Buzz
Heads up! We're doing everything we can to make sure the gifts we recommend reach you before Christmas, but delivery times can vary based on location, product, and more. To guarantee your gift makes it by the 25th, be sure to shop early and double-check the shipping info on the retailer’s website!
1. A screaming goat because it perfectly captures their mood 99% of the time. The little figure sits on a stump and shrieks when touched, and all you can say is, "same."
2. A Jeopardy 2023 daily calendar (RIP Alex Trebek) to challenge your trivia-loving friend’s knowledge (and yours too!). What is "the best gift ever?"
3. A Lego Movie activity kit for those who’ve binged every episode of Lego Masters and are ready to take their Lego skills to the next level. This kit not only challenges their building abilities but also their creativity in storytelling and stop-motion animation.
4. Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza, a wild card-slapping game that’ll give them the chance to beat their family and friends in the next game night showdown.
5. A National Geographic Geode Kit that promises to be a ~smashing~ gift. Now, where’s my pair of goggles?
6. An air fryer that lets them indulge in crispy, fried foods without the extra grease. This kitchen wizard can cook up all their favorites — from chicken wings to crispy breaded eggplant, charred veggies, and even donuts — with a fraction of the fat. They might even share a piece with you!
Take a look at my colleague's Instant Pot Air Fryer review, and I can pretty much guarantee you'll be adding another one to your cart for yourself.
Promising review: "I kept hearing people rave about air fryers, so I researched different models and brands. I'm so glad I went with the Vortex 5.7 quart air fryer from Instant Pot!! The reviews were amazing, and it has made cooking both fast and easy!!!" —James54
Shipping Info: Standard shipping (5–8 business days) is free with a $75+ purchase. Expedited shipping (1–3 business days) is available for an additional fee. JCPenney also offers free in-store pickup on orders over $25, plus curbside pickup at select locations.
Get it from JCPenney for $119.99.
7. A snug mock neck fleece jacket because they adore soft, cozy outerwear, ample pockets, and of course — pink! (But if pink isn't their thing, it’s available in plenty of other classic colors, so don’t worry!) They can wear it solo on milder fall days, or layer it up when the temperatures really drop.
Promising review: "Warm and fits perfectly. Not to heavy perfect for this upcoming fall season." —MaWanda
Shipping Info: Expedited 2-day and overnight shipping is available for an additional cost.
Get it from Nautica for $34.99 (available in women's sizes XS–XXL and five colors).
8. The new AirPods Pro for Dad, who is constantly on work calls and who swears you're breathing too loud even though you're in the other room. These'll block out the distracting noise of roommates, nearby construction, downstairs neighbors, and more with active noise cancellation. And there's transparency mode when he wants to still be able to hear what's going on around him — like when Mom screams that it's time for dinner.
9. A bubbling clay mask if you want to give both a fun *and* effective gift. Reviewers say it de-gunks their pores and blackheads without stripping the skin. And the foaming action will make it incredibly satisfying for them to use!
10. A Baby Yoda Bluetooth speaker complete with a handy strap, ensuring the Force (and the music) are always by your side.
11. Or perhaps a set of glowing lightsaber chopsticks that will elevate that spicy tuna roll from your plate to your mouth with Jedi-level precision. Get this, you must! "My favorite gift, this is!" they'll declare.
12. Mario Party Superstars—a perfect excuse to grab a gift for yourself too. Engage in multiplayer mode (up to four players) and compete with friends and family to gather the most stars. And with Superstars, you get to play on five nostalgic boards from the classic Nintendo 64 Mario Party games.
13. A dog DNA kit, because your animal-loving aunt has always wondered exactly what breed her cherished rescue dog is.
14. A Sasquatch candle for your cryptid-obsessed cousin who swears they've spotted Bigfoot. While no one can confirm your cousin's tale, there's no doubt they'll regard you as the ultimate gift giver.
This candle exudes the scent of pine and harvest spices. Be sure to remove the Sasquatch figure before lighting it up.
Bo Winston is a San Diego-based small business offering quirky handmade goods.
Promising review: "This Bigfoot candle is my favorite Christmas purchase yet!! It's funny and adorable all at once!!" —hhazey1
Shipping Info: Orders are processed in one day, with shipping originating from California. Delivery time will depend on your location, and expedited shipping is available upon request for select items.
Get it from Bo Winston on Etsy for $20.79+ (available in three sizes).
15. A super practical rechargeable hand warmer for those with eternally cold hands. This compact device is surprisingly powerful, capable of reaching up to 131 degrees Fahrenheit.
16. A tube of Glossier Balm Dotcom so they can finally discover what all the buzz is about. This moisturizing lip treatment is crafted with castor oil, lanolin, and beeswax to lock in moisture and provide a protective shield.
Promising review: "Honestly, I was skeptical but decided to try this because I’m obsessed with figs. I love it; it really melts away all the dryness and leaves your lips feeling soft." —Mercedes
Shipping Info: Standard shipping (3–7 business days) is free on orders over $40. Expedited (2–3 business days) and rush (1–2 business days) shipping options are available at an additional cost.
Get it from Glossier for $12 (available in six shades).
Check out my colleague's Balm Dotcom review for more details!
17. A Revlon hot-air brush that will give them a magical tool to create a shiny, salon-quality blowout in minutes. The brush has special vents that allow air to flow through for faster drying. Plus, it’s faster than using both a dryer and a flat iron or curling iron, meaning less heat damage overall.
18. Or consider an InStyler Glossie to speed up the straightening process for individuals with thick, coily hair. The paddle provides more surface area for your strands, requiring fewer passes to achieve smoothness.
Mytour editor Maitland Quitmeyer swears by her device. In her own words:
"You guys, with just one pass over my hair, it was almost completely straight. My jaw literally dropped. Two more passes and it was perfectly straight, not fried looking, and a delight to run my fingers through. I styled my entire head in about 15 minutes. I honestly can't describe how shocked I was by the results. There are four temperature settings, ranging from 300 to 450 degrees, so you can adjust the heat based on your hair type. (I tried it on both the highest and second-highest settings, and both worked wonders on my coarse hair — just make sure to protect your hair from the heat!)"
Shipping Info: Orders placed before 11 a.m. PT Monday through Friday ship the next business day. Standard shipping (4–6 business days) is free for orders over $85, and expedited 2-day and overnight shipping via Fedex are available for an extra charge.
Get it from Instyler for $69.99.
19. A set of 150 questions inspired by the Love Language test, designed to deepen your bond, even if you and your significant other have been together for ~five-ever~.
20. A candle from Otherland's Gilded Collection for a gift that's as visually striking as it is fragrant. These vegan candles boast an impressive 50-hour burn time, are made from coconut and soy wax, and are hand-poured in the USA 🇺🇸. But more importantly, they smell DIVINE.
My top picks from this collection are Silk Pajamas (a blend of crystal ginger, bergamot zest, and spiced yuzu) and Sacred Dust (featuring palo santo, crimson incense, and cypress bark)!
Promising review: "10/10 recommend and will buy more. These candles are small luxuries that help brighten some dark times." —Lauren Johnson
Shipping Info: Processing takes 2–5 days, with an additional 2–5 business days for delivery. If you need expedited shipping, reach out via email. If you're in the New York City area, you can visit their Soho store.
Get a candle from Otherland for $36 (available in six scents; build a box and save — three for $89, six for $265, and nine for $254).
21. Fleece-lined joggers for those who are always freezing cold. The plush, cozy lining will keep their legs warm and toasty all winter long.
22. A Madewell leather tote for carrying all their essentials in style. This spacious bag fits a large water bottle, a variety of snacks, their laptop, wallet, face masks, phone, umbrella, and more.
Promising review: "Canvas totes come and go, but there's nothing like having a reliable, go-to bag. I've had this since college, where I used it to carry my heavy textbooks, laptop, and other English major essentials. Now, it's seamlessly transitioned into my adult life — OK, I still use it for books and my computer. The leather has developed a beautiful patina, and the bag is still as sturdy as the day I got it. It has a zippered interior pocket that’s perfect for keys, cards, or small essentials. I received it as a gift, so I can confirm it's a great one! My bag is even monogrammed, which made the gift even more special. (You can add monogramming to almost any Madewell leather or denim item for $10 or for free if you're a Madewell Insider!) If you can't afford this wonder now, I recommend adding it to your wishlist." —Rachel Dunkel
Shipping Info: Economy (8–10 business days) and standard shipping (6 business days) are free for Madewell Insiders. Expedited (2–3 days) and overnight shipping options are available at extra cost.
Get it from Madewell for $106.80 (available in three colors; use promo code JOLLY at checkout for this price!).
23. A versatile Always Pan from Our Place that combines practicality and elegance. This pan is equipped with a steamer basket, a built-in easy-pour spout, and a nesting spatula, making it the perfect kitchen companion.
Promising review: "I had been researching nonstick pans for a while and finally took the plunge with the Always Pan, hoping it would live up to the hype...and it truly did. Cooking eggs or other dishes is a breeze with no sticking. It's incredibly easy to clean, looks gorgeous, and is so versatile — from steaming veggies to straining pasta with the lid. It’s become my favorite kitchen tool recently!" —Aniyah H.
Shipping Info: Processing takes up to 4 days for in-stock items, and delivery typically takes 2–7 business days depending on your location. Standard shipping is free for orders over $50, and expedited shipping options are available at an additional cost for ready-to-ship items.
Get it from Our Place for $99 (originally $145; available in six colors) or send a gift card if your order won't arrive in time.
Our team stans Our Place. Check out our Always Pan review for more deets!
24. Pixicade — a mobile game maker that lets them turn their drawings into animated games playable on a phone or tablet. Yes, you read that right. All they need to do is draw, snap a photo, and watch their creation come to life as a game.
25. A 1,000-piece puzzle that gained popularity on TikTok from The Magic Puzzle Company, offering more than just a pretty picture! The illustration is so stunning, it might end up glued and framed once completed, and hidden within it are 50 Easter eggs, plus a magical surprise that appears after the puzzle is finished.
26. A tequila infusion kit perfect for the friend who could use some relaxation. Each packet is filled with dried fruits, herbs, spices, and vegetables to add a zesty and flavorful kick to their alcohol.
To use, simply place the infusion bag in a container (such as a mason jar) with tequila. Let it infuse for at least three days, then remove the bag and enjoy! These bags can also be used to infuse seltzer water instead of a spirit.
InBooze is a Black woman-owned Etsy store based in Michigan. All of their packets are handmade, filled with dehydrated fruits, veggies, spices, and herbs, and each kit is designed to infuse 8 to 10 cocktails. Cheers!
Promising review: "I can’t believe how good this is. The flavor is unreal." —Amber Horton
Shipping Info: Processing time is 1-3 business days, and orders are shipped from Michigan, so delivery time varies based on your location. Expedited shipping is available.
Get it from InBooze on Etsy for $18 (available in a range of other flavors — the berry lavender lemonade is also currently in my cart).
27. A bottle of wine drops for those who love a good red wine but want to potentially avoid the post-drinking headache. Just a few drops are said to remove the tannins and sulfates that can cause those dreaded head throbs.
28. A pop-up flower bouquet card, perfect for sending a thoughtful gift to someone who claims, "Oh, I really don't need anything this year!" If the recipient is environmentally conscious, they'll appreciate that the card is crafted from 100% recyclable paper. Plus, the company donates 1% of its sales and plants a tree with every bouquet sold.
29. The Adventure Challenge: Couples Edition — a unique scratch-off book filled with spontaneous date ideas for couples. Each activity remains a surprise until scratched off. An instant camera is included, so you can capture all the fun memories from each challenge.
A soft muslin blanket that keeps you warm and cozy during cuddle sessions, without causing you to overheat and soak your sheets with sweat.
A Chi automatic curling iron that delivers flawless curls in minutes. Simply place your hair into the chamber, and the curler will wrap it around the heated barrel automatically. A beep will indicate when the curl is set, and the barrel keeps your fingers safe from heat.
A skin spatula designed for individuals who have a comprehensive skincare routine. It uses high-frequency vibrations to eliminate blackheads and unclog pores, promoting better absorption of skincare products by preventing debris from blocking pores.
33. A miniature baking set makes a great gift for those who loved their Easy-Bake oven as kids or anyone who's passionate about tiny foods.
34. Treat someone to a high-end tube of Stila mascara, so they can forget about dealing with mascara that flakes, smudges, or fades away. It makes the perfect gift, even for the most selective beauty enthusiast.
35. Gift a silk scarf that will help Mom embrace her inner Grace Kelly with effortless elegance.
Shipping Information: To ensure delivery by Christmas, order by Dec. 18 at 12 p.m. EST for ground shipping, Dec. 21 at 12 p.m. EST for 2-day shipping, or Dec. 23 at 12 p.m. EST for overnight shipping.
Purchase from Rifle Paper Co. for $68, available in seven different colors.
