We have highly specific gift guides for every kind of person, from grandparents to babies, gamers to bookworms, hikers to home cooks. But the gifts below — from fashion-y PPE to DIY mushroom farms — are novel, new, and, above all, very 2020. We mined the internet, sleuthed around social media, and tapped into our own shopping hive mind to unearth the latest, coolest stuff at truly every price point, from four bucks to, well, about 400 times that.
$25 and under
The same game they know and love (or love to hate), except this iteration’s notably stylish.
We love a non-fusty puzzle, and it doesn’t get less fusty than John Derian.
A sparkly sponge to make doing dishes (something we’re all spending more time on these days) infinitely more enjoyable.
Hand-poured in Brooklyn by Japanese designer Yui Kobayashi.
This all-natural playdough (plant-based colors! compostable glitters! essential oils!) isn’t just for kids.
If they’ve already knitted, embroidered, and tie-dyed to excess, here are 52 other suggestions for ways to pass the time.
Only Glossier could make a soap bar seem groundbreaking.
This new hair line is vegan, cruelty-free, Black-owned, and beloved by our curly-haired friends at the Cut.
Some especially well-designed, easy-to-apply falsies, courtesy of former J. Crew creative director Jenna Lyons.
Status vinegars are having a moment and this small-batch version is good enough to drink.
If sipping vinegar doesn’t appeal, consider these tablets that promise fresh, fizzy kombucha in an instant.
Cereal that’s actually good for them and that’ll look good on their shelf, too.
A cheaper-than-usual and smaller-than-usual versions of Taschen’s best-selling coffee table book.
The dusty book smell — sans dust.
Note: While you can give the gift of a preorder, this product doesn’t ship until 1/6/2021.
A tote inspired by New York’s 16th annual Reasons to Love New York issue, and a tribute to all the local businesses we lost this year.
$50 and under
A mini Molly (for a fraction of the price).
Note: Backordered until December 15, 2020.
Or even mini-er Frodo and friends.
For the kid (or the parent of the kid) who prefers toys plush instead of plastic.
For the kid who misses art class (or the adult who misses their weekly bodega bouquet).
A gift that proves you have your finger on the pulse.
A glow so high-def, it’ll even show up on Zoom.
A sampler of masks to soothe a variety of skin-care afflictions.
For the caffeine enthusiast, you can’t do any better than Blue Bottle’s espresso blends.
For the natural-wine enthusiast, you can’t do better than this new Gamay from designer Rosie Assoulin.
Machine-washable microfiber scrunchies that can be used to hold their hair and clean their iPhone screen.
Mushrooms really are popping up everywhere these days (including, should you gift this kit, their kitchen).
$100 and under
This may look like an objet d’art designed by Jeff Koons, but it’s actually one of the fastest-selling kids’ toys of 2020.
Not only is this handcrafted in Peru, but one doll provides ten meals to children in need.
You can’t go wrong with anything from Jungalow, but we especially like these cheerful ceramic vases.
Each ashtray is one-of-a-kind and made by hand using techniques originating in Murano, Italy.
Made of machine-washable twill that happens to be ecofriendly, too (the brand used excess fabric lying around from previous seasons).
An especially nice-looking mezuzah made of glass and steel (and also available in black, navy, and off-white).
This sure-to-sell-out gadget can basically turn a cell phone into a gaming console.
A new (and less expensive) take of the cult-classic shaggy-dog sweater
A kindercore fleece from A24, the maker of films like Moonlight and Uncut Gems — and now a maker of cool merch, too.
A twee (but not too twee) collar to liven up Zoom appearances.
Note: Because this is coming from Spain, shipping is $15.
A timely gift that’ll come in handy long after the pandemic’s over.
A new body oil from the skin-care brand that brought us “the secret to rich-person skin.”
A fanciful mask for socially distanced special occasions (or, y’know, grocery runs).