Just like we did for our 2023 Gift Guides and our 2022 Gift Guides, we’ve got all three of our gift lists in one singular post right here. So let’s dive right into the 3 categories that we cover each year:
- Gift Ideas for Grown-Ups
- Gift Ideas for Kids
- Gift Ideas Under $12.99
Every year that we make these, we love including actual things that we own and enjoy, as well as things that we’re buying for others (like our own kids, each other, and relatives/friends). Also feels like a good moment to mention that nothing was sponsored/gifted to get into this guide. If something is on these lists, we just genuinely love it and think it would make a good gift (and in some cases, we already own it and truly like it).
Quick note: The “Under $12.99” list isn’t the only one with items priced that low – for example, there are also two gifts under $12.99 on the kids list. And all of the prices listed in this post are just whatever they were when we wrote this post (sometimes prices scoot up or down).
Gift Ideas For Grown-Ups
Whether you’re shopping for someone who likes birds, books, being crafty, baller tech, or bling (yes, I’m still using that word in the interest of alliteration) we’ve got all of that and a bag of chips below (also still using that phrase).
Let’s make things easier by breaking the board into little sections so you can find each link without scrolling up and down ten million times…
1. Personalized 14K Gold Name Necklace ($15+)
Pick from 12 fonts for this minimalist-style 14K gold name necklace. You can get everything from a single initial up to an 8-letter name… or you could do an initial for each member of your family or a fav word (I want one that says C H E E S E).
2. Bird Feeder Camera ($150)
John and his siblings gifted one of these birdfeeder cameras to their parents this year and it’s been so much fun to get videos of their feathery visitors! It truly entertains literally anyone who likes birds – and everyone who doesn’t know they like birds yet (it’s addicting to see what shows up).
3. Watercolor House Ornament ($19)
Commemorate a friend or family member’s new home this year with these cute house portrait ornaments that feature a custom watercolor-style image. Or get one made of your very own and put it into your own stocking. So special.
4. Biophilia Coffee Table Book ($50)
I saw this stunning Biophilia book recently & fell so hard for the gorgeous color photos. It’d make a lovely coffee table book, but I also love the idea of framing some of its pages. I picture 10 of the amazingly symmetrical compositions of butterflies, shells, and shiny beetles in a frame collage in a half bathroom.
5. Personalized Vinyl Record ($13+)
Customize this vinyl record display by choosing the record’s color, a photo for the middle, a song name, and even a code to play your favorite tune, first dance song, or other special musical memory. Such a sweet and sentimental treat that feels customized and thoughtful.
6. Portable Bluetooth Speaker ($30)
This compact portable speaker is waterproof & dustproof, and it comes in 12 different colors. There are over 43,000 five-star reviews (!!!) that rave about the quality, portability, durability, design, and ease of use. Such a great treat for any music or tech lover on your list.
7. Personalized Library Embosser ($30)
These colorful and customizable embossers are a gift for the bookworm in your life who wants to up their bookplate game. You can choose from 36 imprint designs and 8 metal colors – so it really can be super personal and sweet. I’d love to get this as a gift!
8. Pet Tarot Cards ($20)
These sets of pet tarot cards come in both dog and cat versions – so they’re fun and whimsical for anyone who loves animals + woo woo (um, that’s me). This would also make such a fun stocking stuffer or white elephant gift that I’d definitely try to end up winning.
9. Murder Most Puzzling ($16)
Solve a murder AND do a puzzle? Sign John up! Actually I’m coming too. This is a fun twist on a traditional 500-piece puzzle for anyone who loves a true crime podcast, escape room, or mystery. And displaying it on a shelf like a book after you’re done is pretty charming too.
10. Personalized Viewfinder Toy ($35)
This throwback reel viewer can be customized with 14 of your very own photos, making it a fun way to look back on a vacation, a wedding, baby’s first year, or any other moments you want to memorialize. I’m crazy about this idea for a relative or friend. Someone make me one. Ha!
11. Mini Projector ($60)
This well-rated compact movie projector is a great price & even connects to a phone! It’s a great gift for people who want to watch college football outside, project movies poolside, or watch Survivor on their next camping trip. This is literally in our cart as a family gift for our kids.
12. Rizz The Season T-Shirt ($17)
I’m tempted to get John this “Rizz the Season” shirt (comes in 18 colors) simply because it makes me laugh. Kinda how my teen has me in her phone as “mom cool dabs.” The lingo… is… so skibidi.
13. Taco Belle T-Shirt ($17)
Get your favorite taco-loving princess this funny “taco belle” t-shirt (comes in 2 colors). Truly I would come right up to you in the wild if you were wearing this to tell you that I love your shirt. Feels like such a funny family gift or white elephant item.
14. Family Birthstone Ring ($20+)
These dainty birthstone rings can be customized with up to 13 different birthstones and won’t break the bank (just $30!). They come in gold, silver, and rose gold – and I love how a bunch look in a stack like the picture above.
15. Custom Pet Ring Dish ($35+)
These cute jewelry dishes can be customized with your cat or dog and make a great companion gift to the birthstone rings above! Picking a pet that looks like the giftee’s four-legged friend sounds so fun, and imagine unwrapping it and seeing one that looks like your pet!
16. Cheese Calendar ($20)
Please see my description for item 1 on this list to understand my deep feelings for cheese. And this compact kitchen calendar celebrates a new cheese every month of 2025 with the always-stylish illustrations from Rifle Paper Co. I feel like September got the best one. Agree?
17. DIY Storybook Scene Kit ($35)
These adorable bookshelf dioramas are part craft project and part quirky decor object to tuck into your home library. You can choose from 8 scenes, including Bookshop, Greenhouse, Floral Corner, and “Sunshine Town.” Legit so cute and magical – and you can say “I made it myself!”
18. Ignite Your Peace Candle ($30)
This Black-owned small business sells beautiful all-natural handmade soy candles, and this plum + saffron + cinnamon candle sounds heavenly. The reviews on this shop are all absolutely raving, and I love that they also have candles for specific sentiments like: postpartum, affirmation, manifestation, etc.
19. Mini Drone with Camera ($40)
John has been talking about getting a drone and this affordable model has great reviews, so it’s very likely to be under the tree for him. He really wants to take aerial videos of the turtles and stingrays in the gulf, so stay tuned…
20. Custom Grill Brand ($25+)
I love how much you can personalize this is for the grill king or queen in your house. You can literally choose from 32 different designs to customize this branding iron for food, which can be used on meat, bread, and even leather (bonus!).
21. Personalized Weekender Bag ($30)
This great weekender bag can be personalized or just left initial-less. Either way it makes a great gift for any travel fan on your list. John keeps trying to borrow my duffel, which we can’t both use when we travel together… so… it’s time he gets his own. And I love the looks and the great reviews on this one.
22. Custom Kid Drawing Shirt ($18+)
Put your favorite young artist’s artwork on a shirt, sweatshirt, or hoodie with these super cute custom clothes. They offer tons of color and style options, too! This is such a sweet gift for a grandparent or even a child who loves art (with their own favorite drawing on it).
Gift Ideas For Kids & Teens
This category is always a good time for us because we get to include things our fourteen-year-old and our ten-year-old already have & love (to earn a mention on here, it’s not merely a few days of playing with something – it’s a real enduring love). Other items we included are literally on our “to-buy” list for our own kids or other friends and relatives.
Once again, we’ll save you a whole lot of scrolling back and forth by breaking things down for you below.
1. Taco Slippers ($14)
Our son bought these cozy taco slippers a couple of weeks ago and he wears them every single night before bed… and every single morning after he wakes up… and sometimes even attempts to sleep in them.
2. Break Your Own Geode Kit ($19+)
These were the most popular gift from last year’s list, so we’re including them again this year. You can get the kit with 10 geodes, or the larger kit with fossils, shark teeth, and more treasures for $44.99. Our kids personally love smashing geodes to see what’s inside. Guaranteed hit of a gift.
3. Remote Control Bumper Cars ($35)
This fun remote control bumper car set is a literal game of cat and mouse (well, rat) where the player who gets bumped first is ejected from the car! Such a fun interactive game. We know 9 and 10 year olds who play this constantly and LOVE it.
5. Custom Name Bead Necklace ($14)
These charming and colorful personalized bead necklaces would make such a cute stocking stuffer. I love that they look like macarons, and the price is great (and fixed, no matter how many letters you use!).
6. Morf Worm Fidget ($18)
Our son has one of these mind-bending fidgets and the whole family loves it. It stretches, collapses, bounces, bends, etc. Comes in lots of colors too! You may remember ours from an Instagram story I did where I revealed that we call it Corn Potato (since it can morph into both of those shapes).
7. Clay Starter Kit ($26+)
Our son’s latest craft obsession is polymer clay and this mega pack of 30 clay colors has kept him entertained for WEEKS. And we’ve barely made a dent in it (even after baking literally dozens of creations). He also loves this $8 set of 30 cookie cutters and this $9 extruder. Hours of fun, almost every single day.
7. Good Girls Guide to Murder Box Set ($20)
Our 14-year-old burned through this YA murder series last year (it really ignited her love of thriller and suspense novels). It’s also a Netflix series now, if that earns you any credibility with teens. *Whispers: “I’m not a regular mom, I’m a cool mom.”
8. DIY Bluetooth Speaker Kit ($17)
Here’s a fun STEM building kit for kids because they end up with a functional Bluetooth speaker that they can customize with paint, stickers, and more. I love the idea of an activity AND a cool room item all in one gift. Plus it’s so functional.
9. Mini Karaoke Set ($24)
This compact karaoke set comes with a speaker and two microphones, making it a fun gift idea for kids and adults alike. Honestly this would make a great family gift idea – and the price is so good! I think our kids would love this.
10. Reusable Water Balloons ($24)
These reusable water balloons are easily the most used gifts that our kids received in the past year. Even when they’re not being tossed, they’re fun to squish and link together. Anyone who comes over for a swim ends up loving them, and the kids have made up so many games that involve them. Huge win.
11. Squishy Strawberry Lamp ($15)
When we asked our 14-year-old daughter if she had any gifts she wanted, she surprised us all and listed a room decor item. This cute strawberry light is extremely adorable – so who can blame her? Definitely going to be under the tree for her.
12. Uno Show ‘Em No Mercy ($15)
This is our latest go-to card game around the house. It’s classic Uno with crazy twists that can dramatically shift the game in or out of your favor. Really really fun for groups of two or four or more!
13. Light Box With Emojis ($28)
This cinema-style light box comes with 400 multicolor letters and emoji tiles so your kids can customize a message for their desk or shelf. I love the little icons and the fact that it lights up is so fun for any kid’s room.
14. Cooperative Board Game ($20)
These games are the brainchild of a mom and a retired Peace Corp volunteer who started this small Black-owned business with the goal of being inclusive and eco-friendly. The games are geared towards young preschool-and-up kids, and a few of their best-sellers are Picnic Panic and Block Party.
15. HyperTiles Building Toy ($27)
These cool hyperbolic building tiles are such a fun toy to create flexible, bendable creations. They sell out early and often, so if they’re in stock and you really want them, grab ’em before they’re gone. Our son is getting some this year!
16. Fried Food Keychain Trio ($12)
A chicken nugget keychain would weirdly thrill both of our kids, and you get two bonus ones in this 3-pack of kitschy keychains, making them great stocking stuffers. Honestly the fry and the little shimp tail are just as cute as the nugget.
17. Portable Phone Charger ($18)
We have one of these convenient portable chargers and our daughter is constantly grabbing it, so we can definitively say that it would be a great stocking stuffer for a teen or an adult. And yes, we’re buying our daughter her own.
18. Lego Plant Set ($40)
We love all of the Lego Botanical kits, and this assorted set is especially great because you get 9 different potted plants out of it! Which makes it a crowd-pleasing option to share between multiple kids (or adults). Picture these all lined up along a window ledge. So cute.
19. Make Your Own Squishy Kit ($38)
This Magic Water Elf kit lets kids create their own squishy toys using molds, colored gels, and a magic solution that would excite even our teen. Truly, I think both of our kids would have a blast using this, and the reviews are great.
20. Magnetic Marble Run ($40)
John and our son love watching videos of marble races and guessing which color will win (weird, I know) so this magnetic alternative to a marble run kit would be right up their alley! Plus you can reconfigure it for a different race each time!
21. Wow In The World Fact Book ($11)
Our son loves the Wow in the World podcast, so this “bonkerballs” fact book was something he found in a catalog recently and promptly put on his wish list. I think it would be a hit for any trivia lover or kid who likes animal facts.
Gifts Under $12.99
We have officially reached my favorite part of the gift guide – not only because I love a deal, but also because I love something that’s budget-friendly AND feels personalized or special. Like it was made just for the person you have in mind. These items could be great stocking stuffers, neighbor gifts, or even a good white elephant idea. They also work for your own stocking (listen we deserve a fun little treat for ourselves sometimes too).
Let’s zoom in on things a little more…
1. Needoh Nice Cube ($9)
Our whole house is officially obsessed with these amazingly satisfying squishy cubes. We each have one. We have extras for friends and neighbors who ask what the heck we’re clutching. And we have backups for our own… in case they meet a dire end.
2. Personalized Kids Sunnies ($11)
These cute kids sunglasses can be customized with your child’s name and come in 11 different colors! These are so cute for stockings, and the little daisies are adorable. And that price!
3. Mini Punching Bag ($7)
Wanna help someone let off some steam in 2025? Get them this desktop punching bag that suctions to any surface. It feels like the one thing everyone would steal in a White Elephant exchange – or the one thing everyone will want to play with if you have it on your desk.
4. Sticker By Number for Adults ($12)
Our kids love the meditative calm feeling of doing sticker by number books (they’ve done at least 3 in the last few years – like the entire book!). So we were excited to see some more sophisticated versions with vintage birds and vintage flowers. These look super cool and colorful, and just as calming to stick.
5. Fabric Shaver ($12)
This handy fabric shaver is a great supplement to a clothing gift card or other fashion-themed gift. It literally saves sweaters and leggings and coats (as well as rugs and towels and couches!). Pilled items you think are done-for can look like new! Plus… cute teal color!
6. Deodorant Remover Sponges ($9)
These were a hot tip gift from someone I love and they come in handy all the time: deodorant remover sponges! Like why does deoderant end up everywhere? So file this under “another item to add to a fashion-themed gift.” Practical and helpful.
7. 9-in-1 Outlet Extender ($12.99)
This outlet extender is like a Swiss Army knife for the techie person on your list. It has 5 outlets, 3 USB ports, 1 USB-C port, a shelf, and a built-in night light! I can totally name at least 3 relatives who would love the hub that this one device can create.
8. Personalized Ketchup Label ($4)
Our son loves ketchup and this funny custom printed perfectly-sized label to add to a ketchup bottle is right up his alley. We wouldn’t order that sweet little pun in the pic. Our custom message would say “This is all mine. Mwah-ha-hah.” He’d get a giant kick out of having a dedicated ketchup bottle all to himself.
9. DK Children’s Anthologies ($12)
This series of large hardcover nature books for kids are gorgeous inside & out. Almost like a beautiful modern encyclopedia… and many are marked down a lot! Try the Anthology of Intriguing Animals or Anthology of Aquatic Life to start.
10. Cute Marshmallow Mugs ($6 each mug)
This 4-pack of adorable marshmallow mugs can be split up and stuffed with hot chocolate or smores supplies or even gift cards for a teacher gift, office exchange, or affordable neighbor gifts. Their little faces are just too cute. Also could pot little succulents or cacti in them!
11. Facial Spray With Aloe & Rose Water ($8)
This facial spray is an absolute bestseller that everyone gushes about – and at $8 it’s such a great stocking stuffer for your teen (also works for your skincare-obsessed cousin).
12. Rechargeable Hand Warmers ($12)
This pair of electric hand warmers are great for the cooler weather and they recharge with a simple USB connection. I think this is such a great stocking stuffer or holiday gift for a relative in a colder spot, especially someone who is outside a lot (like my friends in NYC who wait for the subway in freezing temps).
13. Chunky Twist Ring ($12.95)
This 14K gold plated open twist ring is cool and modern. I want one badly for my pointer finger, just like the picture. And that price is so right.
14. Tinted Lip Oil ($8)
This tinted lip oil is an “I own it and love it” thing on here that I truly adore. I did NOT think anything for lips that’s this bold & dark (mine’s the color shown: Jam Session) would work on my large joker mouth (trust me, bold lipstick never works). But this is just a healthy hint of a tint and a delightful glossy texture. A gleam that looks healthy and awake without being too much. Superfan for life.
15. Dragon Fidget ($10)
These articulating 3D-printed dragon fidgets are so fun to play with, and our kids each own one and LOVE them. They’re so cool because each tiny part flexes like a fish scale. So they’re posable and movable and they just feel so fun to flex and hold.
16. Marquise Stud Earrings ($12)
These simple stud earrings are beautiful and interesting. The marquise shape is so chic, and the price is amazing. Also… flat backs! Pretty great for $12. I’m getting a pair for me and a pair for my girl.
17. Eye Mask Set ($10)
Calling anyone with a skincare-loving teen/mom/aunt/etc. These eye masks have great reviews and you get 30 in this eye mask set for just $10! There are even three varieties for puffiness, dark circles, etc. Our girl would love these.
18. Handheld Milk Frother ($9)
This is the current version of the small but mighty milk frother that we own. Truly, you haven’t lived until you use it to froth oat milk and add it to your coffee. Tastes just like a foamy melted marshmallow.
19. Squiggle Hair Clip ($10)
This cool metallic hair clip comes in both silver and gold, and it’s actually an overlapping item on both my gift list (in gold) and my daughter’s (in silver). I love that it’s a little more interesting than a standard clip and the metallic finish is fun and modern.
20. Desktop Wavy Tube Guy ($9)
Why not bring someone’s workspace a little joy with this small inflatable tube guy that really inflates. Like, hello white elephant winner. Also the $9 price tag is amazing.
21. “From The 1900s” T-Shirt ($12)
Who doesn’t love a good Oregon Trail reference? Give another millennial with a good sense of humor this funny t-shirt. Heck, it works for anyone born in 1900-anything, but we grandma and grandpa millennials truly are from the days of Oregon Trail. (I always died of dysentery).
22. Personalized Matchbox ($7)
You can customize this chunky matchbox with your initials and date, and it comes in 6 colors. I absolutely love the look of it. I want a J+S one for my shelves (and it’ll be handy for lighting candles nearby).
NEED MORE GIFT IDEAS?
If you’re still searching high and low for some more ideas, please don’t forget about our Black-Owned Business List (there are TONS of highly recommended products & amazing makers to support). Plus we have an entire post dedicated to our favorite family games with descriptions & categories for the best group games, or super fast games, etc.
We also have these gift guides from previous years (many items are still sold):
*This post contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.
