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30 Gifts For The Person Who Said, “IDK Surprise Me”

If their instructions didn’t leave you feeling inspired, you can find inspiration here.

Posted on Nov 8, 2026 UTC

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by Melanie Aman BuzzFeed BuzzFeed Staff

As a deputy editorial director on the BuzzFeed Shopping team with almost a decade in the lifestyle and service journalism sphere, I use my shopping editor eye to find and vet products across a variety of categories, including lifestyle, home, beauty, fashion, pets, cleaning, travel, aging, and more.

If you're shopping for the person who said "IDK, surprise me," staring down a completely blank wish list is enough to make anyone panic. Don't worry, because we found crowd-pleasing presents and clever surprises that deliver way more fun than a generic gift card. From ultra-soft loungewear sets and hydrating travel skincare sets to quirky novelty desk toys and entertaining family card games, there's something delightful here for every personality. Ahead, check out these thoughtful, unexpected finds to make holiday gifting totally stress-free.

1. A Walk in the Wood: Meditations on Mindfulness with a Bear Named Pooh — a heartwarming book that'll help them slow down when they're feeling overwhelmed. Be like Pooh: present and kind.

Disney Editions

Promising review: "I thought this looked intriguing; I love Winnie the Pooh and am a newcomer to the practice of mindfulness. This book is an absolute joy! I will be gifting this to everyone I can think of because, at the heart of it, it's about peace of mind and kindness. The short practices are easy to put into use every morning. What's even better is that when I'm reading it, I once again feel some of the happiest moments I had as a child. I've been starting every morning with a couple of pages to get my day moving in the right direction. What an interesting combination of playfulness, joy, and mindful awareness! The illustrations are also stunning. This is a precious gift! Many thanks to Dr. Parent for this beautiful book!" —D. Leon

Get it from Amazon for $19.99.

2. Summer Fridays' Jet Lag Essentials, a four-piece set of the brand's bestsellers to stuff their stocking with all sorts of skin-hydrating goodies. This brand is allllllll over TikTok, and chances are they've been eyeing the line, so this is the perfect opportunity to treat them to some travel-size versions of what's maybe the internet's fave beauty brand.

Amazon

Check out aTikTok of the Summer Fridays Jet Lag Essentials in action. 

This set includes eye patches, the Deep Hydration Face Serum, Skin Soothing Hydration Mist, and the multitasking Jet Lag Mask + Moisturizer.

Promising reviews: "I originally bought this as a Christmas gift and received such positive feedback that I ended up buying one for myself. My winter skin soaked up all the mask moisture, which I try and apply weekly, and I now use the serum as part of my nighttime routine." —Sarah

"The Summer Fridays Jet Lag Essentials set is such a great way to try the products or keep favorites in a travel size. Everything feels super hydrating and leaves skin looking refreshed and glowy without feeling heavy. The Jet Lag products are especially nice when skin feels dry, tired, or needs extra moisture. I noticed my skin felt softer and looked more hydrated after using them. The mini sizes are also perfect for travel, your purse, or keeping in a carry-on. The packaging is cute, the products feel luxe, and a little goes a long way. Overall, a great skincare set and would definitely repurchase! ✨💙🧴" —Hallee

Get it from Amazon for $34.

3. A herd of mini Highland cows so they can relax with the meditative art of origami. Is there anything more soothing than the idea of taking a nap with a herd of floofy Highland cows?

Uncommon Goods

Shipping Info: Expect 3–7 business days for Economy shipping. Expedited shipping is available for an additional cost — and free or discounted with an Uncommon Perks membership. Check the listing for an estimated arrival date and review Uncommon Goods' shipping chart to learn more.

Get them from Uncommon Goods for $14 (also available in a sheep pattern).

4. An Eberjey pajama set if they love, love, love cozy loungewear. And you know who else loves these pajamas (besides me)? Oprah! (They made her list of favorite things in 2018.)

Eberjey

I have a pair, and I am not lying when I say that they are truly the comfiest pajamas that I own, hands down. I've contemplated buying a pair for every day of the week because there's a period of the year, usually from early November until spring, when these are glued to my body, only to be removed for laundry day, and then they go straight back on me. The weight is nice (decently heavy without being too hot), and the fabric is incredibly soft and offers a fantastic stretch, so I can pretzel my body on the couch to get comfy for an all-day movie marathon without feeling like my pajamas are constricting me. These pajamas will ruin all other pajamas for you because nothing else will feel as comfy and cozy.

Promising review: "I bought these when I went to the hospital to give birth and haven’t taken them off since. I’ve washed them hundreds of times, and they are still in perfect condition. Definitely recommend!" —Brittany

Get them from Amazon for $109.90+ and Eberjey for $158 (available in women's sizes XS–XL and 17 colors).

5. A Jeopardy 2027 daily calendar for testing your trivia-loving giftee's knowledge. (And yours, too!) Ken, what is "the best gift ever?"

Amazon

Each question has a different wager, so you can track your winnings for the year.

Promising review: "We have bought the Jeopardy page a day for many years, and it has never been disappointing. We like the many varied subjects and how they are presented." —Momita

Get it from Amazon for $13.67.

6. A gorgeous soft throw blanket with tassled edges, because it's a stunning gift for a decor lover, a new homeowner, or just a blanket connoisseur. 

Anthropologie

Promising review: "As always, the blanket is beautiful, but it's actually held up better than I anticipated! I got it to cover my bedding and keep our dog off our velvet comforter. He lies on it all the time, and it's still in perfect condition." —Taylor10

Get it from Anthropologie for $118 (available in five patterns).

7. An NFL game day bingo set that'll help them find the silver lining in their team getting a False Start penalty. At least they can mark it off on their bingo board!

Uncommon Goods

Promising review: "Perfect gift for your favorite football fan! You even get to choose your team. Tested it out this preseason and bingo! What fun! Buy for the family and enjoy the game together, even though miles apart. Looking forward to the season opener." —K klueless

Shipping Info: Expect 3–7 business days for Economy shipping. Expedited shipping is available for an additional cost — but free or discounted with an Uncommon Perks membership. Check the listing for an estimated arrival date and review Uncommon Goods' shipping chart to learn more.

Get two game boards from Uncommon Goods for $68 (available in 31 styles — sorry, Titans fans!)

8. A mini gavel to settle any arguments about whose turn it is to take out the trash or empty the litter box. Bonus: It plays the ICONIC dun-dun sound when you strike the base!

Amazon

Promising review: "I brought this out and quickly felt the power I held when hitting the gavel! That Law and Order sound it makes puts this little thing over the top! I recommend everyone buys this so you can feel the power too!!" —Olivia Garcia

Get it from Amazon for $14.87.

9. A mini shadow box kit so you can turn your fave memories with them into a personalized museum exhibition. You can also gift it unfinished if you think they'd enjoy picking photos, frame positions, gallery accessories, and even mini figures.

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "This was a wonderful gift for my 8-year-old to give to her dad. It came with everything you could need, and the quality was surprisingly good, especially for the price!" —B dee

Get it from Amazon for $44.15.

10. A bag of Reindeer Farts cotton candy if you're looking for an easy stocking stuffer. The kiddos will get a kick out of the name, and you'll feel good about 10% of all profits being donated to charities that bring toys to kids in need.

Amazon

Promising review: "This was absolutely the best stocking stuffer of all this past year! Everyone, young and old, loved it! The laughs were many, and the cotton candy inside was so good! Awesome product! I will buy again." —Peggy N

Get it from Amazon for $8.95.

11. A wonderfully whimsical singing wine pourer for the person who likes a little playfulness with their pinot grigio. Attach it to a bottle of wine, soy sauce, juice, etc., and it'll "chirp" as liquid is poured.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I purchased one of these in a wine shop while visiting Fredericksburg, Texas. I love it. It is so cute on a wine bottle, and it makes a charming 'chirp' as the wine is being poured. I wanted to give this a a gift to other wine enthusiast friends and was very excited to find it on Amazon because I do not live near the shop where I originally purchased. I ordered one, and it is the exact product that the wine shop had." —Dwhit

Get it from Amazon for $29.99.

12. A water painting board because *gestures at everything* it's a really stressful time to be alive, so why not treat them to the soothing gift of mindless relaxation? No ink is required, just water. And as the water dries, the lines fade until the board is empty and ready for a new set of doodles.

www.amazon.com

Promising reviews: "Got this for a friend. She is an artist, but with this board, no one will judge her creations because they don't last long, and she doesn't feel the pressure of an unfinished canvas. She loves it!" —karendoc

"Birthday present for my 8-year-old daughter. She uses it for art and practicing her spelling words for school. Really good for her spelling, so we don't have to use lots of paper each time we go through her weekly spelling words or random doodles she might make." —NYone

Get it from Amazon for $37.95.

13. A so so so so so stunning limited-edition embroidered velvet book clutch inspired by Sense & Sensibility that'll work double duty as both a whimsical accessory and a jewelry box.

Fable

Promising review: "And this one is going to be a gift for the other granddaughter on Christmas. Hope she loves it as well." —Marianne W

Get it from Fable for $92.

14. A Lush before-bed duo containing a bubble bar and a bath bomb to treat them to a dreamy lil' sleep. *A proper tucking in and a forehead kiss goodnight are not included.

Ulta

It comes with a Sleepy Bubble Bar and a Deep Sleep Bath Bomb.

Promising review: "These are a great size bath bomb and smell so good. You can even smell them through the wrapper. I loved the packaging, and I think it would be a great idea for a Christmas gift because everyone loves a good, relaxing bath. The smell of lavender will linger in your bathroom. The water will change to a light purple color, but it doesn't stain or leave residue. It's a great experience! Definitely recommended." —Alba

Get it from Ulta for $26.

15. Organ Attack!, a science-themed card game so fun, the whole family will beg to play it at every game night — I'm not kidney-ing! The goal is to take out your opponents' organs before they take out yours (your organ game cards, not your literal organs). Reviewers say it's easy to pick up for both kids and adults.

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "So much fun — hilariously clever and surprisingly strategic! Organ Attack has quickly become one of my favorite card games to play with friends and family. The concept is brilliant — you’re literally battling each other’s organs — and it makes for endless laughter and funny table talk. The artwork is adorable and witty, and the cards are packed with clever humor that keeps everyone entertained. What I love most is that it’s easy to learn but still has enough strategy to keep things interesting. Games move quickly, so we always end up playing several rounds. It’s also the kind of game that works with both casual players and people who really like to get competitive. If you’re looking for a party game that’s quirky, creative, and guaranteed to bring out some big laughs, Organ Attack is a must-have. Highly recommend it for game nights — it never fails to be a hit!" —Paul A.

Get it from Amazon for $27.

16. 100 Hikes of a Lifetime if they're a lover of the great outdoors. In this book,  they'll find a hike or two (or 100!) that they want to try in the future. They'll also find tips and suggested itineraries for each — so helpful! And between hikes, they'll love just flipping through the beautiful photographs.

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Got this for a friend and it is great for anyone who has hiked or knows someone who does. The book provides a lot of information and takes you back to hikes you may have completed." —Liggittman

Get it from Amazon for $145.

17. Or The Book of Unsolved Mysteries for the person who'd rather stay home and curl up on the couch with a gigantic book and a hot bevvy. It contains 230 true stories, covering unsolved deaths, mysterious disappearances, purported ghost sightings, fascinating conspiracy theories, and unexplained phenomena.

Publications International, Ltd.

Promising review: "Lots of information. Seriously. It's so much thicker than I thought it'd be! Great book for the price for anyone who's interested. Many other topics too. I ended up buying different ones for gifts this past Christmas, and everyone loved them!" —Haley

Get it from Amazon for $12.98.

18. A Yellow Brick Road–scented candle because it smells like adventure. No, just kidding! It smells like an intoxicating blend of bergamot, citrus, poppy leaves, sandalwood, and musk.

Homesick

Get it from Amazon and Homesick for $34.95.

19. A pair of Lego Botanicals Happy Plants that will happily cheer them on as they start another day of endless spreadsheets. Yay!

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "The Lego Botanicals Happy Plants set is awesome! It was super fun to build and relaxing to put together. The finished plants look excellent on a shelf — bright, detailed, and realistic without needing any care! It’s a great Lego set for any age, whether you’re a collector or just want something creative to display. Highly recommend!" —Tanyr

Get it from Amazon for $18.39.

20. A personalized monogram necklace to subtly rep their name if they don't like how in your face name necklaces can look.

Roberto Gold Diamond / Etsy

Roberto Gold Diamond is a small business based in Houston.

Promising review: "Way cooler than I expected it to be. The quality is great, and the design is original. I just got it in yesterday, and I wore it to dinner, and I had four people ask me about it. Such a beautiful necklace." —Amanda Isaacson

Shipping Info: Due to the custom nature of this item, budget extra time for production. Orders ship from Texas, so delivery time varies based on your location. Check the listing for an estimated delivery date.

Get it from Roberto Gold Diamond on Etsy for $120+ (available in four sizes and six styles).

21. A pair of anchovy earrings so they can rep their love for the ocean's most deliciously salty, briny, umami creation.

Lisa Says Gah

Promising review: "These are my new everyday favorite earrings — they're unique enough to be a statement piece but subtle enough to be suitable with every outfit. I'm a gold girlie, and I'm pleasantly surprised to see there is no tarnishing, even when wearing them with wet hair. Love!" —Madeline W.

Get them from Lisa Says Gah for $55 (available in two colors).

22. A pair of Charlotte Stone mismatched loafers if they're always the best-dressed person no matter where they go.

Nordstrom

YMMV, but several reviewers mention that these run small, so you may want to size up. And don't worry, Nordstrom has a fantastic return policy, so you can buy two pairs and return the ones that don't fit.

Promising review: "These are the next level of fashion. So beautiful and sets me apart from the rest. These sit up high; the shoe is bold and vibrant. Soft leather; looks great with off-white wide-leg pants. I'm very pleased." —Relly

Get them from Nordstrom for $258 (available in women's sizes 5–15).

23. A holographic sticker for the coworker who legitimately has dozens of Chrome tabs open at once. GROUP THEM! I BEG!

Starmint Art / Etsy

Starmint Art is a small business based in Connecticut, selling the sweetest stationery and original art.

Promising review: "Arrived on time and is exactly as described. Super holographic! I can’t wait to give it to my friend!!" —Bugs Elliot Burbank

Shipping Info: Orders ship from Connecticut, so delivery time depends on your location. Check the product listing for an estimated arrival date.

Get it from Starmint Art on Etsy for $4.75.

24. A Maille mustard variety pack because mustard is their favorite condiment (rightfully so), and gifting them a mustard for every occasion simply ~must~ be done. 

Amazon

This set comes with four 7-ounce jars: Dijon Original, Whole Grain, Rich Country, and Honey Dijon.

Promising review: "I bought this mustard collection as a Christmas gift for a brother-in-law who is somewhat difficult to buy for. He and my sister both rave about the mustards and report that they've enjoyed them very much." —Judith E. Conway

Get it from Amazon for $18.83.

25. A possum T-shirt that is equal parts cute and cursed. Hey, they did say, "Surprise me!"

Amazon, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I was looking for weird, silly shirts for my 5-year-old son and found this one for myself instead. Love it. It probably brings me more joy than it should. It's soft, has an excellent cut, and the print still holds up after several washes. My 5-year-old loves it. I can tell my preteen loves it because it's one of the few pieces of clothing she doesn't try to get me to change out of—just a fun shirt." —LH

Get it from Amazon for $23.95 (available in women's sizes XS–6X/men's sizes S–6XL)

26. A trippy Magic Puzzle Company 1,000-piece puzzle to gift a truly mind-bending, treat-filled experience. You may recognize and have already gifted The Mystic Maze, which I've put in gift guides for years and own and love — this is from the same company. And if you're not familiar with Magic Puzzle Company's unique puzzles, here's what you need to know: There are hidden Easter eggs throughout and a surprise twist at the end!

Amazon

Promising review: "An absolute delight from start to finish! The artwork is stunning, and the quality of the pieces is top-notch – sturdy, snug-fitting, and satisfying to work with. What really sets this puzzle apart is the surprise element built into the final image (no spoilers!) — it's clever, immersive, and makes the experience feel magical. This is more than just a puzzle; it’s an adventure. Highly recommend for puzzle lovers looking for something unique!" —Bittsey

Get it from Amazon for $28.38.

27. The Ghost Discovery Set from Heretic, with five uniquely spooky and ghostly scents, so your fragrance-obsessed friend won't smell like everyone else (or maybe not anyone living). Designed in collaboration with artist Chelsea Wolfe, these scents include notes like petrichor, dust, ivory air, skin musk, and ghostwood.

Heretic

This set comes with five scents: Spectral Grace, Shadow People, Doppelgänger, The Veil, and Ektoplasma.

Promising review: "First, the packaging of this discovery set is gorgeous. Top-notch. The set has five amazing scents. Perfectly blended. The Veil and Doppelgänger are my favorites. The others are solid too. The book included and scent strips make this one you want to keep and show off to friends. 10 outta 10. It’s a great gift for any lover of fragrances…or someone that likes a little haunting in their lives." —Heath M

Get it from Heretic for $55.

28. A Michael Aram nut bowl with an exquisite ginkgo and butterfly design if your host extraordinaire would *never* serve warm nuts in a boring bowl.

Macy's

Promising review: "Loved this; it was so cute in my house I had to get another one for my mother-in-law." —VS

Get it from Macy's for $180 (and get the matching gingko bowl for $431.25).

29. An elegant two-layer jewelry box — a practical gift for the person who loves to accessorize but maybe not organize said accessories.

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "It was a gift for my daughter…she loves it! Beautiful styling and so convenient, with all the places to put your precious jewelry items! A high-quality jewelry box!" —MitzieC

Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in six colors).

30. A variety coffee pack because sometimes you know someone likes something — like, say, coffee — but you don't know what flavor profiles they like. The good thing is this variety pack comes with nine boxes, which means they're bound to find a blend that suits their taste.

Uncommon Goods

They'll get nine boxes, each of which brews about three cups of coffee. Roasts include Santos & Java, Guatemala Elephant, San Agustin Colombia, Monsoon Malabar, Sumatra, Mocha Djimmah, Dominican Republic, Ethiopia Yirgacheffe, and Kenya Peaberry.

Promising review: "The coffee set was more than expected and gave me a chance to taste coffee that I normally wouldn't think to try. I loved the way the set was packaged (really creative) and really enjoyed the different flavors from the assorted countries and regions." —Jay

Shipping Info: Expect 3–7 business days for Economy shipping. Expedited shipping is available for an additional cost — but free or discounted with an Uncommon Perks membership. Check the listing for an estimated arrival date and review Uncommon Goods' shipping chart to learn more.

Get it from Uncommon Goods for $45.

Still searching for the perfect gift? Check out:

* 41 Of The Best Gifts To Give In 2026

* Ding Dong: It's Me, Santa, And I'm Early With 50 Amazing Gift Ideas

* Under-$15 Gifts That’ll Help You Get Through Your List Early This Year

* Gift Ideas For Anyone Who Likes To Check Christmas Shopping Off Their To-Do List In October

* If Gift-Giving Is Your Love Language, Check Out These 43 Cute Finds

* Gift Ideas So Cool That, Oops, You Might Just Need One For Yourself, Too

* Useful Gifts That Anyone Would Be Happy To Receive

Plus, gifts we gave 2026 Buzzy Awards to, cheese subscription boxes, and finds from Amazon, Etsy, Macy's, Rifle Paper Co., and Uncommon Goods.

Why Trust BuzzFeed Shopping?

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The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.