Out-of-the-box gift ideas that will get the best reaction

While the Christmas period can be exhausting, we shouldn’t take it out on the gifting process. Sometimes there are so many people to buy presents for and other things to organise that a voucher can start to look tempting, but wouldn’t you rather buy something that proves you really know the people you love?
Especially if you know your friend or family member has had a tough year, or if your teenager has worked extra hard to be good in the leadup to Christmas, you’ll want to give them something that’ll get a real reaction. Or, if you have someone who is notoriously hard to buy for, why not surprise them with something left-of-field, like a slushie machine or a human dog bed?
These gifts are for those who are stumped for ideas and short on time, but still want to give an amazing gift this year.
NOTE: Prices are accurate at time of publishing.
Available in orange and taupe, this Tom Dixon lamp is “inspired by vintage car bumpers” and emits up to nine hours of soft-glowing light on a single charge.
Perfect for: The interior designer wannabe in your life.
Made from white onyx, we’re convinced this Black Blaze incense burner will win for most thoughtful gift.
Perfect for: The people in your life who have everything.
The Sleeping Duck Indestruct Bed is made with steel beams and uses the Core Spine Support System to prevent mattress sagging. This bedframe can be included in different bed designs by Sleeping Duck to suit your bedroom aesthetic.
Perfect for: The couple who are finally ready to buy themselves a well-earned treat after years of uncomfortable sleeps.
READ MORE: Save hundreds on big-brand bedding to finally get some shut-eye
These Therabody SmartGoggles use three massage modes with heat and vibration that the brand says is “proven to improve sleep quality, increase [the] amount of deep sleep, enhance relaxation and reduce stress when worn as part of your bedtime routine.”
Perfect for: Giftees who always make time to relax.
Originally seen on Shark Tank, the Plufl human dog bed is a pretty amazing creation. Designed to look just like a dog bed, it’s human-sized, and has features that help ease anxiety and calm the nervous system, like orthopedic gel-infused memory foam and supportive pillow bolsters.
Perfect for: Anyone who’s always envious of how comfy their Good Boy looks while they lounge around the house.
You’ll know what’ll be served up for dinner with this seafood-inspired set made by Sydney-based brand In The Roundhouse. It includes four dinner plates, four bowls, four dipping bowls and a serving tray. Each piece is made from bone China and is dishwasher and microwave-safe. Also available is a vegetable-themed dining set for $150.
Perfect for: The foodie friend who loves to throw a dinner party.
The KitchenAid Cordless Go Hand Mixer offers seven speed settings and up to 60 minutes of power to mix, beat, whip and stir your ingredients. It uses stainless steel beaters and a removable battery pack that works with other products in the KitchenAid cordless range, including a hand blender, a personal blender, a food chopper, a coffee grinder and a handheld kitchen vacuum cleaner.
Perfect for: The home baker who isn’t blessed with lots of bench space.
Another cold-drink creator for those who love a novelty beverage, the Fizz Creations Slushie Machine looks like something you’d see behind the candy bar at a movie theatre. Perfect for those unbearably hot summer days, all you need to do is add your favourite slushie syrup and turn it on. Best of all, it’s only $177 – a relatively small investment given how many cold slushies you might be buying otherwise.
Perfect for: Anyone who loves a slushie a little too much.
Using natural acoustics, this shell speaker is designed to amplify music coming from a smartphone. It also doubles as a handmade art piece for their home.
Perfect for: Anyone who likes aesthetically pleasing practical pieces for the house.
If your kids have been bugging you about learning to play an instrument, this is a great gift idea. Not only will they get the guitar and a case to carry it around in, the pack also comes with six months of online lessons from Gigajam Music School, which are video-based. The guitar itself is a standard acoustic with a blue finish, nickel-plated gear tuners and strap buttons so it can be played standing up.
Perfect for: Anyone hoping to pick up a new hobby or skill in the new year (especially your kids).
If they’re a fan of Dyson innovation, your giftee will likely appreciate a set of headphones from Dyson. With 50 hours of battery life, noise-cancellation and eight microphones to help dial in on voices and minimise surrounding sounds when on a call, users will also be impressed by the attached on-the-go air purifier.
Perfect for: The tech enthusiast who likes to stand out.
This record player from Crosley has everything a music enthusiast needs. Featuring built-in full-range stereo speakers and a belt-driven turntable mechanism, it’ll play your favourite vinyl records with ease. It also has a Bluetooth receiver and transmitter, so you can play your digital music library through the stereo speakers for a different sound.
To suit your home aesthetic, you can buy this turntable in black, sage, dune, amethyst, floral and brown croc.
Perfect for: The music-loving friend who believes things were better in ‘the good old days’.
Improving their happy snaps, this classic-style Fujifilm Instax Wide 400 camera is a great option for a range of photography styles with three photo modes. Great for all levels, its automatic exposure and flash control can take great photos without the need to fiddle with the settings. It is also built with an angle adjuster to prop up the camera and an analog self-timer.
Perfect for: Anyone who considers themselves a little retro.
READ MORE: Which Instax camera should you buy?
These plaster pieces are replicas of the iconic Statue of David and Venus de Milo, with the latter being a 1:1-sized recreation. These also make for an excellent option to use as drawing and painting inspiration.
Perfect for: A traditional art lover who enjoys the classics.
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