10 Dated Gift Trends You Should Skip This Year — and What to Give Instead to Actually Impress
10 Dated Gift Trends You Should Skip This Year — and What to Give Instead to Actually Impress
Because you can do better than a coffee mug.
The picks below come from shopping expert Brooke Knappenberger, who takes gift-giving very seriously — and who will not be buying anyone a coffee mug this holiday season.
Overdone gifts such as a coffee mug recur under the tree each year. While the thought counts, a mindful swap can turn a boring present into an impressive one, so as a professional shopper and gifting enthusiast she rounded up outdated trends a reader may be tempted to buy and what to shop for instead on Amazon, from fashion-forward triangle scarves to buzzy beauty essentials, with fresh ideas for everyone on the list.
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Best Trendy Gifts on Amazon
- Leakproof Water Bottle: Owala FreeSip Stainless Steel Water Bottle
- Polished One-and-Done Outfit: Prettygarden 2-Piece Lounge Set
- Celeb-Inspired Shoes: Ugg Elea Slip-On Shoes
- Foolproof Stocking Stuffer: Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
- Cut Back on Screen Time: Brick Smartphone Access Blocker
- Oprah-Approved Travel Bag: Bagsmart Travel Toiletry Bag
- Better Than a Sweatshirt: Btfbm Quarter-Zip Sweater
- Not Your Average Scarf: MissShorthair Knit Triangle Scarf
- Luxe Beauty Routine Upgrade: Cyklar Vanilla Verve Body Oil and Body Wash Bundle
- Holiday Party-Ready Accessory: Kate Spade New York Duo Mini Shoulder Bag
What’s Out: Coffee Mugs
What’s In: Insulated Water Bottles — Owala FreeSip Stainless Steel Water Bottle
Everyone she knows has a cabinet full of mugs hardly touched, so instead of adding to that collection, give a water bottle the recipient can reach for daily. The social-media-viral Owala bottle lives up to the hype: its triple-layer stainless steel insulation keeps water ice-cold all day, she loves its chug spout and built-in straw, and it comes in over 25 colors, so there is a shade for everyone.
What’s Out: Pajamas
What’s In: Polished Matching Sets — Prettygarden 2-Piece Lounge Set
She loves matching pajamas as much as the next person, but as a hot sleeper she is very picky about sleepwear, so unless the giver knows the recipient’s preferences, steer clear of pajamas and choose a comfy yet polished matching set that can be mixed and matched with the rest of the wardrobe for an easy one-and-done outfit. This set is a particular favorite of hers for its lightweight, comfortable fabric and sleek, not frumpy, fit.
What’s Out: Fuzzy Slippers
What’s In: Stylish Suede Clogs — Ugg Elea Slip-On Shoes
Everyone should have house shoes, but fuzzy slippers tend to be flimsy and wear out easily, so sturdy, stylish shoes that are just as comfy are a better buy. These Ugg clogs are similar to a style Kate Hudson wears, and they include the brand’s plush sheepskin lining for an ultra-warm feel, plus water-resistant suede and durable rubber soles for indoor and outdoor wear.
What’s Out: Basic Lip Balm Multipacks
What’s In: A Soothing Lip Mask — Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
She knows she is not the only one who hardly ever finishes a lip balm tube before misplacing it, and she would much rather have one really great lip mask to keep at her desk or nightstand. Laneige’s is her go-to choice, leaving her lips feeling softer and smoother after every application; she applies it every night before bed and wakes up hours later to a lingering, glossy feel, and a little goes a long way, so one tube lasts much longer than an average lip balm tube.
What’s Out: Portable Chargers
What’s In: Screen Time Blockers — Brick Smartphone Access Blocker
A portable charger may sound practical, but it will only lead to more screen time, so the better gift for the most online friend is a screen time-blocking device like Brick. It works with the Brick app to block distracting apps and websites — choose which apps to block in the app, tap the phone to the Brick device, then enjoy time away from mindless scrolling.
What’s Out: Travel-Sized Toiletries
What’s In: Toiletry Bags — Bagsmart Travel Toiletry Bag
Everyone has products they love while traveling, so instead of guessing favorites, gift a practical toiletry bag that will get plenty of use — a no-brainer idea. She especially loves this Bagsmart pick, which made Oprah’s Favorite Things list, and would recommend it to anyone; it has a wide open-mouth design with two large pockets that keep things upright and easy to find.
What’s Out: Basic Sweatshirts
What’s In: Quarter-Zip Sweaters — Btfbm Quarter-Zip Sweater
Sweatshirts are a dime a dozen and the recipient surely does not need another, while a cozy, cute sweater will actually update the wardrobe practically. This Amazon style looks similar to sweaters Oprah and Gwyneth Paltrow wear, with a luxe-looking quarter-zip neckline, and its thick, warm fabric feels like a level-up over a basic sweatshirt and gives a more put-together look, whether styled with leggings or jeans.
What’s Out: Winter Accessories Sets
What’s In: Triangle Scarves — MissShorthair Knit Triangle Scarf
Winter accessories like scarves, hats, and gloves are practical, but matching sets can feel boring, so a more fashion-forward option that still offers respite from the chill is a triangle scarf. She has been spotting this accessory around the necks of women all over New York for months, and this red Amazon pick can be easily tied over coats and sweaters for a fun pop of color and extra warmth.
What’s Out: Perfume
What’s In: Luxurious Bodycare Staples — Cyklar Vanilla Verve Body Oil and Body Wash Bundle
Gifting perfume is always risky because fragrance is particularly subjective, so a more surefire gift is luxurious bodycare the recipient can use every day. Cyklar’s formulas are some of the best she has ever tried — and she has tried countless — and leave her skin feeling softer than ever. The set includes hydrating body oil and body wash, both in Vanilla Verve, a blend of vanilla, amber, and balsam that smells divine, and it is no wonder the set is another one of Oprah’s favorite things.
What’s Out: Personalized Canvas Tote Bags
What’s In: Small Shoulder Bags — Kate Spade New York Duo Mini Shoulder Bag
There was a time when everyone carried personalized canvas tote bags, but that trend has run its course. A small shoulder bag like this Kate Spade style will go the distance in the recipient’s wardrobe, especially during the holiday season: it is the ideal party accessory — just big enough for essentials like a phone and lip gloss, and wearable in multiple ways — and it also comes in 16 colors, like trending cherry red and party-ready silver, to suit their style.
More Writer-Loved Gifts:
- Tiny Travel Essential: Apple AirTag
- Sleep Easier: Nodpod Patented Gentle Pressure Sleep Mask
- Cozy Season Must-Have: Bedsure Sherpa Throw Blanket
- Beauty Multitasker: Solawave 4-in-1 Red Light Therapy Wand
- Glass Skin in 3 Hours: Biodance Bio-Collagen Real Deep Mask 4-Pack
- A Hand Cream for Every Bag: Caudalie Vinotherapist Hand and Nail Cream Gift Set
- Set the Mood: Innqoo Candle Warmer Lamp
- Every Wardrobe Staple: Trendy Queen Knit Cardigan
- Practical Routine Upgrade: Aquasonic Vibe Ultra-Whitening Toothbrush
- Gen-Z Gift Pick: Kodak Charmera Keychain Digital Camera Blind Box
