The Most Unique Gifts Under $250 for Every Type of Recipient

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It’s not easy to guess what every man, woman and child in your life wants for that special occasion. Maybe a gift card is too impersonal, or you want something that’s bigger than a breadbox and that won’t break the bank, either. That’s why we’ve taken care of the virtual browsing and rounded up some of the most unique gifts that’ll cost you less than three Benjamins, including a more-than-just-a-gift-card present that comes wrapped unconventionally.

From DIY kits for watch aficionados and beauty buffs, to luxury fragrances that can spell out your giftee’s name, keep reading for some of the best gifts under $250 for every type of recipient — then check out more of The Hollywood Reporter‘s holiday gift guides for taking care of the techies, luxury lovers and others on your “Good” list.

Masterclass Subscription

For the ever-curious knowledge seeker, a one-year subscription ($180) to MasterClass lets them learn from the best of the best. The online learning platform’s Hollywood instructors include directors Martin Scorcese and James Cameron, screenwriter Shonda Rhimes, actresses Helen Mirren and Natalie Portman, actors Samuel L. Jackson and Steve Martin and many others.

There are also plenty of five-star teachers in design, music, science, politics, business and many other categories: think Kris Jenner, Beyoncé-loved florist Maurice Harris, star baker Joanne Chang, astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, sleep expert Matthew Walker, former presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush and many others. You can also reap the benefits of this gift, as MasterClass’ two-for-one deal is back in time for Black Friday.

Venus Et Fleur The Classic Bundle

For the flower lover who wants to enjoy their blooms all year, send them Venus Et Fleur’s classic bundle that includes Le Mini Round and Noel Noir Le Mini Square rose arrangements and a Pin Frais candle. It’s a great evergreen alternative to fresh-cut flowers (though those are always appreciated, too), as the roses stay fresh for an entire year. You can customize the set by box color, floral color and candle scent.

Bose Frames Audio Sunglasses

For the music lover who prefers to listen to their favorite tracks discreetly without earbuds, gift them Bose’s cool audio sunglasses. Available in small and large sizes, these stylish frames have open-ear Bluetooth headphones that let wearers tune into their playlist and surroundings.

Artifact Uprising Scrapbook Album

When framed photos aren’t sentimental enough, make your giftee a personalized scrapbook album through Artifact Uprising (which has plenty of other options ranging from custom calendars to wall art). The book comes with adhesive photo mounts and offers memory-jogging prompts, you can choose your favorite fabric color for the cover and paper type. The four-ring book has enough space for more than 60 photographs — you’ll also get a promo code for 10 free everyday prints.

Yeti Roadie 24 Hard Cooler

A pricey drink holder might not be the first item on their list, but it’s one of the best gifts for $250 that’ll upgrade their next tailgate party, picnic or camping trip. The Yeti Roadie 24 cooler comes in several cool colors and can keep 24 pounds of ice or about 18 cans cold for days. This model is 10 percent lighter and keeps contents 30 percent colder than the Roadie 20, and it’s incredibly durable and lightweight for its size. (Get extra points by gifting it with their favorite drinks.)

Judy The Mover Max Four-Person Emergency Kit

Give them the gift of peace of mind during emergencies with Judy’s The Mover Max go-bag (the brand recently landed on Oprah Winfrey’s favorites list this year). The 53-piece kit contains water and food with a five-year shelf life, safety and warmth essentials, a hand-crank radio, first aid and tools for a family of five, all in a waterproof backpack. And if you use the code OPRAH2022 through Nov. 28, you’ll save $70 off (bringing the price down to $125).

Wedgewood Wonderlust Dinnerware

For the Bridgerton-obsessed host who loves throwing a good tea party, a set of colorful Wedgewood plates — as seen at the Netflix show’s charming pop-up at Bloomingdale’s — will give their fête a fashionable Regency London finishing touch that’ll impress the Ton. The Wedgewood Wonderlust collection ($55 to $200) also includes bone china teacups, mugs, coupe plates, lidded bowls, saucers and more inspired by Japanese gardens.

Therabody Theragun Mini 2.0 Massager

Kora Organics founder Miranda Kerr, Oprah Winfrey and countless other stars love Therabody’s best-selling Theragun Mini percussive massager, which is lighter and more compact than the original version.

MORE BUYING OPTIONS: Therabody | Best Buy (red) | Amazon

Funboy x Cult Gaia Luxury Pool Lounge

Upgrade their next pool party and gift them this luxury inflatable pool lounge from Hollywood-loved brand Funboy’s collaboration with starry label Cult Gaia. It’s got enough room for two and features artful graphics that encapsulate the fashion brand’s resort-ready aesthetic.

Petrossian Royal Ossetra Caviar

For the fanciest friend or family member you know, Petrossian’s Royal Ossetra Caviar (available in 1 to 4.4 ounce tins) lets luxury-loving foodies give their meals a Michelin star finish.

Gentleman’s Hardware Portable BBQ

Whether they’re regular campers or beach barbecue pros, this portable BBQ by Gentleman’s Hardware is ready for your giftee to grill wherever they’re heading.

Moncler Pour Femme or Homme Eau de Parfum with LED Screen

The best unique gifts are the ones that are completely unexpected — like Moncler’s luxe eau de parfum with an LED screen that you can program with a custom message. Available in Pour Femme (a floral and musky fragrance with notes of powdery snow, bergamot, jasmine and vanillin) and Pour Homme (a woody scent with notes of alpine green accord, cypress, cedarwood and vetiver) options, this is one way to make a statement — say, that long-planned proposal?

23AndMe and Ancestry Personal Genetic DNA Tests

Shopping for an amateur genealogist or health enthusiast? For the giftee who wants to dig deeper into roots or genes, one of the most unique gifts is a personal genetics test. 23AndMe’s ancestry and traits kit lets people discover their ancestors’ origins from more than 2,000 regions, find long-lost relatives and explore the traits that make them unique (including your musical skills or your taste and smell preferences). The AncestryDNA + Traits test is a bit pricier and reveals in-depth historical insights, a precise ethnicity estimate, over 35 of your most interesting personal characteristics (such as the genes that influence your appearance and health). Both testing kit companies use secure databases and encrypt your data to protect your privacy.

Rotate Watch Kit

Stumped on what to get your favorite real-life Doc Brown? Time-obsessed tinkerers will appreciate Rotate Watches’ hands-on timepiece building kit, which comes with everything DIYers need to create their own accesory, including a Seagull ST3600/ETA 6497 with 17-jewel mechanical movement, a 44-millimeter sapphire glass case with a clear back, genuine leather straps and more. Engraved monograms are also available.

Amazon Echo Show 15

Says Oprah Winfrey of Amazon’s smart home device (which is 32 percent off for a limited time), “[Oprah Daily creative director] Adam Glassman hung the latest Echo Show on the wall of his kitchen and uses it every day. The 15.6-inch HD screen has a sleek frame, so it almost looks like a piece of art. You can use it to sync family calendars, write digital notes to one another, and create to-do lists. Or, like Adam, you can stream your favorite show while you cook.”

Man Crates Smash & Grab Gift Card

For the giftee who loves to Hulk-smash their way to a surprise, Man Crates’ concrete-covered gift card lets them work for their present. It comes with safety googles, a Ball-Peen hammer and a concrete break which breaks open to reveal a gift card code that can be redeemed at your recipient’s choice of a store or eatery, including Amazon, Buffalo Wild Wings, DoorDash, Gamestop, Home Depot, Nike, Morton’s Steakhouse, Petco, REI and more.

Joie de Weed Rolling Tray Gift Set

For the pal who’s known for loving “herbal remedies,” Joie de Weed’s stylish rolling tray gift set contains chic accouterments for the cannabis connoisseurs on your list.

Long Distance Touch Bracelet Set

When you can’t give your loved ones a hug IRL and video calls aren’t cutting it, this long-distance touch bracelet set lets you send a thoughtful embrace via your wrists. Sync the rechargeable devices (which come on waterproof silicone bands) to the accompanying smart phone app and tap your bracelet to send a “message” to your partner, friend or family member, whose accessory will light up and vibrate.