26 Foolproof Holiday Gifts For People Who Are Hard To Buy For

Now that the holiday season is fast upon us, you’re once again reminded of that one person on your list who is a little bit tricky to shop for.
What do you get someone who might be a little hard to please, who seems to have it all or who you might not even know that well? Rather than buying a present that could just end up sitting unused on a shelf, check out our list of strategic gift options that will be well-received by even the most discerning recipients.
Our definitive collection of safe-bet gifts spans the territory between practical, legitimately nice and buzz-worthy. If you keep reading you’ll find old-faithful goods like Apple AirTags and one TikTok-famous frozen treat maker, as well as cozy essentials like shearling moccasins, fleece-lined sweatpants and a new weighted sleep pad.
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Adidas may be famed for their iconic tracksuits but the brand’s collection of fleece is also covetable. These slightly tapered and loose-fit joggers have a soft fleece build, side pockets, and cuffed ankles. They’re also made with responsibly sourced cotton. Find them in several colors and size options for both men and women.
The Apple Airtag is arguably one of the easiest ways to track down lost valuables like a purse or luggage during travel. It uses precision finding with ultra-wideband technology that utilizes Apple’s Find My network, a crowdsourced platform that can track missing items once an Airtag is placed in lost mode.
Gifting someone one of these Crockpot electric boxes means that they can enjoy a heated lunch or dinner at the office or on the go. Once plugged into an outlet using the detachable cord, the 20-ounce interior can re-heat anything from chilis to holiday meal leftovers in just a few short minutes.
The perfect stocking stuffer for a lover of useful things, this flame-free lighter puts an end to fussing with traditional lighters that burn fingertips and run out of fluid. It’s rechargeable, windproof, fully electric and a recurring bestseller at HuffPost with a huge fan following.
This Amazon-top-selling foot massager uses a combination of infrared heat, compression and kneading-style massage to soothe tired, sore feet and improve circulation. Users can relax their way through two compression intensity levels and multiple massage presets that mimic professional massage techniques that target the foot reflex zones.
Avid campers, survivalists or people who just like the feeling of staying prepared will be thrilled to have this power station in their possession. The portable Jackery Explorer 240 can charge all kinds of electronic devices on the go or operate electric camping essentials. It uses a completely silent rechargeable lithium battery and can also be charged with solar panels (sold separately).
Two summers ago I made the splurge and bought myself the full-size version of this nostalgic-looking Vornado fan — and when I tell you that this is the best fan I’ve ever used in my entire life, it’s with no exaggeration. It somehow manages to cool rooms (even in the dead of Los Angeles summer) and powerfully circulate air in a way that’s unique to the Vornado design. Like the larger one, this tabletop version has a tilting head to accommodate you and your space and comes in both this creamy white and a jade green color (owned by shopping editor, Quay, who’s adoring hers for use in her WFH station, even during the fall). It’s so well made, very heavy duty and supremely good-looking.
Envelop your loved one in spa-like comfort with this super plush bathrobe from Brooklinen, a brand that knows a thing or two about being cozy. Made from 100% premium Turkish cotton that’s as soft as it is absorbent, this shin-length robe comes in unisex sizes XS-XL and nine colors.
L.L. Bean labels these cozy house slippers as “Wicked Good” for their genuine shearling lining. It keeps feet warm and dry due to the material’s natural moisture-wicking abilities — no sweaty feet here. These moccasins have durable rubber outer soles and real sheepskin outers that come in several naturally dyed colors. Find them in sizes for both men and women and two different widths.
Even the least sentimental on your list will appreciate this diminutive Canon printer. It takes photos directly from their phone or computer and effortlessly creates physical prints that can be framed, hung or gifted. This incredibly portable, Wi-Fi-enabled printer features a large LED display so users can see and scale their images before pressing print. Reviewers promise that it’s easy to use (even for non-tech savvy people) and the prints are high-quality.
Ideal for anyone who loves aesthetically pleasing functionality or runs at the site of cord clutter, this Belgian linen-covered charging pad from Uncommon Goods (an amazing destination for unique gifts, by the way) can keep all their gadgets charged in one place, including watches, tablets and phones.
Kasa’s smart plug system allows you to integrate all your smart home platforms while controlling your sockets from afar. Schedule timers, turn devices on and off and more, all from your phone or with voice commands. These clever and user-friendly gadgets are practical gifts for anyone, even technophobes.
Though there’s been many iterations of the handled tumbler, this one from BrüMate is a fast-approaching cult-like status for its truly leak-proof construction and its ability to keep hot drinks hot and cold drinks chilly for up to 24 hours. Available in up to 14 colors and two sizes, this insulated mug uses an unique integrated stainless steel straw system that stops leaks, even when it’s turned upside down.
J.Crew’s delightful brushed cashmere V-neck would be a perfectly luxe gift for anyone who’s even slightly style-inclined. The plush and fuzzy finish is supremely soft and responsibly sourced. This sweater is cropped to the waist and available in seven rich colors. Grab it in sizes XXS-3X.
The ever-popular Nodpod sleep mask can help provide fitful sleepers with a good night’s rest. Its comforting weighted construction that feels soothing on the face while also blocking out light — trust me, I’ve been one of Nodpod’s biggest fans ever since I started integrating it into my own sleep routine earlier this year. It can be worn either open or secured around the back of the head, which makes this a great option for people who feel slightly claustrophobic with other sleep mask designs. It’s even designed for side sleepers.
Available in four colors, the original Nodpod is covered in supremely soft microfleece on one side and premium jersey cotton on the other. More recently, the brand launched a silk-sided model (the one that I opted for) which features the same microfleece on one side and high-grade 22-momme silk on the other.
Also from Nodpod: A thoughtful new take on a weighted blanket, something nearly anyone could benefit from. Utilizing the same bead filling as its mask predecessor, the Nodpod Body weighs 6.5 pounds, contours to the body and uses a thin micro-lining so it provides a more weighted feel, unlike stuffing-filled blankets with no compressive substance.
This pad is made using certified organic breathable fabric and is completely machine washable. Its strategically compact size takes up less bed real estate compared to traditional weighted blankets.
The name Quince has become synonymous with affordable luxury. A prime example is the brand’s collection of cashmere goods, ranging from sweaters to throws. This supremely soft tasseled throw is crafted from 100% grade-A Mongolian cashmere, comes in two sizes and six colors and promises to be both lightweight and cozy for year-round use.
No one enjoys being jolted awake by aggressive alarms or blaring horns from an iPhone. The Loftie sunrise alarm is a smart bedside luxury that mimics and promotes the body’s natural sleep and wake cycles.
This sleek-designed clock is also a Bluetooth-connected speaker, white noise machine and gentle night light. It’s made to be used with an optional, free companion app that allows users to set alarms and access an entire library of content, from wellness content to stories and nature sounds.
If your picky person happens to be a self-proclaimed coffee lover and they don’t already have this barista-acclaimed gadget in their arsenal, then put this at the top of your gifting list. The Baratza Encore Conical coffee grinder has been previously suggested to HuffPost by several different baristas and coffee experts, who claim it’s a great entry-level grinder due to its simplicity, durability and quality — all in one fairly affordable package.
Engineered with a powerful motor and featuring commercial-grade steel conical burrs, the Baratza Encore offers 40 different grind settings to fit an extensive range of brewing options, from French press to standard automatic to pour-over style brewing. Its operation is streamlined; it has a straightforward on-and-off dial and a single pulse button.
The Bialetti Moka Express promises to brew rich and flavorful coffee right on the stovetop using an authentic Italian method hailing all the way back to the early ’30s. This timeless and foolproof kitchen tool creates less waste compared to other coffee brewing methods, can be used to create espresso or standard coffee beverages and is easy to clean. It comes in several cup capacities and a few different finishes.
This grown-up night light produces a warm, peachy glow for illuminating midnight trips to the bathroom or helping you drift off to sleep. It’s made with genuine Himalayan salt rock that twists off easily for bulb replacement.
Made from hand-blown soda-lime glass, this modern hurricane vase (sold individually) is a simple design piece that can have a big impact. Available in two sizes and two different color variations, this vase can be an ideal vessel for pillar candles, flowers, clusters of dried grasses and more.
This beloved, TikTok-famous kitchen appliance by Ninja crafts nearly every frozen confection you can think of, from homemade ice cream to fruity sorbet to slushies to airy gelato.
It features 11 one-touch programs, and the pint mixing base doubles as a sealable container that can be popped in the freezer to store leftover treats.
Note: It’s available at your fave big-box retailers, but you can snag the best deal at Walmart where it’s currently 25% off.
Does anyone really like fussing with sauce pans, colanders and steaming baskets when they’re just trying to make a dish of steamed broccoli? This one good-looking stoneware dish can do the work of several traditional cookware pieces. It can be used to steam fresh or frozen vegetables, reheat leftovers, and steam sliced potatoes, all in minutes — and all in the microwave. It’s also dishwasher safe.
This countertop lazy Susan can be used as a catch-all for frequently reached-for ingredients, as a display for bottles of cooking oils or even as a rotating charcuterie board. It’s crafted of sustainably sourced ash or acacia wood and comes in two sizes and three finishes.
The drying conditions of colder weather can ravage your skin, and this Nécessaire hand cream is a welcome solution. It claims to reverse dryness and address other concerns, like brittle nails.
The cream features a marula butter and oil base that’s enhanced with five peptides to help promote collagen production and five ceramides, which are essential for a healthy skin barrier. The luscious formula also contains niacinamide, a well-known antioxidant that can brighten and protect.