When gift ideas are scarce and inspiration is short, it’s tempting to fall back on those predictable purchases: candles, gift cards, books, the usual suspects. But this holiday season, it’s time to shake things up and give the gifts one would least expect with a quirky, fun-filled edge. If you’re stumped for gift ideas, amp things up this holiday season with these cheeky gifts like temporary sparkle tattoos, color burst playing cards, pest control weapons, and sarcastic statement pillows. You might feel bold in your gifting pursuits, but these gifts trump any cliches that deserve to be delegated to the back burner this year.

_{Prices are accurate as of December 11, 2024. Subject to change.}

Catbird Pigeon Wind-Up Toy

Undoubtedly the unappointed mascot of New York, the pigeon is considered equal parts pest and celebrated icon. Indeed, even if you’ve never paid a visit to the Big Apple, chances are you’ve come across this brazen bird in your lifetime, waiting to take a bite out of your leftovers or flying in flocks dangerously close to slamming into you. If somebody on your list is a trinket and treasure collector with a flair for the fun, you’re sure to win a major favor if you gift them with this fun and affordable conversation sparker. Just a few turns of this petite fowl will have him on his way across tables, desks, and floors, bringing that resilient, radical New York spirit with every step. The wind-up toy serves as a daily reminder to laugh at life’s punches and eccentricities, and never back down from a challenge — just like the pigeon itself.

Fazit Glitter Freckle Patches

If you told us we’d be applying glitter freckles as a beauty trend in 2024, we’d have said you’d gone absolutely bonkers. And yet, here we are buying these star-shaped patches in bulk, giving them as gifts and applying them when we need a little ethereal excitement in our own lives. Star and glitter freckles started gaining traction when Taylor Swift’s fans started sporting these shimmery accessories at her sold-out concerts and went mega-viral when Taylor Swift herself wore Fazit’s temporary freckles at an NFL game. I was worried these glitter freckles might look absurd on an adult, but somehow, they’ve become the perfect addition to an adventurous beauty routine, adding a touch of wonder to any look, whether that’s a music concert or a long overdue girls’ night out on the town.

Moo Deng Bumper Sticker

We honestly hadn’t given hippos much thought until an adorable one named Moo Deng entered the scene, and now we’re downright obsessed. This sassy, sneaky ball of blubber went viral on social media this fall, quickly becoming this year’s icon, and we’ve been watching her unpredictable-but-always-adorable antics ever since. Whether she’s biting zoo staff or lazing about, this pygmy hippo draws record crowds at her home in Thailand, but you don’t have to hop on a plane and travel across the world to capture that sassy spirit that is Moo Deng (her name translates to bouncy pork). Indeed, there’s plenty of Moo Deng-inspired merch out already, including holiday ornaments and tees, but it’s this lighthearted, laugh-inducing bumper sticker that we can’t wait to give as a gift this holiday season. Road rage is gone when Moo Deng’s face is staring back at you, reminding you to chill and channel your inner bouncy pork.

Ban.do Playing Cards

Playing cards aren’t what they used to be. What was once an unassuming deck of kings, queens, spades, jacks, and jokers has transformed into an artistic playground, with brands putting their own design spins on the beloved game. Whatever your recipient’s style, there is sure to be a deck that will suit their playful personality, but if we had to pick a universal favorite, it would be this deck from Ban.do. Perhaps the boldest and brightest cards we’ve ever beheld, this vibrant two-deck collection is not just a game, but a statement piece that will add a pop of color and entertainment to any room. Though we’d want to keep them as pristine as possible, the deck demands to be played at game nights and get-togethers, complete with nail-biting rounds of go fish, poker, or solitaire.

Organ Plushies

There’s something about a stuffed animal that brings out the inner child in everyone. While we’ve witnessed some wildly creative stuffed creatures, we can’t resist these endearing plushies from I Heart Guts. Here you’ll find all parts of the human body from the brain, lungs, colon, gallbladder, or ovaries that will delight anatomy enthusiasts and plushie lovers alike. While there’s certainly a lot of humor and hilarity to be found in these surprising stuffies, the genesis behind them is quite humbling. Many of these plush organs find their way to those struggling with illnesses, cancer, and diseases, easing the real-life health struggles many individuals face every day with a soft, soothing squeeze. If your gift recipient appreciates a touch of wacky with a serving of sweet, they’ll find it hard to resist adding a stuffed organ to their collection — even if they’re well beyond those youthful years. 

Bug-A-Salt

Who said pest control can’t be fun? If your giftee is a patio dweller or enjoys outside entertaining, it’s likely they’ve battled their fair share of house flies. These uninvited guests not only bring an ick factor, but can turn a relaxing get-together into a frustrating battle. Turn that battle turn into a playful shootout with the insanely well-reviewed Bug-A-Salt. Just load this bright yellow device up with ordinary table salt and start firing away at those invaders as they approach. The Bug-A-Salt is insanely accurate up to three feet away and all safety precautions must be followed, i.e. no firing at humans or pets, to keep the fun safe. Such joy is in store, your recipient might enjoy a fly’s company a little too much. 

Jellycat Statement Bag

Imagine the scene: you’re at a holiday party and glance over to see a frowning turtle staring right back at you. Believe it or not, stuffed animal purveyor Jellycat has made a grumpy reptile look disarming as a plush crossbody bag that your recipient will carry on the regular. Undoubtedly intended for the young at heart, this whimsical accessory is sure to delight anyone and every one with its endearingly grumpy demeanor and soft texture that’s hard to resist cuddling. The bag itself is surprisingly spacious, with enough cargo room to pack a wallet, keys, and everyday necessities. Jellycat, which has found a certain fanfare among stuffed animal collectors, always has a healthy dose of creativity up its sleeve with stuffed selections like hot chocolate, pizza slices, festive frogs, and even earmuff-dressed eggplant. If you’re hoping to bring a grin and guaranteed satisfaction, you can’t go wrong with this reptilian bag.

Sassy Storage Container

Rarely do we want anyone giving us sass in the kitchen, but for these attitude-packed containers we can make an exception. We don’t usually give much thought to the vessels that hold everyday provisions like coffee, tea, salt, and sugar, but once our eyes caught sight of these whimsical containers we knew we found the perfect present for nearly everyone on our list. These American-made, hand-poured canisters don’t just pay lip service to creative design, they embody it with their fairytale-like inspiration that will remind you of classic tales and movies like Sword in the Stone. And while these ceramic canisters won‘t come to life to serve you sugar or clean up the kitchen (bummer!), they bring a certain levity and ease into the spaces they inhabit, making those mundane culinary tasks all the more approachable. With their vibrant color palette and charming disposition, these containers cast a spell in the kitchen, making them a gift that will be cherished by friends and family alike.

Furbish Studio Needlepoint Pillow

There was a time when needlepoint pillows were considered a quaint, old-fashioned means of decorating, but the craft has undergone a stunning revival, finding favoritism and fondness in all styles of home decor. Gracing chic sofas and expensive lounge chairs, these stuffed works of art bring sass and sophistication to the home, embodying the personalities of those who live there — from the playful and humorous to the elegant and refined. If there is a brand that is crafting needlepoint pillows we want to collect en masse, it’s Furbish Studio. The company’s pillows are endearingly cheeky, with statements and sayings that will send visitors into knee-slapping fits, like “I Want to Be Where the People Aren’t,” “Hold On, Let Me Overthink This,” and “Not My Circus Not My Monkeys.” Within the sprawling collection, you’ll find odes to the likes of Dolly Parton, as well as a dose of holiday festivities and expletives. Whatever their style of humor, you’ll find the perfect nap-companion piece to give that someone special on your list.

Featured image credit: Julia Larson/ Pexels

In a world where everything is available at the click of a button, it’s all too easy to have everything you want. Shopping for someone who already has everything, or to put it frankly, is impossible to buy for, is a task we proclaim to dread, but actually secretly relish. After all, what’s more thrilling than the challenge of finding that perfect gift that will surprise someone who seems to have it all and then some? Shopping for the impossible-to-buy-for loved one makes you dig deeper and discover unique treasures. To help you check off that most difficult person on your shopping list, we’ve compiled a fail-safe guide featuring such stellar standouts as texture-changing pens, celeb-loved beauty buys, and affordable cashmere.

_{Prices are accurate as of December 11, 2024. Subject to change.}

Magic Puffy Pens

Sometimes the best gifts are the ones that inspire childlike wonder in even the most grown-up of us. A call back to the nostalgic days of gel pens, these Magic Puffy Pens appear to be ordinary pigmented pieces, but they actually hold a secret: they transform into an artistic experience that’s a masterpiece in the making. Just a gentle squeeze of the pen produces a paint-like ink, apply heat using any hair dryer or embossing gun and watch as 3D magic unfolds. Before their eyes, your gift recipient will witness their one-of-a-kind artistic works puff up into a wondrous display of color and texture — a real rendering. Whether they’re a modern-day Picasso or have not the slightest bit of artistic flair, there’s guaranteed fun to be had with these magic pens.

Compartes Gourmet Chocolate Truffles

A chocolatier that has wielded such delights as potato chip and bourbon pecan pie chocolate bars, Compartes always has new and exciting creations up its sleeve. We’ve long relied on this sweets brand to breeze through our annual holiday shopping list, so it’s no surprise this is a reliable choice for the person who has everything. Here you can stay on a reasonable budget sourcing individual chocolate bars, or you can even splurge with an all-encompassing chocolate stash. We personally love the affordability and guaranteed satisfaction of the petite but packed-with-surprise chocolate truffles. Your recipient can have a perfect serving of dessert, but also delicate and demure works of edible art, featuring brilliant pops of color and design.

Wicked Monopoly

Sometimes when you don’t know what to give a person it’s best to look around at what is creating excitement and buzz in the moment, and that is undoubtedly the tale of two witches named Glinda and Elphaba. The long-awaited film release of Wicked, Broadway’s beloved musical based on the best-selling book, is here, and fans are going nuts for all the magical merchandise. If your recipient happens to be a fan of the musical or the new movie, why not gift them a game that’ll endure far beyond curtain call, like a Wicked-themed Monopoly board? This classic, family-friendly game brings out the enterprising competitor in everyone. Don’t worry if they already own Monopoly; they’ll be happy upgrading to this magical version, which features beautiful shades of emerald and pink.

Charlotte Tilbury Mini Lipstick Trio

Never underestimate the thoughtfulness of a good lipstick or three. Charlotte Tilbury, a makeup brand beloved by celebs and style icons like Amal Clooney, Kate Middleton, and Meghan Markle, is renowned for all its beauty-enhancing products, but without a doubt, the brand’s best-selling lipstick is where it shines and shimmers the most. Cheekily named hues like Pillow Talk and Hollywood Vixen are kept in rotation by loyal fans who swear by the pout-perfecting lipstick’s moisturizing formula and long-lasting wear, and the beauty gift of the season is Charlotte Tilbury’s Mini Iconic Hollywood Lipstick Trio Set. These mini but mighty lipsticks feature shades of pink and red for everyday wear or nights of flirty fun.

LEGO Flowers

When you’re stumped on gift ideas, it never hurts to default to a thoughtful and bountiful bouquet of flowers. Personal and meaningful, a flower arrangement suits every occasion. And yet, one of our biggest complaints about florals is they never stick around long enough to be thoroughly appreciated and enjoyed — until now. LEGO debuted a collection of floral bouquets years ago, and ever since, we’ve been obsessed with their strikingly realistic and intricate designs, which miraculously capture the delicate beauty and essence of real flowers in durable, long-lasting bricks. Even those who aren’t LEGO-obsessed can appreciate the eternal nature of these permanent blooms that won’t wilt, fade, or shed petals. Whether you want to build the bouquet ahead of time and display them in a giftable vase or give them in box, you can’t go wrong with these playful petals.

Quince Mongolian Cashmere Sweater

If you’re unsure what to buy, it’s great to lean into luxury. Luxury, of course, conjures up the idea of expensive and extravagant, but there are those quiet luxury brands that tote craftsmanship, quality, and style over wallet-compromising price tags. With Quince, you can get the best of both worlds with affordable luxury goods, from leather accessories, silk statement pieces, and, our personal favorite, cashmere clothing. One of the brand’s best-sellers, the Mongolian cashmere sweater, is one of those essential pieces you love so much you stock up on a diverse color palette, wearing it to the office or cocktail hour. With sustainable, ethically sourced cashmere that won’t rough out or start piling away, this light but incredibly warm sweater remains a statement-maker in our winter wear collection.

Solo Stove Mesa Tabletop Fire Pit

Solo Stove’s fire pits have swiftly become an outdoor entertaining essential, ideal for chilly evenings, lively gatherings, or moments of solitude and relaxation. But let’s be honest, not everyone can splurge hundreds on a backyard fire pit. Solo Stove understands this predicament, which is why the brand has delivered a tabletop version of its iconic pits. Perfect for a patio table, camping excursion, or of-the-moment indulgence, the petite pit casts a mighty flame that pleases the senses, from wintery smoke to charred marshmallow feasts. It’s all too tempting to gather around the Solo Stove Mesa, which comes with a stand and nylon carrying bag that makes it easy to set up this fire wherever you go. It’s more than just a fire pit. It’s a catalyst for connection and igniting festivity and fun wherever it’s lit.

Meater Pro Meat Thermometer

If you had told us we’d be adding a meat thermometer to our shopping list this year, we wouldn’t have believed you, but that was before we discovered the Meater Pro. This smart thermometer far outperforms other old-school, basic thermometers with its wireless, Bluetooth connectivity, advanced and precise temperature tracking, sleek design, and ease of use that makes cooking in any form an absolute breeze. The Meater Pro can withstand temperatures up to 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit and takes the guesswork out of producing perfectly cooked meals every time. Not only does this prevent an unfortunate bout of food poisoning, but it also turns what could be a chewy steak or tough piece of fish into tender, juicy, and mouth-watering proteins that will have you singing the praises of this kitchen essential.

UGG Bluetooth Earmuffs

Sometimes you discover certain products that make you wonder how you ever lived without them. You can imagine our delight when we discovered that UGG’s luxe earmuffs also include Bluetooth capability, turning frigid walks and strolls into musical escapes that wrap your ears with sound and warmth. Perhaps what impresses us the most about these musical muffs is the clear and powerful sound quality, an added bonus that makes them a must-have for music lovers, podcast enthusiasts, and audiobook fiends. Even if your gift recipient doesn’t feel like powering up the sound, they’ll be enveloped in a durable and comfortable accessory adorned with soft sheepskin, and what’s not to love about that?

Ariat Heritage Western Boots

When someone is impossible to buy for, it’s ideal to look for reliable, fail-safe goods that stand the test of time. And let’s face it: if there’s ever been a time to rock a pair of Western boots, it’s now. An appreciation for Western wear, ignited by global artists like Beyonce, luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, and beloved shows like Yellowstone, is front and center at the moment, but it’s also an enduring fashion movement that won’t fade out like other trendy styles. That’s why purchasing a pair of simple but sleek cowboy boots guarantees your gift recipient will be line dancing and rodeo rocking in no time. Of all the boot brands to choose from, few come close to the prestige and design-forward focus of Ariat. Here you’ll find fashion-focused selections like the Casanova, but it’s their Heritage boot we’re most obsessed with. Made with a rounded toe and a classic but comfortable heel, this versatile boot doesn’t require equine endeavors, just a sense of adventure.

Featured image credit: Anna_Malova/ Shutterstock