If You're Looking For A Unique And Affordable Birthday Gift, Here Are 37 Options

Buzz Feed

03-03-2025

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
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♫ Happy birthday to you (know who) ♫. This range of gifts has got you covered no matter who you're shopping for.
1. The Endless Art Challenge, a deck of 90 cards that'll combine to make over 25,000 prompt variations. The challenge is intended for artists of all sorts, whether seasoned sketchers or folks who'll love the chance to up their stick-figure game.
Amazon
Promising review: "This is an amazing idea and so fun! The prompts are amazing to unlock a creative block if you feel like drawing but don't know *what*. It's also a super fun screen-free activity to do with my 8-year-old — she draws the cards and we each make an illustration, all the while discussing ideas and why they work. I'm buying two more sets for gifts. This is perfect for kids and adults!" — Megan Theile
Get it from Amazon for $17.96.
2. A paper incense tin to add a little pocket-sized luxury to their life. Inside the wrapped tin is a decorative paper envelope filled with 48 teeny tiny incense papers. To use, they'll clip one piece of paper to the tin and wait as it burns (for about five minutes). After that, the soothing smell should fill their space for up to a few hours.
These are made without harmful substances and are indoor air quality certified.
Promising review:"I couldn't be happier with this purchase! The paper incense exceeded all my expectations. The quality is outstanding and it works even better than the description. It arrived quickly, was well-packaged, and easy to use. Smells great and burns well. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for paper incense." — Kim
Get it from Amazon for $14 (available in eight scents).
3. A pickleball set with two paddles, two balls, a net bag, AND a Little Women-worthy pair of patterns so darn darling your birthday bud may find themselves too dazzled to hit anything with them. The set works great for the game, but feel free to skip the exercise and just enjoy picnicking together beside a beautiful pair of paddles.
Promising review:"These are, hands-down, the cutest paddles on the court! I thought I was seeing things when I saw Sonix was selling pickle ball paddles!!! I come to Sonix for all my phone cases because they have the cutest and most interesting designs, but looks like now I'm going to buy a few more paddles!
Come on, look at this photo (pictured above, left) everyone has these boring paddles. I don't ever have to worry about someone mixing up their paddles with mine! (but also have to make sure no one steals them cuz they're so freakingggg cute!!!!) I've been getting into pickleball, especially now that the weather's getting better. But now I just want to order more to match with different outfits, how cute would that be?!" — Helen
Get it from Amazon for $49.99 (available in 27 colors).
4. A set of "wine wands" — a gift to give your cheap-box-wine-loving BFF so your movie nights don't turn into hungover mornings. Simply swish these in a glass of wine, and in three minutes, those pesky sulfates and histamines will be removed. Then...poof! They've become hangover-free drinks thanks to these real-life magic wands.
PureWine is a small business that specializes in wine accessories.
Promising review:"What a difference these have made in my life. With my allergies it was impossible to enjoy a glass or two of wine without nasty side effects: stuffy nose, red face, and headaches. Now I can have a glass of wine and not have to dart to a package of antihistamine! Makes a great gift. Even thinking of splitting a box into stocking stuffers. Each wand is individually wrapped. I have purchased these several times and will continue to do so." — KellyH
Get a set of three from Amazon for $11.99.
5. A Cup Cozy Pillow so you can gift your loved one the power to watch TV for hours without needing to get up. This storage pillow will stay upright beside them on the sofa or a bed and keep remotes, snacks, and drinks at the ready. Now it's time to introduce them to Grey's Anatomy.
www.amazon.com
BTW, Cup Cozy Pillow is a family-run small business.
Check it out on TikTok!
Promising review:"We have a sectional sofa with an area that has a chaise lounge section I like to lay on but that puts me far enough from the coffee table that I don't have a good place to put my drinks. I bought this pillow to put next to me to hold my drinks, and I love it. It let's me keep my drinks nearby without having to constantly hold them while lounging and watching TV. Stable without being too bulky or heavy." — Holly M. Paddock
Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in nine styles).
6. A National Geographic geode kit that'll really ~rock~ if they could benefit from letting out some destructive energy every now and then. Bash away those bad vibes!
www.amazon.com, Amazon
This comes with geodes, goggles, and a display stand.
Promising review:"If you are considering this for your kiddo, please buy! My 8-year-old and I had an absoloute blast! She loves every geode. There was one we got that was more solid and she couldn't get it open, so I got to smack it with the hammer and honestly it was not only stress-relieving, but it was also fun and beautiful! Would be great as a positive outlet for stress or just for kids who love sparkly things. I'd give this more than five stars if I could!" — Mandii Vi
Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in three kit sizes).
7. A pack of Zombie Plant seeds — this plant pretends to be "dead" when touched, folding into itself. It's the perfect gift for people who kill their houseplants so often you figure you might as well buy them a plant that's into it.
Promising review:"The little purple flower pods on my zombie plant eventually die off and turn into what I think are seeds! The idea of being able to gift a grown zombie plant is really cool! My family finds the plant very interesting and think it's fun to watch it play dead. It's very unique (video above, right)!" — Lacee Regan
Get a pair from Amazon for $8.99.
8. A neck reading light so they can read until they are practically dead asleep without needing to get out of bed to turn off the light, thus risking waking up again. What is it...11 p.m.?! YIKES. We're too old for this.
Promising review:"I don't have the best lighting in this house or the best eyes, and that makes for a hard time cross-stitching. These are absolutely wonderful! I can see my patterns and do my cross-stitching which is so great during this quarantine. Be sure to charge every night after use though. And they are so lightweight I forget I'm wearing them! Highly recommended!" — Nini
Get it from Amazon for $20.99+ (available in eight colors).
9. A shimmer chandelier made of iridescent tinsel — this eye-catching gift is sure to satisfy the hard-to-shop-for teen or tween in the family.
Amazon
This flat-pack friendly piece of decor is made with iridescent tinsel foil and it's 16" tall x 12" wide.
Promising review:"This is fantastic! Good quality and looks really nice!" — JQ
Get it from Amazon for $24.99.
10. Subpar Parks: America's Most Extraordinary National Parks and Their Least Impressed Visitors — gift this book so your travel-loving friend can have a laugh over the most ridiculously negative reviews national parks have received.
www.amazon.com, Amazon
Promising review:"I give 1 star…hardcover is too hard. Just kidding! I give this 5 stars. Without a doubt, this is my favorite coffee table book and surprisingly also super educational. Perfect combination of sassy and informative while poking fun at one-star reviews of some amazing national parks. I love, love all the added educational snippets along with the review illustrations. And Amber's writing style is so personal and relatable I feel like we could be friends. Such a fun book, so worth the buy!" — Anna
Get it from Amazon for $16.59.
11. A basket of emotional support nuggets to remind the important person in your life that you're always around to give them support (and that you're willing to drive them to get fast food for their feelings when need be).
Amazon
Promising review:"They are all so soft and great quality. Very fun and good for all ages. Cute and adorable and durable. I love it, kids will love it." — Brie
Get it from Amazon for $16.99 (available in 14 foods).
12. Or a dino nugget pillow — the perfect gift for people who exclusively fill their home with fine art.
Promising review:"This dino chicken nugget pillow is a real Jurassic dream come true! It's the perfect cuddle companion for all the paleontologists-in-training or anyone with an insatiable appetite for comfort. Just be careful not to accidentally take a bite while you're napping, because it looks deliciously deceiving!" — LadyTee
Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in three styles and in packs).
13. I Fought The Law, a photography book chock-full of the strangest laws that still govern society today — pretty sure this doesn't teach whether you can turn right on red when driving in Iowa, but it'll be a stellar gift for any rebel rule breaker. Don't even *think* about riding a bicycle in a swimming pool if you're visiting California. And putting an ice cream cone in your back pocket while strolling the streets of Alabama? Straight to jail!
Amazon
I own this book and it's one of my favorite coffee table conversation pieces!
Promising review:"I love it. The book is so funny I kept showing it off to everyone. It's full of beautiful photos with humor." — Katelyn
Get it from Amazon for $16.95.
14. A scratch-off poster featuring 100 classic dishes from around the world, for fans of food who spend their days dreaming about diversifying their dinner plans.
Amazon
This brand has a massive collection of eye-catching scratch-off posters. Browse around the Mappiners main page and you can totally find a perfect poster for every person on your holiday gift list!
Promising review:"I purchased this as a fun gift for my husband on our anniversary and we were able to scratch one off while we were still at dinner. The poster is thick and nice quality. The scratch film comes away easily and cleanly. It will be fun to make our way through this list." — Vicki Theurer Crider
Get it from Amazon for $16.99.
15. A hooded shark "blanket" (really just an oversized onesie) they can scoot on into when movie night calls for some extra cozy attire. Honestly, now that you know this *treasure* exists, it'd be fishy if you didn't get it. It's gonna be dropping ~Jaws~ at the birthday party — that you can count on!
Promising review:"I absolutely love this blanket! It's incredibly soft and comfortable — perfect for lounging around the house on chilly evenings. The flannel material is super cozy, and I love that it's wearable, so I can just slip it on like a hoodie. The shark design is adorable, and it adds a fun touch to my downtime. It's also the perfect size, offering just the right amount of warmth without being too bulky. Whether I'm curled up on the couch or reading in bed, this blanket has quickly become my go-to. Highly recommend for anyone looking for something fun, cozy, and unique!" — O.
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in sizes XS–3XL and eight styles).
16. A keychain bracelet to bequeath unto friends who suffer through an eternal game of hide-and-seek with their house/car keys.
Wichita, Kansas is the home of Tart Design Co., where owner Claire Tourtillott creates one-of-a-kind home goods and accessories. Tourtillott refers to her design style as a happy medium "where sweet and sour designs meet."
Promising review:"This is my favorite thing. I used to lose my keys and this has been by my side since it got delivered. It's so convenient and cute! I also bought my mom one and she loves it. Thank you for the color options! It's so hard to choose." — Marina Fuller
Get it from Tart Design Co. on Etsy for $17.50+ (available in 16 band colors and seven charm styles).
17. A cotton tote *with a zipper pocket* — this is gonna be a great choice if you know they'd prefer a practical gift. It can be a real ~pickle~ finding something equal parts cute and useful, but you've done it! Now just click "add to cart" and get ready to feel cool as a cucumber knowing their present is gonna be a hit.
Promising review:"This is adorable and functional. It's a great size tote bag for personal use. I can fit the necessities and a water bottle. I love that there is a zipper inside for small items or keys. Love this pickle-lovers' bag. 💚" — OmgAshely
Get it from Amazon for $12.99 (available in 15 styles).
18. A pair of silicone KitchenAid oven mitts (that are heat resistant up to 500 degrees), another practical present that's sure to have home cooks smilin'! If you think your bud could use a colorful tool that adds a cheerful touch to their apartment's cookie-cutter kitchen, these durable oven mitts are the way to go!
Amazon
Promising review:"I love these gloves! I like that they are thick and soft, so they really protect my hands from hot items. I also appreciate that you can just rinse or wipe off the exterior, so they always look like new. I did find them a bit stiff and bulky initially because I wasn't used to them, but that wasn't an issue for very long." — luckykarmatx
Get them from Amazon for $19 (available in 22 colors).
19. A Java Sock that'll do the two most important things for their beloved iced coffees (or...other drinks. I know people drink other drinks!) 1) It'll keep that caramel almond milk cold brew cold for ages — hours, according to reviewers — and 2) It'll keep your drink from sweating into your cupholder or all over your desk. It's a cruel twist of fate that iced coffee sweats as much as we do in the summer.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I was hesitant to buy this but I absolutely love it! It keeps my drinks cold for hours, the ice stays solid without watering the drinks down, and it prevents condensation. Perfect for iced coffee, soda, or any glass cup. The patterns are adorable as well. I loved it so much I had to order another for my other car!" — Marta
Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in three sizes and several styles).
20. A ceramic trinket dish scene that'll draw them into a mushroom summer, where two kinds of toads find themselves enjoying a picnic and fishing by the pond. Tell them to go ahead and throw their trinkets in here as well; these critters are more than happy to keep an eye on their things.
Amazon
Promising review:"The dish is not only very cute, but also cleverly designed. The images of mushrooms and frogs make the entire dressing table look lively and interesting. The small size is just enough to hold my small accessories, which does not take up space and is very practical." — Chris Hales
Get it from Amazon for $19.99.
21. And a ceramic incense dish for folks who prefer a minimal sort of whimsy.
Amazon
Promising review: "This burner is perfect. Elegant and warm. It has a soothing, smooth design and provides a pleasant aesthetic. It was packaged very well with custom cut closed cell foam which indicates care from the vendor. Good value, wonderful design, large enough to place sticks or cones but small enough for tiny spaces. I will be buying more." — Tordenavaer Ravenshield
Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in six styles).
22. A glazed donut Lanolips lip balm because if it really chaps their hide (my Grandma's favorite phrase, Hi Grandma!) when their lips are chapped, then they need to be using a healing combo of lanolin oil and vitamin E to moisturize and nourish that extra thin skin. This is also recommended for cuticles and cracked heels!
Amazon
P.S. Lanolips is cruelty-free!
Promising review:" Lanolips lip balm is hands down my favorite lip balm ever. I've tried the coconut and strawberry and both have a light scent that isn't cloyingly sweet or overwhelming. The opening is larger than usual (which is necessary due to the thickness of the product) but it's so big, I end up scraping off product I just applied, so I have to use my finger to spread it out. I guess an unintended benefit of applying it with my finger is that my cuticles look better this winter than they ever have because I've been rubbing the excess into my fingertips." — Three Needles
Get it from Amazon for $13.50 (available in eight flavors).
23. A framed family handprint shadowbox for gifting to parents who, like me, are too sleep-deprived to remember how teeny tiny their children's hands were at 6 months, 4 years, or 6,570 days...ahh, how the time flies!
I recently impulse-bought this as an activity to do with my husband and six-month-old. I'm not crafty, so heaven knows this kid isn't getting a scrapbook. Because of this lack of creativity, I've looked for different ways to mark memories with my baby. This kit provides step-by-step instructions, plenty of paint, and it's designed to easily wipe off so folks can try more than once. Although we did it in one go. Sure, it could have come out a little crisper if we'd tried it twice, but life's messy. And I love our little family's smudges.
Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in three colors).
24. A 1,000 piece puzzle with illustrations that are equal parts obscure and dreamy, for puzzlers who are up for an added challenge. Different puzzles is just that, different. Rather than the final image being displayed on the box, each completed puzzle has a slightly altered illustration (which means surprise pieces and no idea where to put them!). Like the brand says, "These aren't your grandma's puzzles."
Different Puzzles
Every puzzle is made in the US using 100% recycled cardboard. They come in 1,000 and 500 pieces and all are 20 x 27 inches when completed.
My husband and I spend a lot of our nights listening to audiobooks and doing puzzles (and spend many mornings picking up the puzzle pieces our cats have knocked off the table while we slept). The cheekiness of this brand interested us both, and we got the Floravision version above. We *loved* working on a puzzle with surprises in the illustration. It was engaging, frustrating, and SO fun finding and connecting pieces without knowing how they would fit in with the end product. The end? It was gorgeous. We've framed ours and put it on our wall. (But I'm not showing you...because I don't want to spoil the surprise end result!)
Get it from Different Puzzles for $36 (available in several styles).
25. A set of magnetic pigeon bag clips that are as strong and sturdy as the mighty pigeon herself. Pigeons rule the city outside — might as well give them a gift to embrace these iconic birds indoors too (while putting them to good use).
Promising review: "Super cute and great quality. Holding up well so far." — Amazon Customer
Get a pack of four from Amazon for $11.99 (available in five other styles).
26. A reviewer-adored Cozy Spaces-themed coloring book — help out your frazzled friend by tucking them into their favorite reading chair, putting on their noise-canceling headphones, and reminding them there's no need to think about anything other than coloring for a moment. This gift is here to help distract their busy brain with tiny bears making turnip tinctures and bugs decorating their overturned teacup homes. Cute.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Start a collection! Coco Wyo has a *ton* of other cozy stress relief coloring books with different themes in their Amazon storefront!
Add to their gift with this cult-fave colored pencil set on Amazon for $9.99!
Promising review: "This coloring book is a wonderful way to unwind and de-stress. The illustrations feature familiar, cozy corners that are both charming and relaxing to color. The designs are intricate enough to keep you engaged but not overly complicated, making it perfect for both adults and teens. The quality of the paper is great, holding up well to colored pencils, markers, and gel pens. I love how each page feels like a little escape, and coloring them has become a therapeutic routine." — Ali El-Khatib
Get it from Amazon for $7.99.
27. A book nook kit complete with motion-sensor LED lights that'll glow every time your bud passes by their bookshelf, creating an extra element of magic beside their impressive romantasy collection. This'll be a huge hit with crafters who care about the little details. The 3D puzzle is made of wood, and includes dozens of flat sheets with images that'll need to be punched out, folded into shape, and then carefully pieced together to create the intricate space.
Several reviewers recommend getting a fine tip craft glue to complete this kit. It also glows! Just be sure to grab two AA batteries (not included) once you've finished.
Promising review:"This book nook took me two days to make and I am so in love with the final result. The instructions are very clear. Some pieces broke so be sure to be patient while cutting them out. I glued the broken ones back together no problem. This works with a motion sensor but you can access the battery pack from the back, which is really convenient! The most tedious part of this is making the books but after that it goes pretty fast! The lights are amazing and they tell you where to place them in the instructions. This was my first book nook I've ever built! I will definitely be buying more in the future!" — Phoenix
Get it from Amazon for $36.99+ (available in four styles).
28. Some hanging cereal wall art for breakfast connoisseurs who know the finest delicacies in life are Lucky Charms, Froot Loops, and Cinnamon Toast Crunch, and that cereal deserves a proper spot of honor in each and every home.
The Celestial Homebody / Etsy
The Celestial Homebody is a woman-owned small business in Greensburg, Indiana that specializes in quirky decor.
Promising review:"I absolutely love these! I was looking for some funky decor for my kitchen and she did not disappoint at all!! I even got a custom one with Cap'n Crunch made and the owner exceeded all my expectations, the bowl color and size were absolutely perfect too. I don't know what else to say besides I'm in love with them, thank you so much for making weird funky sh*t. 💜💜💜" — Kalynn Vanoy
Get it from The Celestial Homebody on Etsy for $27.99+ (available in five bowl colors and six cereals).
29. Waldorf woodland creatures — each open-ended shape is designed with holes that'll easily fit different twigs, stems, petals, and leaves your flower child friend finds while in the yard or on nature walks, letting them create their own tiny wildlife creatures.
Promising review:"I was looking for things to do with 6-year-old grandson this summer. I want to try and keep him creative and off of his tablet as much as possible. He loved these. I have to admit I had just as much fun searching for things. A great toy! I hesitated at first because they are a little pricey but they are very well made and glad I made the purchase!" — JW
Get it from Amazon for $39.99 (available in six set colors).
30. A mini charm bracelet FOR THEIR TUMBLER, because your water bottle and your BFF's water bottle are *also* best friends and they deserve best friend bracelets to prove it!
Amazon
Not big on water bottle accessories? Weird. But that's okay, the chain is adjustable and can be hung on anything small, from a reading lamp neck to a bag strap.
Promising review: "This cute little charm is a must! I was trying to find a way to differentiate my Stanley — the perfect way to do it! It's small enough to not draw too much attention and minimalistic for those who don't want to go all out. Cute little accessory with easy clip to add or subtract from tumblers." — Lily
Get it from Amazon for $4.99 (available in every letter).
31. A hot-air balloon model with intricate details, including hand-applied balloon strips, a rattan basket, and hand-woven webbing that recreates a classic 18th-century design. This scaled-down decor will make any empty corner instantly memorable.
The image on the right is of my own balloons! I bought two for my nursery and love the oomph they give the room. Why aren't we hanging decor from the ceilings all the time?!
Promising review:"This was exactly as I was hoping for. It even came with string for hanging, but you could also use a hook. I'm very pleased." — Kurt
Get it from Amazon for $28 (available in three sizes and 20 styles).
32. A northern lights projector that'll play soothing noises and double as a Bluetooth speaker! If you are both planning a trip to see the aurora someday but currently have the budget to travel no farther than down the block, this satisfying gift can give you a slice of the northern lights from the ceiling.
Promising review:"I love this light! The stars are beautiful, the colors are beautiful. I like that it shuts off in four hours. I use it in my house so I don't have to turn the lights on all the time. I like it so much, I just ordered three more to give to my grandchildren. It also has sounds like the sound of rain, or ocean waves. And you can even play your regular music on it. Don't be afraid to try it! It's like having the northern lights anytime you want." — Amy J Nelson
Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in five colors).
33. A hand-embroidered bookmark you can have personalized with the recipient's first initial, so your favorite bookworm's novels can sport a charming new accessory.
Amazon, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"This gift is absolutely ideal for anyone who loves books. The intricate details and vibrant colors truly captured my attention and made it stand out. I was so impressed with the quality that I will certainly be returning to buy more in the future." — 90 Day Fiancé
Get it from Amazon for $5.99 (available in four seasonal styles and 26 letters).
34. Or a heart-shaped leather bookmark to let them know you love them ALMOST as much as they love reading.
www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I like these better than regular bookmarks. They are easy to use, and I like the way they fit on the page corner. A good weight (not too thick/heavy and not flimsy). I like the variety of colors. I usually read two or three books at any given time, switching between them. I'm happy with my purchase." — BarbB
Get a six-pack from Amazon for $7.99 (available in two other styles).
35. A textured NeeDoh gumdrop that'll be the best stimming toy this side of Willie Wonka's Chocolate Factory. These are made to be extra squishable with a satisfying weight *and* although they are silicone, they won't gather dust. It's basically a real-life everlasting gobstopper.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Let me stop you right there. Do *not* try and eat this gobstopper.
Promising review: "Got these for my niece (8) and nephews (4 and 5), and they LOVED them! My niece liked that no matter how hard she tried to mold them, they always popped right back to the same shape in just a few seconds!" — shaymdahl
Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in various colors chosen at random)
36. A mini highland cow plush (that can be heated AND cooled!!), because everyone would say "yes" to receiving a mini highland cow if they could. I mean, if someone offered me one I would take it and just...not tell my landlord. It would work! Stranger things have happened!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"My wife bought me this little guy to help me sleep not knowing if I would even care for it, but the little guy is adorable and it was just what I needed to sleep better. It could be the lavender, but I think it is just how comforting he is to hold against your chest when laying down. I don't think you can go wrong with this guy, but I do suddenly experience guilt when eating burgers...probably just me!" — Bryan
Get it from Amazon for $25.99 (available in 19 styles).
37. A screen-free digital camera with retro results for techy folks who are impossible to shop for, especially at a good price. This may be the highest-priced item on this list, but it's a seriously budget-friendly camera, and it's as clever as it is good-lookin'! Designed by parents who wanted a camera that would keep their kids in the moment, this captures photos in an old-school style — through a small viewfinder. They'll only be able to see the photos once they are uploaded to a computer. This gift is great for parents who want to capture moments without getting distracted by their phones, travelers who want to enjoy a view without obsessing over how it looks in a shot, and for sending your kids off to camp where they can bring back photos you'll love.
Camp Snap, Mallory Mower / BuzzFeed
The camera can take up to 500 images on a single charge and hold 2,000 photos at once. Once you hit 2,000 just download the images! They high quality shots can be saved digitally or printed. The camera includes a USB-C cable and an SD card.
My husband and I took our baby to meet our families back home for the first time this Christmas. I wanted to document the vacation without my phone being in my hand nonstop. I love the nostalgic shots we ended up getting — it felt like family photos from my own childhood. The digital results look like something straight out of a '90s film camera, and they're stunning. Truly candid photos have a life to them that is unmatched by shots you try and perfect with a screen, and I love what we were able to capture with this camera.
Get it from Camp Snap for $65.
Reviews in this post have been edited for length and clarity.