With surprisingly useful (and affordable) kitchen accessories, huge makeup vaults under $75, and a stunning personalized star chart, this list is packed with unique holiday gifts, While you’re at it, check out our holiday guides for the best cookbooks by Latin chefs, the best gifts from Latin-owned brands, and the best wellness gifts to give in 2024.
They say that “to give is better than to receive,” but when you’re struggling to find the right holiday gifts for those you love most, it can feel like a serious challenge. Perhaps you’re dealing with a picky teen, your hard-to-shop-for mother and father, or the family minimalist, or maybe you’re scouring the shelves for that one friend who’s always getting you amazing gifts. This curated guide to unique holiday gifts to give in 2024 is chock full of ideas for useful, thoughtful, and one-of-a-kind treasures.
If you’re on a limited budget this year (who isn’t?), don’t worry: Holiday gift shopping doesn’t have to mean money budget stress, so there are plenty of options under $15 on this list. From personalized bags, makeup vaults, and fragrances to brilliant kitchen gadgets, unbelievably soft socks, and joy-boosting custom wall art, we’ve searched far and wide to find the best gifts on the market for the 2024 holiday season.
Ready to find the perfect presents for all of your loved ones this year? Let’s dive into this list of hidden gems.
1. Rolife Book Nook Kit ($35, Shop on Amazon)
If you have a craft-loving bookworm in your life, this miniature DIY kit lets them create an easy-to-assemble nook to sit between all their favorite tomes. (Just look at those cute, teensy little rainboots.)
2. The Night Sky Custom Star Chart ($55+, Shop on The Night Sky)
This custom star chart commemorating a single special evening makes an incredible one-of-a-kind gift for anyone (and everyone) you love. On top of being able to specify the date, time, and exact location of your memory, as well as adding up to eight lines of text if you wish to include a message, there are also many options for colors, textures, dimension, and framing. I got this gift for my partner with the location and date of our very first night together—he loved it so much, he mounted it to the wall immediately.
3. Utopia Kitchen Grocery Bag Organizer ($15, Shop on Amazon)
This may seem like a strange addition to the list, but I promise, it is one of the most oddly useful gifts I have ever received. My brother gave one to me eight years ago and I’ve used it in three different apartments, lest I wind up with a disorganized, under-the-kitchen-sink pile of random plastic bags from the bodega or grocery store. It comes in small and medium sizes, and in both sterling silver and copper colors.
4. Symbolically Adopt a Capybara ($25–$100, Shop on World Wildlife Fund)
Image by Karoly Lorentey
Everyone I know (myself included) absolutely loves capybaras, but you can also symbolically adopt any of the myriad animals whose conservation is supported by the World Wildlife Fund, including the endangered capuchin monkey, the unreasonably cute three-toed sloth, the majestic polar bear, and even the ocean’s resident Pokemon, the axolotl. Symbolic adoptions come at multiple price points, with optional gifts like plushies and tote bags included at the higher levels, but every animal lover will undoubtedly care most about your contribution to conservation.
5. MAC Cosmetics Golden Girls Mini Lustreglass Lipstick Vault ($74, Shop on MAC Cosmetics)
Give the gift of the perfect lip color for every season, outfit, and style with a stunning assortment of lip colors. This 12-piece lipstick menagerie from MAC Cosmetics comes in metallic packaging that’s so pretty, it practically wraps itself.
6. Cricut Joy Machine & Digital Library Bundle ($99, Shop on Amazon)
“Joy” is literally in the name of this gift, and with good reason. For anyone with a moderate to serious crafting affinity, Cricut’s products are considered some of the most coveted on the market. With the Joy Machine and its accompanying bundle of digital art, you’ll be gifting your loved one with a near-endless supply of design-making entertainment. (If you’re OK with a gift arriving after December 25, there are also plenty of great-value Cricut bundles that include the brand’s famous smart-cutting machine.)
7. KitchenAid Artisan Series Stand Mixer ($330, Shop on Amazon)
Give a gift that every foodie will fall in love with: a kitchen stand. Whether they’re a casual baker or a hardcore home cook, they’ll be thrilled to receive KitchenAid’s incredibly handy Artisan Series mixer, which comes in a huge range of colors, including bright red, cornflower blue, deep orange, pastel pink, and sleek silver or black. Then, pick something up from our list of the very best cookbooks by Latin chefs.
8. Yellowtail Poppy Floral Scarf ($75, Shop on B. Yellowtail)
For that stylish friend or family member who’s hard to shop for, there’s this gorgeous, 100-percent silk scarf created by designer B. Yellowtail as an “homage to the first fashionistas to walk the Plains.”
9. Diptyque Set of 5 Eaux de Parfum Les Essences de Diptyque ($200, Shop on Diptyque)
If you’ve got someone you really want to splurge on, few things feel as luxurious as a Diptyque candle or perfume. (Who can resist that elegant Art Nouveau–style packaging?) With five distinct scents, each held in its own striking bottle, this set from the famed perfumer will add an extra spritz of beauty to the recipient’s entire 2025.
10. Hestan OvenBond Tri-Ply 5-Piece Set (Shop on Hestan Culinary or Amazon)
Another gift that’s great for cooking fans, this comprehensive set of high-quality features a half sheet pan with a rack, a quarter sheet pan, and square and rectangular sheets—everything they’ll need to roast, bake, and broil their heart out.
11. Life Is Pain au Chocolat Sweatshirt ($46, Shop on Polychrome Goods)
For the snarky yet sweet bakery lover, Polychrome Goods has this cute sweatshirt that comes in multiple colors, including royal blue, maroon, tan, white, and black.
12. Vacation Classic Spray Sunscreen ($21, Shop on Amazon)
Vacation claims to be the “world’s best-smelling sunscreen,” and oh my goodness, it is not bluffing. If you’re in search of the perfect stocking stuffer, look no further: Give the gift of sun protection with Vacation’s beloved sunscreen spray, which features a scent that somehow smells both familiar and like nothing you’ve ever smelled before.
13. Highway Robbery Casa Felice Sarape Robe ($128, Shop on Highway Robbery)
Without a doubt, one of the best (and most-worn) gifts I’ve ever received is my Highway Robbery robe, which is currently hanging up in my bathroom and still looks just as stunning now as it did when I got it over six years ago. Sure, it’s pricier than many of the robes you’ll see in the big chain stores, but the quality is unmatched. (I would never advocate going against the clothing tag, but it is a testament to this robe’s durability that, despite admittedly not always following the recommended wash instructions, it is still in inexplicably perfect condition.) If you’re looking for a splurge that’s well worth it, a robe from this brand is it.
14. Making Faces by Kevyn Aucoin ($28, Shop on Amazon)
For the beauty lover who seems to already have every product on the market, pick up a copy of Making Faces by legendary makeup artist Kevyn Aucoin. With stunning portraits, step-by-step technique guides, and insider tidbits from behind the scenes of Aucoin’s prolific career, your favorite makeup fan is bound to turn to Making Faces again and again.
15. Ban.Do Color Me Happy Vase ($27, Shop on Ban.Do)
This cute, colorful, and hand-painted vase makes for a sunny addition to any shelf, countertop, or bedside table.
16. Jolie Filtered Showerhead ($165, Shop on Amazon)
In pursuit of healthier skin and hair, many people opt to drop lots of money on pricy skin-care and hair-care products, but often ignore an element that can have a huge impact: your shower water. A high-quality shower filter like this one from Jolie helps to prevent the types of minerals that have drying and damaging effects on your strands and complexion, allowing you to start every cleansing routine in a softer, gentler way.
17. A Donation to a Local Organization in Their Area ($1+)
To make a major impact, sometimes it’s best to think small. If your loved one has a cause that they care about, find an organization in their area that supports those efforts, whether they’re passionate about rights for immigrants and refugees; advocacy for people struggling with homelessness; support for youth music, arts, and athletics programs; animal rights protections and wildlife conservation; legal advocacy for low-income folks; reproductive rights; or anything else.
18. Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro ($300, Shop on Amazon)
It may look small, but Breville’s combination air fryer and convection oven packs a serious punch. (To this day, it is one of the best thing I’ve ever invested in; I can’t emphasize just how much time I save on preheating the oven every time I roast or bake anything.) With 13 helpful settings, a two-speed convection fan, and a huge library of recipes available for customers, and this smart oven is an amazing gift for anyone who loves to cook, but has a small kitchen and/or limited time.
19. Milk Eau de Parfum by DedCool ($30–$90, Shop on Sephora)
The art of layering fragrances can be tricky, but this scent from Latin-owned vegan perfume brand DedCool makes it much simpler. Its light, fresh fragrance features notes of amber, white musk, and bergamot, giving it the flexibility to pair beautifully with a range of other scents.
20. Magic Society Judy Bag ($150, Shop on Magic Society)
Looking for a gift for your favorite fashion-forward weirdo? Magic Society has absolutely got you covered with this bizarre, wonderful, head-turning crossbody bag.
21. Chatty Feet Modern Artists Sock Gift Set ($45, Shop on Chatty Feet)
Know any art-loving teens who are tough to shop for? Pick them up this set of four super-soft sock designs inspired by Yayoi Kusama, Roy Lichtenstein, Salvador Dali, and Piet Mondrian.
Sam Escobar is a writer and editor based in Brooklyn, NY. You can follow their work on Instagram, Threads, and X.