Gifts That Even the Most Hard-to-Please People Will Like
Difficult people who are particular about everything deserve presents, too.
Difficult people who are particular about everything deserve presents, too.
There are some people for whom buying a gift is a chore rather than a pleasure. Perhaps you drew your picky brother Roland in this year’s gift exchange and his list of dislikes is longer than a CVS receipt. Nothing you buy that you think is good will please this man, so instead of trying to achieve the impossible, go above and beyond: These gifts are outlandish in a way that will delight rather than offend.
Here’s some pithy commentary on the state of social media and narcissism that also happens to look great in a foyer.
Gold Selfie Mirror
Sculptural glass mirror. Trompe l'œil graphic printed at face.
Your recipient might run their mouth about how they have too many towels, but you’ll stop them in their tracks with these guys.
Terra Pattern Towels
What do you get for the woman who has it all? Three towels! Includes 1 Bath Towel, 1 Hand Towel, 1 Washcloth.
Here’s a little lamp that looks like a Murano mushroom but is better because it’s not.
Scoop Lamp x Analuisa Corrigan
Born out of the desire to make a one-off ceramic piece accessible, the Scoop Lamp uses carefully tuned print settings to achieve a truly unique design that would be impossible to achieve via other manufacturing methods. Featuring a glowing base and Wooj’s signature wavy pattern, the Scoop Lamp takes inspiration from ceramic form and texture and is 3D printed out of recycled plastic in Brooklyn, NY.
Give the gift of a swimming pool. Seriously. Do it.
The Honcho
Here you have it, folks! Introducing the most brilliant stock tank pool ever created, the big guy in charge, The Honcho — now available nationwide! Featuring our patent-pending design, The Honcho is a hybrid creation of galvanized steel tank and thick poly liner offering a chic and affordable, long term pool solution.
Your picky princess was probably going to buy this for herself, but now you can.
Knoll Womb Chair and Ottoman
When Florence Knoll challenged Eero Saarinen to create a chair that she could curl up in, she found the right candidate for the task. The Womb Chair and Ottoman (1946) feature enveloping forms that continue as one of the most iconic representations of midcentury organic modernism. Applying foam molded over a fiberglass shell created a single-piece form that perfectly facilitates a relaxed posture. Manufactured by Knoll according to the original specifications of the designer. Made in U.S.A.
It stands to reason that your recipient is particular about kitchen things, but this Caraway set is indispensable.
Caraway Prep Set
Chop better, prep cleaner, and store easier with our non-toxic Prep Set. Featuring 4 knives, 5 utensils, shears, and a first-of-it’s kind modular organization unit, our Prep Set is a streamlined set of essentials designed for the modern kitchen.
A storage cabinet in a stunning shade of ultramarine that can (and should) replace anything resembling a credenza.
Hayama Bar Cart
With her unmistakable design signature, what Patricia Urquiola creates is an invitation to travel, in the form of furniture – through the Hayama collection, made up of a cabinet, bar, hutch and console – all inspired by the traditional Japanese Haori jacket that is worn over a kimono.
Dominos are a nice gift because they’re interactive, but often, they’re ugly: these are not.
Frank Lloyd Wright Domino Set
The Frank Lloyd Wright Wood Domino Set from Galison includes 28 double sided wood dominoes with Wright’s famous patterns and design for a twist to the classic game. Great addition to game night!
Mother’s little helper never looked so good.
Jonathan Adler Brass Pill Box
A polished compartment for your pills, this Jonathan Adler box features a luxe, gold-tone finish and "Xanax 1.0" lettering.
Something you don’t know you need until you have it is a tiny little garbage can for the bathroom vanity.
Mini Can
Perfect for your vanity and ideal for throwing away cotton balls, makeup remover sheets, and eyeliner pencil shavings. Or use in the kitchen for tea bags, coffee pods, and food scraps; or in the laundry room for lint and dryer sheets. Balanced swing lid easily opens then gently swings back into place, and also lifts off to empty the contents. Smooth plastic inner lining is a cinch to wipe clean.
A neon tube isn’t for everyone, which is why it’s perfect for the person in your life who fancies themselves an iconoclast.
Hay Neon Tube LED
Designed to look like a neon tube, this long-lasting, energy-efficient light is made with an integrated LED. Hang it on a wall, place it on a table, or stand it upright in a corner to add dramatic atmosphere and colorful glow to any space. It’s available in a range of colors that can be mixed and matched to create an interesting light installation. Bulb: 12W LED. ETL Listed.
A minimal rocking chair because everyone loves a rocking chair, but not everyone wants to feel like Whistler’s Mother.
Rocking NYCHAIR X by Takeshi Nii
Designed by Takeshi Nii in the 70s; featured in the MoMA's permanent collection. The Nychair can be folded for easy transport and storage. The seat is made of Kurashiki canvas, a durable, finely-textured, woven cotton yarn, and is removable and replaceable.
If the person you need to accommodate, present-wise, is a baby (literally), well…
Baby Orange 'L'Appétit' Jumpsuit
Long sleeve organic cotton fleece jumpsuit in orange. Graphic printed in multicolor at front.
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Looking for something else? Check out the rest of our holiday gift guides here.
