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 Giftster does well
Giftster is built around the extended family. You invite people into a private group and everyone keeps a list. Its App Store listing says gifts can be marked as reserved or purchased, and the person whose list it is cannot see that status, so the surprise survives. There are apps for iPhone, iPad and Android as well as the website.
It also has a Secret Santa draw for groups of three or more, with exclusions, and it shows upcoming family birthdays. The App Store lists it as free with no in app purchases and rated 4.8 out of 5 from about 17,000 ratings. That is a solid record, and we will not pretend otherwise.
Where people look for something different
The most common reason is the shopping side. A wishlist is only useful if adding to it takes seconds. Giftster has a browser button called Add to Giftster for saving from any store while you shop. Some people want the same speed from a phone, straight from the Share sheet in whatever app they are browsing, and from a laptop in a single click.
The second reason is who you are sharing with. Giftster is group first, so people join your family group. If you would rather send one link to a friend, a partner or an aunt who will never install anything, a plain shared list is simpler.
How HintDrop differs
HintDrop is an all year gifting app for friends and family. You save an idea from any shop by tapping Share on your phone, using the free browser extension on Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Safari, or pasting a link. The name and picture come with it, so a book from one shop, a jumper from another and a candle from a third sit on one list.
You send the list as a link. The people buying tap Dibs, so nobody doubles up. It also does birthday reminders, group gifts where everyone chips in, and a free Secret Santa tool with exclusions where the organiser cannot see who drew whom. It is free on iPhone, Android and the web.
Where Giftster is the better choice
Be honest about what you need. Giftster supports child accounts that other family members can help manage, and it has a longer track record as a private family home. If one extended family wants one tidy private group with reserve marking and a draw, Giftster may suit you better than we would.
We are the better fit when the list spans many shops, when the people buying are friends as well as family, and when you want to add things in the moment from your phone without opening another app first.
How to switch, or use both
You do not have to move everything. Start a list for this Christmas, add five things you actually want, and send the link to the person who always asks what you would like. If they use it, it works. If they prefer your family's Giftster group, keep that.
Do not copy a whole list across in one go. Pick the things you still want, because lists get stale. Our guide to Christmas list ideas is a good way to refresh one while you are at it.
Which one should you pick?
Choose Giftster for a private family group with child accounts. Choose HintDrop for a list across many shops that anyone can open from a link, with claiming, birthdays and Secret Santa in the same app. For a wider comparison that includes Elfster and Amazon Wish List, read our best wishlist apps guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Giftster free?
Its App Store listing shows it as free with no in app purchases, checked on 21 October 2026. Check the current listing before you rely on that.
Can I save gifts from any shop on Giftster?
Giftster has a browser button called Add to Giftster for saving items from any store, according to its App Store listing. We also save from any shop, using the phone Share sheet, a browser extension or a pasted link.
Can the person I am buying for see what has been reserved?
On Giftster the list owner cannot see the reserved or purchased status. With us, people tap Dibs and the surprise stays with the buyers.
Does Giftster have Secret Santa?
Yes, for groups of three or more with exclusions. We also have a free Secret Santa tool with exclusions.
Do I need to make an account for every relative?
Not to look at a shared list link on ours. Check each app's own page for what viewers need to do.
Sources
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