30 Unusual Gifts: Ideas That They (Probably) Won't Already Have At Home
Unusual gift ideas are always something I am on the lookout for when it comes to holidays and birthdays.
I love the idea of surprising the recipient with something new they haven’t tried before.
Whether it is a big luxurious gift, or a practical gift that will be used everyday, something different and unusual is always a treat to give or receive.
I am always making a list of the things I find throughout the year that are new or different, to make sure I am prepared when someone’s birthday, special event, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day or Christmas rolls around.
Today I am sharing with you some of my recent finds for unusual gifts, in case you’re also trying to find a gift for that hard-to-buy-for person on your list!
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What are Unusual Gifts?
The dictionary defines unusual as “remarkable or interesting because different from or better than others.”
Using that definition, I think “unusual gifts” might be a little bit of a subjective term.
To me, unusual gifts are anything that is not often seen gifted - not that there is anything wrong with giving the same old favorite pair of socks or a comfy robe.
Sometimes there are people who are incredibly hard to buy for, yet they won’t be content with any run-of-the-mill gift that they have received year after year.
Maybe they have somewhat limited interests but you still want to be able to surprise them with a unique gift to show you care.
Those are the individuals that require a little more effort in order to find the perfect unusual -remarkable or interesting to them - gift.
While this list might not be full of every possible unusual gift out there, I hope you will find a perfect option - or at the very least some inspiration - to make your shopping a little bit easier.
Our List of Unusual Gifts: Ideas That They (Probably) Won’t Already Have
Fitness tracking smart watches have been around for a long time, but the new smart rings that are fitness, sleep and heart rate trackers really changed the game. Big bulky watches aren’t for everyone, and these rings are the perfect choice for someone with a busy lifestyle that may prefer a more classic aesthetic. I personally think these trackers read more as a beautiful piece of jewelry and is much more discrete. These rings are made from titanium, so they are durable, while also being non-allergenic and water resistant.
When you’re buying for someone who loves cozy things (or is always cold), a towel or blanket warmer can be the perfect unusual, but practical, gift. In cold winter months, getting out of the shower can be dreaded, but wrapping in a warm towel or robe makes it a little bit easier. And curling up on the couch with a warm blanket after a long day can be such a treat. This towel or blanket warmer comes with a built-in timer for 15, 30, 45, or 60 minutes and it has auto shut off and overheat protection.
If you know someone who loves gardening, then a Bonsai Tree Starter Kit is a fun and unusual gift idea they will really enjoy. It comes with everything they need to start growing 6 unique and lovely bonsai trees. The detailed instructions get them started allowing the process to fit right into their love of the hobby. This is a gift that will keep on giving for those who appreciate the process of growing something new!
When looking for a unique gift idea for a cocktail or mocktail lover, these cocktail tea bag mixers are the perfect idea. All that’s needed to create the cocktail is steeping the tea bag in the spirits of choice and water. They are also gluten free, vegan, plant based, non-gmo, and kosher. Whether it is a stocking stuffer or even a hostess gift, the recipient will love that there is something new for them to try to up their cocktail or mocktail game!
For anyone who needs a little extra light in the garage but doesn’t want to call an electrician, LED garage lights are a great gift idea. They screw into an existing light bulb socket and will add a significantly brighter light than a single bulb ever could.
For the person who loves to be outside - camping, the beach, or just hanging out watching their kids play - this inflatable couch is the unusual gift they didn’t know they always wanted! There are so many cool features that make it a great gift for a wide variety of people - It can hold up to 440lbs which means it could be used as a couch for multiple people or a lounger. It folds up in a small carry bag and only weighs 3lbs when deflated so it is easy to carry. It also requires no pump to be inflated! Definitely a genius, unexpected gift for anyone who loves the outdoors.
If you were running out of ideas for gifts for your coffee-obsessed friends, here is a good one! This cold brew coffee maker allows anyone to make delicious cold brew coffee at home and always have it on tap in the fridge when they need a fix. It doesn’t take up a lot of space and has an attractive modern design. This is a gift that will get lots of use and be appreciated more than you’ll know.
8. Unique Light Switches
A unique light switch is a fun gift for anyone who enjoys personalizing their space to their style and sense of humor. It can be great addition to someone’s favorite room of the house - kitchen, workshop, play room, man cave or art studio. It is a practical and unexpected gift that will bring a smile to their face every time it is used.
For anyone who waits anxiously for the arrival of their mail, a mailbox notification chime is an ideal gift. This device mounts into the mailbox and when the door is opened, a light will flash and a beep will alert the owner that their mail has arrived.
If you know someone who can’t sit without their feet folded under them somehow, then this is the ideal unusual gift for them. This office chair is made to be large enough for many people to sit comfortably with their legs crossed or with a leg tucked under them. It is armless, has wheels to roll, swivels 360 degrees, and it rocks back. As someone who constantly sits like this myself, this is a dream office chair!
This unusual gift idea is for that person who LOVES cleaning. I mean, someone who really is obsessed with it. The person who gets serious satisfaction and pride in keeping their home sparkling clean. That person on your list will absolutely go bananas for this amazing bed vacuum cleaner. This machine takes cleaning your bed seriously by using strong suction, a roller brush and UV light to clean deep into the layers of the mattress. This is likely a cleaning tool that not everyone has, but would be very a very exciting and unusual gift for anyone to loves a super clean home.
12. 3D Resin Printer
If the intended recipient likes to bring their ideas to life, then a 3D printer has probably been on their wishlist. This quality 3D resin printer is loved for how easy it is to use and cost effective it is to run.
13. Electric Scooter
For anyone who commutes to work or school, an electric scooter can be an excellent way to cut down on time and cost. It is lightweight at 26lbs, is foldable, can travel up to 18 miles on one charge and has a max speed of 19 mph. It’s a smart gift for commuters and college students alike!
14. Puzzle Board
The person on your list who loves puzzles will really appreciate this genius puzzle board with storage. They will no longer be forced to have an untouchable table for their puzzle tor remain safe. This 1500 piece puzzle board has drawers to store pieces and a top cover to keep it in place when it needs to be moved to a different location.
15. Car Code Reader
A perfect gift for anyone who loves to work on cars or just someone who wants to figure out why they are seeing the engine light come on. Using the app, this diagnostic tool can read the codes in your car to help give you an idea of what might be going on. It is a great, practical gift for anyone who drives a car and appreciates tools that help them stay on top of maintenance without having to go to the car mechanic or auto shop.
16. Facial Steamer
Self care is so important, and this at-home facial steamer is a way for the gift recipient to feel pampered. It is good for skin and hydrating for sinuses during the seasons with cold and dry weather. It even has the ability to add aromatherapy to aid in relaxation.
An ideal gift for anyone who wants to work on improving their skills, this Golf Putting Training Mirror has rave reviews. It can be used indoor or outdoor to help improve form and is praised as one of the best aids around for golfers with no other mirror out there like it!
An amazing find for anyone who loves to camp - this camp stove actually generates electricity and has a USB charging port for electronics. The camp stove can be used for cooking or boiling water as usual, but the heat it generates can also be converted to electricity which allows for charging of smartphones. It even has a battery to store a charge so it can be used even when there is no active fire. Packs down to only be 5” x 8” and weighs just over 2lbs.
A foldable yoga mat is an unusual take on a practical gift for anyone who prioritizes working out. Compared to a most yoga mats that are rolled up, this version folds flat which makes it easy to store and it only weighs 2lbs which makes it lightweight to take on the go. It has a texture that makes it anti-slip, its easy to clean, durable and tear resistant. There’s even an option for a large 46” x 70” version that I think would be ideal for anyone with a home workout space!
A creative take on a classic gift, these sculptural candle stacks can be built, rearranged, and burned in unique ways. The candles act as a piece of art and can be a beautiful addition to any home’s decor. I appreciate they are unscented wax, which works for a variety of people, even those sensitive to scents in their home.
Infrared heating pads are great for anyone who is looking for temporary relief from pain and soreness in muscles and bones from things like “arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, joint stiffness, cramps, sports injuries and more”. It doesn’t get warm to the touch like a traditional heating pad so it won’t irritate the skin, but the infrared rays are said to penetrate up to 3” of muscle and bone.
For anyone who loves fishing, the Smart Fish Finder is a really creative and unusual gift. This sonar bobber attaches to the line and once it is cast into the water will send a message to the app on your phone with information about the size and location of fish in the water below. The reviews say it is great for all ages and abilities, no matter where or what time of year they like to fish.
A portable charger power bank is a genius gift idea for anyone who loves to travel or is constantly on the go. This compact charger has built-in cables to charge multiple Apple or iPhone devices at once, including magnetic charging for Apple Watch.
A watch winder is a classic high-end gift to give to anyone who loves watches. This beautiful gift is used to keep an automatic watch wound when it is not being worn. I love that this watch winder also has storage to give it more function for keeping other timepieces or jewelry.
Practical and functional, this At Home Pedicure Assistant is a wonderful gift that they are likely to not already own. It includes a platform to hold your foot in the right position, a light, magnifier, a fan, along with storage! When not being used, it folds flat to make it easy to tuck away.
Whether at the beach, sporting events, on a boat, tailgating, or just hanging out in the yard, this 40 qt. Rolling Cooler with Bluetooth Sound System is an unusual gift that will be at the center of a lot of great activities. It can hold 48 - 12 oz cans inside, a rechargeable power bank, and a built-in sound system.
Wine lovers will appreciate this electric wine aerator as a perfect addition to their bar. Once installed on the bottle, it dispenses aerated wine directly into the glass. The fit is universal for all types of wine bottles and it can even be left on the bottle, eliminating the need to recork the bottle after a glass.
This collection of magnetic wall games is a great gift for anyone who loves classic games. They are not only functional while either played on a flat surface or when hung on the wall, they are also beautifully crafted from wood and double as art!
A must-have for anyone who collects sneakers, this Levitating Sneaker Display Stand is a showpiece in either red or chrome. It displays the sneaker using electromagnetic currents. Air blows to glide and rotate the sneaker and lights illuminate it.
Any home chef will be thrilled to get this Smart Cutting Board and Knife Set as a gift. What makes this set particularly unusual is the compact design that conveniently stores both the stainless steel knives and the various cutting boards. It also has a drying function to ensure the knives stay clean and dry with the push of a button.
Conclusion
I hope these unusual gifts inspired you on your search for the best gift ideas for your own list of special people to buy for. I know I will have to continue adding to the list! It is amazing to be able to continue finding new and creative products that we didn’t even know we needed until we try them out and then they become staple items in our daily lives.
Now I want to hear from you - Who is the person you’re always trying to find new and unusual gifts for? Have you come across any great new unusual gift ideas to share with me? Let me know in the comments below!