Last updated: December 22, 2024
Looking for the perfect gift? Here’s my friend Danielle Strle’s personally tested collection of amazing items that make fantastic presents for just about anyone.
Previously: Lauren’s Luxury Home Guide for 2024, Danielle’s Awesome Stuff Gift Guide 2018
Fun & Games
Thinking Putty, skeletons, bubbles, more bubbles, and a singing cactus.
Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty
I resisted this for the longest time – you know, you see it in those tourist gift shops – but my cousin got me one and now I’m obsessed. I’ve probably spent $100 on different versions since then to try out new textures and to give out as gifts. Better than a fidget spinner, honestly.
Mini Posable Skeletons
I’m including a five-pack of these 16-inch skeletons because they’re just very cool, you can sit or stand them in a lot of different positions. People talk a lot about the 12 foot skeleton, but the 16-inch version packs a lot of fun year round.
Magic Garden Crystal Growing Set
I have been buying these things off and on for over a decade. You just put water on this cardboard setup, and within a day, it grows into this beautiful colorful crystal garden with trees and snow-capped mountains. It’s like a science experiment and art piece in one. Great office gift, too.
Perpetual Bubbles Machine- All Vibes, no Hands
The Mechanism is a star-shaped device with six bubble wands on a central spoke that rotates through bubble solution. It runs on batteries and just keeps going and going. You really can’t go wrong with this one – it’s perfect for all ages.
Bubble Gun (Bubbles Inside Bubbles)
This is next level – it creates these amazing bubbles where you get a bunch of small bubbles inside one big bubble. It’s absolutely spectacular. Trust me, you need this.
Perpetual Bubble Wrap Handheld Game
This isn’t your regular bubble wrap handheld game – it’s a game that’s great for both kids and adults. It gives you that satisfying bubble wrap experience but you can keep using it over and over, and it’s kinda like the 80s game Simon but with bubble wrap. Ages 3-300.
Dancing Cactus Toy
This is such a cool story – I found out about it from my Icelandic friend, whose daughter was working with a speech therapist that recommended the dancing cactus. It repeats back whatever you say to it in a funny voice and it actually helped her daughter overcome the stutter! Beyond being cute and potentially therapeutic to a kid’s speaking skills, it’s just really fun. it also plays songs and I am pretty sure functions as a bluetooth speaker
Kitchen & Dining
Cold brew, the best travel mug, an immersion heater, the best slim water bottle, and more.
Japanese Cold Brew Coffee Maker
This thing is spectacular. I actually use it for iced tea more than coffee – you know how good Japan is at doing stuff! It’s perfect for making both cold brew coffee and tea. The design is elegant, it comes in several colors. I like the size and the footprint, and the built-in filter is a really fine mesh so it’s great for loose tea, and it would be easy cleanup for cold brewing coffee. I’m always making iced tea in this thing, including that ginger turmeric stuff I mentioned. I have contemplated getting myself a second one. It’s that good.
Vacuum Insulated Travel Mug with handle
The Ello Campy is literally the best travel mug I’ve ever seen and I carry one with me everywhere. I’ve probably bought 20 of these as gifts, and I keep multiples at my house and office. You can throw it in your bag full of hot coffee and it won’t spill at or drip AT ALL. Hot drinks stay hot for hours. It’s absolutely amazing. Comes in a few colors, and a smaller size for kids if you are hot cocoa people.
Immersion Heater
This is perfect for the road warrior in your life – it’s this little heater you just plug in and stick into your metal mug to heat water. Great for making tea or even cooking ramen in your hotel room. Super handy!
Memo Bottle (Slim Water Bottle)
This is a really cool flat water bottle. Just a heads up – it might break if you drop it from high enough, but the slim shape is so much better for carrying than the big round ones. It’s perfect for sliding into a bag without taking up too much space.
Bigelow Ginger Peach Turmeric Tea
I sampled this up at my beach house share over the summer and it’s become a staple. It’s the perfect blend of flavors and makes a great gift for any tea lover. Excellent both hot and cold.
Small Glass Bowls
These little clear glass bowls are awesome. They’re perfect for condiments, taco toppings – basically anything where you don’t need a big bowl. Super practical and surprisingly delightful. I got them as Christmas presents last year and people absolutely love them.
Best Lemon Squeezer
It’s the best. Nick has one, too. Nice yellow color.
Comfort & Wellness
Why you need an ice pack, the best ear plugs, a wax bulb flower, and great cooking classes.
Giant Flex Ice Pack
This might seem like a gift for old people, but trust me – everyone is older than they realize. These are giant flexible ice packs, about the size of a cookie sheet. They’re amazing to have around – you can use them in your cooler in the summer, but honestly, you never know when you’re going to sprain your ankle. That’s how I found out about them – my mom had one after shoulder surgery, and then I sprained my ankle at a wedding and was so glad we had it.
Loop Ear Plugs
These are “Reusable Noise-Reducing Earplugs.” Nick got a pair as a gift last year and carries them around in his backpack all the time now. I keep mine in their little case in a little coin purse in my bag, so I always have hearing protection when I want it.
Poncho Blanket
I’m not talking about a rain poncho – this is more like a cozy blanket poncho. They’re totally underrated and I think they’re going to make a big comeback.
Inflatable Banana Suit
It’s a classic – the gift that keeps on giving. Need I say more?
Waxed Amaryllis
This didn’t really fit in any category. They have really good ones at Trader Joe’s for like eight bucks right now, but you can get them all kinds of places online. I like the wax ones because they’re amazing – you don’t need dirt or anything. Through some magic, this bulb just grows into this beautiful 8-12 inch stalk and a big showy flower. It’s spectacular to watch it grow, and then it dies and grows again.
Cooking Classes
I love Home Cooking New York, an League Of Kitchens (Cook with international Grandmas!!!) but check out Course Horse to find options online or your own town.
Books & Learning
A children’s book, a great bathroom book, and an Icelandic novel.
Spider in the Well (Children’s Book)
I first read this to a one-year-old who didn’t even know what I was saying, but I loved the art and the story, and now my three-year-old niece loves it too and my 5 year old god son is getting it for Christmas. The story is fun, the illustrations are incredible and the color quality in the printing are spectacular.
The Wheel is Spinning But the Hamster is Dead
It’s a great book of international expressions. This is perfect for adults – it makes a great bathroom book. It’s fascinating to learn about funny expressions from different cultures, and it’s the kind of thing you can pick up and reads little bit at a time or all at once.
LOVESTAR
I am constantly recommending this Icelandic novel about Love, Death, Technology, and one global megacorporation.
Tech & Gadgets
The best productivity timer, binoculars, a solar battery pack, erasable pens, a gift subscription to The Onion, and more.
Dodecahedron Timer
This is such a game-changer for productivity. It’s like the cube timer but better – it’s a dodecahedron with different time intervals on each face. Whatever time you put face-up is what it counts down from. I use it all the time when I need to get my ass together to do something, whether it’s dishes or making a list. I’ll set it for 15 minutes thinking “it can’t be that bad,” and next thing you know, I’m working for an hour. It’s surprisingly fun and effective. Useful for cooking as well.
Close-up Binoculars for Museums
Use these to look at the art better. They’re pretty small.
Solar-powered Battery Pack
I got this one shopping the Amazon gift list for a Mutual Aid group in Asheville. It’s kind of a prepper gift, but honestly, who doesn’t need a reliable power source these days? Good for camping, emergencies, or just peace of mind.
Bike Computer
This is one of those gifts that cyclists go crazy for. I actually don’t use it myself, but I got it as a gift after researching gifts for Cyclists, and my people love it. The best part is it saves your phone battery while you’re riding. Everyone who’s received it has been like “wow, this computer is amazing!”
4-Color Flashlights
4 color flashlights for color mixing that are fun with kids. Or for adults to leave around for moody vibes when you are camping!
Erasable Pens
Oh my god, these are amazing! I accidentally took one of these home from The Onion office and then immediately had to buy a whole pack because they’re that good. They come in lots of different colors and they erase complete. It’s one of those things you didn’t know you needed until you try it – then you can’t go back to regular pens.
Gift Subscription to The Onion
12 issues of The Onion on newsprint, delivered right to your mailbox. TheOnion.com remains free of any paywalls or logins, as it should be.
More Gift Guides
For gifts for women and luxury home items, see my girlfriend Lauren’s list here.
To see gift ideas for men, with a hint of Western gear, see this list:
Conclusion
Most all of these gifts you can buy today on Amazon Prime. They can work in a pinch for almost anyone as a gift or a stocking stuffer.
If you liked this list of shopping ideas, you might also like these articles on my site:
- Lauren’s Luxury Home Gift Guide
- Lauren’s Luxury Gift Guide for Men
- Jonathan’s Home Gear List
- Nick’s Travel Gear List: Electronics, Gadgets, Bags
- Home Gear: The Best Stuff I Use Every Day
Here is the full list of items:
- Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty
- Mini Posable Skeletons
- Magic Garden Crystal Growing Set
- Perpetual Bubbles Machine- All Vibes, no Hands
- Bubble Gun (Bubbles Inside Bubbles)
- Perpetual Bubble Wrap Handheld Game
- Dancing Cactus Toy
- Japanese Cold Brew Coffee Maker
- Vacuum Insulated Travel Mug with handle
- Immersion Heater
- Memo Bottle (Slim Water Bottle)
- Bigelow Ginger Peach Turmeric Tea
- Small Glass Bowls
- Best Lemon Squeezer
- Giant Flex Ice Pack
- Loop Ear Plugs
- Poncho Blanket
- Inflatable Banana Suit
- Waxed Amaryllis
- Cooking Classes
- Spider in the Well (Children’s Book)
- The Wheel is Spinning But the Hamster is Dead
- LOVESTAR
- Dodecahedron Timer
- Close-up Binoculars for Museums
- Solar-powered Battery Pack
- Bike Computer
- 4-Color Flashlights
- Erasable Pens
- Gift Subscription to The Onion
Danielle Strle is one of my best friends. She lives in New York City where she’s the Chief Product Officer at The Onion (LinkedIn). For more of her writing and gift suggestions, see her website on Tumblr, follow her on Instagram, or find her on Bluesky.