Unique Gift Ideas

Unique Gift Ideas: the ultimate list

I have first-hand experience with the age-old problem of “what to get someone who has everything?” AND combine that with the “what to get someone who doesn’t want anything”. So what do I do? I get creative, I get practical, and I get personal. I’m sharing my list of ideas with you to save yourself some heartache. And if you are stumped – write me a note in the comments and we’ll get you an idea or 2!

I have included some links to Etsy, I make nothing from them just simple satisfaction that another maker might make a sale! Other affiliate links are mine, however, to things I really do use and like. If you purchase I earn a small commission, you get something cool and we both win! See my full privacy policy here.

A List of Places to Shop for Unique Gifts

Etsy – the most popular makers/vintage site around
Ebay – find almost anything here
Uncommon Goods – before Etsy was Etsy
Crate Joy – subscription boxes are all the rage
the Grommet – curated small businesses and makers
Paxton Gate – weird and fun, taxidermy and more
Local arts & crafts bazaars and flea markets, antique shops, vintage stores

Get Personal

There are endless ways to customize a gift – and Etsy is the first place I stop. You can find ANYTHING here and lots and lots of makers who will customize for you. I know, because I do it! Go to the Etsy page and just type in “custom unique gift” and behold the options before you! If you’ve never shopped on Etsy, don’t be afraid, it’s amazing and many shops now offer free shipping on purchases over $35 (including mine!)

Customized items: mugs, t-shirts
Custom prints
Something from their home state or even shaped like their home state
Make a donation to their favorite cause – here’s a great list
Customize something personal, a quote, song, recipe card – look at this amazing maker who converts song soundwaves!
Customize a pet – have you seen these amazing pet art renditions?
Personalize their zodiac with jewelry or art – very popular
Ancestry DNA kits – I gave one to my son and brother and the results have been very fun!

Get Creative

Think outside the box people. Don’t go to the mall. Go Vintage. There are some amazing timeless, antique, vintage things you can find for anyone. If they have a hobby then it’s easy – find some vintage stuff in their hobby area. If not, try nostalgia. People have nostalgia for their youth, get your brother the original Evil Knievel (my bro would love this!). Buy the original Star Wars action figure set (just happen to have one for sale!) You can go local and shop in the antique or vintage malls. Or go online to EBAY or ETSY for these items.

Or you can literally get creative and make something. You don’t have to be artsy to come up with a creative handmade gift. Seriously, you don’t have to get out the craft box (but you can and I’ve got some good ones here).

Vintage suitcase bar with instructions (check out this cute one on Etsy)
Custom cocktail recipe with a kit to make it (look at this amazing bitters making kit – a bestseller on Etsy)
One-of-a-kinds – vintage, antique or crafted

Get Practical

This is an easy one – get them something they will actually use and you can’t go wrong. Drinker? Buy them booze. Likes to cook? Some fancy spices. Hikes? Moisture-wicking socks. One of the best gifts we ever received from was a housekeeper for a year – practical, yes, practically magic!

Firewood or kindling
Basket of spices, marinades, salts, and fun cooking stuff
Chocolate, chocolate, chocolate – who doesn’t love chocolate? Ok, so my niece and sister-in-law don’t but that’s weird! And they love salted caramel so that’s what I’d get them!
Cooler full of beer, ice bucket with champagne, carafe with wine
A weighted blanket – these are amazing, it’s like having a hug and they are really popular right now and great for anxiety soothing.
Subscription boxes – these are all the rage and full of good stuff they’ll use! They have a Keto gift box – yum! Some others that are good are Fab Fit Fun, Stitch Fix, Ipsy, Birchbox, Cause Box, Book of the Month…and oh so many more!

Get Nostalgic

Here’s a winner idea – go nostalgic, get them right in their feels. People love this, they get a piece of some nostalgic memory and you get points for thoughtfulness! It’s so fun to watch someone’s face light up and see the sparkle of joy in their eyes. One year I tracked down a few hard to find Putz vintage paper Christmas houses for my mother in law, it was unexpected and she loved them. This was before I knew about Ebay and before Etsy even existed – I went to like 15 antique shops! You don’t have to do that – just hit Ebay and Etsy and you can find almost anything!

Old pictures, reframed, printed on canvas, or turned into customized albums
A toy from childhood – the original GI Joe or Evil Knievel, the Fisher Price little people, Matchbook cars, Barbies, original cabbage patch – you get the idea
A bit of old-timey decor – a framed newspaper print from the year they were born, a Midcentury Modern vase, a brass animal (um yah my dad collects these!), velvet elvis art?
Collectibles – find a missing piece of mom’s china, find a replacement for the figurine you broke!
Buy their favorite book in first edition, or find a signed copy

Get Funny

When all else fails – get funny. I have a good appreciation for a comical gift. If it makes me chuckle I’m happy! Try finding some art that serves dual purpose – teaching moment and make them chuckle,

Something funny or tongue in cheek like this funny coffee cup or my famous nut sack
if you have a toilet paper hanging war going on in your house you’ll want this vintage patent showing the “right” way to hang it!
How about this “Light when dad farts” candle? Farts are always funny.
Swearing, along with farts, is most always funny isn’t it? How about a nice desk sign so people know all about your professionalism.