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It can be hard to shop for the holidays, with all the different personalities you’re shopping for and the countless deals seemingly available online. So this year, let ShopBillboard do the hard work for you and suggest some fool-proof gifts that are sure to surprise and delight any recipient on your list.
From gifts for music fans to beauty must-haves and celebrity favorites, these gift ideas are at once unique and unexpected. Take it from someone who reuses these gifting items every year — whether you’re shopping for family, friends or for a holiday get together, you can’t go wrong with wrapping one of these presents to put under the tree.
Fansbe Tech Karaoke Machine
In our experience, few things are as fun as a karaoke night at home with friends, and this portable system makes it easy to get singing right out of the box.
The karaoke kit includes two wireless mics and a Bluetooth speaker with built-in sound effects and lighting effects. It’s an instant party starter for the holidays and beyond. The only question is: what’s your go-to karaoke song?
XLeader Shower Speaker
Who doesn’t like singing in the shower? Well now you can do it with your music in tow, thanks to this waterproof shower speaker. The Bluetooth speaker pairs easily with your phone and uses a suction cup to attach to the shower wall or tiles. Taking a bath? The speaker can even float in water (though we don’t recommend submerging it). The five-watt mini speaker deliver just enough power to soundtrack your getting ready (or winding down) bathroom routine.
Valdivia Retro Vinyl Record Coasters
These vinyl-inspired coasters are great for music fans and decor aficionados alike. This set gets you six coasters that all feature a different “album” cover and title. What we like: the coasters stash away and stack easily on a turntable-inspired tray when not in use.
Bose SoundLink Micro Waterproof Wireless Portable Bluetooth Speaker
We love giving this Bose portable speaker as a gift, thanks to its compact size (about the diameter of a CD), its waterproof construction, and its surprisingly big sound. Get Bose’s renowned audio technology in a mini portable speaker with up to six hours of playtime on a single charge. A bonus: this wireless speaker comes with a grippy strap that lets you affix it to a backpack or bike handle, if you’re taking your tunes on the go. Walmart has this blue colorway on sale for under $50 as of this writing but we recommend adding to cart fast as the “rollback prices” won’t last for long.
Lyrically Correct Music Trivia Card Game
Game night is big in our household, and one of our favorite games these days is “Lyrically Correct,” a fun new take on “Name That Tune.” This one features hip-hop and R&B songs from the 90s and 2000s, though you can also select versions with pop songs, oldies, gospel tracks and more.
Board games and card games are easy gifts to give, as you can “personalize” genres or topics that appeal to your recipient without having to worry about sizing or compatibility. See Amazon’s latest selection of adult games here.
Brass Monkey Irrelevant Celebrity Trivia
Prefer pop culture in general? We love playing this “Irrelevant Celebrity Trivia” game, which offers random facts and questions about famous stars across music, movies and television. This boxed set includes 200 trivia cards themed around celebrities and their quirks. Choose from three different ways to play.
GearLight Selfie Ring Light for Computer or Phone
Whether you’re shooting content for social media or just want to look more professional on Zoom calls, this $20 ring light is a great gift idea for friends and colleagues — not to mention a great investment for yourself too. The LED light clip easily onto your laptop or phone and has adjustable brightness and color temperature levels.
GearLight Hands-Free Rechargeable Book Light
Readers, meantime, will love this wireless book light, which wraps around your neck for easy reading in bed or on the couch. You no longer need to be near a light source (or disturb others with a bright lamp) in order to read. The “neck” of the mini LED light is adjustable, and there are three different modes and intensity levels. This is a great gift idea for readers, parents and grandparents too.
Ugg Men’s Scuff Slippers
Ugg has long been known for their cozy footwear, but everyone likely has a pair of Ugg boots by now. Instead, pick up a pair of Ugg Scuff Slippers, which feature the same soft wool lining and sheepskin insole as the boots, only in a pair of slip-ons. Though these are best worn indoors, the grippy outsole lets you take them outside in a pinch (say, to pick up the paper or walk the dog). Choose from multiple colors and sizes.
Solawave 4-in-1 Radiant Renewal Facial Wand & Skin Therapy Serum Bundle
Red light therapy was all the rage this year, and leading the pack was the Solawave Facial Wand, which harnesses the power of mini LED lights to help revive and rejuvenate your skin. We’ve been using our Solawave for months now and have seen a dramatic difference in our skin texture and smoothness, with less puffiness and blemishes. Reviewers swear by their facial wand for anti-aging benefits too. This bundle includes the latest 4-in-1 Solawave device and a light-activated serum that’s specially developed for use with the wand.
TELFAR Medium Shopping Bag
TELFAR is one of the most in-demand bag brands in the world right now, thanks to celebrity sign-offs from the likes of Megan Thee Stallion, Beyonce and Dua Lipa. Oprah even included it on her annual list of “favorite things.”
Now, you can get an official TELFAR bag online through Amazon. The site has the medium shopping bag in-stock and available in seven colors, including this classic patent black model seen at right. You’ll want to hurry up and add these totes to your cart though — TELFAR bags are known to sell out so you don’t want to miss your chance to snag one while they’re still live on the site.
Aesop Geranium Leaf Duet Body Cleanser + Body Balm
There’s something about seeing Aesop products on someone’s bathroom counter that instantly conveys sophistication and class. This gift set gets you Aesop’s body cleanser and body balm in the brand’s fresh and earthy “Geranium Leaf” scent. The minimalist bottles and handsome labels make for a great #shelfie, but the products are actually highly effective too, with naturally-derived, skin nourishing ingredients for all skin types.
JARGOU 3-in-1 Charging Station
We all own at least one or two wireless chargers but what about a 3-in-1 charger? This Amazon bestseller is a coaster-sized charger that folds out to offer three charging stations for your devices. Power up your phone, AirPods and smartwatch at the same time, while eliminating unnecessary cable clutter. This is a great gift for techies and a great stocking stuffer too. Don’t just take our word for it though: more than 85% of shoppers give this JARGOU Charging Station a full, five-star review.
RAK Multitool Pen (2-Pack)
This multi-tool pen is a great stocking stuffer that’s surprisingly useful around the house. Shaped just like a pen or mechanical pencil, this all-purpose tool works as a screwdriver, level, ruler, bottle opener and more. It even functions as a mini flashlight thanks to the built-in LED bulb. And yes, it actually works as a pen too. This set gets you a two-pack, with batteries and ink refills included.
Shooting Star Rexy Print Silk Square Scarf
Coach’s iconic “Rexy” dinosaur mascot is now available as a beautiful silk scarf that’s ready for holiday gifting. Measuring 35 x 35 inches, the unisex design lets you wear this as a scarf, head wrap, pocket square, bandana or handkerchief. The blue and black colorway makes this an easy accent piece to style up an outfit, though it can also be an everyday item that you keep in your bag. Coach has made a name for itself as a purveyor of luxury goods and accessories, and this silk scarf does not disappoint.
Chia Pet x The Simpsons
Chia Pets have long been a go-to gift, and the at-home plants are as popular as ever thanks to their celebrity collaborations. This Simpsons-inspired Chia Pet always gets a good laugh at white elephant parties with its meme-able Homer in the shrubs vignette. The company says to expect full greenery in 1-2 weeks.
Lululemon Daily Multi-Pocket Tote Bag
What’s the point of having all those flimsy canvas tote bags around if you’re too nervous or embarrassed to use them? This year, upgrade to this durable and stylish lululemon tote, which features a water-resistant material that wipes down easily, plus 20L of space and tons of pockets for all your stuff.
This is a practical — and presentable — way to carry your belongings, whether you use this as a gym bag, travel bag, for groceries or errands. Choose from four colors online — and never go back to the cheap tote bags again.
TONYMOLY I’m Real Sheet Mask, Pack of 10
We’ve been using TONYMOLY sheet masks ever since a trip to Korea almost a decade ago. Now, this K-beauty secret is available in the U.S. on Amazon. This gift pack gets you ten individually-wrapped masks that deliver instant cooling, hydration and relief. Each mask offers different benefits too, from brightening to purifying.
Microfiber Weighted Blanket
One of my go-to gifts for family and loved ones is a weighted blanket, and this one is a steal at $29.99 (as of this writing). Like the name suggests, a weighted blanket uses pockets of tiny glass beads to add pressure to you, mimicking a gentle hug. Users (including myself) swear by a weighted blanket to help prevent tossing and turning in bed, and to help ease anxiety. This blanket is available in multiple weights, from five pounds to 30 pounds. It’s made from a soft and breathable microfiber material that makes it easy to use all year long.
Thymes Frasier Fir Pine Needle Candle
We have never met someone who didn’t appreciate a candle, and this one is an Amazon bestseller, with more than 20,000(!) units sold in the last month alone. We love the fresh pine needle smell — which is great for a holiday dinner or room refresh — while the beautifully-designed glass jar adds a touch of festive decor. Made in the USA, this candle has a burn time of 45 hours. It’s a great holiday housewarming gift too.
Amarcado Ceramic Match Holder (Set of Two)
What’s a candle without a match to light a flame? This ceramic match holder lets you literally strike a match thanks to its side stripe. The jars double as chic table decor, and we love the handmade look and feel. Just a note: the matches are not included so you’ll have to pick up a pack of “strike anywhere” matches separately.
Skechers SKX Fusion Wave Pickleball Paddles
Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country and this pickleball paddle set from Skechers is an easy way to get people started. Made with a honeycomb core with a soft grip, the paddle is lightweight enough to move around the court, but sturdy enough to control your shots.
Skechers is the official footwear sponsor of the U.S. Open Pickleball Championships, and the brand now offers a full collection of Pickleball shoes and accessories on its website.
Nike Sportswear Phoenix Cozy Bouclé
We love a throw blanket as a gift idea, thanks to its gender-neutral appeal, and all the ways you can use it around the house. But while most throw blankets feature generic patterns or colors, this Nike one amps up the wow factor with an all-over Nike Swoosh print. Measuring 69 x 77 inches in size, the cozy blanket is great for lazy nights on the couch, as an extra layer in bed, or for staying warm outdoors before a race or workout. Choose from three colors online.
Dr Martens 7-Inch Satchel
Don’t look now but Dr Martens is making some seriously stylish accessories these days, including this winter-ready leather satchel. The crossbody bag measures seven inches in size and is made from a heavy-duty tumbled leather that will patina beautifully over time. The faux fur shearling trim adds visual interest, while the adjustable strap lets you wear the bag in multiple ways. What we like: the genuine leather bag looks way more expensive — and impressive — than its under-$100 price point.
Sol de Janeiro Jet Set
Sol de Janeiro was one of the hottest beauty brands of 2024 and this set gets you three of their most popular products in a giftable pouch. The Sol de Janeiro cream helps to tone and tighten, while the body wash refreshes and renews your skin. The fragrance mist is a perfect finishing touch to keep you smelling light and fresh all day long.
TOLOCO Deep Tissue Massage Gun
One of our favorite gifts to give is this TOLOCO massage gun, because its sleek looks and features make it seem way more expensive than its $39 price point. Plus, a massage gun is something people likely don’t have but will surely appreciate.
This personal massage delivers multiple speeds and massage types, from pain relief to recovery. The set includes ten different massage heads that you can switch out depending on the type of pressure and treatment you want.
Soccer Bot – Ultimate Indoor Soccer Game
We first got our hands (er.. feet) on the Soccer Bot a few months ago and we haven’t been able to stop playing with it since. Great for both amateur athletes and pros alike, the goal is to keep the smart ball away from the battery-powered Soccer Bot. The longer you can keep the ball moving, the higher the score. This is a great way for soccer players to practice their ball control and fancy footwork, but also just a fun game to play at home with a group of friends. Think you’ve mastered your motion? Turn up the speed of the Soccer Bot to really amp up the fun.
HUANUO Magno Module Master Magnetic Laptop Stand
Few things have (literally) upped our work game like this laptop stand from Magno. The super slim design keeps your desk looking clean and clutter-free, while the fold-out stand can adjust to five different heights and angles. The magnetic backing lets you easily stick your phone or earbuds on the stand as well, to keep all your devices together. What we like: this set comes with a comfortable wristband for more ergonomic typing.
Happy Doodles Personalized Puzzle
Puzzles took off in popularity during the pandemic, and they’re always fun gifts to give, no matter your recipient’s age. Walmart has personalized puzzles that you can order online, with delivery in time for Christmas. Choose from 30-piece or 56-piece sets based on a photo of your choice. Upload your pic and start customizing your puzzle here.
