Every Christmas, it’s so easy to fall back on the fail-safe, tried-and-tested gift ideas – socks, pyjamas, chocolate, bath stuff. And while you know they’ll be received with a smile, we all know how great it feels when you rip off the wrapping paper to find something totally unexpected but utterly wonderful inside.
If you’re looking for something a little more unusual to put under the tree this year, we’ve scoured the internet to find some of the most unique Christmas gifts that will suit everyone on your present list, from grandparents and nieces and nephews to those hard-to-buy-for men in the family. Unusual Christmas gifts make great stocking fillers or secret Santa presents, and are sure to turn that polite smile into a Cheshire cat grin.
And who knows, you might even see something on here to add to your own list for Santa…
Personalised Christmas gifts
Letter necklace, £65, PDPAOLA
Colourful semi-precious stones make this an extra special necklace.
Personalised Blue Plaque Coaster, £13, Not On The High Street
This fun glass coaster is modelled on English Heritage’s famous blue plaques and is fully customisable, including the name, place and date.
Personalised Keychain, £5.95, Etsy
A perfect stocking filler or secret Santa present.
Love at First Bite Recipe Journal, £24.99, Papier
Keep all your foodie creations recorded in your very own personalised recipe journal.
Bridie Hall Brush Pot, £40, Liberty
A stylish glass tumbler to store make-up brushes, pens, paintbrushes, kitchen utensils – it could even be a plant pot…
Personalised Challah, £15, Panzer’s
Name a more delightful gift than a challah loaf in the shape of your recipient’s initial?
Homemade Christmas gifts
Chocolate chip crackle cookies recipe
Presented in a decorated glass jar, these chocolate chip crackle cookies make an attractive and delicious edible gift for any occasion.
Silver Hamper Basket and Accessory, £6, Wilko
Who doesn’t love to receive a hamper? Put a personal spin on it by filling it with your own hand-selected (or even handmade) foodie treats.
Donna Hay’s raspberry and shortbread slice recipe
The shortbread stars make this bake thoroughly festive – and it’s seriously easy to make.
Big Mama Terrarium, £70, Leafage
You could either make this terrarium up yourself or gift it as the kit and give your recipient the joy of creating their own terrarium.
Blackberry and apple chutney recipe
A jar of lovingly made chutney is a gift appreciated by everyone, and it’s a great fallback for those hard-to-buy-for relatives.
Christingle – Christmas Cocktail & Candle Making Kit, £43.50, Cocktails by Candlelight
Quality time together is truly the best gift, so suggest to your recipient that you make this cocktail and candle making kit together.
Quirky Christmas gifts
CandleHand Peace – Hand Gesture Candle, £36.95, Beyond Living
Whether you choose to ever light it or not, there’s no denying this sculptural candle will brighten up a bookshelf.
A great gift for both gin and ketchup lovers, the ketchup is infused with Bobby’s botanical gin for a zesty condiment.
Triceratops white egg cup, £10, Natural History Museum Shop
Kids and adults alike will enjoy dipping eggy soldiers in a dinosaur-shaped egg cup.
Memo Pads In A Striped ‘milk’ Carton, £2.95, Rex London
The good news is you’ll never forget to add milk to the shopping list…
Jellycat Amuseable Snake Plant soft toy, £52, Selfridges
The plant that will never die. This guy would look so cute (and unexpected) on a shelf.
Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza, £9.34 (was £10.99), Dice & Decks
Guaranteed hours of fun with this ridiculous laugh-until-you-cry game.
