gift guide

The Best Gifts for People You Don't Want to Shop For

We all have people in our lives who nosotros need to buy holiday gifts for, but who nosotros might not necessarily desire to buy gifts for. Maybe it'south your overbearing boss or an in-law who isn't your biggest fan. Sometimes it can even be a family member — a cousin or sibling you lot love, but who you're less than inspired to store for, whether it's because they're overly picky or take completely reverse tastes from you.

Since nosotros're experts at finding the best gifts for all types of people (from priests and nurses to astrologers and Deadheads), nosotros've taken it upon ourselves to pick out presents for those especially challenging people on your list. Who knows, perhaps a just-correct souvenir tin can be the affair that finally helps you get along.

Maldon Sea Salt Bucket

Consider this saucepan of salt a not-so-subtle hint that she tin season your food to her eye's content. Maldon body of water-salt flakes become the seal of approval from chef Jonathan Waxman, who calls it a "pure product" that'south "saltier than other salts," and food writer Cristina Mueller who asks, "What doesn't Maldon body of water salt improve?" Tonne Goodman, who tipped us off to the bucket-size option, says, "I gave it to my blood brother-in-law, who is a wonderful melt, and he laughed and loved information technology."

Victrola Vintage 3-Speed Bluetooth Suitcase Turntable with Speakers

Oddly plenty, both the teen girls and boys we surveyed almost holiday gifts this twelvemonth requested record players. Become your snarky cousin this suitcase-style one and tell them it's a relic from the good old days.

Breville JE98XL Juice Fountain Plus 850-Watt Juice Extractor

Since it's likely hard for her to find food that meets her high standards, let her make her own with this juicer (the best-rated model on Amazon) that turns fruits and vegetables into healthy juices, gratuitous of the additives or ingredients she'southward trying to avert.

Magic Spoon Variety Pack

With flavors like cinnamon, cocoa, and "fruity," this low-carb cereal is reminiscent of childhood favorites just with no grains or gluten to mess with his gainz. The sugariness comes from allulose, a "rare sugar" (according to the make) that isn't metabolized by the body and doesn't raise blood sugar levels. It's keto-friendly and loftier in protein to power his WODs (that's "workout of the solar day" for the uninitiated).

Pandemic

You may never agree with him on the best way to behave in an bodily pandemic, but possibly you can band together to fight a fictional one in this cooperative board game that'south beloved by both Amazon reviewers and board-game experts. "This is considered a mod classic because it has a simple ready of rules, information technology has a theme that everyone can get into, and information technology is highly replayable," says Ronny Alexander of cooperative board-game review site Co-op Board Games.

Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Noise-Canceling Over-Ear Headphones

Photo: retailer

The all-time pair of noise-canceling headphones for the guy who knows silence is gold. He can stream the game'due south sound through Bluetooth and tune out the shrieking grandkids or rowdy vacation table talk.

Harlem Candle Company Josephine Luxury Candle

If she'southward been burning incense and candles since her heady hippie days, information technology'll be a hard habit to break, but yous tin gently steer her away from the cloying patchouli (that clashes with her already-overpowering perfume) with this vivid, citrusy candle from the Black-owned Harlem Candle Company. Strategist author Tembe Denton-Hurst says its "warm undertones of Moroccan rose, sandalwood, and liquid bister" should satisfy your aunt without giving the rest of the family a headache. Side by side yr, you tin try to help her with the perfume problem.

Hay Sowden Coffee Pot

This coffee pot, from Strategist-beloved Danish design brand Hay, is on our so-called List of Won't-Returnables for two reasons: First, it'south sleek and pattern-y enough for even the most particular recipient; and second, it produces a java-snob-approved brew. Co-ordinate to Connie Blumhardt, publisher of Roast magazine, information technology contains a "micro-thin" stainless-steel filter to infuse java grounds into hot water, similar to how you would make tea in a teapot.

Admiral Set of 2 Double Old-Fashioned Glasses

They might think he's perfect, but you know your blood brother's no angel. Gift him a fix of these bartender-approved double rocks spectacles, and then sip old-fashioneds together afterward the residuum of the family unit goes to sleep and reminisce about all the trouble the two of you used to get into. They have a cool, vintage manner so they'll expect nice on his bar cart, too.

'The Vanishing Half,' by Brit Bennett

Give him something to focus on instead of your late-dark/early on-morn comings and goings. One of the year's most buzzed-virtually novels (it comes recommended past Jeannine A. Cook, the owner of Harriet'southward Bookshop in Philadelphia, and plenty of Strategist writers) The Vanishing One-half has plenty of drama (family unit secrets, long-lost twins, complex questions of race and identity) to capture his attention.

Scentered Sleep Well Therapy Balm

You lot can't force your manager to arctic out, but yous can encourage it with this lavander-scented aromatherapy stick that writer Sara Gaynes Levy says is "like Ambien without the side effects." A peacefully sleeping dominate can't send middle-of-the-night "Urgent!" emails after all. Make sure to tell him that yous got information technology because he works so hard and you promise he'southward getting enough sleep, and then that he doesn't spend too much time reading into things.

ZZ Plant

Who wouldn't want a institute to burnish up their domicile this winter? Fifty-fifty if you have no thought about your co-worker'southward gardening skills, the hearty ZZ plant can tolerate low-lite environments and inconsistent watering. It's low-maintenance enough to feel similar a gift and not an assignment.

AHAVA Dead Sea Mineral Bath Salt

There'southward a good chance it's goose egg personal and your kid'southward instructor is likely but overworked and overtired, especially with the added stress of remote learning. Kate, a music teacher in Boston, says soothing bathroom salts are gifts that say, "'Thanks for spending and so much time caring about my child — we'd love to know that you are taking some time for yourself now.'" This mineral-rich salt from the Dead Sea volition assistance them relax — and hopefully get you on their skilful side.

Vida Cotton Mask

They know information technology's the right thing to do just for whatever reason (it's hard to breathe through, it fogs upwards their glasses), we all take that one pal who hasn't totally bought into mask-wearing. Modify their mind with this comfortable mask that comes in child, regular, and extra-large sizes (if they think it's hard to notice a mask that fits their "weird head") and has an adjustable nose piece and ear straps for a perfect fit. Strategist senior VP of e-commerce Camilla Cho says it's breathable and doesn't fog up her glasses.

The Jackbox Party Pack

If your regular, remote catch-up session has become a one-human (or ane-adult female) show with a self-absorbed family member using the whole time for personal life updates, gently innovate a new style to get everyone involved with this set of virtual party games. The pack includes the Pictionary-esque Drawful, You Don't Know Jack trivia game, and Fibbage, in which players have to convince others to believe fabricated-up facts. "I've played them with extended family, friends — only nearly anyone tin can pick information technology up and have fun," says Eric Van Allen, news editor at USGamer.

The Strategist is designed to surface the about useful, good recommendations for things to purchase across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments , rolling baggage , pillows for side sleepers , natural feet remedies , and bath towels . We update links when possible, merely notation that deals can elapse and all prices are subject to change.

The Best Gifts for People You Don't Want to Shop For