When they already own the obvious things, try something they might not buy themselves: a building set made for grown-ups, an instant camera, or a new hobby to try. Each pick was recommended by independent reviewers.
Every product below comes from recent independent reviews, and an automated fact check confirmed each detail against its source. We don't test products ourselves. How we pick.
Products last fact-checked .
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Building set for adults
A building-brick kit made for grown-ups that turns into a display piece.
Budget pick
LEGO Botanicals Lucky Bamboo (10344)
- Has 325 pieces and is recommended for ages 18+. (NBC Select)
- Builds three bamboo stems with adjustable leaves in a pebble bed on a wood-effect plinth, according to LEGO. (NBC Select)
- Esquire notes it doubles as home decor. (Esquire (via Yahoo Shopping))
Recommended in: NBC Select, Esquire (via Yahoo Shopping)
See price on AmazonMid-range pick
LEGO Botanicals Orchid (10311)
- Has 607 pieces and is recommended for ages 18+. (NBC Select)
- Builds an orchid in a blue vase; the stems, blooms, roots and leaves can be rotated for display. (NBC Select)
- Good Housekeeping calls it a fun activity that doubles as a home decor piece. (Good Housekeeping (via Yahoo Shopping))
Recommended in: NBC Select, Good Housekeeping (via Yahoo Shopping)
See price on AmazonSplurge pick
LEGO Ideas Tuxedo Cat (21349)
- The finished cat stands about 12.5 inches tall. (NBC Select)
- Its head, ears, paws and tail can be posed, and it comes with two sets of eyes, yellow and blue. (NBC Select)
- Good Housekeeping's writer says assembled ones seen in other homes looked like a real cat at a glance. (Good Housekeeping (via Yahoo Shopping))
Recommended in: NBC Select, Good Housekeeping (via Yahoo Shopping)
See price on AmazonInstant camera
A camera that prints a small photo right after you take it.
Budget pick
Fujifilm Instax Mini 13
- Has a self-timer with 2-second and 10-second settings, set with a lever around the shutter button. (BGR)
- Runs on two AA batteries, which BGR says Fujifilm rates at about 100 shots. (BGR)
- Prints 62 × 46 mm Instax Mini photos; the film is sold separately. (Digital Trends)
- Exposure is fully automatic, and Digital Trends found the flash can't be turned off. (Digital Trends)
Recommended in: BGR, Digital Trends, Android Central (syndicated on Yahoo Tech)
See price on AmazonSplurge pick
Fujifilm Instax Mini 99
- Colored LEDs inside the camera can be turned on to add in-camera color looks. (Engadget)
- The flash can be switched off completely. (Engadget)
- Has a tripod thread, which Digital Trends notes the Mini 13 lacks. (Digital Trends)
- Engadget lists its weight as 12 ounces without batteries, strap and film. (Engadget)
Recommended in: Engadget, Digital Trends
See price on AmazonDigital photo frame
A frame that shows a slideshow of photos.
Budget pick
YunQiDeer Frameo 10.1-inch Digital Picture Frame
- 10.1-inch touchscreen with 1,280 x 800 resolution that works in landscape or portrait. (Yahoo Tech)
- Has 16GB of built-in storage, expandable with a microSD card, and can back up photos to external storage. (Yahoo Tech)
- Photos are sent through the Frameo app, 10 at a time unless you pay for Frameo+, which adds cloud backup and longer videos. (Yahoo Tech)
- Reviewers at Yahoo Tech found its printed instructions very good and its viewing angles good. (Yahoo Tech)
Recommended in: Yahoo Tech
See price on AmazonMid-range pick
PhotoSpring 10" WiFi Digital Picture Frame
- 10.1-inch touchscreen with 1,280 x 800 resolution that works in portrait or landscape. (Engadget)
- Photos can come from the PhotoSpring app or website, Google Photos, a microSD card or a USB drive; the card and drive need no internet. (Engadget)
- No subscription is required. (Engadget)
- Reviewers at Engadget found worse viewing angles and more glare than on their top pick, and the touchscreen picks up fingerprints. (Engadget)
Recommended in: Engadget
See price on AmazonSplurge pick
Lexar Pexar 11-inch Digital Picture Frame
- 11-inch touchscreen with a sharp 2,000 x 1,200 (2K) matte display that reduces glare. (Yahoo Tech)
- Has 32GB of built-in storage, expandable with a microSD card or a USB drive. (PCMag (via Yahoo Tech))
- A magnetic clip-on stand makes it easy to switch between portrait and landscape. (Yahoo Tech)
- PCMag says it offers several ways to send photos to the frame without a cloud service or app, and it can hang on a wall. (PCMag (via Yahoo Tech))
Recommended in: Yahoo Tech, PCMag (via Yahoo Tech)
See price on Amazon1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle
A big puzzle for slow evenings, solo or with company.
Mid-range pick
Magic Puzzle Company Mystic Maze Puzzle
- Has 1,000 cardboard pieces and measures about 27 x 28 inches when finished. (NBC Select (NBC News))
- Over 50 easter eggs are hidden in the artwork, and a list of them comes in the box. (NBC Select (NBC News))
- The completed picture pulls off a visual illusion, and the box also holds two art posters. (NBC Select (NBC News))
- Reviewers at Engadget found the pieces solid and the art colorful and full of hidden details. (Engadget)
Recommended in: NBC Select (NBC News), Engadget
See price on AmazonWatercolor paint set
A watercolor set for trying a new hobby.
Budget pick
MeiLiang Watercolor Paint Set
- The Good Housekeeping writer who bought it to try watercolor found its paints richly pigmented and good for layering. (Good Housekeeping (on Yahoo Shopping))
- It comes in a compact, light case the writer says she can toss in a tote bag. (Good Housekeeping (on Yahoo Shopping))
Recommended in: Good Housekeeping (on Yahoo Shopping)
See price on AmazonPhone tripod with remote
A tripod and remote for steady phone photos and group shots.
Budget pick
EUCOS 62" Phone Tripod
- Extends to as much as 62 inches tall. (HuffPost)
- Comes with a Bluetooth remote for triggering the shutter from across the frame. (HuffPost)
- HuffPost says it turns a phone into a steady, raised camera for landscapes and group shots without asking a stranger for help. (HuffPost)
- HuffPost's writer likes walking with it fully extended, saying shots can look like they came from a drone. (HuffPost)
Recommended in: HuffPost, SlashGear
See price on AmazonHeated throw blanket
An electric throw blanket with adjustable heat.
Budget pick
Sunbeam Royal Sherpa Electric Throw with Foot Pockets
- Has six heat settings and turns off automatically after four hours, or earlier if programmed. (Yahoo Shopping)
- With the cord detached it can be machine-washed cold, then partly tumble-dried on low and hung to dry. (Yahoo Shopping)
- Reviewers at Yahoo Shopping measured from about 95°F to 111°F, with the top reading reached in about 10 minutes. (Yahoo Shopping)
Recommended in: Yahoo Shopping
See price on AmazonMid-range pick
Beautyrest Zuri Heated Blanket (faux fur throw)
- Faux fur throw sold in 50 x 70 inch and 50 x 64 inch sizes. (Yahoo Shopping)
- Has three heat settings and shuts off automatically after two hours. (Yahoo Shopping)
- Yahoo Shopping says it is certified by UL Solutions. (Yahoo Shopping)
- Reviewers at Yahoo Shopping measured about 99°F on low and 111°F on high and found it warmed up quickly. (Yahoo Shopping)
Recommended in: Yahoo Shopping
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