Gender-Neutral Gifts for Holiday Gift Exchanges

Is this all just social pressure? I never know if people want candles or just want me to buy whatever’s wrapped in recycled paper. Everyone’s searching for “unisex” gifts, like I’m supposed to read minds.

Choosing the Right Unisex Present

One time I got a mug with three gender symbols. Did it change my life? Nope. The “experts” (and apparently every major list) keep saying kitchen gadgets, Bluetooth speakers, cold brew kits, and socks are the safest bets. Secret Santa organizers ban face masks because of allergies, and board games get ignored for puzzles. Last year, someone brought fairy lights. Everyone wanted them. My therapist and Cosmopolitan both say “cozy” is the move, but honestly, I still buy candles and regret it when someone complains about migraines. Can’t win.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nobody wants to be the person who brings the dud gift. I’ve tried, failed, and yet here I am, still scrolling for that “perfect” gender-neutral present. People click on this stuff for a reason, but who knows if it’s the right one.

What are some popular gender-neutral gifts for adults for under $20?

Travel mugs? I own six, never clean any of them. Kitchen gadgets like silicone spatulas or weird mugs get used, though. Bluetooth key trackers, LED flashlights, fidget cubes—these all pop up in cheap gift searches. Reusable water bottles? I keep getting them, and, yeah, I use them. Hydration is not a personality, but whatever.

Are books too personal? They’re trending anyway—motivational journals, oddball paperbacks. Socks are supposedly boring, but data says patterned socks are always top picks. I don’t get it, but people love them.

Can you suggest unique unisex gifts that are perfect for any adult?

My friend claimed puzzles are dead. Lies. I sent my brother a photo puzzle, and he actually put his phone down. That’s a win. Bamboo phone stands are everywhere—why do people still use napkins to prop up their phones? Wireless charging pads make every “can’t miss” list, like this Rolling Stone roundup. Herb garden kits? Some people love them, some people kill every plant. I’m not judging.

What’s trending in the best universal gifts for work exchanges?

Nobody admits it, but half the Secret Santa gifts get swapped under the table. Desk toys, USB gadgets, recycled stationery, plantable pencils—yeah, they exist—always end up on top. Last year, you couldn’t find a cheap digital photo frame anywhere by mid-December.

Stats say customizable accessories and sustainable stuff are hot, probably so no one can call you wasteful. I gave someone a mini oil diffuser once, and later overheard three people fighting about lavender vs peppermint. Never boring.

Are there any creative gender-neutral gift ideas for $50 budget shoppers?

Is $50 the magic number, or did someone just make that up? Lately, I see more “experiences”—cooking classes, escape rooms—plus tote bags and lunch boxes with random snacks. Wireless speakers? Always appreciated, but usually end up in the bathroom for shower podcasts.

Jamie Friedland, design pro, once said, “A gift that does two things at once is less likely to get regifted.” I bought a fancy engraved power bank once. It disappeared—someone “borrowed” it forever. I guess that means it was good.

How do I choose an appropriate white elephant gift that’s gender-neutral?

Does anyone follow the rules, or just grab the first thing on sale? I’ve brought board games, blankets that didn’t match anything, but honestly, snacks, soft throws, and weird drinkware always start fights. People still think candles are for women and tools are for men—nonsense. Rolling Stone says kitchen stuff, gadgets, and conversation starters are the way to go for white elephant gifts. One year, a banana-shaped stapler was the hit. What does that say about us? No clue.

What sort of gift should I bring for a unisex gift exchange at a $25 price point?

Okay, so, $25. Not enough for anything actually cool, but too much for, like, a keychain or whatever. I keep circling back to digital stuff—one month of some streaming thing, audiobook credits? Sort of boring, but at least nobody’s stuck pretending to love a weird candle or another mug. Or are digital gifts just lazy? Ugh, whatever.

I fell down this rabbit hole—here’s a list of gender-neutral gifts under $25—and it’s just endless “eco-friendly” stuff. Reusable straws. Foldable cutlery. Are people actually excited about portable forks? I doubt it. One year I tossed in a wall calendar with blank boxes (thought it was clever), and suddenly everyone’s arguing about vacation days and daylight savings. Seriously, does anyone even use wall calendars? And why do people get so worked up about time zones? I don’t get it.