Top 30 Gifts for Christmas gifts for your partner
3Large Embroidered Keepsake Box - Delphine
CNN Underscored picks it as a paper-themed first anniversary gift: a pretty embroidered box for keeping cards, letters and ticket stubs (anniversary-gift-ideas,
$60Rifle Paper Co.
5Get Closer Conversation Game: Table Talk - Table Talk
CNN Underscored picks this deck of conversation prompts for getting to know friends better; a card game for couples that turns a night in into a proper catch up
$20Intelligent Change
7A hand painted print of the books that matter to them, made to order from their own favourites; a keepsake for a devoted reader.
$120Ideal Bookshelf
9The Cannes Waffle Knit Robe - Albero
CNN Underscored picks this plush waffle-knit robe for the brother who will not compromise on style, even at home.
$139Dandy Del Mar
11The Vermonter | Leather Work Glove | Vermont Glove
Featured in Wirecutter's dad gift guide: hand-stitched goat-leather gloves made in Vermont, built to last for years.
$115.00Vermont Glove
13Leaf Twig Razor & Thorn Razor | Single Edge Razor Single Blade Razor
CNN Underscored includes this single-edge razor bundle in its grooming gift picks; a reusable razor for someone who wants a closer, less wasteful shave.
$59.00Leaf Shave
15CNN Underscored picks this keyring-sized multi-tool for brothers; ten handy tools that fit in a pocket.
$34.99Gerber
17Bearaby® Weighted Blanket - 100% Cotton Knitted Weighted Blanket
A chunky knitted weighted blanket from CNN Underscored's pick-me-up gifts, comforting for someone resting or recovering at home.
$199Bearaby
19Biodance Bio Collagen-Real Deep Mask | Soko Glam
CNN Underscored includes this in its teen girl gifts; an overnight collagen mask for a low-cost skincare treat.
$19.0Soko Glam
21Soap Discovery Gift Set – 4 Soap Bars for Men
Featured by CNN Underscored in its grooming gifts; four different men's bar soaps so he can find his favourite scent.
$40.00Marlowe
23Game Boy™ 72046 | LEGO® Super Mario™ | Buy online at the Official LEGO® Shop US
CNN Underscored's nostalgic pick for a brother; a near-scale 421-piece Game Boy that is fun to build and display.
$59.99LEGO
25CNN Underscored's pick for a brother working on self care; an acupressure mat for unwinding tight backs and sore shoulders.
$99Shakti
27VKTRY Recovery Clog for Cushioning & Stability
Included in CNN Underscored's fitness gifts; cushioned recovery clogs to wear after a hard session or long run.
$99.0VKTRY
29The Original Cashmere Crewneck Sweater Men's
CNN Underscored's classic winter gift for a brother; a soft everyday cashmere crewneck at a fair price.
$98.00Naadam
2A5 Snap Journal | Full Grain Leather, Timeless Journal Design, Leatherology Black Onyx
CNN Underscored lists it for a first anniversary: a full grain leather journal that suits paper-themed gifting and can be personalised with initials.
$100Leatherology
4CNN Underscored recommends a Framebridge frame for a first anniversary, to show a favourite photo or a piece of wedding stationery.
$75Framebridge
6A colour e-reader with page-turn buttons and stylus support, named by CNN Underscored as a gift for serious readers (for book-gift-ideas, section 1: book light,
$259.99Rakuten Kobo
8Sherlock Holmes: Book Nook 10351 | LEGO® Icons | Buy online at the Official LEGO® Shop US
CNN Underscored recommends this Sherlock Holmes street scene as a build-it-yourself bookend for a brother with a packed shelf.
$129.99LEGO
10Buy PENDLETON CHESS AND CHECKERS SET for USD 37.50 | Pendleton
Wirecutter's dad gift guide pick: a canvas roll-up board with reversible pieces for chess or checkers that slips into a bag.
$37.50Pendleton
12Folding Treadmill with Incline | Strol 2S Pro
CNN Underscored and Stuff both feature this folding walking treadmill; fits under a desk for someone who wants more steps without a gym.
$549.99Urevo
14Theragun PRO | Professional-Grade Percussion Massage for Deep Relief
CNN Underscored picks the Theragun for brothers who train hard; a professional massage gun for post-workout recovery.
$529.99Therabody
16Small Hanging Toiletry Kit | Full Grain Leather Navy Blue
CNN Underscored recommends this leather hanging toiletry kit for brothers who travel; keeps a grooming routine tidy on the road.
$140.00Leatherology
18Shiatsu Calf & Foot Massager Pro 2
CNN Underscored lists this heated shiatsu calf and foot massager as a recovery gift; it eases tired legs after hard workouts or long days on their feet.
$289.99Renpho
20Salt Water Vanilla - Body Duo | Saltair
Featured in CNN Underscored's teen girl gifts; a vanilla body wash and lotion pair that makes a small, affordable treat.
$36.0Saltair
22Bala Bangles | Wearable Weights for Wrists & Ankles
Recommended by CNN Underscored for fitness fans; stylish wearable weights that add resistance to walks, pilates and yoga.
$55.00Bala
24Backbone Pro Wireless Mobile Gaming Controller | Backbone
A CNN Underscored brother pick; a pro-grade phone controller for gaming on the go.
$169.99Backbone
26The Stakt Weights | Adjustable Dumbbells
CNN Underscored picks these compact adjustable dumbbells for home workouts; a space-saving gift for someone building a home gym.
$108.0Stakt
28Chirp Halo | Wireless Muscle Stim
Picked by CNN Underscored for gym lovers; a wireless muscle stimulator that helps sore legs recover after training.
$179.99Chirp
30CNN Underscored's wife gift guide picks this stand for turning into a sturdy tripod with no assembly, handy for recipe videos, makeup tutorials or filming.
$39.99MOFT
Look for the gap between what they use and what they own
Most people live with one thing that is slightly worse than it should be: a chipped mug, a phone case held on with tape, a bag with a broken zip. Your partner has probably stopped seeing it. You have not. Replacing that one thing with a properly good version is a gift that gets used every day.
Spend a week quietly watching what they reach for and complain about. It is more reliable than asking.
Gifts for two beat gifts for one
If you live together, a gift you both get to enjoy is often the one that lands best: a board game for dark evenings, a nicer set of glasses for the drinks you already share, a cookbook you will actually cook from together.
Be honest with yourself about whether it is really for them. A gift that secretly benefits you more than them is easy to spot and slightly irritating to receive.
Make one part of the gift a plan
A booking turns Christmas into something that carries on into January, which is when most couples need it. A night away, a tasting evening, tickets to a show or a class you try together all give you something shared to look forward to.
Print or write it into a card and tuck a small physical gift in with it. Opening a confirmation email on Christmas morning is not much fun on its own.
Small and specific beats big and generic
A favorite chocolate they never buy, a book from an author you have heard them mention twice, a framed print from somewhere you went together. None of these is expensive, but each one tells them you were listening.
If you want to spend more, spend it on one of these specific things rather than on something broad like a gift card.
Agree the budget before you start
It sounds unromantic, but a quick chat avoids the awkward moment where one of you has spent three times what the other did. You do not need a precise number. Something like “nothing silly this year” does the job and takes pressure off both of you.
Let them drop the hints for you
If you keep guessing wrong, ask your partner to keep a list on HintDrop. They save things they like from any shop as they come across them through the year, and you can look in late November. They stay surprised about what you pick, and you stop guessing.
Frequently asked questions
What do you buy a partner who says they want nothing?
Take it as “do not buy me clutter” rather than “do not buy me anything”. Consumables, an experience for two or a better version of something they use daily all fit.
How much should I spend on my partner at Christmas?
Agree a rough figure together if you can. Otherwise spend what is comfortable for you, and put the thought into the choice rather than the price.
Is a shared experience a good Christmas gift for a partner?
Yes, particularly if you both enjoy doing things together. Pair the booking with a small wrapped item so there is still something to open on the day.
What if we are both terrible at gifts?
Each of you keep a list through the year. Even a handful of saved ideas is enough to avoid a panic buy in December.
Ready to actually find something?
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