How to find unique Christmas gifts for that person in your life who has everything

A composite image of three of the best unique Christmas gift ideas for 2022.

(Image credit: Future/Canva)

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Our pick of the best unique Christmas gifts in the UK
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Get inspired by our expertly curated guide to unique Christmas gifts for loved ones. After all, we all want to gift something that's both thoughtful and special, but it can be hard finding something that's truly unique.

Maybe your loved one already has everything they need, or are particularly picky about the sorts of presents they like to receive. But whether you're looking for the best Christmas gifts for her or a Christmas gift for friends a unique and truly thoughtful present is always a winner.

That's where we come in. We've curated the best unique gifts to choose from this Christmas and chatted with experts who shared their top tricks for finding the perfect gift, even if you're all out of ideas.

The best unique Christmas gifts to buy now

Read on for our recommendations to get the perfect unique gifts for loved ones this Christmas...

How to find unique Christmas gifts

It's not always easy to think of outside-of-the-box gift ideas for special people in your life. Holly Harper, Head of Product Curation at Not on the High Street, says that "In these difficult times, the old saying 'it's the thought that counts' has never been truer". It's true that you don't need to splash out to find a gift to make your loved ones happy, but how do you set your gift apart from the rest of the presents that people will receive this year?

We asked gift-giving experts for their top tips on finding unique Christmas gifts that will be remembered fondly for years to come. Read on for their best advice.

Top 5 tips for finding unique Christmas gifts

1. Cater to your loved ones' interests and passions

Harper’s advice for carving out a truly special gift for a loved one is to “start by thinking about the interests of the gift recipient. Do they like to stay active? Have they taken up a new hobby recently? Have they shared happy memories from a recent holiday?” Emma Threlfall, Buyer for Gifts and Collectibles at gifting retailer I Want One of Those, agrees, stating that “You don’t need to spend a lot of money on something, but rather find something that relates to a hobby, interest or passion of theirs”, and adding that the key is finding “the balance of sentimentality and novelty”.

Indeed, a unique gift doesn’t have to break the bank, but if it’s specific to a passion, interest, or hobby that the recipient loves, they’ll know you’ve really put the time in to think about what they would genuinely use and appreciate. Harper says a unique gift can “enhance or contribute to their passion or interest. For example, if your friend went to Sicily and was bowled over by the lifestyle, how about local artisanal olive oil, marmalade or wine to remind them of their trip”.

2. Shop independent brands for unique ideas

When it comes to where to shop for unique gifts, Harper suggests seeking out “independent brands or stores to help you find a gift that will make their Christmas - local homeware stores can often be a treasure trove for unique and affordable gifts”. Beck Prior, founder of Bristol-based hub for artisanal and handmade products, Prior, also believes that shopping “with your local independent shop who supports makers” will allow you to find “completely one-of-a-kind” products in “beautiful boutiques, modern design pop-ups and family-run shops”. Many of the options in our list below are handmade or handcrafted by small and/or independent brands, meaning that it’s more likely your loved one won’t come across their gift anywhere else. “Products made by hand are not only unique”, Prior says, “but also great for the local economy and often the planet”.

3. Personalize your gift

One relatively simple way to make a more mainstream gift unique is to add a personalized aspect. Sites such as Etsy and Not on the High Street feature hundreds of personalized gift ideas. “One way to really stand out is to give a gift that’s made just for the recipient”, says Dayna Isom Johnson, Trend Expert at Etsy. For example, engraving “a custom initial to a piece of jewelry”. Adding a name, important date, or anything else that holds meaning for you and/or your loved one is an easy way to gift them something that no-one else will have.

Steph Douglas, CEO of unique gifting site Don’t Buy Her Flowers, adds that you should “always include a note. Everyone loves a personal message, and it’s a chance to tell someone you think they’re brilliant and you love them. It also makes your gift unique, as only you could write that message”. Lots of retailers allow you to add a gift note, even if the product itself is not personalized.

4. Give a gift that focuses on self-care

Douglas explains that when buying a gift, “work out how you want the recipient to feel. Are they tired? Do they need some TLC? Is it a bit of luxury they’re after? People often fall into the trap of buying the same things over and over, but if you think about the person you’re buying for and what has been going on in their life, it should help steer you to something thoughtful”.

She adds that “Most people - especially around Christmas when December may have been a whirlwind of shopping and planning and social gatherings - need a lie down by the time they get to the big day”. Douglass recommends looking for a gift “that’s all about encouraging rest and saying ‘I see you, you deserve some time for yourself” - think scented candles, bath salts, or a voucher for a massage or spa treatment.

5. Try out brands and retailers you haven't shopped before

As we’ve noted, retailers like Etsy, Not on the High Street and Don’t Buy Her Flowers are a great way to seek out specific brands, especially independent ones you may not have heard of before. Douglas suggests another easy way to find new brands: “Look for independent gift guides, or if you have a product in mind, search it on Instagram - i.e. ‘#necklace’ - and you’ll find a wealth of brands you’ve not heard of”.

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Hannah is the UK Shopping Writer for woman&home. As a shopping writer, Hannah has written on everything from period pants to wine subscriptions, and is especially interested in sustainable alternatives to well-known products, as well as books and homeware accessories.

Before she joined the team at woman&home Hannah headed up the social media accounts for Wonderland in 2019, where she was also a Contributing Editor for the magazine’s sister titles. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Hannah also explored evolving shopping trends at New York Magazine’s The Strategist UK, researching everything from face masks to status candles and even pens.