Unique Christmas Gifts for Adults (Not Another Candle)

Most adult gifts are interchangeable. A candle, a bottle and a box of chocolates could have been bought for anyone, which is exactly why nobody remembers them. A unique gift is not necessarily expensive. It is one that could only have been chosen for this particular person.

A good test is to imagine them opening it. If they will ask "where did you find this?", it is the right gift.

Something to open twice

A secret puzzle box has a hidden compartment that opens only if you find the sequence. Put a second gift inside, or a note, and the box becomes part of the present. It is the most reliable surprise on this list, because almost everyone enjoys a box that does not want to be opened. More on how they work in puzzle boxes for adults.

A Kong Ming lock is a wooden puzzle ball made of interlocking pieces, a traditional Chinese brain teaser. Taking it apart is the easy half.

Something to make

A 3D metal model kit of the Flying Dutchman is a ghost ship made of etched steel sheets that bend and slot together, no glue or solder. It is a quiet weekend project for an adult who likes to make things, and the finished ship looks like it cost far more than it did. The legend behind the ship is a story in itself: see the Flying Dutchman legend.

Something with a history

A feather quill pen with five nibs is for the writer, the calligrapher, or the person who still sends letters. It writes properly, and learning to use it is half the pleasure: how to write with a quill pen covers it.

A tarot deck in a gilded tin reproduces the classic 1909 artwork that most modern decks are based on. You do not have to believe in it to enjoy it, and it makes a striking object on a shelf.

An Elder Futhark rune set is twenty-four wooden runes in a bag, the old Germanic alphabet used for writing and, later, for divination. It is the gift for the person who reads about the Vikings.

Something to perform or play

Linking rings are one of the oldest tricks in magic: solid rings that link and unlink. A set of four is sized for close-up work, and it is the gift for an adult who has always wanted to learn one real trick.

A folding Go set is the ancient board game that is simple to learn and deep enough for a lifetime. It is a better gift than chess for someone who already plays chess, because it will be new.

How to choose

Pick the gift that matches how the person spends a quiet evening: making something, reading, puzzling or playing. If you cannot decide, the puzzle box works for almost anyone, and it is the one most likely to be talked about at the table. For the men in your life specifically, try gifts for men who have everything.

Order early

Everything ships from our supplier, and we do not quote delivery dates because we would be guessing. For Christmas, order in November.