By Malia Griggs and Jessica Kasparian
It can be tough to come up with thoughtful, unique gifts that aren’t just your run-of-the-mill candles or gift cards. Maybe you’re trying to find the right present for the mom who seems to have everything, the girlfriend who raves about experiences over stuff, or the ultra-minimalist boyfriend who prefers a useful gift. Fortunately, there are tons of original options out there for your friends and family, from a terrarium made of Legos to a podcast-like audio recording of a loved one. We’ve rounded up a range of unexpected gifts for birthdays, anniversaries, and housewarmings, many of which you can find on Amazon, Nordstrom, and Uncommon Goods. Logo Stamp For Clothes
For more present picks, check out all of the best gift ideas of 2023.
All products featured on SELF are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
For the person who regularly reminds you that Mercury is in retrograde or offhandedly remarks that so-and-so is “such a Gemini,” here’s the perfect gift: a personalized astrology book that maps out the qualities and horoscopes associated with their birthday.
One SELF editor adores this custom self-inking return address stamp that she received as a housewarming gift. “It makes every letter I send seem so much more elegant,” she says.
This is the multitool of all multitools. It lays flat as a credit card, but still somehow includes a knife, screwdriver, scissors, and bottle opener.
Another SELF editor favorite, this stone bath mat dries moments after it touches your wet feet. It’s stylish, simple, and a practical gift for any friend who loves outfitting their home with useful yet unique decor.
Unlike any old nonstick pan, the Our Place Always Pan acts as a space-saving, oven-safe cooking tool that sautés, sears, braises, and strains. Plus, you can grab it in your giftee’s favorite color, whether that’s a muted lavender or sage green.
This magical SELF Fave tool chills warm or room-temperature liquids within seconds. Your friend who believes coffee should be iced all year long will adore this for cooling their cup of joe.
A cute rechargeable pocket hand warmer is the ideal gadget for loved ones who get cold easily. It comes in fun patterns, has a lanyard and torchlight, and takes just two seconds to heat. Best of all, it’ll stay warm for three to four hours.
In terms of unique gifts, this SELF Fave bidet might just take the cake. The Tushy attachment is simple to install and includes adjustable water pressure and angling for the perfect cleanse. Upgrade to the Tushy Spa to add warm water or splurge for the Tushy Ace, which has a heated seat and dryer.
This Apple Watch–compatible wireless charger keychain is a super useful gift for a friend or family member who is always on the go—or whose devices always die at the worst possible moment.
Here’s a gift that anyone on your list could use (especially the fitness enthusiast): an insulated stainless steel water bottle that keeps 17 ounces of liquid cool or warm for hours. It even has a secret compartment at the bottom to store keys, cards, or earbuds.
Know someone racking up those frequent flyer miles? They’d probably love to visually track all of the places they’ve explored, and this scratch map is just the ticket.
Got a plant-loving pal who can’t keep a cactus alive? Or a Lego-obsessed loved one who could use an excuse to channel their inner child? They can arrange and rearrange this fun, quirky set endlessly. Plus, it offers a touch of color and whimsy, with no watering necessary.
The person in your life who geeks out over Ken Burns documentaries might get a kick out of this monthly subscription, which sends them replicas of famous historical documents—like Rosa Parks’s police report or Albert Einstein’s letters to FDR—along with materials that explain their significance in history.
With its selection of international single-origin roasts, SELF Fave Atlas Coffee offers a subscription service tailormade for the coffee lover in your life. Each shipment delivers beans from around the world, along with info on origin, tasting notes, and brewing tips.
Like a weighted blanket for their face, Nodpods are bead-filled sleep masks that drape across the eyes and temples. Using gentle pressure, they’re designed to help reduce tension and block out distracting light.
Here’s a multitool to end them all: It looks and acts like a pen but additionally functions as a level, screwdriver, ruler, nail file, stylus, bottle opener, and box cutter.
Gone are the days of queuing at CVS or ordering prints online: This SELF editor–favorite printer connects to most smartphones via Bluetooth, and pops out sticker-backed memories in moments. It’s a unique gift for college students, best friends, and scrapbook fans alike.
For a doting new parent (or a technologically disinclined grandparent), set up this digital picture frame in their home, then update its slideshow with pictures from your phone, no matter where you are in the world.
Choose a special date between 1910 and 2002—birthday, wedding anniversary, etc.—and get a customized book featuring copies of all available New York Times front pages from that day.
Custom Flash Stamp Surprise the impossible-to-shop-for friend with a personalized Cameo video message from one of their fave (or least fave, if you’re feeling spicy) celebrities or personalities. When hunting for a personal gift to give her boyfriend, one SELF editor was incredibly impressed with this service: “From Snoop Dogg to Lance Bass to The Office’s Brian Baumgartner, the talent available on Cameo is limitless.”