It’s a common holiday anxiety come to life: a family member who had previously given a resounding “no” to holiday celebrations has decided to change their RSVP at the last minute, and you have to shop quickly or else leave them present-less on Christmas morning.
Bonus points if the relative is already difficult to shop for, or someone you don’t know well enough to have an immediate gift idea at the ready. Think: your brother’s new girlfriend or the estranged uncle who calls once a year, tops.
In anticipation of this Grinch-level holiday disaster, we’ve put together a list of easy, gender-neutral gifts that just about anyone would love to receive. That means there’s no need to know the person’s clothing sizes or dietary restrictions, and also no need to spend more than $50. Head to Target to snag these in-store if you’re reading this on Christmas morning, or buy the gifts at the links below.
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Tech is the easiest thing to fall back on when you’re not sure what to buy, and Apple’s AirTag tracker is a great, affordable unifier of our time. Everyone loses things and needs help finding them sometimes. You can snag an AirTag keyring for under $10 to make it easy to attach to house keys.
Everyone has family, friends, pets, or vacation photos that they want to see on display in their home. This digital picture frame lets users display tons of pics on a loop, so you don’t have to choose a picture to frame for your recipient and you can instead let them do the work.
Help your loved one(s) work toward a toxin-free, eco-friendly kitchen with a Lodge cast iron pan. Lodge has been a trusted name in cast iron cookware for a very long time, so don’t let the low price tag make you think it isn’t high quality.
You can’t go wrong with cozy things. Nobody is going to hold it against you if you snag them this comfy blanket set that includes an adorably matching pair of socks. In fact, they’ll very likely lean into leisure, making for an even cozier holiday morning.
While candles can feel like they lack a personal touch, this palo santo scent is unique enough to come across as quite thoughtful. It’s also something that everyone will enjoy, regardless of age or gender.
This noise machine is made for sleep, and comes in a compact bedside device that will absolutely revitalize your loved ones’ sleeping habits. The LectroFan has 20 different soundscapes and a timer so you can truly personalize the experience, too.
The Wavelength board game has gained some virality on TikTok thanks to how easy it is to learn. It’s a great, funny bonding game for 2-20 players and has an enticing, colorful look that will appeal to even the game-averse among your family.
Legos are a classic, nostalgic toy for just about anyone, and this set of tiny plant build is a two-for-one gift: not only will the tiny succulents be fun to assemble, they’ll also double as home decor.
Another gift for tackling adulthood ailments like muscle and joint pain, this heated massager will feel like an at-home spa that you can access even while watching TV.
Level up your recipient’s rice cooker (or get them one in the first place, if their kitchen is tragically missing this godsend appliance) with a Bella rice cooker. It doubles as a steamer, too, so users can cook veggies, proteins, and grains all in the same place.
Having messy, tangled chargers in your carry-on is so last year. This organizer case helps you store everything in one chic space, and will also be a great way to remember just how many chargers you actually brought on vacation.
This handheld massage gun with three different attachments, so users can target muscle groups and alleviate pain and tension easily. This is a great gift for anyone who works out regularly, but is also great for people who have any sort of chronic pain.
With 200 different cocktail recipes, including some classic favorites, this book is a great choice for anyone who uses alcohol safely, no matter how long they’ve been legally allowed to imbibe.
This sunny and bright recipe journal is a great way to prompt loved ones to make their own personal cookbook, whether they’re a seasoned pro in the kitchen or a recent college grad who’s stuck on pasta and ramen noodles and needs a little of encouragement. For some extra personal flair, you could add in a few of your family’s favorite holiday recipes to get things started.