Life
25 Weird But Genius Gifts On Amazon For People Who Are Hard To Shop For
I've always felt giving small, thoughtful gifts to the people I love is one of the most fun ways to express my gratitude to them. But, to be honest: there are certain people on my gift list (I'm looking at you, dad) who are so impossible to shop for that I usually end up getting them just another boring sweater and calling it a day. Shopping for gifts for people who are hard to buy for is a special kind of torture that almost all of us deal with from time to time. If you have a friend or family member who seems to have everything and needs nothing, you know the pain. And admit it: you've surrendered and bought them a sweater. Oh, and socks — so many socks.
No offense to knitwear, but there's got to be a better way. We are living in a time when it's easier than ever to score gifts for practical people, the perfect gifts for feminists, and even gifts for stoners — basically, there's a perfect gift out there for every person on the planet, regardless of personality, political affiliation, or, um, what they like to do in their private time.
When it comes to shopping for impossible people who have it all, choosing bizarre, amazing, downright genius gifts is one of the best ways to avoid buying another humdrum set of ballpoint pens. Here are 25 weird but wonderful gifts from Amazon that will make shopping for difficult people a breeze.
1. A Bubble Wrap Calendar You'll Want To Keep
Bubble Wrap 2017 Calendar, $15, Amazon
Isn't it so unfair that you have to wait for a Fed Ex package to indulge in your bubble wrap popping obsessions? I guarantee you have several friends and family members who feel the same — this calendar will scratch that itch.
2. A Clip-On Camera That'll Up Anyone's Instagram Game
VICTONY Professional 2 in 1 Phone Lens Kit, $22, Amazon
The VICTONY 2-in-1 phone lens comes with a wide angle and macro lens. It clips on to almost any smartphone, instantly upgrading the camera for pictures that are less distorted and higher definition. This is a great gift for the amateur photographer, professional Instagrammer, or just anyone else who loves taking pictures.
3. The Gift Of At-Home Acupuncture
ProSource Acupressure Mat and Pillow Set, $20, Amazon
A spa gift certificate can cost upwards of $100 for just one visit. On the other hand, this acupuncture mat is cheaper and provides endless hours of relaxation. According to the traditional Chinese tradition, acupuncture can aid in curing or alleviating a variety of ailments. This mat in particular claims that through merely laying down on this cushioned bed of pins it can ease stiff muscles, back and neck pain, insomnia, and more.
4. This Super-Charged Smartphone Charger
mophie powerstation XL External Battery, $70, Amazon
A 10,000mAh battery with 2.1 amp output-charge?! The tech specs on this smartphone charger are impressive. But if like me, those numbers are pretty much meaningless then all you really need to know is that this portable phone charger can take your battery from dead to fully charged three times over. It's perfect for anyone with a smartphone, but it's particularly handy for anyone who travels often.
5. The Perfect Tool For Guacamole Lovers
OXO Good Grips 3-in-1 Avocado Slicer, $10, Amazon
Since everybody loves guacamole, this avocado slicer is the perfect gift. The knife splits avocados easily, the center takes out the pit, and the slicer makes perfect cuts of avocado. It's safe for the dishwasher, and comfortable to hold and grip.
6. The Cutest Succulent Plant Flower Pot
Little Dog Ceramic Succulent Plant Flower Pot, $10, Amazon
Your plant-loving BFF may have an apartment filled with vases and unidentifiable plant species, but a sweet ceramic dog pot that can house succulent plants? That's both an exciting gift and a great excuse to collect even more greenery.
7. A Heated Multipurpose Hair Straightening Brush
Apalus Hair Straightening Brush, $30, Amazon
For friends who are short on time and love straight, glossy hair, this multipurpose brush detangles hair, provides a scalp massage, and can be heated to a maximum of 450-degrees to straighten even the thickest manes.
8. This Personal Massager With A Cult Following
Thera Cane Massager, Blue, $30, Amazon
This unique (and somewhat bizarre) personal massager is receiving hundreds of rave reviews on Amazon. It's designed to be a simple, but effective, personal massager. It works by allowing you to apply pressure on hard to reach places to maximize blood flow to and break up adhesions in muscle fibers. How to use it may not be immediately apparent, but the video tutorials on this popular product are abundant on YouTube and fans of the Thera Cane promise it's worth it.
9. A Portable BBQ Suitcase
Kikkerland Portable BBQ Suitcase, $58, Amazon
The hiker, camper, and frequent traveler in your group can not survive on cans of beans and hotel food alone. This BBQ suitcase makes it possible to grill up a steak or burger lickety-split — anywhere they may roam.
10. A Bowl That Keeps Cereal From Getting Soggy
Just Crunch Anti-Soggy Bowl, $8, Amazon
I can't necessarily relate to this product because soggy Lucky Charms and sugary milk is a superfood as far as I'm concerned. But, if your roommate is always throwing away half her soggy breakfast, this bowl is the gift that will help keep cereal separated from its calcium-rich enemy. Simply scoop spoonfuls of cereal as you go, dunk them in milk, and never suffer from a soft Cheerio.
11. This Small, Do-It-All Vacuum
Eureka EasyClean Corded Hand-Held Vacuum, $38, Amazon
This small, but powerful, vacuum is a cult-favorite on Amazon and it's perfect for messy people and the hyper neat alike. The hand-held design makes it convenient for vacuuming those hard to reach nooks and crannies in your house (think: sofas, upholstery, stairs, etc.) and the compact design makes it easy to store. Best of all, the price is unbeatable.
12. A Very Different Kind of Cookbook
The Hungover Cookbook, $8, Amazon
It takes skill to whip up a great dinner — but it takes skill and this amazing hangover-themed cookbook to create meals that can actually ease your aching head (and other hangover symptoms) after a long night out.
13. A Heat Changing Constellation Mug
Heat Changing Constellation Mug by The Unemployed Philosopher's Guild, $14, Amazon
Seasoned stargazers or anyone who has ever expressed wonder at the vastness of the universe can sit back and relax with a cup of coffee while waiting for their ordinary mug to transform into a constellation-filled work of art.
14. A Not-At-All Subtle Hint To Clean Up His Beard Hair
Beard King, The Official Beard Bib, $30, Amazon
Get him this beard bib — which fastens to the bathroom mirror and is so cool that it was actually featured on Shark Tank — and he'll never clog the drain or leave a mess on the bathroom counter again. Maybe.
15. An At-Home DNA Test To Learn About Your Ancestry
23andMe DNA Test, $99, Amazon
Since there's very little chance the person who has everything has a DIY DNA testing kit, allow me to present to you the gift that will anyone dig into their past. Your recipient simply collects saliva in a test tube, mails it back to 23andMe, and then has the option of connecting with other customers who share the same DNA.
16. A Bath Bomb Making Kit
Bath Bomb Making Kit, $40, Amazon
Store-bought bath bombs are heaven on Earth, but there are times when you need to indulge in your DIY fantasies. Your gift recipient can make 12 luxurious bath bombs using this kit, which contains everything they needed — from citric acid and pre-measured baking soda to cupcake mold liners and gloves.
17. The Boost Needed To Write A Life Story
Letters To My Future Self: Write Now. Read Later. Treasure Forever., $10, Amazon
Maybe your friend, mom, or sister is always talking about writing their life story but doesn't know where to begin. This diary by Lea Redmond contains writing prompts in the form of 12 fold-and-mail style letters that provide encouragement and ideas guaranteed to inspire great personal writing.
18. A Yoga Wheel For Stretching
UpCircleSeven Yoga Wheel, $40, Amazon
It may look out of place among a sea of flat yoga mats, but this yoga wheel is anything but strange. If your friend loves yoga but is prone to muscle and back aches, this wheel can help them stretch and open their backs, keep their balance, and even work on perfecting advanced backbends and other poses.
19. Radioactive Light-Up Coasters
Radioactive Elements Glowing Coaster Set, $20, Amazon
The only thing that makes science even cooler is when science and drinking a cocktail collide to inspire these pressure-sensitive coasters, which light up when you place a glass on them. Coasters require batteries (which are included) and feature the atomic number and isotopic mass of red Radium-226, blue Plutonium-224, green Uranium-238, and orange Thorium-232.
20. Skull Salt And Pepper Shakers
Pacific Trading Day of the Dead Salt and Pepper Shakers, $13, Amazon
The world can be divided into two groups: those who are understandably creeped out by skulls and others who, also understandably, consider the Day of the Dead a spiritual celebration and are only too happy to decorate their homes with all-things-skulls. If your gift recipient falls into the second group, these salt and pepper shakers are going to be cherished forever.
21. An Alarm Clock That Forces You Out Of Bed
Ruggie Alarm Clock, $99, Amazon
The hardest part about waking up with an alarm clock is resisting the temptation to press snooze and get on with the business of sleeping. This battery-operated alarm clock rug forces you to actually get out of bed and step on it for 30 seconds before it will stop beeping. You can even wake up to personalized motivational MP3s by connecting it via USB. It's a great gift for the heavy sleepers on your list.
22. A Bicycle-Shaped Pizza Cutter
Bicycle Shaped Pizza Cutter, $7, Amazon
What do you get when you combine a love for biking with a love for pizza? A fun bicycle-shaped pizza cutter that features two stainless steel blades and a kickstand so your lucky friend never, ever has to remove this conversation starter from the kitchen counter.
23. A Lightsaber Umbrella
Bestkee LED Light Saber Umbrella, $20, Amazon
It's a stable and wind-defying extra-large umbrella made with 8-rib construction — no, wait! — it's an insanely fun LED seven-light lightsaber with an LED flashlight that lights the way on dark and stormy nights. OK, it's both, and it's a must for every Star Wars fan on your gift list.
24. A Skillet That Can Make Patriotic Pancakes
American Skillet, $125, Amazon
Know someone who loves to cook and loves the great US. of A? Here's an America-shaped skillet that lets them serve up patriotic breakfasts. Apologize in advance, though: they'll have to improvise and fashion their own Hawaii and Alaska out of fruit.
25. A Star Trek Spock Oven Mitt
ThinkGeek Star Trek Spock Oven Mitt, $22, Amazon
Few people need another oven mitt — but what Star Trek fan wouldn't flip over this Spock oven mitt? Which, by the way, pairs ever so nicely with this ICUP Star Trek Captain Kirk apron.
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