100 Gifts That Will Impress Even the Pickiest People on Your List

Top chef, too-cool teen, and everyone in between.

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It’s that time of year. You know, that time when you have to look into a crystal ball and ask yourself, “What does Uncle Jeff, who I see only once a year, want for Christmas?” And if you don’t have an Uncle Jeff, you certainly have a sassy best friend with expensive taste, a grandmother who keeps (and collects) everything under the sun, or a dad who always says he just wants a card. 

Among Domino staffers, we’ve encountered every difficult-to-shop-for type out there. So consider this your editor-approved guide on how to keep even the most picky loved ones feel seen, with 100 specific yet crowd-pleasing gift ideas. 

For the Host With the Most

Composing a photo-worthy table setting and making sure everyone is having fun, all while preparing a full-on feast, is no easy job. But we all have that one friend who manages to pull it off with aplomb every time. And while they might have their go-to pieces, gifting them the cookbook of the season or a graphic oven mitt is a wonderful way to show your appreciation, all while encouraging them to keep the parties coming. 

Serving Bowl by Conran Shop

$78
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u0022Antechinusu0022 Cheese Knife by Alessi

$46
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Amante 1530 Aperitivo Amaro

$35
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More Is More: Get Loose in the Kitchen by Molly Baz

$25
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Wilshire Tablecloth

$78
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Alfredo Salad Servers by Georg Jensen

$59
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Striped Oven Mitt

$24
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Jabali Mezcal

$149
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Multicolor Small Confetti Cutting Board by Fredericks u0026 Mae

$45
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Yellow Straight Medium Glass

$10
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Mini Stripe Cocktail Napkins (Set of 4)

$26
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Larch Wood End-Grain Premium Round Cutting Board

$118
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The Alpine Aperitivo

$48
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Large Napkins (Set Of 2)

$60
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For the Spa-Goer Who Leaves Yelp Reviews

Who could say no to a gift that promotes relaxation and respite? If your gift recipient loves a spa day and, let’s just say, knows what they like, don’t let that discourage you from gifting in their favorite category. A supersoft Skims lounge set, a plush Drowsy eye mask, and a hinoki bathtub caddy are fit for even the most particular of friends. 

Shearling Wool Slides by Jake Arnold

$109
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Soft Lounge Rib Sleep Set by Skims

$118
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Grande Heirloom Claw

$42
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Total Body Glow Trio

$98
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Hinoki Bath Caddy

$95
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Le Glaçon Facial Ice Roller

$40
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Planta Futura Cactus Soap

$14
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Check Hand Towel

$20
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Lavender Haze Eye Mask

$79
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Big Lauda Long Robe

$230
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Walden Meditation Cushion

$148
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CAST Coffee Cup by Kinto

$13
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For the Green Thumb Who’s Already Planning Their Spring Garden

There’s nothing prettier than a lush plot of green, but the same doesn’t always go for tools to maintain it. Watering cans or clippers can quickly pass their prime, and replacing their dirt-coated ones with beautiful versions will make them love their hobby even more. If they’re really into gardening, a Lettuce Grow Farmstand will be the gift they truly never stop talking about. 

The Farmstand

$699
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Sentei Ikebana by Niwaki

$35
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Contour Planter by Andrew Molleur

$60
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Plant Daddy Kit by Sowvital

$72
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Variegated Pink Lemon Tree

$79
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Hori Hori Classic

$35
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Plant the Box Scented Candle by Kobo Candles

$30
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Bodega Clog

$90
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Rainbow Chard Seeds by Plant Good Seeds Store

$9
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Haws Indoor Watering Can

$135
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For the Little One With an Already-Stocked Playroom 

Especially for the nonparents out there, it can seem like the kids in their lives have more than enough toys cycling through. There are plenty of toys that can stand out in a playroom while sticking around for the long haul, from a wood espresso machine to bean-shaped chalk, as well as a potion-making kit and cookie-themed puzzle that will keep them occupied for hours. And if they have a passion for fashion, look no further than a Mini Rodini puffer jacket, which is bound to be a hit on the playground.  

The 90s! For Babies!: A Totally Rad Counting Book

$17
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Holiday Cookie Tin Puzzle

$42
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Gathre Nightfall Blue Foam Kids Arc Playset

$319
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Magic Power Potion Necklace Kit

$45
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Bean Chalk by Nikolas Bentel

$25
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Kids Multicolor Color Block Beanie by Bobo Choses

$55
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Babyccino Maker by Tenderleaf Toys

$55
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Friendly Bear Money Bank

$20
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Toy Taco Truck by Candylab Toys

$22
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Kids Blue Lemons Puffer Jacket by Mini Rodini

$170
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For the Home Cook Who Outshines You at the Potluck 

Shopping for someone who would undoubtedly win Top Chef is intimidating to say the least. Whether you’re just looking to get them a little something like an olive oil upgrade or blow their mind with a pizza oven or an heirloom-worthy ladle, the below gifts are anything but amateur. There’s more where that came from in our gift guide dedicated to food-related buys. 

Extra Virgin Olive Oil (2-pack)

$48
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Pi Prime Pizza Oven

$300
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100 Essential Restaurant Recipes from the Authority on Where to Eat and Why It Matters

$32
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Chef’s Knife Set

$265 $195
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Stone-Finish Ladle by Astier de Villatte

$120
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Cuisinart 14-Cup 50th Anniversary Edition Food Processor

$300
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Geo Salt u0026amp; Pepper Grinder Set by Bodum

$49
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Trizor 15XV Professional Electric Knife Sharpener by Chef’sChoice

$160
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Pasta Maker Set by Gefu

$112
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The Resting Stone (Set of 2)

$60
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For the Adventurer Who’s Always Planning Their Next Excursion

While we’re big fans of gifting housewares, spending time at home is last on the priorities list for some. Travel-related buys, like a graphic Italian leather luggage tag or fabulously retro binoculars, will make them even more excited for their upcoming trip. And when they get on their next red-eye with the luxurious silk neck pillow you got them, their good night’s sleep will be all thanks to you. 

Nocs x OV Provisions 8×25 Waterproof Binoculars

$98
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Medium Train Case

$150
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Jet Setter Travel Pillow by Slip

$99
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Luggage Tag

$55
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Cashmere Donegal Beanie

$110
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The Bigger Carry-On

$295
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Men's UNEEK Sneaker

$130
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Perfect Brew Pour Over Set with Camp Mug by Stanley

$40
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Day Bottle

$38
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Getaway Car Keytag

$15
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Mini Hozuki

$50
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Sports Chair

$120
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For the Decorator With an Appreciation for the Finer Things

There’s nothing wrong with high standards, but there’s a lot of room for error when shopping for someone who has a very clear idea of what they like. You can’t go wrong by keeping it classic, like with an Elsa Peretti Tiffany & Co. dish, but the real way to impress them? By introducing a new-to-the-market item like Diptyque’s seasonal candle or a just-released book on decorator Mario Buatta. If you’re looking for the gift that keeps on giving, the Loftie lamp will spark joy on their nightstand while also improving sleep hygiene night after night (hello, sunrise alarm!). 

Glass Chanukiah

$235
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Thumbprint Dish by Elsa Peretti

$100
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Loftie Lamp

$250
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Mario Buatta: Anatomy of a Decorator

$43
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Shetland Throw by Ezcaray

$185
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Brass Matchbox Sleeve

$60
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Llorente Recycled Glass Vase

$58
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Délice Scented Candle

$86
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Smoking Lips Incense Holder by L'Objet

$95
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Pink Antique Tray by Les-Ottomans

$80
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Tomato Candles by Nonna's Grocer (Set of 3)

$52
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Mushroom Earthenware Tureen by Bordallo Pinheiro

$83
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For the Teen Who Thinks They’re Cooler Than You (and Is)

There’s no dancing around it: Teens are tough. They’re too old for toys but have no use for, say, an artisan-made tea towel. We went straight to the source and tapped the actual teens in our lives for gift-giving intel. And the result? A teeny-tiny projector, retro film camera, and tattoo pen that lasts up to two weeks. (Don’t worry, their parents will forgive you for that one eventually.)

Puffy Lunch Bag

$38
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Pastel Gradient Phone Case

$68
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Milky Lip Set

$65
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Kodak M35 35mm Reusable Film Camera

$18
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Mini Projector for iPhone

$99
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Kids Purple u0026amp; Green Micro Basket Tote

$115
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Fine Tip Tattoo Marker

$24
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Crystal Embellished Insulated Water Bottle by Collina Strada

$100
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Big Plans Bundle

$68
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Essentials Bead Box

$65
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For the Friend Who Says “Seriously, No Gifts!”

Some people just don’t want more stuff. But if we have anything to say about it, they’ll at least be receiving a thoughtful stocking stuffer. Everything in this category is under $45 but will bring them a priceless amount of joy, especially the artist-designed chocolate bar pack that will last for weeks of sugar cravings.

Little Bowl by Departo

$16
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Five Bar Milk Collection by COCO Chocolatier

$45
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Hand Cream by Salt u0026 Stone

$20
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David Hicks Playing Cards Set

$45
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Citrus Rosemary Syrup for Cocktails and Sodas by Raft

$20
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Vegetable Brush with Oiled Beechwood Handle by Redecker

$19
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Candy Cane Candles

$11
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Mavis Notepad Set

$18
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Lip Conditioner

$26
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Archivist Matchbox by Anthropologie

$15
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Julia Stevens

Contributing Editor

Julia Stevens is a Domino contributing editor. Basically, she’s a professional online shopper. She started at Domino as an intern and spent seven years in the style department curating products for our gift guides, trend roundups, and product reviews and on set styling the beautiful homes we get to share. Off hours, you can find her scouting New York’s newest design shops and restyling her shelves

Belle Morizio Avatar

Belle Morizio

Staff Photographer & Assoc. Photo Editor

Belle is the in-house photographer and associate photo editor for Domino, capturing everything from home tours to gift guides, plus the occasional how-to project. She joined the photo team as an intern in 2018 and was brought on full time in January 2021.