18 Christmas Gifts That’ll Bring A Smile To Anyone’s Dial

In the event you’ve somehow found no joy in our latest crop of Christmas gift guides – him, her, and no limit – we’ve assembled the following silver bullet picks for those trickier-to-place individuals in your life.

Unlike our other breakdowns, this 2025 holiday season curation is less about archetypes and more about what makes the products a winner. Hopefully, we can provide an idea that aligns with the targeted personality and nails the brief.

Merry Christmas!

For something playful, nostalgic, yet modern, the Analogue 3D (US$270) is a delightful throwback-inspired console compatible with every Nintendo 64 cartridge, and faithfully replicates the look/feel of N64 gaming on a CRT television (“warmth, depth, and texture”) apart from one key distinction – it upscales everything into glorious 4K resolution.

The communal variant of this pick would be Board’s Tabletop Game Console (US$499) – a similar throwback-inspired gizmo that unites old-school tactility with the convenience of 21st-century gaming. In a noble effort to preserve human connection, this gorgeous 24-inch touch display comes with a library of 12 original games from heavy-hitting studios – strategy, arcade-style, with more downloadable in the near future – as well as custom playing pieces for game-specific interactions.

Nothing says Christmas like an advent calendar, and in that specific department, we have several options.

A standout for those who are invested in their beauty is Augustinus Bader’s 12 Days of Bader Advent Calendar ($1,542), featuring cult-favourite products like The Rich Cream, The Serum, The Lip Balm, The Hydrogel Face Mask, and plenty – plenty – more to make it well worth the price tag. Alternatively, you could simply opt for purchasing a single, full-sized indulgent product from the luxe skincare company.

Fragrance-wise, the diverse array offered within the Jo Malone London 25-Day Advent Calendar ($895) stands on equal footing.

Going down the fashion and culture-centric route, you may have encountered the noticeably more exxy – as in expensive and exclusive – Saint Laurent Rive Droite Advent Calendar ($6,865), which packs 24 vinyls carefully chosen by Creative Director Anthony Vaccarello, in addition to six hidden access passes to claim even rarer bonus gifts such as a designer camera and signature cap.

For something dead simple and no-frills – though arguably as enjoyable as the aforementioned – there’s always the ever-reliable Beer Cartel Advent Calendar ($185) to help your giftee discover 25 unique Aussie craft releases. Granted, this Christmasy collection of cans hasn’t been as commodified as their counterparts produced by Augustinus Bader, Jo Malone, and Saint Laurent, but they’re exclusive in their own way.

If you’re hunting for a boozy gift that says “this is special,” the globally acclaimed 1800 Milenio Tequila ($350) demands your attention – and promises to reward it with an indulgent, multi-layered experience that feels both rare and considered.

This extra-añejo expression, made from 100% Weber Blue Agave grown in Jalisco’s highlands, is aged for over three years before receiving a final rest in French oak Cognac barrels – a process that injects depth, warmth and a refined complexity. Pour it slow and watch the dark amber liquid release aromas of vanilla, red fruit, as well as oak before dancing across the palate with notes of caramel, cinnamon, and a subtle hint of mint-chocolate on the finish.

Another magic bottling that should be on your radar is The Macallan’s A Night On Earth: The First Light ($235) – the fourth edition of the annual A Night On Earth series honouring the New Zealand tradition of celebrating the first light’s arrival during every New Year.

This limited-edition single malt is crafted from a mix of sherry-seasoned American and European oak casks with a touch of ex-bourbon American oak, imbuing it with a flavour profile that’s vibrant without being overly showy: think berry compote, toasted marshmallows, caramel, as well as Manuka honey drifting through the nose and palate – rounded out by soft spice and mellow oak.

It’s polished enough for the connoisseurs yet accessible enough for someone discovering single malts for the first time, with eyebrow-raising packaging that’ll save you the trouble of having to gift-wrap.

Silly season also means champagne: bar a full-blown teetotaller, expect to cash major brownie points for Bollinger’s latest 100% Pinot Noir expression in the PN TX20 ($220) – a personalised Moët & Chandon Red Brut Imperial ($110), or exceptional down the last drop – or in-the-sun-goodness with Veuve Clicquot’s Le Picnic Rosé Collection ($350). Wicker beach basket and all.

For something lowkey that hits the sweet spot between accessibility and elevated taste, Jim Beam Black bourbon ($65) hits that mark.

This seven-year-old bourbon deepens the classic family recipe into something richer, smoother, and more complex – think warm oak, soft caramel, vanilla-tinged sweetness, and a gentle echo of baking spice. An excellent entry-level luxury for bourbon novices while satisfying seasoned drinkers who appreciate nuance.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, soundly into caffeine territory, Breville’s Oracle Dual Boiler ($4,499) has the potential to elevate daily rituals into moments of ritual.

As indicated by the name alone, Breville’s most advanced machine to date, tuned with the home barista in mind, leverages a dual-boiler system – meaning you can pull an espresso and steam milk at the same time. No waiting, nor compromises on texture and temperature – a gift that nods to quality, indulgence and a kind of quiet sophistication that sits at home just as well as on a café counter.

An exceptionally affordable stocking stuffer guaranteed to elevate your espressos dramatically? The gold-standard SWORKDESIGN WDT Tool (US$50), machined from aluminium and anodised, is capable of breaking up those clumped grounds with its needles before tamping in order to promote even extraction.

For one of the finest pairs of noise-cancelling headphones currently on the market, look no further than the JBL Tour One M2 ($199.95). 

Designed to be an on-the-go personal audio companion – whether that’s long-haul flights, open-plan offices, or late-night playlists – the M2s are all about clarity, calm, and JBL’s legendary sound. Key features include True Adaptive Noise Cancelling with Smart Ambient (four built-in mics adjust levels in real time), the promise of clear conversations, and a battery life that can be stretched to 50 hours with ANC off (and 30 with it on).

While the vast majority of audio tech has evolved to become quite portable over the years, sans those naff briefcase numbers, you don’t often come across portable vinyl setups. That’s probably what makes the Bluetooth-enabled Audio Technica SB727 Sound Burger ($339) so damn elite.

Four decades after its original debut, the fan-favourite bit of kit has soundly returned to Audio-Technica’s regular lineup – retaining the classic, lightweight design of the OG 1980s model, with modern updates like wireless connectivity, lithium-ion batteries, and USB-C charging. We won’t bore you with the details surrounding how it works (just know that it does).

In the era of self-care, you cannot go wrong with a spa voucher (just ensure the card’s balance is healthy): Sydneysiders should turn to Capella and Crown or perhaps even endota if you’re on a budget, Sense of Self for the Melbournians, and The Calile’s Kailo for the good Brisbane folk out there.

And whenever in doubt, there’s nothing more tasteful than the latest edition of B.H. Magazine ($20).

Some inclusions in this article are sponsored by brands that have supported Boss Hunting throughout 2025. Thank you for supporting the partners that make Boss Hunting possible.