Unexpected Gifts for the Unapologetic Maximalist Who Has Everything

More is more, proclaims the maximalist—and you gotta admit, it’s hard to argue with that logic. Within the type you’ll find everyone from bon vivants waltzing through high society to curious collectors fascinated by ideas, culture, and the natural world. But whether they’re more interested in sampling fine wines or combing the beach for driftwood, the underlying principle is a love for texture, color, variation, and contrast.

Of course, the maximalist’s appetite for novelty and discovery makes them tricky to shop for. They seem to have seen and done it all. That’s why we’ve rounded up the following gifts that are sure to appeal to someone with a distinct style and worldview. From a ceramic dog with a delightfully quirky purpose to conversation-starting jewelry, these picks aim to surprise, enthrall, and intrigue.

Designer Alex Proba’s hand-tufted pillows are riotous compositions that beg to be touched. The studio makes lumbar pillows and pet beds, too, so feel free to browse the site and fall down a rabbit hole of bold abstraction.  

This cheeky contraption masquerades as a cigarette, making it portable in a pack, or a piece of pop art next to a candle.

Something tells us your loved one has a flair for entertaining. Surprise them with a set of handcrafted plates from the husband-and-wife team behind Portland, Maine’s Campfire Pottery. Designed in collaboration with Jenny Bravo and perfect for appetizers or desserts, this hard-to-find size encourages mixing and matching with an eclectic serveware set.

Never in our wildest dreams did we think we’d be pushing Jibbitz—and yet, here we are. Designed by Memor, whose mosaic vases and phone cases have gone viral on Instagram, in collaboration with LA brand 323, these charms incorporate glass, beads, and "sea ephemera" for a look that’s tide pool chic.

Boulder, Colorado- and Stockholm-based ceramicist Eleonor Boström makes a series of dogs with utterly unexpected uses that’ll spark a laugh from anyone with a pulse. Each one is more inventive than the next, making it hard to choose just one, but this toast stand is kind of genius.

Does your loved one enjoy a tipple? Nestled in Scotland’s Speyside region, famous for its whisky distilleries, Mortlach was founded in 1823 and produces distinct, robust scotch thanks to its 2.81 distillation process, which we won’t get into here. All you need to know is that this spirit is heady: expect luscious, complex flavors including honey, gingerbread, tobacco, and dried fruit.

Paris-based designer Hugo Kreit makes techno-inspired jewelry that celebrates queer rave culture. This piece can be worn alone or over every nail for an electrifying look.

If you think sunscreen makes a boring gift, think again. This nourishing, oil-based formula from a women-owned brand has anti-aging powers that are crucial for any romp in the sun.

Let your loved one know they’re in good company with this compendium of maximalists who have turned their homes into living galleries for their treasured finds—think fossils, beach detritus, feathers, dried flowers.

Don’t cry over spilled milk; do laugh over spilled fruit cocktail.

The Toronto-based designer’s beloved CD rugs have gotten a space-saving chop, making them ideal for welcoming guests at the front door or warming toes in the bathroom. Wherever they go, though, they make a statement.

A Craft Workshop 

If you’re truly at a loss about what to get the person who has everything, go with the gift that keeps on giving: a new skill. Depending on what’s available in the area, sign your loved one up for a class that will excite and ignite them. Ikebana, rug tufting, screen printing, woodworking, glass blowing—the possibilities are endless.  

Looking for something else? Check out the rest of our holiday gift guides here.

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