a classic Coach tote.

Cosrx Glass Skin Starter Set

It is very hard to buy someone else skin care—skin types and goals are so specific to each person. There are, however, very few exceptions and Cosrx’s snail mucin line is one of them—people either use it and love it or haven’t tried but want to. Regardless of which category the person you’re shopping for falls in, they’ll be pleased with this set, which includes two bottles of the iconic Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence and a tube of retinol cream. A few weeks after receiving this, they will come to you with compliments and glass skin abound.

(Pro tip: Separate the bottles for DIY gift bags or stocking stuffers!)

Merit Beauty Five-Minute Morning Makeup Set

Makeup, specifically complexion products, is another very difficult thing to buy for other people. Merit’s customer service, however, is top-notch. Send them a photo(s) of the receiver and they will help pick out the appropriate shade of The Minimalist concealer-foundation stick.

Beyond solving that problem, this Five-Minute Morning Set is that girl. Martha Stewart, countless celebs, and picky beauty editors have all bestowed accolades upon the seven-product kit.

Best Beauty Gifts

A genius gift for the men in your life: Sephora Favorites Cologne Sampler Set With Redeemable Voucher, $95; sephora.com
Prada Mini Three-Piece Lip Set, $55 (Originally $75); nordstrom.com
A crowd pleaser: Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask Dreamy Lip Kit, $20; amazon.com
Glossier The Lash Kit, $32; glossier.com
On a surprising number of wishlists: Jolie The Filtered Shower Head; $165; nordstrom.com
Ready, Set, Gro Hair Kit, $181; vegamour.com
An Oprah Favorite Thing: Poppy & Pout Jumbo Lip Balm Gift Set, $70; amazon.com
An affordable designer buy: Dior Le Baume Revitalizing Multi-Purpose Balm, $60; nordstrom.com

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask Dreamy Lip Kit

Like the Cosrx Snail Mucin, Laneige's lip masks are a beauty gift you can bet anyone and everyone will be happy with. Everything mini is inherently cute but these are also functional. Whoever you gift them to can throw them in their bags or pockets.

I like to get this and give one to each of my four friends during a pre-holidays dinner. Their pout will be soft throughout the cold and dry winter months and I manage to gift them all without showing favoritism.

Sephora Favorites Cologne Sampler Set With Redeemable Voucher

I grew up in a household with my father and two brothers; I think that's why I don't have a hard time buying gifts for men. This Sephora Cologne Sampler is a godsend. I don't have to make the tough choice of guessing what scent they'll like best—they get to experiment with 11 and then walk into a Sephora and get a full size of their favorite.

Plus, the voucher is often redeemed months later and I've been told this makes this Sephora set feel like two gifts.

Best Editor-Approved Gifts

A crafting-season must-have: Paint Anywhere Periwinkle Blossomg Paint by Numbers; $50; ban.do
On the cinephile’s wishlist: Everything Everywhere All At Once Hardcover Screenplay Book, $60; amazon.com
Jenny Bird Chunky Doune Hoops; $138; jenny-bird.com
TikTok viral: Intimissimi Boat Neck Modal Cashmere Ultralight Top, $59; intimissimi.com
Ana Luisa Temple Green Layered Necklace Set, $115; analuisa.com
Fun holiday decor: Peanuts Snoopy String Lights, $15; urbanoutfitters.com
A vinyl collector’s dream: Audio-Technica Sound Burger Portable Turntable, $199; amazon.com
An aesthetic yet utilitarian upgrade: Craighill Wilson Brass Keyring, $18; amazon.com
Editor’s pick: Madewell Three-Pack Slinky Ribbed Trouser Socks, $30; madewell.com
Calpak Packing Cubes Five-Piece Set, $68; calpaktravel.com
Cuyana Mini Heart Case, $98; cuyana.com
Will be highly appreciated by creative types: Brian Eno Oblique Strategies: Over One Hundred Worthwhile Dilemmas Card Deck, $100; amazon.com
Lego Orchid Set, $50; lego.com

Madewell Three-Pack Slinky Ribbed Trouser Socks

When I was a child and received things like sweaters, jackets, or socks as gifts, I wanted to fight someone. But I guess maturing and aging is realizing those are some of the best gifts. I’m always in need of good quality socks but dishing out for them always seems painful. This Madewell trio is a recent favorite—they’re comfortable and they’re cute. They’re going to look fabulous with my wardrobe of loafers. Despite having three pairs, I’d still be glad to receive more.

Paint Anywhere Periwinkle Blossom Paint by Numbers

I’m a year-round crafter, but in the winter I really get in my DIY bag. It is, after all, homebody season. I received one of these adult paint-by-numbers sets a couple of years ago and have been obsessed since. It’s such a fan activity that doesn’t require learning a new skill the way something like crochet or knitting does.

Since receiving my Paint Anywhere paint-by-numbers set I have gifted it many times. I always receive photo updates as the giftee works through their canvas and they make me smile every time. It’s like a gift for me, too.

Craighill Wilson Brass Keyring

The secret to shopping for impossible people is going very micro. What is a small everyday thing in their life that you can upgrade? How about a keyring? No one thinks to replace their own. It just so happens that Craighill Wilson makes the best ones. They’re minimalistic, design-friendly, and utilitarian. They’re great for white elephant exchanges with a modest price cap, house warmings, and everything in between.