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There’s a difference between giving someone a nice gift and finding something so perfectly suited to their personality they wonder how you even thought of it. The trick is thinking beyond the usual candles and coffee table books (although we found some particularly good versions of those, too). What do you get the friend who plans entire vacations around wine bars? The person whose perfect Sunday involves a farmers market, a crossword, and absolutely no plans? Or the amateur ornithologist who can identify a bird by its song?
This year’s best unique gifts include handmade bird calls, a Wes Anderson–approved notepad, chocolate made with Alaskan kelp, and even a way to upgrade someone’s walls without choosing a paint color for them. From little luxuries to conversation starters and a few wonderfully impractical finds, we’ve done the thinking for you. All that’s left is to secure your title as the season’s best gift-giver.
Under $50
Happy Snacking, Don’t Die by Alexis Nikole Nelson
When your friend has graduated from farmers market regular to full-fledged forager, this cookbook from Instagram’s beloved Black Forager is the natural next step, with recipes that put wild ingredients to delicious use.
Pura Mini
For the person who wants every room to smell like a boutique hotel. This smart diffuser brings customizable fragrance to smaller spaces without taking up shelf or counter space.
Barnacle Foods Kelp Chocolate
Chocolate and seaweed might sound like an unlikely pairing, but hear us out. One enthusiastic reviewer reported devouring all six bars in a single week, and that was all the convincing we needed.
East Fork Shortbread Pan
This decorative pan gives buttery shortbread an intricate thistle pattern that looks far more labor-intensive than it actually is, giving the budding baker in your life a little confidence boost with their next batch.
Hoppe Shoppe Ceramic Paint Palette
That friend who’s been meaning to pick up painting again might just need a little encouragement in the form of this pretty ceramic palette.
Framebridge Square Keeper Frame
From the cocktail napkin they scribbled their number on for the cute stranger-now-spouse to the coaster from their favorite neighborhood bar, this petite shadowbox gives those little keepsakes a place to live outside their memories bin.
Helen Levi Pill Buddy
Leave it to ceramicist Helen Levi to make something as mundane as a pill holder feel like a tiny piece of art. This Good Design Award winner is a charming upgrade for the person whose daily vitamins deserve better than a plastic organizer.
Under $100
Blueair Portable Handheld Fan
A much more attractive solution for the forever-toasty friend than fanning themselves with the nearest restaurant menu.
Lazy Jamie Engravable Oval Tray
If you’ve ever had a friend who serves takeout on a proper platter, this contemporary (and customizable!) take on traditional tableware is perfect for making any meal a little more special.
Saint Heck Fernot
For the cocktail enthusiast who’s always ordering something you’ve never heard of. This distinctive bottle makes a fun zero-proof addition to an adventurous home bar.
Astier de Villatte x Wes Anderson Notepad
We love the person who still writes letters, collects stationery, and has strong opinions about The Grand Budapest Hotel. They’ll love the way even a grocery list feels a little more cinematic on this notepad.
Aalto Scented Candle
A candle for the design snob who doesn’t believe in too many scents. The sculptural vessel takes its shape from Alvar Aalto’s iconic undulating glassware, making it just as appealing long after the wax is gone.
Ekster TravelPack Vacuum Kit
We all know a chronic overpacker who insists they’re traveling with just a carry-on, and this vacuum-packing system is just what they need to squeeze more clothes into less luggage space.
Under $200
Nickey Kehoe Sweeper
For the friend whose cleaning supplies are just as thoughtfully curated as their furniture. This old-fashioned sweeper is handsome enough to leave out in the open, rather than tucked in a utility closet.
Wine & Travel Latin America by Enrico Bernardo
If you know someone whose vacations are planned around vineyards and dinner reservations. This gorgeous coffee-table book takes readers through Latin America’s wine regions, no passport required.
Abbode Custom Tote
An inside joke, a favorite saying, or your best friend’s slightly unhinged personal motto: Whatever you choose to put on this customizable tote, it’s guaranteed to be more fun than another monogram.
Reed Smythe & Company Travel Backgammon Set
The playful salmon-swirl design makes this portable backgammon set as much a style statement as a competitive pastime for the person who’s always suggesting a game night.
Nocs Portal Adventure Camera
If your giftee’s photo roll is mostly hiking trails and blurry wildlife sightings, this rugged, screen-free digital camera is right up their alley. It captures images and 4K video without the temptation to immediately review every shot, so they can spend a little more time enjoying the view.
Handmade Wooden Bird Calls
At a certain point, we all have a birdwatcher in our lives. This charming French-made set mimics six different bird calls—including the robin, mourning dove, and owl—that we know they’ll swoon over.
Under $300
Heidi Caillier Woven Handled Basket
Even the friend whose home looks straight out of a design magazine needs somewhere to stash extra blankets. Interiors pro Heidi Caillier’s woven basket makes storage feel like part of the decor.
Svenskt Tenn Birdbath
You may give this award-winning shell-shaped terracotta birdbath to a friend or favorite neighbor, but it’s really a gift for their feathered regulars.
Schumacher x The Fabled Thread Needlepoint Kit
This kit turns an old-school craft into a stylish project for the friend who has officially traded doomscrolling for a new pastime.
Tala Sunrise Lamp
For the friend who hits snooze approximately seven times every morning. Tala’s sculptural wake-up lamp simulates a sunrise to ease them out of sleep, making the early hours feel a little less brutal.
Rorra Filtered Water Pitcher
The friend who’s always reminding everyone to hydrate deserves an upgrade from their plastic pitcher. Rorra’s sleek glass-and-stainless-steel design makes drinking water feel like a small luxury, even if they’re just filling up their Stanley.
$300 and Over
Farrow & Ball Color Consultancy
Know someone who has been debating the same five shades of off-white for six months? Gift them a consultation with a Farrow & Ball color expert and help put the great paint debate to rest.
Follow Vincent Drawing
Buying someone art can be risky, but that’s also what makes it such a personal gift. This original drawing is a particularly thoughtful choice for anyone who appreciates something one-of-a-kind over another mass-produced print.
MoMA x Stokke Tripp Trapp Chair
The promise to never let baby gear take over the living room is easier made than kept, but this special edition helps the design-conscious new parents in your life hold on to at least one part of the plan.
Sixpenny Recycled Faux Fur Throw
Sixpenny’s generously sized faux-fur throw is crafted from recycled materials and made for the friend who considers canceling plans a form of self-care.
Infrared PEMF Pet Bed
For the person whose dog has a more elaborate wellness routine than most humans. This high-tech pet bed combines infrared heat and pulsed electromagnetic field technology for an especially indulgent lounging experience.