It’s that joyous time of the year when Die Hard loops on cable TV, daddy issues abound (it’s a Santa thing; don’t ask), and the eggnog is flowing. But, sadly, our wallets do not flow with such ‘nog abundance. And, like us, you may be wondering how in the name of the god of your choice you are going to find gifts that look expensive (for cheap) without making your giftee any the wiser.
We know, we know. Y’all said you would “do small gifts this year,” but everyone knows that’s kind of BS. That’s why we did the dirty work for you, and unearthed the very best Amazon gifts that feel expensive and work for everyone, whether you’re shopping for a gym shark, Boomer parent, or that one friend who’s always drooling over Le Creuset sets; we found cloud-like puffer slippers for pampering their toes, fancy hand soaps for pampering their paws, and a veritable spa day in a box.
Dare we say it, you may be tempted to smash that order button twice.
Pondering their orbs
Taking your giftee to the spa would be spensi, but these hypnotic facial orbs feel luxurious and calming; your lucky duck can just chill them in the fridge, and then use them to massage their temples, forehead, and anywhere else that needs a little TLC. As one Amazon reviewer writes, “While I was rolling these things around my face, I made sure to concentrate on the sinus areas […] I could almost feel like the pressure was being released.”
MonétBeauty
Ice Globes for Facials and Headaches
$29.99$22.99 at Amazon
This Le Creuset kettle doppelganger
Who doesn’t like a kettle? Coffee drinkers, tea drinkers, aesthetes who want something pretty sitting on the back burner—this whistling tea kettle will quench them all. It has a 4.5-star average rating from over 3,500 reviews on Amazon, and sure is making us do a double take with this Le Creuset kettle that costs nearly three times as much.
ROCKURWOK
Whistling Tea Kettle
$39.99$23.95 at Amazon
These $30 earbuds just as good as AirPods
Apple is rad, but it’s not the end-all-be-all when it comes to wireless headphones that give you solid sound. VICE editor Hilary Pollack gave this $30 set with over 23,000 Amazon reviews a try, and was très besotted with the bang for her buck. “I truly love that they show you how much battery life you have left right on the case, and that they pair so easily with my phone, computer, and even gym equipment,” she writes in her VICE review. Gift them to the tech-lover or audiophile in the family.
TAGRY
True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds
$48.99$29.74 at Amazon
Art Deco highball glasses
This set had our attention at the words “Art Deco design,” but it captured our hearts with the attention to detail in presentation. Not only is this set of four vintage-inspired glasses perfect for elevating everything from booze to OJ, but it comes in sateen-lined box. Your giftee will easily think you spend over $100.
Glassique Cadeau
Art Deco Highball Gatsby Cocktail Glasses
$44.99 at Amazon
Fancy French hand soap
David Blaine wishes he had the power to enchant as much as this soap on a rope. No shade (maybe a little), but we are absolutely ensorcelled by the way in which this ample, fancy French hand soap dangles from its delicate rope. Dubbed the No. 63, the soap has an earthy tobacco and amber base, and a citrus top note that’s rounded out by cedar, plum, and a whisper of violet leaves. They’ll never believe it was about $12.
Pre de Provence
No.63 Soap on a Rope
$13.99$12.99 at Amazon
For the outdoorsy friend
Every friend group has one: The hot person in parachute pants who can stay at the basement rave until 4 a.m., and still be on time for the Sunday hike in the Catskills at a secret spot “they’ve been going to for a million years.” They deserve this incontestably rad Stanley canteen with a 4.8-star average rating on Amazon. As one fan writes, “[After] almost 9 hours, my soup was still boiling hot and delicious!! No leaks while in my backpack [either].”
Stanley
Classic Legendary Vacuum Insulated Cantine
$36$24.98 at Amazon
Like down jackets for your feet
Summer is for hot poor people; winter is for hot rich people who can bankroll a steady rotation of personality coats. Out of all the peak-winter jawn we covet, puffer material is highest on the list for its lightweight feel and warmth. This pair of puffer-esque slippers is highly rated on Amazon, and a solid alternative for the $54 slippers by The North Face on Amazon.
RockDove
Campground Memory Foam Down Slipper
$21.99 at Amazon
The best gift for a rando
If you have to find the perfect gift for a rando/boss/uncle who belongs to the flat earther Facebook group, fret not: Everyone likes olive oil. Everyone uses olive oil. But not everyone has fancy Spanish olive oil from Nuñez De Prado, which has been slinging the liquid gold since 1775. Amazon reviewers praise its versatility as an olive oil that can handle high temps on the stove, and taste great alone as a dipping oil with bread. After all, one fan writes, “The region [where it’s from] has produced virgin olive oil from the time it was under Roman rule.”
Nuñez De Prado
Extra Virgin Olive Oil Tin
$25.50 at Amazon
Yes, you can afford Cartier
Wrap up this travel-sized La Panthere eau de parfum for your boo from Cartier, and pair it with a fresh bouquet of eucalyptus/roses/panties. They’ll love you forever (and never guess that it only costs as much as brunch).
Cartier
La Panthere Eau De Parfum Travel Spray
$39.95$35 at Amazon
Happy holidays, smarty pants. Go treat yourself to a little Cyber Monday something while the deals last.
The Rec Room staff independently selected all of the stuff featured in this story. Want more reviews, recommendations, and red-hot deals? Sign up for our newsletter.
