An ideal present is something tailored specifically to the recipient and their interests and personality. A scented candle may help them relax, or a book may align with their reading habits.
Personalized gifts express thoughtfulness and show care and consideration for the recipient, making them feel extra special. For instance, custom mugs can be personalized by adding names or special messages engraved directly into them.
1. Practical Gifts
Practical gifts make great options for coworkers or spouses, including gifts such as plush pajama sets or soothing bath kits complete with candles, bath salts and sheet masks – especially when shopping for busy moms! For them a plush robe set may make an ideal present or an indulgent bath kit that includes bath salts and sheet masks would surely do.
Children love creating blanket forts as an easy way to spark imagination and make Christmas morning even more exciting, while giving budding musicians a ukulele is a great musical present!
Subscription boxes make an excellent present that keeps giving, as Jordan McMahon of Strategist editor has highlighted. Here she offers some of her favorites.
2. Personalized Gifts
As the holiday gift-giving season emphasizes family and tradition, personalized presents can be the ideal tokens of sentimentality and usefulness. Furthermore, many options incorporate functional aspects like calendars or home decor items to provide both aesthetics and utility in one striking package.
Engraved ornaments are timeless Christmas gift ideas, suitable for people of any style or personality. Additionally, personalized drinkware like travel mugs and tumblers combine practicality with individuality; other practical options may include personalized throw pillows featuring their favorite quote or initials.
3. Luxury Gifts
Gift recipients who appreciate luxury will love this Louis Vuitton coin pouch as an unforgettable present! Compact yet stunning in appearance.
An investment in a high-quality camera kit is an invaluable asset to those interested in photography or who wish to up their Instagram game, helping them capture the most engaging content.
What Goes Around Comes Around offers pre-loved Hermes Kelly bags that have undergone their multi-tier authentication process to guarantee authenticity, making an ideal present for eco-conscious giftees who also appreciate luxury labels.
4. Humorous Surprises
Gifts that make people smile are an effective way to add humor and holiday spirit. From shopping for loved ones or attending White Elephant gift exchanges, humorous presents will surely put a smile on anyone’s face!
Pickles that yodle are ideal gifts for friends who are always sharing facts and trivia, especially when combined with cards that refer to them as having “mean resting grinch faces”. Your recipient is sure to laugh at both gifts!
5. Tech Gifts
Are you shopping for tech lovers this holiday season? Jordan McMahon of Strategist Tech Writer has put together an exhaustive list of gadgets perfect for every budget – from cheap add-ons that make everyday tasks simpler to extravagant gifts that they will truly adore!
Give them something that makes focusing easy, without distractions: wireless headphones! The earbuds deliver balanced audio in a sleek design for an enjoyable listening experience. For an exciting treat that takes them away from their phones and into something fun like museum or zoo membership are both excellent gifts that can help them concentrate without interruption.
6. Themed Sets
Gift sets are an easy and cost-effective way to show you care. A s’mores kit encourages family togetherness; or help the creative teen in your life express themselves with a diamond painting kit.
Erin Everhart, creative department manager for CTW Home Collection, predicts that holiday colorways are transitioning into new themes for 2025. She predicts a black-and-white Christmas will become increasingly popular this year.
Balsam Hill offers an assortment of black-and-white tree linens, ornaments and hard goods decorative accents in their collection that boasts bright red, green and gold tones for an eye-catching display.
7. Toddler Toys
2-year-olds delight in toys that stimulate their imagination while developing motor skills. Classic toys like this ride-on car encourage imaginative play as children pretend they are drivers or secret agents!
3-year-olds tend to be more coordinated and often develop their own hobbies. Corsillo recommends gifts that promote this growth and foster their newly found interests, like this Melissa & Doug First Shapes Jumbo Knob Wooden Puzzle.
This toy offers toddlers the best of both worlds: it builds balance and coordination while encouraging jumping practice between colorful sensory stepping stones.
8. STEM Toys
If shopping for teens, consider purchasing them a quality backpack to use throughout their college career or an engaging science kit that allows them to experiment with substances.
Sphero robots make great presents that teach kids about coding, robotics and engineering. Kids can program Sphero using either block coding languages like Basic or more complex ones like JavaScript. We also recommend the Kano Computer Kit as a fun introduction to technology and coding – perfect for kids who have outgrown Lincoln Logs and Erector sets but have yet to graduate into software engineering programs!
9. Arts & Crafts Sets
Gift your recipient something they really need: high-quality art supplies in their preferred medium. Show that you value their creativity and individual style.
Bring the holiday spirit into their home this season with Christmas craft kits! These kits provide everything they need for creating custom decorations and ornaments with DIY capabilities.
Decanters make great Christmas presents for whiskey enthusiasts. Elegant yet useful, decanter sets show how much you appreciate their passion for fine alcohol.
10. Gift Cards
Gift cards are an easy and fun way to treat yourself or others – perfect for White Elephant gifts, Secret Santa exchanges and office gift swaps.
Help your friend or colleague upgrade their beauty routine with a Sephora gift card, or give the bookworm in your life something they’ll enjoy reading such as a gift certificate to their favorite bookseller. Train-related experience gifts would also make great presents.