Top 30 Gifts for Christmas gifts for friends
1Gozney Arc Lite | Compact Pizza & Outdoor Oven
A compact gas pizza oven that T3 and Tom's Guide praise for fast heat-up and restaurant-style pizza, a big-ticket Christmas gift for anyone who loves cooking ou
€399.99Gozney
3Adult-focused 1,972-piece display build that VGC and Brickset rate highly, though some reviewers question value.
€169.99LEGO Shop IE
5Global G-2 Cooks Knife 20cm Blade
Recommended by The Irish Times for the cook in your life; billed by Anthony Ryan's as the best-selling Japanese knife ever made.
€175Anthony Ryans
7Buy Antler Discovery Backpack from Next Ireland
The Irish Post's Christmas gifts for travel lovers features this lightweight, water-resistant recycled backpack with a laptop sleeve and a back sleeve that slid
€92.5Next Ireland
9The Irish Post's travel-lover gift roundup picks this Lonely Planet book for inspiring the next city break, which suits anyone who is always planning a short tr
€30.00Lonely Planet
11Unisex Irish Sheepskin Loafer with wool Trim
Cosy Irish-made sheepskin loafers that suit him or her.
€80The Irish Woollen Workshop
13Float Therapy in Limerick | 60-Minute Floats
An hour of magnesium salt float therapy in Limerick, a TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice pick 2024 to 2026.
€69Revival Float Rooms
15The plant pet that tells you when it's thirsty.
$98.99Plantsio
HintDrop perk: 8% off
17Pairfum London Sleep & Pillow Spray 100ml
A 100ml pillow and linen spray made with essential oils, with calming scents such as linen and lavender for winding down at night.
€28.00Pairfum London
19Hey Happiness Pearl Layering Bracelet Set
Two fine sterling silver bracelets with tiny pearls, made to be worn together.
€80.90Hey Happiness
21Garmin Forerunner 965 | White | The Run Hub
A lightweight AMOLED multisport watch a UK tech reviewer called the best Forerunner in years for serious runners.
€599.99The Run Hub
2Small Cork-made ice facial and gua sha tool, an affordable self-care thank-you gift.
€26.00Cosy Girls Club
4
Buy INSTAX mini 12 Instant Camera - Blossom Pink | CurrysIE
Easy point-and-shoot instant camera that TechRadar and Digital Camera World call a best budget option, good for trips and graduation photos.
€84.99Currys IE
6A Nation Once Again - Dubray Books
The Irish Times calls this funny and scabrous novel a propulsive caper; it is Dubray Books' number one bestseller.
€15.99Dubray Books
8Chilly's S2 Flip bottle Abyss Black 500ml
Named in The Irish Post's travel gift picks for travel-ready hydration: a double-walled bottle with a carry loop and flip lid that keeps drinks cold for up to 2
€39.95CoffeeShop.ie
10Theragun Mini 2.0 - Desert Rose
Pocket-size percussive massage gun that reviewers praise for power and portability, if pricey.
€199.00Elverys
12Folláin - 12 Days of Christmas Preserves!
A festive set of Irish-made preserves, an easy thank-you or Secret Santa gift.
€ 15.99Folláin
14An hour on a K Golf World simulator bay at The K Club, recommended as a gift experience by IMAGE and RTE Lifestyle.
€50.00The K Club
16Latte art foam at home for under €50, a lovely little stocking filler.
€49.99OutIn
HintDrop perk: 15% off
18Pairfum London Reed Diffuser Tower, Classic
100ml of fragrance oil with natural essential oils and ten black reeds; they say it scents a room for three to five months. Ships from London.
€42.00Pairfum London
20Hey Happiness Pearl Chain Jewellery Set
A delicate pearl necklace and matching bracelet, ready to give as a set.
€99.90Hey Happiness
22Garmin Approach R10 Launch Monitor Black
A portable launch monitor that tracks club and ball data and lets you play virtual rounds on thousands of courses.
€564.95Pro Golf Ireland
Sort your friends into tiers first
Not every friend needs the same gift, and pretending otherwise leads to overspending or hurt feelings. A simple three-way split works: your closest few, the wider group you see regularly, and the people you only see once or twice a year.
Closest friends get something personal. The wider group get something small and nice. The occasional friends get a card, or a treat to share when you next meet.
For the friend you know inside out
This is where the in-joke gift lives. A mug with a reference only the two of you understand, a print of somewhere you travelled together, or the exact snack they always steal from you. Specific beats expensive every time.
If you have been friends for years, you can also afford to be useful. Quality socks, a good water bottle or a decent umbrella are not glamorous, but people love them.
Small, safe and still thoughtful
For a wider circle, aim for something almost anyone would be glad of: good chocolate, a nice hand cream, a scented candle, a pack of quality tea or coffee. They are low risk and sit in a comfortable €10 to €20 range.
Look for something a little less ordinary than the supermarket version. A small independent brand makes it feel chosen rather than grabbed.
Gifts to share
Friends often get the most from something enjoyed together: a card game, a food hamper to open at your next evening in, or a voucher for somewhere you both like. It doubles as a plan for the new year.
A hamper or a game also works when you are not sure of their taste, because it is meant to be shared rather than judged.
Friends who live far away
Posting a gift to a friend in another city or country is easiest when it is flat, light and unbreakable. A good book, a tin of tea, a small print or a letter with a few photos all travel well and arrive looking like you made an effort.
Send it a week or two before Christmas so there is room for delays, and add a note so it feels like more than a parcel.
Agree a limit with the group
If you have a big circle who all buy for each other, suggest a cap or a Secret Santa. Most people are relieved. It stops the quiet competition and lets everyone pick something properly good instead of lots of mediocre things.
Make it easier for the next one
Ask your closest friends to start a list on HintDrop, and start your own. When Christmas arrives, you can each look at what the other has saved, and nobody has to guess.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I spend on a friend at Christmas?
For a close friend, most people spend somewhere between €15 and €40. For a wider circle, €5 to €15 is common. What matters is that it is in line with what you think they will spend on you.
What is a good gift for a friend I do not know that well?
Something consumable and widely liked, such as good chocolate, tea, coffee or a candle. It is hard to get wrong.
Should I buy for every friend?
No. Prioritise your closest friends and send a card to the rest. A group Secret Santa is a good way to keep things fair.
What are good last minute Christmas gifts for friends?
Food and drink, books, candles and games are quick to buy and rarely miss. Starting early still gives you more choice.
What can I give a friend who has everything?
Try something that disappears, such as a nice meal, a bottle of something good, or time together booked in for the new year. Experiences and consumables suit people who already own plenty.
Buying for a group this year? Draw names with our free Secret Santa generator: private emailed matches, a budget, and wishlists so nobody has to guess.
Ready to actually find something?
Browse Christmas gifts for friends