To be a hit, a gift doesn’t have to be meaningful or extremely personal; some of the greatest gifts our staff has ever given or received are silly but joyful trinkets and games. I never thought to ask for some of my favorite and most treasured gifts.
I’ve compiled a list of the top impractical presents that will make your holiday gift recipients happy. They might not be the main attraction or what you had originally intended to get, but I can assure you that your friends and family will love them.
Remember that depending on where you shop from, shipping deadlines may have already gone or are rapidly coming, so make sure to check to make sure your present will reach on time. We have a selection of last-minute gifts that ship fast if you need a gift that will arrive on schedule.
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Our top picks
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Best home giftBig Night Beeswax Fruit Birthday Candles
$undefined$32.00Big Night
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Best work giftUncommon Goods Desktop Pickleball
$undefined$15.00Uncommon Goods
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Best collector s itemSonny Angel Hippers Harvest Series
$undefined$11.50Sonny Angel Usa
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Best accessory giftOssa Tulip Wristlet
$undefined$55.00Ossa
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The best impractical gifts that spark joy
Big Night Beeswax Fruit Birthday Candles
Big Night Beeswax Fruit Birthday Candles
These tiny strawberry-shaped candles are at the top of my wishlist this year because, as much as I enjoy burning conventional candles in my flat, I equally like having ones with a quirky appearance. I can burn a couple at once because they come in a set of ten and serve as décor even though they aren’t perfumed.
MoMA Hoptimist Bobbling Figurine
MoMA Hoptimist Bobbling Figurine
NBC Select reporter Zoe Malin says, “I knew this one at the MoMA would perfectly fit into my brother’s collection because he loves to put little tchotchkes around his apartment and on his desk at work.” The brand claims that the tiny bobbling figurine, created by Danish cabinetmaker and counterculture hero Gustav Ehrenreich, is meant to cheer you up with its colors and cheerful face design. It also functions somewhat as a fidget toy; you can bounce him around by bopping his head.
Sipcaddy Bath & Shower Portable Cupholder Caddy
Sipcaddy Bath & Shower Portable Cupholder Caddy
This elevates the bathing and showering experience. Your recipient may easily handle a glass of wine or a can of beer by adhering this portable Sipcaddy to any glazed or nonporous surface. According to reviewers, the cupholder sticks to walls nicely; it has an average rating of 4.4 stars out of 5,600 reviews on Amazon.
Love Pop Paper Flower Bouquet
Love Pop Paper Flower Bouquet
Love Pop is a popular brand among NBC Select employees and a popular source for holiday cards and presents. According to NBC Select updates editor Mili Godio, their charming paper bouquets are a fantastic substitute for actual flowers and may also be used as a charming piece of desk or home office décor.
Uncommon Goods Desktop Pickleball
Uncommon Goods Desktop Pickleball
With this kit, which includes two paddles, a ball, and a detachable net, they can turn their desk into a pickleball court. Your receiver has the option of setting it up so they can practice alone or playing with a coworker. It uses suction cups to hold it in place, so they can easily set it up and take it down anytime they need to take a break from screens.
Sonny Angel Hippers Harvest Series
Sonny Angel Hippers Harvest Series
NBC Select editorial projects manager Rebecca Rodriguez began collecting Sonny Angels figurines three years ago and already has 33 of them. She intends to purchase more for herself and her loved ones. Every time I’m feeling really depressed, I purchase one of the various series available since it instantly lifts my spirits, she says.
Ossa Tulip Wristlet
Ossa Tulip Wristlet
“I can’t get enough of this phone charm; it brings me joy every time I see it,” says Lindsay Schneider, editor of commerce for NBC Select. Although it’s pricey for a phone attachment, I was astonished by the high caliber. The gorgeous tempered glass used to make the beads doesn’t feel overly fragile or priceless. It’s even more satisfying because I always receive praises on it.
Loewe Ivy Mini Soaps
Loewe Ivy Mini Soaps
One of the most practical yet impractical items I own is Loewebar soapa luxury everyday item I probably wouldn t have spent my money on, but one I m so happy I got as a Christmas present last year. This ivy-scented duo has a woody, fresh and floral aroma that lingers subtly on the skin, and the soap itself has nourishing andexfoliatingingredients to keep your skin smooth, soft and clean.
Time Timer 60-Minute Clock
Time Timer 60-Minute Clock
This silent, tiny 60-minute timer is designed to improve time management skills. After setting the time, your giftee can watch the red disk slowly disappear to see how much time is left. They can pair it with the Time Timer app and also customize the timer via laptop. It has a 4.5-star average rating from over 3,400 reviews on Amazon.
Staff The Match Bouquet
Staff The Match Bouquet
This bouquet comes with 65 hand-painted, smiley face safety matches and a ceramic match-striking vase you can store them in. The bouquet is done in collaboration withSusan Alexandra, a New York-based brand focusing on joyful, brightly-colored decor, accessories and more.
Petrass Funny Socks
Petrass Funny Socks
These one-size-fits-all socks are made of breathable and soft cotton that has magnets on the exterior to connect the socks and have them hold hands. There s no reason for my feet to be connected, yet these exist, and they re hysterical, says Malin, who immediately thought of five people she could buy them for to make them laugh.
Bearaby Crinkle-Cut Cuddler
Bearaby Crinkle-Cut Cuddler
This french fry-shaped body pillow from Bearaby can mold into your loved one s body shape and keep them aligned as they relax and sleep. The Crinkle Cut Cuddler has a foam interior, and a removable and washable cover that s made from velvet. Reviewers say it s soft and comforting, and they love the unique element it brings to their homes.
Ototo Red the Crab Silicone Utensil Rest
Ototo Red the Crab Silicone Utensil Rest
Instead of putting your cooking utensils on the counter or table when you re not stirring or using them, pop them onto this heat-resistant silicone crab. It s so adorable and makes me happy to look at, plus its claws really do hold a spatula or mixing spoon, says Malin. I never need to look for a place to put my cooking utensils down since I always have the crab right next to me.
Funko Pop
Funko Pop
My friends and family love collecting and displaying Funko Pops purely for decoration. These bobblehead figures are perfect for almost every shopper because of their expansive collection range, including professional sports teams and fictional characters. You can evencustomize a Funko Popand have it look like them or another one of their loved ones.
Piecework Puzzle Rise & Shine
Piecework Puzzle Rise & Shine
Pieceworks makes some of our favoritepuzzles. They re so artistic and visually pleasing that I leave my finished puzzle around for weeks and am always sad to put it away, says Rodriguez. This Rise & Shine 1,000-piece puzzle has images of all your favorite breakfast foods but with rhinestones and flower-covered treats. While your loved one puts it together, they can also play the brand s curated playlist,Rise & Shine, to set the perfect breakfast ambiance.
8Bitdo Retro Mechanical Keyboard
8Bitdo Retro Mechanical Keyboard
Thiskeyboard, compatible with Windows and Android, brings a fun and retro flair to any workspace while remaining functional with its programmable keys and control panel. Many reviewers say using this device brings them a sense of nostalgia and love the way it pays respect to previous models, including minor details like the sound of its key clicks. Reviewers also love that it s easy to configure it to function in a way that benefits and simplifies their day-to-day tasks. It has a 4.7-star average rating from over 1,300 reviews on Amazon and your giftee can connect it to Bluetooth.
Lush Snow Time Gift
Lush Snow Time Gift
One of my favorite gifts to give and receive is a bath bomb from Lush. Although they don t necessarily clean your skin, they make baths way more enjoyable than you could imagine. This quartet comes withDreaming Of A White Christmas Bath Bomb,Frosty The Snowman Bath Bomb,Penguin Bath BombandSnowdrift Bath Bomb. Each will fill their water with different aromas and colors, like blue and purple without staining their tub. I recently bought this set as a white elephant present, and aside from the fun contents inside, I love that it already comes gift-wrapped in recycled materials.
Uncommon Goods Golf Dartboard
Uncommon Goods Golf Dartboard
Elevate playing darts with this board that gives your giftee multiple targets to throw at instead of just one. They can play alone or with friends as they journey on a scenic golf course with nine targets in hopes of a hole-in-one. The set includes the dartboard, three blue darts, three red darts and an instruction manual. The dartboard comes surrounded by a frame, allowing it to double as decor so your gift recipient can mount it to any wall they want.
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Why trust NBC Select?
I m anassociate reportercovering beauty and wellness andnew productsfor NBC Select and my second year writing gift guides. For this article, I compiled a list of gifts across multiple shopping categories that may suit various interests but will surely spark joy for your recipients. These items include highly rated options from popular retailers, including Amazon as well as products that my colleagues and I love.
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