Top 30 Gifts for Christmas
3Gold-handled porcelain mug printed with classic book spines; a small, well made gift for a reader. For book-gift-ideas, section 3: book accessories.
$24Rifle Paper Co.
5Rolling Stone names this machine-washable fleece, printed with classic book spines, as a cosy gift for readers. For book-gift-ideas, section 1: reading comforts
$62Rifle Paper Co.
7A5 Snap Journal | Full Grain Leather, Timeless Journal Design, Leatherology Black Onyx
CNN Underscored lists it for a first anniversary: a full grain leather journal that suits paper-themed gifting and can be personalised with initials.
$100Leatherology
9CNN Underscored recommends a Framebridge frame for a first anniversary, to show a favourite photo or a piece of wedding stationery.
$75Framebridge
11Joy Laforme Spring Terrace 1000 Piece Puzzle
Featured in CNN Underscored's gifts under $25; a bright, illustrated 1,000 piece puzzle for anyone who likes a slow evening in (for christmas-gifts-for-friends,
$19.99Galison
13Uncommon Goods | Desk Yoga Card Deck | Desk Yoga
Food Network lists it among its teacher gifts; 52 quick stretches and breathing practices a teacher can do between lessons.
$20Uncommon Goods
15A bow-print knitted dog sweater from stylish pet clothing brand Little Beast, picked by The Strategist for owners who like to coordinate. For gifts-for-dog-love
$67Little Beast
17Dog Poop Bag Holder | Wild One
A neat silicone bag holder that clips to the lead, a small, well designed stocking filler for anyone who walks a dog; featured by The Strategist. For gifts-for-
$9Wild One
19Custom Sport Leashes + Long Lines - Medium Dogs (1/2" Width)
A colourful, customisable coated-webbing leash with an auto-locking carabiner, recommended by The Strategist for outdoorsy dog owners. For gifts-for-dog-lovers,
$36High Tail Hikes
21ER20XS | High Fidelity Earplugs - Standard
Reusable earplugs made for musicians that cut loudness evenly so music still sounds natural, a thoughtful gift for anyone who plays or goes to gigs (for stockin
$24.99Etymotic
23NBC Select picks this bamboo whisk, bowl and matcha kit as a gift for anyone who likes a calm tea ritual at home.
$44.99Jade Leaf Matcha
25PureWow recommends this tin of bakery cookies as a treat teachers will happily share in the staff room.
$28Milk Bar
27
Glow Mist Rosewater Revitalizing Hand Sanitizer - Touchland | Ulta Beauty
A pretty, rose-scented hand mist that CNN Underscored recommends for teachers who wash and sanitise their hands all day; a small treat under $20.
$16.00Ulta Beauty
29Never Bored Bandana Board Game | Activity Game Bandana — FOUR RABBIT
Wirecutter's mom gift guide picks Four Rabbit's organic cotton bandana that doubles as a board game, with dice and tokens in a pouch.
$42Four Rabbit
2Wirecutter's pick for book lovers: half-pot bookends that hold a small succulent, for the reader who has everything (book-gift-ideas, section 3: bookends).
$30The Morgan Library & Museum Shop
4Rolling Stone picks this illustrated tote for readers; roomy enough for a stack of library books, and under $25. For book-gift-ideas, section 3: book accessorie
$22.40Rifle Paper Co.
6Best Smelling Moisturizing Natural Hand Cream – SALT & STONE
InsideHook picks it as a stocking filler that feels like a small luxury; a fast-absorbing hand cream with seaweed extract and vitamin B3. For christmas-gifts-fo
$20Salt & Stone
8Large Embroidered Keepsake Box - Delphine
CNN Underscored picks it as a paper-themed first anniversary gift: a pretty embroidered box for keeping cards, letters and ticket stubs (anniversary-gift-ideas,
$60Rifle Paper Co.
10Get Closer Conversation Game: Table Talk - Table Talk
CNN Underscored picks this deck of conversation prompts for getting to know friends better; a card game for couples that turns a night in into a proper catch up
$20Intelligent Change
12A colour e-reader with page-turn buttons and stylus support, named by CNN Underscored as a gift for serious readers (for book-gift-ideas, section 1: book light,
$259.99Rakuten Kobo
14A hand painted print of the books that matter to them, made to order from their own favourites; a keepsake for a devoted reader.
$120Ideal Bookshelf
16The Game - Best Dog Enrichment Toy & Feeder In One
A wobbly slow feeder that holds a cup of kibble and gives a dog mental exercise at mealtime; The Strategist's pick for dog owners. For gifts-for-dog-lovers, sec
$69Fable Pets
18Speckled Dog Bowl — Franca NYC
Handmade Brooklyn ceramic dog bowl in a speckled glaze, nice enough to sit in a stylish kitchen; a thoughtful gift for a design-minded dog owner (The Strategist
$52Franca NYC
20A set of four slip-on dog wellies that keep paws clean and dry on muddy walks, flagged by The Strategist as a great gift for dogs already happy in boots. For gi
$60Wagwear
22Fender Security Strap Locks and Buttons Set - Chrome
Featured by Guitar World in its gifts under $50; keeps a guitar safely on its strap on stage.
$14.84Sweetwater
24The Cannes Waffle Knit Robe - Albero
CNN Underscored picks this plush waffle-knit robe for the brother who will not compromise on style, even at home.
$139Dandy Del Mar
26Uncommon Goods | Mason Jar Indoor Herb Garden | Hydroponic Grow Kit
A small hydroponic grow kit from PureWow's teacher list that brightens a desk or classroom windowsill.
$20Uncommon Goods
28Buy PENDLETON CHESS AND CHECKERS SET for USD 37.50 | Pendleton
Wirecutter's dad gift guide pick: a canvas roll-up board with reversible pieces for chess or checkers that slips into a bag.
$37.50Pendleton
30The Vermonter | Leather Work Glove | Vermont Glove
Featured in Wirecutter's dad gift guide: hand-stitched goat-leather gloves made in Vermont, built to last for years.
$115.00Vermont Glove
What Amazon Wish Lists do well
According to Amazon's guide, lists stay private until you share them. You press Invite at the top of a list and copy the link or send it by email or text. Items bought from a list are labelled as purchased, and a spoil my surprises setting hides what has been bought from you.
You can add items from any Amazon product page, add ideas without naming a product, name lists by category, add comments and priority levels, and in the Amazon app get alerts when prices drop. For an Amazon shopper, that is a very complete tool.
The gap
Amazon's page does not say whether items can be added from other websites, so check before you promise anyone. The practical problem is that gift ideas do not live in one shop. A good book might be from one retailer, a coat from a brand's own site and a handmade mug from a market stall's website.
A second gap is who can use it. People buying for you may prefer not to have to sign in to Amazon to see a list, or may not shop there at all.
How HintDrop fills it
HintDrop lets you save an idea from any shop. On your phone, tap Share. On a laptop, use the free browser extension for Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Safari. Or paste a link. The name and picture come with it.
You share one list link. The people buying tap Dibs, so nobody doubles up. It also has birthday reminders, group gifts and a free Secret Santa tool with exclusions. It is free on iPhone, Android and the web.
Where Amazon is the better choice
If everyone buying for you has an Amazon account and you only want Amazon things, an Amazon list is the least effort. Price drop alerts in the app are also something we do not claim to match. Use the tool that matches how your family shops.
Using both
Many people will do both. Keep your Amazon list for the things you want from Amazon, and use a second list with us for everything else, then send one link to the person who asks. If you need ideas for what to put on it, see our Christmas list ideas.
A quick checklist
Before you pick, ask four questions. Does it work with the shops you actually use? Can people mark a gift without spoiling it? Can someone open it without an account? Will you still use it in January? Whichever tool answers yes to the most is the one for you. Our best wishlist apps guide compares more options.
Frequently asked questions
Can I add items from other shops to an Amazon Wish List?
Amazon's wishlist guide says you can add from any Amazon product page, and it does not say whether other websites are supported, so test it before you rely on it.
Can I hide what has been bought from my Amazon Wish List?
Yes. Amazon's spoil my surprises setting means you will not see what has been bought.
Is HintDrop free?
Yes, on iPhone, Android and the web.
How do I share a list?
On Amazon, press Invite on the list and copy the link or send it by email or text. With us, share the list link.
Can I use both?
Yes. Keep Amazon things on your Amazon list and everything else on a list with us.
Ready to actually find something?
Browse Christmas gift ideas