Gifts for friends and best friends, from small treats to proper birthday presents.
Best fits first, then by Picked Rating, from all our lists
A party card game
9.6/10
£9.99 RRP
Something to play with friends that isn’t a screen. Quick, loud games are best.
Why we picked it: A fast push-your-luck game that gets louder with every round. Teenagers and adults get equally hooked.
What owners say: Brilliant fun for all ages, easy to learn and perfect for trips and holidays.
A luxury chocolate bar selection
9.5/10
££ £15–£40
Better than a selection box and eaten by Boxing Day. A mix of flavours makes it feel like a tasting.
Why we picked it: Four dark bars from 70% to 85%, from a British craft chocolate maker. A tasting session in a box.
What owners say: Smooth, not bitter and some of the best chocolate they’ve had. A great gift for dark chocolate fans.
The Flavour Thesaurus
9.4/10
£20 RRP
A much-loved book about which flavours go together and why. Inspiring for anyone who likes to cook without recipes.
Why we picked it: The modern classic on what goes with what: a book to dip into for ideas rather than follow step by step.
What owners say: A go-to reference that sparks new ideas and unexpected combinations in the kitchen.
A wine saver pump
9.4/10
£14.99 RRP
Pumps the air out of an opened bottle so it keeps for a few extra days. Ideal for anyone who likes a glass rather than a bottle.
Why we picked it: The original wine saver: it pumps the air out so an open bottle stays fresh for days. For those rare occasions a bottle isn’t finished.
What owners say: Easy to use and keeps wine fresh for several days.
Acrylic paint set · Best premium
9.4/10
££ £15–£40
Winsor & Newton has made artists’ paint in London since 1832 and was granted a Royal Warrant in 1841. Galeria is its student range: big on colour and easy to mix.
What owners say: Very pigmented and easy to mix, great value, and suitable for beginners and experienced painters alike.
A wearable blanket hoodie
9.3/10
££ £15–£40
A giant fleece hoodie they can wrap up in and still use their hands. Great for working from home.
Why we picked it: Extra long, so it keeps legs warm too: basically a duvet you can walk around in.
What owners say: Wonderfully warm and soft. Owners say it goes right down to the ankles and is well worth the money.
A clip-on book light
9.3/10
£10.99 RRP
Better light for reading in bed or the armchair without straining their eyes.
Why we picked it: Clips to a book and throws a wide, even light, with a warm amber setting that won’t disturb whoever’s sleeping next to them.
What owners say: Brilliant light with lots of brightness choices, and the battery lasts a good while.
Heads up: Gritin has just launched a Gen 2. This one is the proven version and usually costs less.
Self-heating steam eye masks
9.2/10
£19.99 RRP
Warm up by themselves when opened. A little spa moment for tired eyes after a long day.
Why we picked it: Self-heating masks that warm gently for half an hour: a mini spa break for tired eyes after a long day of screens.
What owners say: Warms up quickly, lasts a good while, and the lavender is really calming.
A travel makeup bag
9.2/10
£21.99 RRP
One with a wide opening that stands up makes everything easy to find. Useful for trips and gym bags.
Why we picked it: Opens wide like a doctor’s bag, so nothing hides at the bottom, with elastic loops for bottles and brushes.
What owners say: Spacious, with lots of compartments. Perfect for weekends away.
A fluffy socks set
9.2/10
£14.99 RRP
Soft, cosy and cheerful. Nobody has ever complained about having too many fluffy socks in winter.
Why we picked it: Five pairs of super-soft fluffy socks in a gift box, so they’re ready to give straight away.
What owners say: Soft, warm and good quality. They don’t look cheap and make a perfect gift.
Photos are illustrative. We may earn a small commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you. How this works.
Arts and crafts
The best acrylic paint sets
#1 Artecho Acrylic Paint Set (18 × 59ml, with brushes)
Tech
The best Bluetooth speakers
#1 soundcore by Anker 2 Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Tech
The best DAB radios
#1 Roberts PLAY10 DAB/DAB+/FM Portable Radio
Home
The best electric blankets
#1 Silentnight Comfort Control Electric Blanket (Double)
Garden
The best gardening gloves
#1 SLARMOR Long Leather Gardening Gauntlets
Outdoors
The best rechargeable hand warmers
#1 OCOOPA UT5 Rechargeable Hand Warmers (2-pack)
Outdoors
The best head torches
#1 Blukar Rechargeable Head Torch (2-pack)
Home
The best heated throws
#1 Mia&Coco Heated Throw (120 × 160cm)
Kitchen
The best kitchen scales
#1 Amazon Basics Digital Kitchen Scales
Kitchen
The best meat thermometers
#1 ThermoPro TP03H Instant-Read Thermometer
Tech
The best power banks
#1 Anker 10,000mAh 30W Power Bank with Built-in USB-C Cable
Garden
The best secateurs
#1 Kimura 8-inch Pro Bypass Secateurs
Health and beauty
The best silk pillowcases
#1 ZIMASILK 100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcase
Tech
The best wireless earbuds
#1 soundcore by Anker P31i Noise Cancelling Earbuds
