holiday gifts 2018

49 Surprising, Delightful, and Weird Holiday Gifts Over $200

Including a water-rowing machine, a Dyson curling iron, and Biggie’s Versace sunglasses.

A cactus bracelet from Tiffany’s. Photo: Joe Lingeman
A cactus bracelet from Tiffany’s. Photo: Joe Lingeman

In all the Black Friday/Cyber Monday hysteria, you may have gotten a good deal on a flat-screen TV. But what about those gifts that elicit a truly delighted wow? Here, dozens of surprising, kooky, beautiful, and useful gifts, priced over $200 (we ran our under $50 and under $200 guides earlier this week). Don’t miss all of the Strategist’s holiday gift coverage right here, too.

No sunlight needed: This cactus (bracelet) is made of 18-karat yellow gold and diamonds.

Photo: Courtesy of the vendor

This German-designed seat is made of hardened polyurethane foam.

Photo: Courtesy of the vendor

Gift-trend forecasters say the series will be back big this year. Forgo the electric wands and floating Snitches for this classy complete set hand-bound in tear-resistant jackets.

Photo: Joe McKendry

David Mallett’s new NYC salon is among the few in the country to offer a Tokio Inkarami hair facial, which conditions layer by layer. 

Photo: Courtesy of the vendor

Via a new start-up that lets non-millionaires invest small amounts in millionaire-priced art.

Photo: Courtesy of the vendor

In pebbled leather, with a hidden business-card pocket.

Photo: Courtesy of the vendor

Fiber art for the flowers.

Photo: Courtesy of the vendor

For the garage craft-beer brewer who’s ready to level up.

$590
Photo: Courtesy of the vendor

For the 20-year-old or 90-year-old on your list.

Photo: Courtesy of the vendor

If you’re going to wear fur, it might as well be vintage.

Photo: Courtesy of the vendor

Straight from her Instagram to your backyard.

Photo: Courtesy of the vendor

This Köln Travel Kit is stocked with TSA-sized status toiletries.

Photo: Courtesy of the vendor

An archival pigment print on paper with hand-frayed edges, inspired by Christina Rossetti’s poem “Goblin Market.”

Photo: Joe McKendry

There are only some 70 sake sommeliers in the world; book one for a dinner-party power move.

Photo: Courtesy of the vendor

It’s sleek, ecofriendly, and goes 50 mph.

Photo: Courtesy of the vendor

Handmade brooms continue to edge out ceramics as the next must-have objet.

Photo: Courtesy of the vendor

They’re made by one guy, Roland Lannier, in central France.

Photo: Courtesy of the vendor

Signed by a preretirement Caroll Spinney.

Photo: Courtesy of the vendor

It’s bugproof, has reflective UV-blackout layers, and sleeps six Burners.

Photo: Courtesy of the vendor

High-design home exercise.

A snore-detecting inflatable pillow insert that turns you over so your partner doesn’t have to.

Photo: Courtesy of the vendor

Made by a former Glossier employee, naturally.

Photo: Courtesy of the vendor

Invest in the reopening of Brooklyn’s most esteemed (and long-lost) restaurant, Gage & Tollner.

Photo: Courtesy of the vendor

A styling tool that uses airflow to attract hair and curl it without extreme heat.

Photo: Courtesy of the vendor

Don’t be fooled by its humble toaster-oven looks — this Breville countertop contraption reaches temperatures up to a scorching 750 degrees to make perfect wood-fired oven pies without the wood, or the oven, in less than two minutes.

Photo: Courtesy of the vendor

The first known meat slicer, designed in 1898, creates deli-thin prosciutto, pancetta, and more.

Photo: Courtesy of the vendor

It has a built-in “chrono regatta” device for recording race times with perfect accuracy.

Photo: Courtesy of the vendor

With rose-gold details and an alligator band.

Photo: Courtesy of the vendor

It neighs, trots, and eats carrots — just like the real thing.

Photo: Courtesy of the vendor/Photo by Peter J. Markham

For your friend with some land.

Photo: Courtesy of the vendor

Made for guys but equally appealing to women.

Photo: Courtesy of the vendor

A bamboo screen by the East Village–based Green River Project made with hand-spun Indian fabric selected by designer Emily Bode and painted on by artist Kurt Beers.

Photo: Courtesy of the vendor

Fancy brass heads paired with not-so-serious acrylic handles.

Photo: Courtesy of the vendor

A poster created in 1983 for the “Food for the Soup Kitchens” benefit (which included Keith Haring, Kiki Smith, and David Wojnarowicz).

Chefs like Carla Perez-Gallardo of Lil’ Deb’s Oasis whip up tasty stews; all donations go to causes like the Audre Lorde Project.

$400
Photo: Courtesy of the vendor

Do you still call it a collar when it’s made of solid stainless steel with 14-karat-gold plating?

Photo: Dreamworks Pictutres

This service not only plans your whole trip but chooses the destination.

Sonos TV Speaker
$449
Photo: Courtesy of the vendor

Because the volume on the TV is either too loud or not loud enough.

Photo: Courtesy of the vendor

Artist Guy Overfelt has reimagined one of Picasso’s 1950s ceramic pieces as a fully functioning pipe.

Photo: Courtesy of the vendor

An easy way to take it over-the-top.

$2,000
Photo: Ron Davis/Getty Images

Dry-cleaning not included.

Photo: Courtesy of the vendor

Carved from one solid piece of a stone said to soothe stress and nervousness. Like most baths.

Lunar Rocks
$100,000
$100,000
Photo: Courtesy of the vendor

Now on at Sotheby’s: the second-ever legal offering of moon rocks. 

Photo: Courtesy of the vendor

By Raquel Albarran via Land Gallery, a Dumbo-based studio that represents adult artists with developmental disabilities.

Photo: Courtesy of the vendor

A robotic dog, loaded with sensors and cameras, that will learn tricks and (fake) pee on your rug.

Photo: Courtesy of the vendor

A Patagonia fleece upgrade by Japanese designer Yuki Matsuda.

Photo: Courtesy of the vendor

A reissue of the rapper’s beloved shades.

*This article appears in the November 26, 2018, issue of New York Magazine. Subscribe Now!

The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatmentsrolling luggagepillows for side sleepersnatural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.

Every editorial product is independently selected. If you buy something through our links, New York may earn an affiliate commission.

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49 Surprising, Delightful, and Weird Holiday Gifts Over $200