Best unusual Christmas gifts: 28 quirky and unique present ideas to stand out from the crowd in 2020
With never-ending gift exchanges during the Christmas period, it can be hard to come up with something original. But even a small twist on a generic gift can show loved ones you’ve put time and effort into the gesture.
From home decor to portable turntables, our philosophy is the crazier the better and we've got some Christmas gift ideas that fit the bill. They may be a little surprised to receive a grumpy cat cushion under the Christmas tree, but they'll learn to love the little fella.
We've rounded up the best unique and quirky gifts to buy your loved ones for Christmas 2020.
Best unusual Christmas gifts
1. Four Piece White Marble Bar Kit
£29.95, Not On The High Street
Cocktails at a dinner party can turn the evening from fun to unforgettable. This marble and gold stand and four piece set of ice tongs, bottle opener, jigger and mixing spoon is the perfect gift for those who love to host. Party guest-approved, too!
2. Oliver Bonas Lloyd the Llama Ceramic Planter
Kitsch and cute, this ceramic plant pot will add a bit of whimsy to any home. It’s also the perfect size for growing herbs in the kitchen - a thoughtful gift for the chefs in your life.
3. Charlie Boots Personalised Encased Winding Watch Mechanism Cufflinks
These quirky cufflinks made from vintage watch parts are the perfect gift for a design-obsessed gent. You can also get them engraved if you’d like to add a personal touch.
Read more: Best Secret Santa gifts for friends and colleagues
4. Oliver Bonas Spreadable Gin & Tonic Marmalade
While a fun idea, it can be hard to imagine what a gin and tonic flavoured marmalade would work well with. According to Oliver Bonas, it’s best with toast in the morning or on a cucumber sandwich. Dig in!
5. Habitat Grumpy Cat Cushion
We'll never forget the beloved late Grumpy Cat with her distinctive face. Now your friends can have their own very cute, but very moody, cat to return to every evening.
6. Mark Jackson Plated Switch With Leather Insert
If they’re enthusiastic about interior design, they’re bound to receive gifts for the home. Make an impression by decking out their rooms with custom light switches instead.
7. Mersoco Briefcase Record Player
Join the analogue revolution and go back to playing vinyl on this stylish turntable by Mersoco. It comes with built-in speakers, making it easy to start the party anywhere. And don't worry digital kids, it's Bluetooth enabled too.
8. Gareth Neal Plough Serving Board
In the V&A’s furniture gallery, the first thing you’ll see is a piece by Gareth Neal. Now his artistry can be part of one's home. His serving boards, complete with a pure geometric design, would work well as a standalone present or alongside a sushi maker for a fun (and delicious) set.
9. Libreria monthly book subscription
From £12.49 per month, Libreria
Send them a handpicked book every month with the help of Libreria, a bookshop started by creative communal work space company, Second Home. The mix of undiscovered fiction, non-fiction and poetry is perfect for someone who's always on the lookout for new ideas and a mind-broadening read.
10. Dark Sky Wales Stargazing Experience for two
For a gift that'll leave a lasting impression, take them star gazing in the surroundings of the Brecon Beacons Observatory. Astronomers will be on hand to answer questions and point out celestial objects, making for an enlightening and magical experience.
11. Neos SmartCam
A smart home camera is a two-for-one gift. It's both practical for home surveillance and handy when documenting memories. The product captures HD images live at any time or in playback. It offers many other interesting features such as two-way audio, motion and noise detection. It also can be linked to an Alexa.
12. Fortnum's Personalised Blanc de Blancs Champagne
If they're looking for something a little stronger than tea this Christmas, consider treating them to a personalised bottle of bubbly from Fortnum & Mason. The champagne, from the Grand Cru region of Chouilly, comes with a personalised label - perfect for Christmas wishes.
13. Desktop Retro Arcade Machine
More fun than the 'executive desk games' of the 80s. With a fully functioning joystick and 240 retro games, procrastination will be hard to resist.
14. One Day Landscape Photography Course
Rather than another fancy camera, give a photography enthusiast the skills to use their tools in the right way. They'll get to spend the day outdoors learning to take photographs like a pro.
15. Thomas Sabo Royalty Star & Moon Earrings
With champagnes, blues, golds and pinks, these gorgeous 18k gold-plated earrings would make a brilliant gift for someone extra special. The glitzy pair are bound to be a conversation starter.
16. Experience Gift Card at Pachamama
Restaurants have been struggling at the hands of the pandemic so treat friends and family to a gift card that will make a difference. This one, to popular Peruvian restaurant Pachamama, will be a hit with the foodies in your life. Whilst they're there they can drop into a ceviche masterclass. The only thing better than eating the dish, is knowing how to make it yourself.
17. The Cheese Geek 'The Tina'
The Tina Party Box is all they’ll need for the ultimate cheese party (what's not to love?). The Cheese Geek also has monthly cheese box subscriptions you can gift your favourite cheese-lover.
18. Personalised Mask Your Face Covering
Coronavirus has meant that we spend a good chunk of time with our faces covered. Take protection to the next level by gifting a personalised mask - complete with your loved one's portrait. They'll never look at a plain covering the same way again.
19. Spirit of the Downs, Handcrafted Artisan Sussex Spirit
£30, Brighton and Hove Wine Club
Spirit of the Down is a unique craft spirit created by wine specialist Michael Yeoman. If your loved one enjoys a good drink, this will be an enticing alternative to the more obvious wines and spirits people receive during the holiday season.
20. Monthly plant subscription
£85 for three months, £150 for six and £300 for twelve,The Urban Botanist
Houseplants have become trendy among the young and hip, especially those living in cities. By signing them up for this subscription, they'll receive an amazing houseplant every month. And no need to worry, The Urban Botanist specifically picks plants that are difficult to kill.
21. SMEG Espresso Machine
But first, coffee. This bright pink espresso machine looks like something straight out of a Wes Anderson film while still having the sophisticated qualities of an hi-tech coffee maker.
22. Bandcamp Gift Card
Streaming services may have become increasingly popular over the years, but the cooler music lovers among us are still dusting off their vinyl to get their groove on. A Bandcamp voucher will allow them to add to their record collection and also get digital versions of those hard to find songs. This gift complements the briefcase record player we mentioned earlier perfectly.
23. Molecular Gastronomy Kit
A must for Heston Blumenthal wannabes everywhere. This scientific kit includes five pre-measured food additives, five specialised molecular tools and a DVD containing 50 recipes. They'll be making bacon ice-cream before they know it.
24. Life Drawing Class Gift Voucher
You may think that with coronavirus artsy activities have come to a halt, but they’ve actually just gone virtual. Candid Arts Trust offers in person and online life drawings sessions that abide by the Covid-19 laws so your loved ones can still get creative in a safe way.
25. Anthropologie Danza Cotton Basket
Rather than opting for a fancy (but generic) plant pot why not go for its cotton alternative? This one by Anthropologie is sure to brighten up any room.
26. Firebox Muscle Massage Gun
If like most people they spend a lot of time sitting idly at a desk, a muscle massage gun will quickly become one of their most prized possessions.
27. Aesop Post-Poo Drops 100ml
We all do it even if we don't like speaking about it. Aesop, the popular brand known for its dreamy herbaceous aromas and prototypical beauty packaging, has created this clever scent especially designed to refresh a bathroom. Best of all, it’s vegan, cruelty free and the packaging is sustainable so it's a good present for the eco-conscious too.
28. Telegraph Custom Book
This bespoke gift is a custom-made journey back in time. Treat your loved one to a Custom Gift Book that will contain every front page of The Telegraph that came out on their birthday from the day they were born until now.
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