The holidays are a time to celebrate and spend time with family under the warm glow of the lights strung around the tree — not to spend hours scouring the internet for the perfect gift for every person in your life. To save you the grunt work, The Maneater has curated the most perfectly unique gift guide for everyone on your “nice list” this holiday season. 

For the fashion enthusiast

A topic close to the hearts of many of our staffers at MOVE, here is a thoughtfully assembled collection of items for the fashion-forward loved one. 

These striped Sonderhaus elastics make a perfect accessory for those with a Scandinavian-inspired wardrobe, or those who consider themselves “a little pop of color” enthusiasts.  

In a similar vein, these bubble hair bands from Uozee add an interesting but sleek flair to any updo. 

For those who have seen the Lexxola sunglasses grace their Pinterest feed and were startled by the price tag attached to them, consider gifting them these more affordable Amazon dupes.

This Olivia Mark bucket bag brings a colorful touch of class to any outfit, and your recipient is sure to love adding this to their collection. 

For the more eccentric dressers, this trout claw clip lends a unique charm, whether it is used in a twisted updo or clipped around a bag strap. 

For those who love secondhand fashion and vintage clothes, Vinted is a great, affordable option to browse pre-loved wares for a unique, one-of-a-kind gift.

For the chef

Here are some tasteful touches that will spice up any home chef’s culinary arsenal.

This infused salt or this infused oil is sure to add an elegant flourish that will elevate any dish.

Bring a pop of color and convenience to your loved one’s countertop with this cookbook stand that marries tasteful design and thoughtful functionality. 

For those who hold expensive taste without the matching price tag, these brass measuring spoons bring an elevated feel to an otherwise mundane tool.

Bring an artisanal accent to your recipient’s kitchenware collection with this ceramic colander or this ceramic garlic grater.

Any father would love to receive this custom branding iron for their prized burger recipe, stamping the #1 burger made by anyone anywhere with their name.

For a more sentimental gift, consider customizing this engraved cutting board with a recipe your recipient holds near and dear to their heart. 

Along the same lines, this custom recipe book will make a thoughtful addition to their bookshelf.

The most unique in this category is this Recipes By Mail Subscription. This gift features a monthly mail service of replicas of handwritten recipes prized by notable historical figures such as George Washington and Rosa Parks.

For the craft hobbyist

For the special artisanal enthusiast in your life, consider these DIY-centric presents. 

Consider this solar photography kit for a creative gift that the recipient has likely never toyed with before. This gift is also great for any University of Missouri CAFNR students in your life, as it appeals to an audience with a passion for nature, science and sustainability. 

For the sentimental creative in your life, this junk journal guide would be a lovely addition to their compendium, both to spark inspiration and decorate their bookshelf or coffee table. 

If you’re looking for another addition to your recipient’s book collection, this Craft Club book provides visually stimulating pages full of crafty ideas for them to try out. 

To pair with your recipient’s newfound interest in junk journaling, consider adding decal accessories such as this Sticker Mystery Pack or this Fruit Sticker Roll.

If you have a fiber artist in your life, you’ve probably noticed they tote their projects with them everywhere. This yarn project bag provides ease of transport and organization and even prevents the yarn from getting tangled by providing a small hole to feed the working yarn through. 

If your recipient enjoys papercrafts, you can never go wrong with a unique origami kit, such as this Studio Ghibli one.

Craft hobbyists rarely stick to their niche. If your recipient loves to collect skills and hobbies, this one-month Skillshare subscription will provide them with all of the tools they need to become a jack of all trades — and maybe a master of a couple. 

For the movie buff

Here are some gifts that range from collector’s items to essential gear for the ultimate movie-viewing experience. 

Any film enthusiast is sure to appreciate a beautiful coffee table book about their favorite director or films. 

These lobby cards are a unique idea for any lovers of classics. These mementos will bring a touch of classic cinema to the living room or hallway of the recipient’s home. 

Since any film lover is bound to have a record player (sorry, I don’t make the rules,) a soundtrack vinyl of their favorite film is sure to complement their collection. 

For the really pretentious movie buffs, a Criterion Channel subscription for $10.99 a month gives them a guaranteed way to view all of the Golden Age films. 

For the ultimate movie night experience, gift them this mini projector so they can watch their favorite films anywhere they want. Pair it with this kernel-sifting popcorn bowl so they don’t have to deal with those cantankerous kernels. 

Specifically for residents here in Columbia, tickets for the True/False Film Festival are a great experience-based gift that will grant recipients the opportunity to discover up-and-coming filmmakers. 

For the bibliophile

Here’s a compiled list of bookish accessories for the literary connoisseur who already owns every title.

A unique bookmark such as this leather fish makes a fun stocking stuffer. You could also opt for a more sentimental option, such as this photobooth strip bookmark, or even a handmade bookmark made by you. 

These “Literary blends” novel-inspired teas are sure to elevate the cozy reading experience with a themed beverage for whatever novel they’re immersed in at the moment. 

This library card tote bag is perfect for carrying around their mini-library.

This book locket necklace makes the perfect sentimental gift. You could leave it blank for them to put in their own picture, or you could put in a picture of you two to make it more personal.

Now hear me out on this one, as a proud owner of these silly mirrored glasses — they are perfect for people who love to read in bed. What more could you ask for but to lay completely horizontal while reading? 

This book embosser adds a great personal touch to their collection and is a perfect touch when they like to loan out their books. 

For the pet owner

Spoil the pet parents in your life like they spoil their little companions!

These cat and dog claw clips are the perfect stocking stuffer — bonus points if you can find one that looks like their pet!

Anything custom is always a good move. This personalized cat picture book is a perfect lighthearted addition under the tree. 

In case they didn’t have enough of their cats trying to stick their noses in their cups, this Peekaboo Cat Mug makes a perfect addition to their cabinet. 

This dog candle is a tasteful nod to their furry co-resident.

My personal favorite of this category, the Catnip magazine makes a one-of-a-kind artistic gift. 

For the interior design expert

If your gift recipient is a college student, this is likely their first time getting to decorate their own space. Make the process a little easier for them with these curated picks. 

Fun fridge door decorations such as these ransom-note style fridge magnets and handmade ceramic fridge magnets help add a unique flair to their kitchen space. 

If you’re shopping for a MU student, this tiger rug or this felted tiger ornament is very fitting for their space.

Ambient lighting such as this rice paper lamp or this renter-friendly wall sconce makes any space more cozy- because who likes the overhead light anyway?

Though these could be used for any space, unique knobs such as this ceramic set or a mismatched set curated by you (make it eclectic- like this dog knob!) are a renter-friendly way to customize a space your recipient will love.

For the host

Here are some charming gifts for the one who makes every occasion special, because they deserve to feel pampered too!

A unique favor that they can leave out for guests are these custom matchbooks that can be curated for any residence or any event.

This unique puzzle is great for guests to gather around, and maybe the host could set out these artist-made playing cards while they’re at it.

For those who love to entertain with food, these quirky serving spoons and these artist-collection serving plates make a delightfully off-beat pair.

Any good gathering comes with an array of beverages. These ceramic coasters serve the dual purpose of tasteful decoration and saving the host’s surfaces.

For the trinket lover

For the maximalist who is never caught without their baubles and knicknacks, consider these charming novelties. 

These adorable house matches would look great paired with this tinned fish candle.

For the writer, artist or student in your life, these fish pens lend a unique charm to any pencil case. 

For those who enjoy adding an eccentric flair to their everyday look, these insect nail stickers are a great unique touch. 

A fun keychain such as this Miffy bag charm or a beaded charm makes a great stocking stuffer! Hint: if you’re looking to shop local — Peace Nook has similar beaded charms! 

For the academic

Gear up the intellectually curious person in your life with gifts that will fuel their passion for curiosity and adventure. 

This History By Mail subscription is very similar to the recipe subscription. Each monthly letter features replicas of important historical documents, such as Albert Einstein’s correspondence with FDR, paired with another document providing context and cultural significance. 

This Coding Advent Calendar provides the techie in your life with 24 games to assemble, each becoming increasingly more challenging as the days pass. 

Though this isn’t exclusive to the academics in your life, this New York Times Crossword Page-A-Day Calendar is sure to please any crossword enthusiast in your life with 365 crossword puzzles for them to look forward to every morning.

This artistic Sudoku set pairs tasteful design with strategic gameplay, sure to exercise the mind and decorate the coffee table of anyone in your life. 

This make-your-own music box is perfect for the creative composer in your life. 

Remember, gift-giving this holiday season doesn’t have to be stressful. Hopefully this guide pointed you in the direction of some tastefully curated picks. But remember — the best gift is one that comes from the heart. A handmade card or some quality time never disappoints. Happy holidays from your friends at The Maneater!

Edited by Ava McCluer | amccluer@themaneater.com 

Copyedited by Avery Copeland and Natalie Kientzy | nkientzy@themaneater.com

Edited by Annie Goodykoontz | agoodykoontz@themaneater.com