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🎁 Hey! While we’re doing our best to make sure the products we feature will arrive in time for Christmas, shipping times are especially tricky this year and can vary depending on where you live, which product you purchase, and more. Shop early and be sure to double check the retailers’ websites for shipping information to ensure that your gift will arrive in time for the 25th! 🎁
1.
An escape room board game to hold ’em over until they can frequent an actual puzzle room IRL. With this Walking Dead-inspired version, they’ll have to ~escape~ from zombies that are, uh, not very pleasant conversationalists.
So here’s how it works: 2–8 players work together to “escape” every room and enter a new one using hints, puzzles, math (ew but fun in this context), and collaboration.
Promising review: “This excellent escape game comes with a variety of thoughtful (but solvable!) puzzles, interaction with various included physical objects, and extended play of roughly 90 minutes. It is easily one of the best in-home escape games on the market. And we’ve played a lot of them. Knowledge of The Walking Dead is absolutely not required (and will not help solve the puzzles). Fans will likely enjoy some references to the series. But if you don’t watch, don’t let the branding stop you from buying this game.” —S. Miller
Get it from Amazon for $14.99.
2.
A gift assortment of Popbar hot chocolate sticks that’ll upgrade their favorite winter beverage and holiday tradition into something slightly more luxe than Swiss Miss (no shade to Swiss Miss). It’s not the iconic cup they get at Bryant Park every year, but it’s close.
instagram.com / Via @popbar
Promising review: “Delish! Wish I had tried them earlier, before I had already bought gifts. These are so yummy and rich, you can almost use one for two cups of cocoa. I will likely get these again next year for sweet treats and holiday gifts.” —Jane Mitchell
Get a six-pack from Amazon for $19.99 (available in dark, milk, and white chocolate or chocolate, mocha, and peppermint. Also available in packs of 12).
3.
A British Cadbury chocolate box and Japanese candy and snacks because food is a universal language and they truly miss traveling. With these gifts, it’ll feel like their taste buds are on vacation — riding the tube and climbing Mount Fuji one chomp at a time.
Promising review (British Cadbury chocolate box): “The CurlyWurly bar is caramel wrapped in milk chocolate, and it reminded me of a skinny and long Slow Poke candy bar. The Flake bar was basically milk chocolate with a flaky and crumbly texture. The Twirl bars are shaped similar to a cigar, and the chocolate inside is slightly more intense than milk chocolate. The Double Decker is different, it has a chewy but light nougat on top, rice crisps on bottom and is covered in milk chocolate. Crunchie is totally awesome, and totally different. They describe it as a honeycomb center surrounded by milk chocolate. It was my favorite bar, as it was so different from any other bar in the USA.” —NPR MAN
Get a box of 10 from Amazon for $19.75.
Promising review (Japanese candy box): “My 10-year-old daughter requested this because she was interested in finding out more about Japan. We had a one-hour tasting party on the living room floor and we compared the snacks to each other and to American snacks. We loved some, and we hated some. She took some duplicates to school and shared them with her friends. You can tell a lot about the culture by common flavors, textures, packaging, serving sizes, and a lot of other things that we saw in this box.” —Amazon Customer
Get 30 pieces from Amazon for $17.99.
Promising review (British Cadbury chocolate box): “The CurlyWurly bar is caramel wrapped in milk chocolate, and it reminded me of a skinny and long Slow Poke candy bar. The Flake bar was basically milk chocolate with a flaky and crumbly texture. The Twirl bars are shaped similar to a cigar, and the chocolate inside is slightly more intense than milk chocolate. The Double Decker is different, it has a chewy but light nougat on top, rice crisps on bottom and is covered in milk chocolate. Crunchie is totally awesome, and totally different. They describe it as a honeycomb center surrounded by milk chocolate. It was my favorite bar, as it was so different from any other bar in the USA.” —NPR MAN
Get a box of 10 from Amazon for $19.75.
Promising review (Japanese candy box): “My 10-year-old daughter requested this because she was interested in finding out more about Japan. We had a one-hour tasting party on the living room floor and we compared the snacks to each other and to American snacks. We loved some, and we hated some. She took some duplicates to school and shared them with her friends. You can tell a lot about the culture by common flavors, textures, packaging, serving sizes, and a lot of other things that we saw in this box.” —Amazon Customer
Get 30 pieces from Amazon for $17.99.
4.
A wireless Bluetooth mic if they do not give a bleep about singing off-key. If they miss screaming in falsetto to “Bohemian Rhapsody” or belting out Celine Dion on karaoke night, this will definitely lessen their sorrows.
It’s compatible with with any smartphone or tablet, lasts up to 10 hours on a single charge, and can even be connected to their device via cable. Check out BuzzFeed’s full write-up on this karaoke mic.
Promising review: “Oh my gosh, I love this! I got mine in the mail yesterday and ended up playing with it for about five hours last night LOL. It connects via Bluetooth so you can connect it to your phone — the music and your singing comes out of the microphone’s speaker. It has a volume control for your voice and for the music and also an echo feature. You can put an SD card into the bottom of it and record yourself, or connect it with an audio out to record on one of those karaoke apps on your phone. Between this and being able to find just about any song on karaoke via YouTube, you could easily have your own karaoke parties at home!” —Ferretocious
Get it from Amazon for $31.99 (available in 11 colors).
5.
A challenging 1,000-piece puzzle so they can feel like an Emily in Paris cast-member sans complicated love life. For the pal who is used to shaving several trips off their travel bucket list every year, this thoughtful present will keep ’em occupied for several an afternoon.
Promising review: “I love Michael Storrings’ artwork. This puzzle was very fun to put together. The completed puzzle is beautiful. The product is a good quality, and the item I received did not include any damaged or missing pieces.” —Henrietta S.
Get it from Amazon for $16.99.
6.
An Airbnb virtual experiences so they can travel the 🌎 through their own laptops. Here’s a small sampling of the available classes:
A design your own espadrilles so they can ~visit~ a Barcelona workshop. They’ll learn the history of this iconic shoe before choosing the size, laces, threads, and type of stitching — not only will they see the shoes being made, but the final product will also be shipped to their home at no extra cost!
Airbnb
Tickets starting at $69.
Airbnb
Tickets starting at $69.
A coffee master class because the coffee culture in Vietnam? ‘Tis strong, pun intended. They can learn all about its history (including how to brew their own own authentic cup) with Lê, a Hanoi resident.
Airbnb
Tickets starting at $9.
A history of Pompeii tour so they can learn through the eyes of an archaeologist. Roberto will talk them through the city’s history (both before and after the eruption of Vesuvius), plus discuss the daily life of the average ancient Roman.
Airbnb
Tickets starting at $12.
Airbnb
Tickets starting at $12.
7.
A tiny science kit with a mini booklet that contains instructions for over 20 experiments! Step one toward their Nobel Prize requires sparking their interest, and considering museums are kind of a no-go… this rainy day activity is *sure* to do just that!
Amazon, Amaozn
This kit comes with a miniature cabinet, funnel, petri dish, beaker, Erlenmeyer flask, magnifier, test tube, pipette, graduated cylinder, measuring scoop, balance scale, and three weights.
Promising review: “I highly recommend this toy for your budding scientist. This is incredibly entertaining and offers an early introduction into the tools needed for science experiments. It includes an Erlenmeyer Flask, pipette, beaker and a balance scale amongst other tools! Really good manual included. I bought for my husband who is a scientist and he loves it and keeps it on his work table in the lab.” —Proody
Get it from Amazon for $19.42.
Amazon, Amaozn
This kit comes with a miniature cabinet, funnel, petri dish, beaker, Erlenmeyer flask, magnifier, test tube, pipette, graduated cylinder, measuring scoop, balance scale, and three weights.
Promising review: “I highly recommend this toy for your budding scientist. This is incredibly entertaining and offers an early introduction into the tools needed for science experiments. It includes an Erlenmeyer Flask, pipette, beaker and a balance scale amongst other tools! Really good manual included. I bought for my husband who is a scientist and he loves it and keeps it on his work table in the lab.” —Proody
Get it from Amazon for $19.42.
8.
A Sur La Table online cooking class for a gift that keeps on giving. Each interactive course starts at $29, lasts up to two hours, is lead by expert chefs, *and* means they’ll be able to whip up their very own pad thai. Or dumplings. Or [insert food to make my stomach growl here].
Sur La Table
Courses from Sur La Table starting at $29.
9.
A pack of Bertie Bott’s beans and a chocolate frog mold so they can pretend that they’re feasting in the Great Hall i.e. Universal Orlando, because they had finally planned a trip to Diagon Alley but that was postponed due to *looks around* the year that is 2020.
Promising review (Bertie Bott’s beans): “It was definitely every flavor! I bought this because 1) I am a big Harry Potter fan and I love Bertie Bott’s, and 2) my husband did not believe me when I told him that every flavor meant ‘every flavor.’ He ate one jelly bean (soap), spat it out, and refused to eat anymore, saying he now believed me.” —GiRose
Get it from Amazon for $3.97.
Promising review (chocolate frog mold): “I’m not a baker, I’m not crafty, and I’ve never made anything with a mold before. When my friend wanted to throw a Harry Potter-themed party, I bought this mold and agreed to make chocolate frogs. They came out perfectly! I simply melted chocolate chips, poured it in the mold, and froze it until the frogs were solid.” —Surreptrixus
Get it from Amazon for $7.87.
Editor’s Note: BuzzFeed does not support discriminatory or hateful speech in any form. We stand by the LGBTQ+ community and all fans who found a home in the Harry Potter series and will work to provide a safe space for fans. If you, like us, feel impassioned about trans rights, learn more or donate here.
Promising review (Bertie Bott’s beans): “It was definitely every flavor! I bought this because 1) I am a big Harry Potter fan and I love Bertie Bott’s, and 2) my husband did not believe me when I told him that every flavor meant ‘every flavor.’ He ate one jelly bean (soap), spat it out, and refused to eat anymore, saying he now believed me.” —GiRose
Get it from Amazon for $3.97.
Promising review (chocolate frog mold): “I’m not a baker, I’m not crafty, and I’ve never made anything with a mold before. When my friend wanted to throw a Harry Potter-themed party, I bought this mold and agreed to make chocolate frogs. They came out perfectly! I simply melted chocolate chips, poured it in the mold, and froze it until the frogs were solid.” —Surreptrixus
Get it from Amazon for $7.87.
Editor’s Note: BuzzFeed does not support discriminatory or hateful speech in any form. We stand by the LGBTQ+ community and all fans who found a home in the Harry Potter series and will work to provide a safe space for fans. If you, like us, feel impassioned about trans rights, learn more or donate here.
10.
A DIY hot sauce kit that’s nearly as fantastic as their weekly trip to that boutique hot sauce shop. What can I say other than they like to live dangerously. From cayenne and ancho to curry and chili spice recipes, their taste buds are about to go for a ride. Glass of milk not included but highly encouraged.
Uncommon Goods
The kit includes gloves, sterilizing solution, a small funnel, bottle labels, and six glass containers for packaging.
Promising review: “My boyfriend has recently been on a hot sauce kick. I came across this and got it for him for our anniversary. I typically get him watches or video game stuff. He was beyond thrilled. Loved it, very excited to create his own, name it what he wants and share his creations with friends. The kit included everything you could need including gloves, which he probably wouldn’t have thought to use if it hadn’t included them.” —megans
Get it from UncommonGoods for $40.
11.
Spirits of Latin America: A Celebration of Culture & Cocktails, a recipe book jam-packed with 100 cocktail recipes that would receive an A+ on any report card. This highlights the grape-based spirits from Chile, Peru, and Bolivia to tequila-based concoctions in Mexico.
Promising review: “This book couldn’t have come at a better time. Now I have the recipes to attempt to make some of those amazing cocktails at home during quarantine! The photography also transports me to beautiful faraway lands, scratching my travel itch. I love this bar and everything about its staff, victuals, and libations. Congratulations Ivy, Shannon, and team for this stunning journey through the places that make your restaurant so special.” —Emily Wade Adams
Get it from Amazon for $12.99.
Promising review: “This book couldn’t have come at a better time. Now I have the recipes to attempt to make some of those amazing cocktails at home during quarantine! The photography also transports me to beautiful faraway lands, scratching my travel itch. I love this bar and everything about its staff, victuals, and libations. Congratulations Ivy, Shannon, and team for this stunning journey through the places that make your restaurant so special.” —Emily Wade Adams
Get it from Amazon for $12.99.
12.
A beignet mix from Cafe du Monde — one bite of these puffy, covered-in-powdered-sugar homemade French doughnuts will transport them to the heart of NOLA. “Don’t you just love Jackson Square this time of year?”
AnaMaria Glavan / BuzzFeed
Get it from Cafe du Monde for $4.06.
13.
A handmade gift from Scenery, a company that takes Broadway prop trash and turns it into true treasure: think a coffin ring made from the pre-Broadway stage of Beetlejuice the Musical or a pouch crafted from a Wicked bounce drop. Talk about a present that defies gravity for the theater lover in your life, eh?
Scenery
Plus, 10% of proceeds are donated to the Theatre Development Fund (which allows kids access to seeing live shows).
Get the coffin ring for $45 and the pouch from Scenery for $45.
Scenery
Plus, 10% of proceeds are donated to the Theatre Development Fund (which allows kids access to seeing live shows).
Get the coffin ring for $45 and the pouch from Scenery for $45.
14.
A Brooklyn Brew Shop kit packed with everything they need to craft their very own hard cider. Just supply some apple juice and rent a warehouse because no doubt they’ll want to open their own brewery after having a sip of the below — forget the $7 wine. You”ll be gifting handcrafted cider from now on.
This kit comes with a reusable glass fermenter, three packets of yeast, vinyl tubing and a clamp, a racking cane and tip, a chambered airlock, three packets of cleanser, and a screw-cap stopper.
Promising review: “Great little kit to get started home brewing wine and or cider. All you need to add is the juice and sugar. I brewed my first gallon of wine ever using this kit and made a delicious apple wine. I have now upgraded to six bottles and I keep five of them going at all times. Well worth the money. These make a great gift for somebody that likes to DIY or just a fun little hobby to work on. I regularly use this kit to make wine that tastes way better than the stuff I can buy at the store for a fraction of the cost.” –Screant
Get it from Amazon for $39.99.
15.
A C’est Moi clay mask perfect for anyone with limited storage space. One pack contains six ~cloud~ tablets: add 1/2 teaspoon of water, mix into a paste, and apply. Voila! A marshmallow extract and white clay combo will leave their complexion feeling nourished, clean, and luminous — and it won’t have been as boring as a plain old sheet mask.
Amazon, Kayla Boyd / BuzzFeed
“When I tried this face mask I thought the DIY aspect was cool because they don’t take up as much space in my beauty cabinet and it’s honestly kind of fun! The mask is super easy to mix and apply. It left my face feeling nice and clean — not sticky or tight at all — and it barely has a scent.” —Kayla Boyd
Get a pack of six masks from Amazon for $14.
Amazon, Kayla Boyd / BuzzFeed
“When I tried this face mask I thought the DIY aspect was cool because they don’t take up as much space in my beauty cabinet and it’s honestly kind of fun! The mask is super easy to mix and apply. It left my face feeling nice and clean — not sticky or tight at all — and it barely has a scent.” —Kayla Boyd
Get a pack of six masks from Amazon for $14.
16.
A handheld electric milk frother that makes it easy to whip up their very own, typically very expensive drink at home — and quickly. This stainless-steel whisk truly has so many darn uses: Let their mouth water at the thought of cappuccinos, lattes, hot chocolate, matcha, milk shakes, and more. If they miss checking out new coffee shops, this gift is where it’s at.
It’s battery operated — just run it in some soapy water for an easy cleaning!
Promising review: “Love this little thing! I have every thing you can think of at home for making coffee and espresso… Well I love the Starbucks pumpkin cream cold brew with foam. I set out to make my own. Well I can now make cold foam thanks to this little tool. Love it!” —Gav’s mama
Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in five colors).
17.
A ticket stub collector box that forces them to finally go through their physical concert tickets and reminisce about the time in which their teen angst dreams came true upon seeing Paramore perform “Misery Business” live. This can even be mounted!
Amazon
There’s even a hinged back for easy contents removal.
Promising review: “I have been saving tickets and memorabilia for over 24 years and this was the perfect display/holder! Very sturdy and real glass front. I was afraid it would look cheesy but I love how it fits in with our decor! We are definitely purchasing another one for our next 24 years of ticket collections.” —Maggie
Get it from Amazon for $13.99.
18.
OR! A keepsake journal so they can gather up old travel mementos and stick ’em in this ring-bound book (here’s looking at you, various museum receipts). Not only does this turn tickets into a scrapbook they’ll cherish forever, but it also prevents said ticket stubs from cluttering up every nook, cranny, and corner of their living space.
Raise your hand if your junk drawer is currently cluttered with miscellaneous pieces of paper and e-tickets.
Promising review: “Instead of saving all my ticket stubs in a box, I can actually organize them! It’s so neat to have something that makes it easy to remember a cool place with great people that doesn’t break your bank (like souvenirs and expensive photos). Cool little book!” —Maritzaida Acevedo
Get it from Amazon for $13.97.
Raise your hand if your junk drawer is currently cluttered with miscellaneous pieces of paper and e-tickets.
Promising review: “Instead of saving all my ticket stubs in a box, I can actually organize them! It’s so neat to have something that makes it easy to remember a cool place with great people that doesn’t break your bank (like souvenirs and expensive photos). Cool little book!” —Maritzaida Acevedo
Get it from Amazon for $13.97.
19.
An electric S’mores maker to bring the great camping outdoors into the comfort of their own home. This unit comes equipped with two stainless-steel roasting forks and will get them a perfectly toasted marshmallow every single time.
20.
An easy-to-use gardening kit because it’s not the banana bread that appealed to them this quarantine — it was the greenery. This will help them grow basil, cilantro, parsley, sage, and thyme with ease, aka their status as a proud plant parent will be solidified.
This kit comes with five types of Certified USDA Organic Non GMO seeds, including Italian Large Leaf Basil, Coriander Cilantro (slow bolt), Peione Parsley, Broad Leaf Sage and Thyme, five Certified USDA Organic compostable peat pots, five Certified USDA Organic rich potting soil discs, five custom wood burned plant markers, and a 25 page growing guide manual.
Promising Review: “I bought this for my son and me to experiment with an herb garden during the quarantine. We had a blast setting these little growers up. It comes with everything needed to start an herb garden. The little soil discs were weird at first to get expanded but we got the hang of it easily. My 8-year-old had enjoyed the planting and watching the seeds develop over time. We are moving into the transplanting phase soon and hopefully, we will be able to keep it growing through the summer. This kit comes with enough seeds to plant multiple times. Very well presented with different booklets for each phase of the seeds.” —Virginia LaBorde
Get it from Amazon for $26.97.
21.
A TodayTix digital gift card because you take them to a Broadway show every single year — this helps keep that tradition alive, plus it’s delivered instantly. Raise your hand if you’re a last-minute kind of person.
TodayTix
Get the gift card from TodayTix here (available in denominations up to $500).
22.
A copy of 50 States, 5,000 Ideas: Where to Go, When to Go, What to See, What to Do — the perfect alternative for the *actual* travel experience you had planned on gifting your wanderlust-y S/O. This is packed with fun ideas and inspo to help them get crackin’ on the itinerary for the domestic trip they’ll eventually get to take.
23.
A travel-inspired Paint by Sticker book to unleash their inner artist (in a way that doesn’t require expensive canvases, messy paint, and — no offense — real artistic skill). This book contains foolproof templates that let them recreate Deco portraits inspired by Venice, Monaco, Moscow, and more. Add a bottle of wine and it’s the perfect booze-and-art class.
Promising review: “I really enjoy this book series. I have purchased three so far, and each one is unique in it’s own special way. It is very relaxing to simply peel and stick and see a colorful picture emerge before your eyes. The book is very sturdy, so you do not need anything hard to press down on (I often do it in my lap), and the pages (stickers and images) are all perforated, and very easy to remove. I’ve never had a page rip while tearing it out.” —Rooney Belle
Get it from Amazon for $8.97.
Promising review: “I really enjoy this book series. I have purchased three so far, and each one is unique in it’s own special way. It is very relaxing to simply peel and stick and see a colorful picture emerge before your eyes. The book is very sturdy, so you do not need anything hard to press down on (I often do it in my lap), and the pages (stickers and images) are all perforated, and very easy to remove. I’ve never had a page rip while tearing it out.” —Rooney Belle
Get it from Amazon for $8.97.
24.
A delicious macaron available in variety packs *and* individual flavors, of which there are a ton: think colorful circles inspired by animal crackers, birthday cake, cookie butter, honey lavender, and more.
instagram.com / Via @makarohn
Get them from Ma-ka-rohn starting at $1.99.
25.
A Lego movie activity kit here to inspire the next generation of Spielbergs. This includes all the tools they need (plus access to the accompanying app) for creating their very own stop-animation film and excuse me, as someone who took an intro to film class in college, I conclude that this is a great gift for children and adults alike.
Amazon
Promising review: “AWESOME ITEM. My 11- and 12-year-old have played with this NONSTOP. The movies they create are so cool. Adult help is required at first but once they get the hang of it, watch out because you’ll find numerous story lines and little Lego scenes set up around your house. Whoever came up with this item is a genius. I’d even go as far as saying it’s the best toy I have ever purchased for any of my five kids. Worth every penny.” —Brandy Lynn
Get it from Amazon for $15.19.
26.
A heavy duty pizza stone for dough that looks like it was flipped several times by an expert wearing a white chef’s hat. This stone guarantees a delicious crust charred to perfection, which means the frozen pizza they’re eating for dinner (yet again) will taste gourmet. It’s like a trip to Italy with every single bite.
It can be used on grills too!
Promising review: “Whether you make pizza from scratch or enjoy a frozen pizza from the market, this pizza stone is essential for the best at home pizza experience. Preparing your pizza on a stone assures a crispy crust and removing the pizza from the oven, on the heated stone, assures you that it will remain warm while the slices are consumed.” —Steve
Get it from Amazon for $39.95 (available in 14″ and 16″ sizes).
27.
An at-home manicure class with Sundays Nail Studio, a nontoxic polish brand offering virtual courses that cover everything from basic upkeep and gel removal to nail art and hand care. *looks at cuticles* *signs up immediately*
instagram.com / Via @sundays_studio
This is a *fab* idea for the friend who misses their weekly manicures.
Classes start at $15+, take place via public or private Zoom, and are available on the hour from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
28.
A BroadwayHD subscription if they hum show-tunes more than any Gaga or Bieber song. This service allows them to stream a slew of musicals, dramas, and Broadway classics — including the original Cats.
BroadwayHD
Gift the monthly BroadwayHD subscription for $8.99/per month (or $99.99/per year).
29.
An illustrated travel journal that makes for the ultimate time capsule. Filled with thought-provoking prompts in listicle form, they can jot down everything from world heritage sites and beaches to festivals and parades they’ve experienced firsthand — or would *eventually* like to experience.
This journal = the ultimate time capsule.
Promising review: “This is an awesome purchase, especially for young adventurers. I bought this for myself at a local bookstore, and I can’t help but get super excited about everything I am filling out. It’s inspiring to scour the internet for all of the ‘natural wonders, formations, and phenomena’ I want to see. On the other end of the spectrum, it includes ‘spiritual places, islands, and volunteer travel’. The format is very well-organized and, if you are a list-maker like myself, you will immediately fall in love with this book. It covers every possible travel topic in a simple, easy fashion. I plan on keeping this small journal as long as I travel (which will hopefully last a lifetime)!” —Deb
Get it from Amazon for $14.65.
30.
A delectable gift from Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit to bring a piece of Charleston to their kitchen. Buttermilk biscuits, sharp cheddar biscuits, toasted maple biscuits, a biscuit of the month club — the list goes on, as does my drool.
instagram.com / Via @callieshotlittlebiscuit
Get a gift from Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit starting at $10.
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BuzzFeed
The reviews in this post have been edited for length and clarity.
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