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25 Weird But Genius Gifts on Amazon For People Who Are Hard To Please
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Some might call them "high maintenance," but really, they've just got great taste: You know the friends and family members that I'm talking about, and for them, it's imperative to find gift ideas for people who are hard to buy for. When a holiday or a birthday rolls around, you know that a bottle of liquor and a pair of bookends aren't going to cut it for this person. Maybe it's because they're unbelievably practical, or maybe it's because they're just your pickiest friend, but either way, you can rest easy knowing that you're covered this time around.
I don't think I have anyone in my life who's particularly easy to buy for (except maybe my brother, who's spent the past 29 Christmases getting psyched over knitted hats and Star Wars memorabilia). For everyone else, I need something that's functional, yet sleek, so it fits their space as well as their choosy lifestyle. If it solves multiple problems at once, even better, because there's absolutely no room for "impractical clutter" in these people's lives. If you know someone who fits into the aforementioned category, check out these weird but genius gifts on Amazon for people who are especially hard to shop for.
1. A Highly-Rated, Do-It-All Vacuum Cleaner
Eureka Easy Clean Handheld Vacuum, $45, Amazon
Consumer Reports raves about this powerful do-it-all handheld vacuum, which easily tackles hard-to-reach areas like stairs, upholstery, and even your car. Its unique design has a rotating brush cover that twists both vertically and horizontally as you maneuver the machine, making cleaning a breeze. Plus, this lightweight vacuum is just a fraction of the cost of comparable cleaners.
2. Get A Professional-Grade Massage At Home
ProSource Acupressure Mat, $18, Amazon
This acupressure mat and pillow set is cheaper than hiring a personal masseuse, and just as effective. The set has nearly 8,000 combined acupressure points that - despite their prickly appearance - relieve tension, loosen tight muscles, and boost circulation to help induce relaxation.
3. Never Spill Your Hot Coffee Again
Contigo Autoseal Travel Mug, $19, Amazon
Java junkies, rejoice: There's a new stainless steel travel mug in town, and unlike some of the competition, this one's got a lid that automatically seals to prevent leaks and spills. In addition to keeping beverages hot for hours, it's designed to use with one hand for ultimate ease.
4. Keep Your Phone Fully Charged At All Times
Kolumb Wallet Power Card, $16, Amazon
There will come a day - thought if you're like me, that day is every single day of your life - where your phone dies at an inopportune time. Save yourself from the horror of being phone-less with this ultra-thin external battery charger. At just 6mm, the device isn't much bigger than a credit card and can easily be stored in a wallet. Best of all: it's compatible with nearly every device, including iPhone and Android.
5. Squeeze, Scoop, Cut & Grate Your Favorite Fruits
OLizee Creative Fruits Plant Multi Kitchen Tool, $14, Amazon
Because it's space-efficient, sleek, and extremely useful, the OLizee Creative Fruits plant multi kitchen tool makes an awesome gift for any hard-to-please chef. When assembled, it looks like a colorful and modern plant, but it's got ten tools to squeeze, scoop, cut, and grate your favorite fruits.
6. Clearer and More Vibrant Photos With Your Smart Phone
VICTONY Professional 2 in 1 Phone Lens Kit, $20, Amazon
The VICTONY professional 2 in 1 phone lens kit comes with a wide angle and a micro lens that clip onto any smart phone, instantly upgrading your phone camera so that your pictures are clearer, more vibrant, and way more precise. It's awesome for the amateur photographer, or just anyone who loves taking pictures.
7. For The Coldest Beverages Of All Time, Look No Further
Stainless Steel Beverage Chiller Sticks, $14, Amazon
With these beverage cooling sticks, your days of warm, watered-down drinks can be behind you. Whether you're drinking an iced tea, beer, or soda, these coolers will keep your favorite drink chilled without diluting it. Perfect for barbecues, festivals, and camping, this package comes with two sticks, so be ready to share this life-changing stick with a friend.
8. The Best Solution To Garlicky Hands
Stainless Steel Soap, $9, Amazon
This stainless steel "soap" is the ultimate solution to remove the lingering scent of garlic, onion, fish, or other odors — or, as I like to call them, "The Ghosts of Meal-Prep Past." Simply rub it on your hands like you would soap and those unwanted odors will disappear.
9. This Portable And Versatile Humidifier For Dry Skin
Smart Frog Portable USB Cool Mist Humidifier, $21, Amazon
If your hard-to-please gift receiver suffers from dry skin and sinus issues in the winter, then the USB cool mist humidifier is a genius solution. It plugs into any USB source (including portable phone chargers, laptops, and car chargers) to deliver a stream of hydrating mist anywhere. It features two modes: blue light, which sprays mist for a continuous three hours, or red light, which sprays mist but then stops for 10 seconds at a time (and can continue for up to 7 hours).
10. Sprinkle Magic Onto Your Dinner
Fred & Friends Salt+Magic Salt and Pepper Shakers, $12, Amazon
These wand-shaped salt and pepper shakers are entertaining props and serve a purpose at the dinner table. Watching salt and pepper sprinkle out of the waving wands creates a magical illusion that both adults and kids will find hilarious. Go ahead, access your inner wizard and princess.
11. A Luxurious Serum For Salon-Quality Hair
Davines Oil Absolute Beautifying Potion, $44, Amazon
This Davines Oil absolute beautifying potion is a luxurious and gorgeous-smelling serum to detangle, style, and seriously reduce frizz. "My coworkers thought I had had a salon appointment - my hair looked that good despite the fact that I have no hairdressing skills whatsoever and did nothing else different than usual to style my frizzy locks," says one reviewer. Others say it works infinitely better than Moroccan oil, and smells so good, it can replace your perfume.
12. Packing Cubes That Keep Your Suitcase Organized
Gonex Packing Cubes (set of 3), $20, Amazon
Gonex packing cubes making preparing for your next trip less of a nightmare with waterproof and tear-resistant bags designed for organizing your clothes and toiletries. The perfect gift for your friend who’s always traveling, these nylon cubes come in eight colors and help compress items to fit even more into your suitcase.
13. This Spa-Like Hydrating Cream
Advanced Clinicals Coconut Oil Cream, $9, Amazon
Coconut oil is one of the beauty-world wunderkinds, and for good reason: This all-natural moisturizing cream tackles three common beauty concerns in one rich, luscious product that smells like heaven. Suitable for all skin types, it hydrates your body deeply without being greasy, make-up remover, and even conditions hair. In other good news, the salon-sized container will last you forever.
14. Detoxify Your Pores With These Effective Nose Strips
Holika Holika Nose Strips, $13, Amazon
Korean beauty is everything right now for those who seek clearer skin, and this three-step blackhead clearing kit is at the top of everyone's wish list. Created by the Korean beauty brand Holika Holika, these nose strips use pink clay to effectively open, clear, and minimize pores.
15. For The High-Maintenance Reader
Mamre Songbird Reading Table Lamp, $20, Amazon
This adorable yet practical songbird reading table lamp has a touch-control light that intensifies and dims as well as a built-in Bluetooth speaker, so you can listen to your favorite music straight from your device. It's also got a hands-free bendable neck, no wire, and is 100 percent rechargeable.
16. A Genius (And More Hygienic) Alternative To Regular Sponges
UUSHER Silicone Scrubber, $10, Amazon
With these silicone dish sponges, you’ll never have to worry about moldy, stinky sinks again. The scratch-free silicone is antibacterial and mildew-proof making it a hygienic alternative to your standard scrubber. The double-sided sponges can be cleaned in the dishwasher or boiling water, they come in packs of five, and they can even double as a makeup brush cleaners or coasters.
17. Wherever There's Sunlight, There's A Charge
Solar Phone Charger, $25, Amazon
Imagine a world in which wherever there's sunlight, there's a charge on your phone. This genius solar phone charger has a high capacity 8000 mAh power bank that uses the light from the sun to charge your devices. It has two USB ports and is resistant to dust, drops, bumps, and moisture.
18. Dryer Balls That Reduce Drying Time
Smart Sheep Wool Dryer Balls (set of 6), $17, Amazon
Need an all-natural way to dry your clothes even faster? Smart Sheep’s wool dryer balls use premium New Zealand wool to shorten drying time by improving airflow. Just throw three wool balls in with a small load, or six into a large load to reduce drying time and naturally soften clothes without chemicals or synthetics. The handmade balls can be reused up to 1000 times and scented with essential oils.
19. Car Radio Doesn't Use Bluetooth? No Problem
Tecknet Bluetooth FM Transmitter For Car, $22, Amazon
The hands-free car charger and Bluetooth transmitter is an incredibly good gift idea for anyone with a pre-Bluetooth car. It plugs straight into your cigarette lighter to charge two devices at once, but it also syncs up your car's radio to Bluetooth and hands-free calls, meaning that the sound from your phone goes straight through to the stereo system.
20. Get Immediate Muscle Relief
Shiatsu Shoulder Neck Massager With Heat, $30, Amazon
Work away tension and relieve tight, overworked muscles with this personal shiatsu massager. In a glorious display of design genius, it wraps around the hard-to-reach shoulders and upper back, kind of like the world's greatest hug. Turn on the heating effect for even deeper muscle relief.
21. Use This Mask For The Softest Feet Possible
Dr. Pedicure Foot Exfoliation Mask, $13, Amazon
Okay, this foot exfoliation mask is amazing, albeit just a little creepy. About three to seven days after application of the mask, your feet will start peeling — a lot, in fact. Within about two weeks, all that dead and crusty skin will have sloughed off, leaving you with baby soft feet that are perfectly primed to show off.
22. A Gold Facial Mask That Reduces Redness And Brightens Skin
LuckyFine Peel-Off Gold Mask, $13, Amazon
Show your loved one they’re like gold to you with this peel-off facial mask. It deep-cleans pores to shrink their visibility, as well as firms and brightens skin. And the gold isn’t just for looks, it has anti-inflammatory properties that treat skin and reduce redness
23. The Perfect Knife Set For Any Kitchen
Cuisinart 12-Piece Knife Set, $27, Amazon
This colorful set of six multipurpose knives spices up dinnertime with their fun patterns, and their different blades (think paring, serrated, and Santoku) ensure that while they're playful, they can still get the job done. Bonus: Each knife comes with a protective blade guard to help prevent the blades from dulling. At such an affordable price, this set is a great value for stocking your kitchen with the most necessary knives.
24. Get The Guac Of Your Dreams, Every Time
Guac-Lock Container, $16, Amazon
Friends don't let friends have brown guacamole — and you can be that friend by giving this Guac-Lock container to your favorite avocado lover. It sucks the air out of the container to keep guacamole looking as green as nature intended, and it can even be used for serving. Who's got the chips?
25. When All Else Fails, Teach The Art Of Acceptance
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, $14, Amazon
Finally, when all else fails, remind your loved one to loosen up a bit with this New York Times best seller, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck. It's written by famous blogger Mark Manson and teaches the art of acceptance through academic research and hilarious commentary. It asserts that, instead of trying desperately hard to be perfect all the time, what people really need is to cut through the crap to become better, happier people.
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