The Most Unique Gifts Under $250 for Every Type of Recipient
Impress those hard-to-shop-for folks with caviar, online classes with Hollywood heavyweights and other one-of-a-kind presents for women, men and kids.
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Danielle Directo-Meston
E-Commerce Editor
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December 12, 2023 2:25pm
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It’s not easy to guess what every man, woman and child in your life wants for the holidays. Maybe a gift card is too impersonal, or you want something that’s bigger than a breadbox and that won’t break the bank, either. That’s why we’ve taken care of the virtual browsing and rounded up some of the most unique gifts that’ll cost you less than three Benjamins, including a more-than-just-a-gift-card present that comes wrapped unconventionally.
From DIY kits for watch aficionados and beauty buffs, to luxury fragrances that can spell out your giftee’s name, keep reading for some of the best gifts under $250 for every type of person — then check out more of The Hollywood Reporter‘s holiday gift guides for taking care of the techies, luxury lovers and others on your “Good” list.
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Masterclass
MasterClass Subscription
For the ever-curious knowledge seeker, a one-year subscription ($180) to MasterClass lets them learn from the best of the best — and with the company’s extended two-for-one membership deal, you’ll also get one for yourelf (or another loved one). The online learning platform’s Hollywood instructors include lifestyle powerhouse Martha Stewart, directors Martin Scorcese and James Cameron, screenwriter Shonda Rhimes, actresses Helen Mirren and Natalie Portman, actors Samuel L. Jackson and Steve Martin and many others.
There are also plenty of five-star teachers in design, music, science, politics, business and many other categories: think Kris Jenner, Beyoncé-loved florist Maurice Harris, star baker Joanne Chang, astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, sleep expert Matthew Walker, former presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush and many others.
Aura Waulden WiFi Digital Picture Frame
$249.00 $299.00 17% off
Keep the memories rolling by gifting loved ones Aura’s 15-inch Waulden digital photo frame (on sale for $50 off at Amazon), which makes it easy to display your favorite pictures in true color. One of Oprah Winfrey’s favorite things, this versatile frame’s sleek design blends seamlessly into homes and offices, and the Amazon Alexa-compatible device comes with unlimited free cloud storage.
Banwood First Go! Scoot Bike
Little ones who are still finding their balance can practice their skills with Banwood’s pedal-free First Go! Scoot bike, which helps kids from ages 2.5 to 5 learn to ride a bicycle.
Courtesy of Artifact Uprising
Artifact Uprising Personalized Scrapbook
$99 and up at Artifact UPrising
When framed photos aren’t sentimental enough, make your giftee a personalized scrapbook album through Artifact Uprising (which has plenty of other options ranging from custom calendars to wall art). The book comes with adhesive photo mounts and offers memory-jogging prompts, you can choose your favorite fabric color for the cover and paper type. The four-ring book has enough space for more than 60 photographs — you’ll also get a promo code for 10 free everyday prints.
Judy
Judy The Mover Max Four-Person Emergency Kit
Give them the gift of peace of mind during emergencies with Judy’s The Mover Max go-bag. On sale for $70 off, the 53-piece kit contains water and food with a five-year shelf life, safety and warmth essentials, a hand-crank radio, first aid and tools for a family of five, all in a waterproof backpack.
Nordstrom
Nordstrom Hudson Bib Insert Wool Car Coat
For the most stylish guy you know (or one you could use some fashion pointers), one of the best gifts for men is this classic wool coat from Nordstrom.
Victrola 8-in-1 Bluetooth Record Player & Multimedia Center
$110.00 $199.99 45% off
This eight-in-one record player and Bluetooth speaker by Victrola lets audiophiles listen to almost all of their favorite formats in a retro-cool entertainment station. It’s got a CD and cassette player, FM radio and auxiliary and headphone jacks so they can plug in and play from another device. Plus, your giftee can record music from their 33s, 45s or 78s and convert it into MP3s so they can take their rare tunes with them.
Courtesy of Yeti
Yeti Roadie 24 Hard Cooler
A pricey drink holder might not be the first item on their list, but it’s one of the best gifts for $250 that’ll upgrade their next tailgate party, picnic or camping trip. The Yeti Roadie 24 cooler comes in several cool colors and can keep 24 pounds of ice or about 18 cans cold for days. This model is 10 percent lighter and keeps contents 30 percent colder than the Roadie 20, and it’s incredibly durable and lightweight for its size. (Get extra points by gifting it with their favorite drinks.)
AirSelfie Air Neo NEO Pocket-Sized Camera Drone
Techies and photography nerds will have fun playing with AirSelfie’s Air Neo Pocket-Sized Camera Drone. It features a built-in 12MP camera, a rechargeable battery and storage for up to 100 videos or 1,000 photos (you can also expand to up to 16 GB with an SD card.) Weighing just four ounces, the device has four preset flight paths that allow it to follow you without a remote control, so you’ll be able to capture your adventures from new heights.
Courtesy of Almond Cow
Almond Cow Milk Maker
If they love taking a tech approach to their DIY lifestyle, Almond Cow’s Milk Maker makes it a cinch to squeeze their own plant-based milks. The device can make five to six cups of nut milks, creamers, soups, cocktails and more, and recipients can use cashews, almonds, oats, coconut shreds and other ingredients to whip up tasty foods.
Yohana
Yohana Subscription
Like a personalized Task Rabbit for caregivers with a lot on their plate, Yohana’s monthly subscription lets busy giftees outsource almost every type of task. The service’s team of problem-solving specialists can research kid-friendly recipes, plan birthday parties, find the perfect plumber or gardener, plan and book vacations and much more, allowing members to focus on spending time with family. Normally $249 per month, Yohana is offering new members $99 per month for their first six months with code REALHELP99.
Amazon
Leeway Home The Full Way 44-Piece Set
One of the best gifts for college students, your favorite host and new homeowners or apartment dwellers, Leeway Home’s 44-piece dinnerware set has everything they need to set the table for four guests.
Amazon
Beats Fit Pro True Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds
Whether they’re an audiophile or a Kardashian die-hard, Beats Fit Pro’s noise-canceling earbuds — in this limited-edition color from the brand’s Kim Kardashian collaboration — will let them listen to their favorite tunes (or discretely binge-watch on the superstar family’s Hulu series) with style.
Brooklinen
Brooklinen Luxe Hardcore Sateen Sheets Bundle
SAVE $144 AT AT BROOKLINEN $218
Give them a bed they’ll look forward to snoozing in and upgrade their old sheets with Brooklinen’s best-selling Luxe Hardcore Sheet Bundle of soft, buttery smooth cotton sheets. It comes with fitted and flat sheets, four pillowcases and a duvet cover, and you can choose from a range of solid or patterned options. For a limited time, everything is 25 percent off — and the deal brings a queen set down to just under $220.
Therabody Theragun Mini 2.0 Massager
$149.00 $199.00 25% off
Kora Organics founder Miranda Kerr, Oprah Winfrey and countless other stars love Therabody’s best-selling Theragun Mini percussive massager, which is lighter and more compact than the original version.
Courtesy of Saks Fifth Avenue
Petrossian Royal Ossetra Caviar
SAVE $50 AT SAKS FIFTH AVENUE $151
For the fanciest friend or family member you know, Petrossian’s Royal Ossetra Caviar (available in 1 to 4.4 ounce tins) lets luxury-loving foodies give their meals a Michelin star finish. Through Dec. 16, save $50 every $200 you spend with code DECGETSF (maximum $500 off).
Tiny Land Wooden Play Kitchen for Kids
$119.99 $169.99 29% off
Made of non-toxic, BPA-free wood, this compact play kitchen is one of the best gifts for kids that’s well under $250. It comes with 18 accessories and can be adjusted by height, so it’s great for little ones between 3 to 7.
Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0
For a limited time, save $75 off the best-selling portable Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0, which packs up easily for beach and backyard hangouts alike.
De’Longhi Dedica Arte Espresso Machine
$250 $300 17% off
One of the best espresso machines under $350, De’Longhi’s Dedica Arte coffee maker will help your favorite caffeine connoisseur pull the perfect double (or single) shot every time.
Courtesy of Bloomingdales
Moncler Pour Femme or Homme Eau de Parfum with LED Screen
$210 AT BLOOMINGDALE’S
The best unique gifts are the ones that are completely unexpected — like Moncler’s luxe eau de parfum with an LED screen that you can program with a custom message. Available in Pour Femme (a floral and musky fragrance with notes of powdery snow, bergamot, jasmine and vanillin) and Pour Homme (a woody scent with notes of alpine green accord, cypress, cedarwood and vetiver) options, this is one way to make a statement — say, that long-planned proposal?
Amazon
AncestryDNA + Traits Genetic Test Kit
$49.00 $119.00 59% off
Shopping for an amateur genealogist or health enthusiast? For the giftee who wants to dig deeper into roots or genes, one of the most unique gifts is a personal genetics test. The AncestryDNA + Traits test reveals in-depth historical insights, a precise ethnicity estimate, over 35 of your most interesting personal characteristics (such as the genes that influence your appearance and health). The testing kit company uses secure databases and encrypt your data to protect your privacy.
Amazon
Echo Show 15 Smart Display with Alexa and Fire TV
$204.99 $279.99 27% off
Says Oprah Winfrey of Amazon’s smart home device (which is $75 off for a limited time), “[Oprah Daily creative director] Adam Glassman hung the latest Echo Show on the wall of his kitchen and uses it every day. The 15.6-inch HD screen has a sleek frame, so it almost looks like a piece of art. You can use it to sync family calendars, write digital notes to one another, and create to-do lists. Or, like Adam, you can stream your favorite show while you cook.”
Courtesy of Man Crates
Man Crates Smash & Grab Gift Card
For the giftee who loves to Hulk-smash their way to a surprise, Man Crates’ concrete-covered gift card lets them work for their present. It comes with safety googles, a Ball-Peen hammer and a concrete break which breaks open to reveal a gift card code that can be redeemed at your recipient’s choice of a store or eatery, including Amazon, Buffalo Wild Wings, DoorDash, Gamestop, Home Depot, Nike, Morton’s Steakhouse, Petco, REI and more.
Courtesy of Uncommon Goods
Long Distance Touch Bracelet Set
When you can’t give your loved ones a hug IRL and video calls aren’t cutting it, this long-distance touch bracelet set lets you send a thoughtful embrace via your wrists. Sync the rechargeable devices (which come on waterproof silicone bands) to the accompanying smart phone app and tap your bracelet to send a “message” to your partner, friend or family member, whose accessory will light up and vibrate.
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