I have never had so much fun writing a post in my life! There are so many gift guides circulating for the holidays that it must be tempting to give this one a pass – but please don’t! Ideas for hostess gifts and his- and hers- categories are fine, but what do you about the person on your giving list who is really difficult to buy for? They’re quirky, eccentric, or just not someone who seems interested in gifts, yet you want to wow them, and give them something they will always remember.

It’s good to think outside of the box of normal gift-giving for these people. For example, when I was 11, one of my cousins gave me a book of poetry for Christmas. There among the flannel pajamas and plaid headbands was an actual piece of literature. No one had ever thought to give me such a gift before. I loved it, and I still have it.

Herewith is a list of unusual items, all available online, that may help you solve your shopping dilemmas:

For an avid Gardener –

A holiday appropriate specialty:

-Frankincense and Myrrh Bulb Garden, $49.99,

http://www.jacksonandperkins.com/frankincense-and-myrrh-bulb-garden/p/38669/

For those Gluten-free Friends who suffer as they watch you eat a muffin –

Give them something of their own that they can nosh on happily. (Also good enough to give to friends who just say they’re gluten-free.)

-Manhattan Fruitier Cake Box, $59.50,

http://www.manhattanfruitier.com/category/gluten-free-gifts

For a Prickly boss –

This is a little passive-aggressive jab of a gift, if you’re planning a job switch, or simply feel a little reckless :

-Small Garden Cactus, $29.95

http://www.amazon.com/Cactus-Garden-Small-Green-Ships/dp/B003ZW6W8E

But if you really like your boss-

These have the softest, richest frosting. My favorite cookie!

-Cheryl’s Cookies, $34.99 and up

http://www.cheryls.com/merry-and-bright-gift-boxes-cco-ho13-134471?categoryId=400026029

For good little girls –

Every girl deserves some bunny to love!

-Mr. Sweet Bun, $38,

https://catbirdnyc.com/shop/product.php?productid=19762&cat=419&page=1

For good little boys (and also girls) –

A crafty way to build interest in both painting and nature

-Paint your own birdhouse kit, $20,

http://www.monticelloshop.org/120242.html

Let’s go fly a kite, up to the highest height!

-Azure sailing ship kite, $42,

http://www.menusandmusic.com/Sailing_Ship_Kite_and_Mobile_p/14h-0509.htm

For the Mailman, who gets barked at every day through the mail slot –

-A fifth of Bird Dog Bourbon, which comes in assorted flavors and has no bite at all. $17

http://birddogwhiskey.com

Hanukkah Surprise – 

Hannukah and mice? I don’t know, but if bunnies can be associated with Easter, why can’t we have cute little Hannukah mice?

-Burdick’s Hannukah Mice, $48,

http://www.burdickchocolate.com/Hanukkah/hanukkah-chocolate-mice.aspx

The “I didn’t think we were exchanging gifts this year” gift (everyone needs to have a couple of these on hand) –

-Pinwheel tea candle in festival holiday colors, $27.

https://www.onekingslane.com/product/47571/2985543

-Delicious trio of American Spoon preserves: cherry, strawberry and peach –

https://www.spoon.com/favorite-preserves-i.html

Teacher gifts with a strict dollar amount limit –

-An apple for the teacher that she’ll really love: Mrs. Prindable’s Milk Chocolate Caramel Apple, $23.99.

http://www.mrsprindables.com/milk-chocolate-delight-caramel-apple-gift

For a good long soak after a hard day at school –

-Dr. Teal’s Lavender Epsom Bath Salts, $4.95,

 http://www.walmart.com/ip/Dr.-Teal-s-Sleep-Epsom-Salt-Lavender-Soaking-Solution-3-lbs./14089666

For elderly friends or relatives who live far away –

This is a clever compilation of recipes and accompanying music, to turn any meal into a festive occasion.

 -Menus and Music CDs and recipes, set of 4, $46,

http://www.menusandmusic.com/Music_CD_Set_p/12h-2402.htm

For the friend who can’t get enough of Jane Austen and Downton Abbey –

Two DVD sets that will satisfy that Darcy craving, and envelop them in a cozy English period piece.

-Call the Midwife DVD Set, Seasons 1-3, $88.98,

http://www.bbcshop.com/drama+arts/call-the-midwife-series-1-3-box-set-dvd/invt/bbcdvd3917

-Death Comes to Pemberley DVD, $21.98,

http://www.bbcshop.com/drama+arts/death-comes-to-pemberley-dvd/invt/bbcdvd3882

For the grandmotherly type –

Every girl, whatever her age, likes to feel pretty in a feminine nightgown

-French knotted roses smocked nightie, $69.95,

http://www.victoriantradingco.com/item/2523986/103109/french-knotted-roses-smocked-nightie

For the preppy cousin beginning her second semester at college –

A chic way to tote those books, tablets, empty latte cups and half-eaten granola bars.

-Monogrammed suede tote bag, $129,

http://www.markandgraham.com/products/suede-boho-bag/?pkey=cpersonalized-totes&

For the ironic toddler who has everything –

This toddler needs parents who have seen “Animal House” and will appreciate the shirt for what it is.

-“Preschool” sweatshirt, $32,

http://www.hatchforkids.com/product/preschool-sweatshirt

For the darling pooch you leave behind when you go to work every day –

This monthly box of treats and activities will keep your dog busy while you’re out working hard to keep him in the style he’s become accustomed to.

-The Bark Box, $19/month,

https://www.barkbox.com/how-it-works

For World War II history buffs –

This is the latest top secret British military ops story come to light

-Churchill’s Secret Warriors by Damien Lewis, $19.32,

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/1848669178/ref=tmm_hrd_new_olp_0?ie=UTF8&condition=new

For your Earth-loving friend –

Help him help the earth.

-Heifer International Earth Gift Basket, $60,

http://www.heifer.org/gift-catalog/sustainable-farming/earth-gift-basket-donation.html

For the unabashed Christmas Lover –

This is a Christmas gift for rock and rollers.

-Bunny Holly stocking, $50,

http://shopthemansion.com/collections/new-arrivals/products/bunny-holly-stocking

For the person who thinks you can never over-decorate at Christmas –

-Kringle Coal Company Pillow, $19.95,

http://www.victoriantradingco.com/item/20-xm-2025207/100100104/kringle-coal-co-pillow

For the animal lovers –

Save a dog or cat for Christmas in their name.

-A donation to the ASPCA, $25. and up

https://www.aspca.org/secure/201411ea1-web-dog-p1?ms=wb_don_donate-static-braceforwinter-dog20141105&initialms=wb_don_donate-static-braceforwinter-dog20141105&pcode=WEB1DON&lpcode=WEB2DON

For the niece with the ear cartilage ring and tiny tat –

This hippie-chic ring/bracelet adornment is coolly subtle.

-Kitten Mitten bracelet, $56,

https://catbirdnyc.com/shop/product.php?productid=19433&cat=275&page=1

For the organic oenophile –

This is a tough category to fill, but here it is: beautiful organically-shaped glass decanters.

-Organic Wine Carafe, $45,

http://shopthemansion.com/collections/kitchen-and-dining/products/organic-wine-carafe

For the clean freak –

You know who she is – the one who’s always sniffing at her kitchen sponges, and windexing her computer screen.

-Sponge Bath sponge cleaner, $29.99,

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/spongebath-antimicrobial-sponge-cleaner/3258069?Keyword=spongebath

For the chocolate lover in a Love-Hate relationship with sugar –

This satisfies a craving in a way that allows their conscience to rest easy.

-Edelweiss sugar free dark and light assortment of chocolates, $45,

http://www.edelweisschocolates.com/products/Sugar_Free_Assortment_Dark_and_Light-14-0.html

For tree lovers –

A gift to last several lifetimes.

-Pine, oak, magnolia and other young trees for sale, $35,

www.seedsoflife.com

 For kids who love to bake –

This little thing will ratchet up the Christmas excitement to a feverish pitch.

-Crate and Barrel “Baked for Santa” cookie stamp, $7.95,

http://www.crateandbarrel.com/baked-for-santa-cookie-stamp/s215821

Cutting Edge Cooks –

Why hasn’t someone thought of this before? A double-width half-mitten for taking things out of the oven. Genius!

-Linen Oven Mitten, $18.50,

http://shopthemansion.com/collections/the-little-things/products/fog-linen-linen-oven-mitten

-Berry Bowl from Collyer Mansion –

This bowl is for draining berries beautifully – a difficult thing to find, $48,

http://shopthemansion.com/collections/kitchen-and-dining/products/berry-bowl-1

If you love a substantial mug for hot sweet drinks, from Ben Pentreath:

-Hunslet Footed Mugs, $25.88,

http://www.pentreath-hall.com/table/mugs/hunslet-footed-mug.html

And finally, for the person who has everything –

-Make a donation in their name to Heifer International, and help a needy family change their lives, $20 and up,

http://www.heifer.org/gift-catalog/animals-nutrition/flock-of-chicks-donation.html