Gender Neutral Gifts | universally loved Christmas + holiday gifts for men, women & everyone!

Table Of Contents

1. SWISSGEAR Laptop Backpack
2. NY Times Truth Poster
3. Audible
4. Travel Cutlery + Straw Set
5. Teakettle
6. Packable Puffer Jacket
7. Fleece Henley
8. Device Charging Station
9. Weekender Bag
10. Yeti Cup
11. Revlon One-Step Hair Styler
12. “Cartier Love Bracelet”
13. Airpods
14. Apple Watch Bands
15. “Coatigan”

It’s not often that you come across a perfect backpack. They always seem to have one thing or another that isn’t quite right. This backpack from SWISSGEAR checks all the boxes and then some. It unzips flat like a suitcase, which makes organization and retrieving items so much easier. It also features a padded laptop slip pocket, numerous pockets for small items, a zippable divider just like in a hard-case suitcase, and a trolly strap so you can secure the bag to the handle of your carry-on suitcase when traveling. I think pretty much anybody would be thrilled to have this super versatile backpack. I can’t wait to travel again just so I can use this backpack. It is available on Amazon, Target.com, and Walmart.com.

A lot of people could use some decorative items in their lives, but if they’re anything like me, they tend to not buy them. I love this wall art from the NY Times Store. It’s minimalist in style, and I just think the message is so pertinent to this year. It’s something that will memorialize this wild year in a tasteful way. Even though 2020 sucked in so many ways, I think we learned some important lessons from it, and this poster states it perfectly. If you aren’t into decor, then you can get this message printed on a tote, hoodie or t-shirt as well.

People are busy and wish they had time to read more. While curling up with a book and a cup of coffee may feel out of the question for some people, I would argue that everybody has time to listen to audiobooks. Even on days when I have too many tasks to park on the couch with a book, I get my reading done with Audible. I listen when I’m driving, exercising, folding laundry, mopping the floor, and more. If a task doesn’t require words coming out of my brain, then I’m listening to an audiobook and having words go into my brain. I think anybody would be thrilled to receive a gift subscription to Audible because no matter what their interests, there is something in there for everyone.

Plastic straws and cutlery are huge sources of waste, and people are beginning to take action. Unfortunately, that means things are a bit different when we go out to eat, and honestly, it’s annoying being caught off guard with a soggy paper straw. (Admit it, you hate them, too.) I can’t be the only person who owns all of the components in these types of sets separately, but just can’t seem to get it together enough to pack a little to-go kit. This cute travel cutlery kit contains everything you need to eat a full meal. Because really, nobody wants to try to enjoy their meal while having a shouting match with their spork. Give someone the gift of knowing they are doing something good for the earth, while saving them the heartache of not having a grown-up utensil when they need it. If black doesn’t suit you, then there are also bamboo utensil sets, as well as shiny dark wood utensil sets for when you’re feeling fancy.

Does anybody really need an old-school teakettle? One of the concerns we hear a ton when it comes to gift giving is, “But they have everything already!” True, everybody pretty much has all the items they need to survive in a daily capacity, and I know we love to give, “Something they will use.” That “something” doesn’t have to be some super practical utilitarian item. My suggestion is to think of function over form when deciding if someone will use an item. Take this teakettle, for instance. Its purpose is to provide hot water for beverages. Everybody drinks hot beverages in some form, whether it’s tea, hot chocolate, instant coffee, whatever. Sure, we can use a saucepan or the microwave, but why not make an everyday task a bit more charming? I love the bronze hardware and antique look of this teakettle. If a more natural look suits you, this teakettle features a wooden handle. Or if you’re an electronics fan, an electric teakettle is a fun gadget that’ll make hot water instantly more interesting.

If anybody you know doesn’t already own a packable puffer jacket, then you need to get them one. A black packable puffer is so versatile and is a perfect gender neutral gift. Packable puffers are perfect for traveling light, conveniently commuting to and from the office (at some point), or comfortably running errands around town. These are easily to layer and come in every length, weight, filling material, and color combination you can think of. My packable puffer is from Gap, and they are also plentiful at Uniqlo, Macy’s, Nordstrom, and Amazon. Give someone the gift of feeling like they are wearing a cozy sleeping bag everyday.

Practical and versatile clothing is, I think, a universally appreciated gift. Everybody wears fleece, somehow, somewhere. These can be worn as a mid-layer where it’s cold or as outerwear in milder temperatures. They can also be worn to lounge, to sleep, or to work out. Essentially, no matter what sort of environment a person lives in, a fleece is always a useful item. It is also easy to guesstimate someone’s size since fleece sweaters are often loose fitting. Old Navy is a great option for men’s and women’s fleece sweaters. Amazon also has some great deals well-known name brands, like Columbia and The North Face.

I don’t know about you, but the devices in my collection seem to be multiplying. With many devices, comes many cords and many tangles. It is very nice when all of your devices have a little home where you can charge them, store them, and keep your cords organized. This chic bamboo charging station features several slots that are tall enough and deep enough for tablets and watches alike. If bamboo isn’t the style you’re going for, there are also more a tech-y looking silver charging station. Or if you are looking for something Apple-focused, this minimal charging station is designed specifically to fit AirPods and an Apple Watch. (Also a great gift!)

It surprises me how few people own a quality, dedicated travel weekender bag. Most people own suitcases and carry-ons, but then they go on to use an old backpack that they’ve had since middle school as their in-flight personal item. Yup, I’ve been there, too. Traveling with a nice weekender that suits your needs just makes travel that much sweeter. For all the backpack lovers, I recommend going with the SWISSGEAR backpack mentioned above. But if someone you know is an organized over-packer, then a neutral structured duffel with a separate bottom compartment is awesome for perching on top of a carry-on suitcase. If this one is too basic for the person you have in mind, there are plenty fun options out there, such as this space-age silver weekender, or this boho tribal print weekender.

You haven’t experienced the wonders of the world until you’ve experienced a Yeti cup. These things are amazing. I have always been a water sipper. I like keeping a glass of water near me that I sip on throughout the day. The problem with that is, A), my water warms to room temperature much too quickly, and B), the amount of condensation produced in my humid environment is just outrageous. My life was changed when I acquired a Yeti cup. It keeps my ice water icy, my coffee piping hot, and my furniture dry. If someone you know doesn’t already own one of these, then go ahead and change their life. If they already own one, then they’re probably in love with it and pining for an addition to their Yeti family. These come in several forms, but I especially enjoy the 30 oz. Yeti cup for water sipping. The 20 oz. Yeti tumbler is perfect for coffee, and there’s even a Yeti water bottle for humans on the go.

I hate styling my hair. I think I enjoy scrubbing the bathtub more than I enjoy doing anything with my hair besides strong-arming it into a messy bun. Know anyone like me? I can’t be the only one. This Revlon One-Step Hair Styler has revolutionized my hair styling. It dries, smoothes and volumizes your hair all on one step, which is what I need. On first glance this may seem like a gift geared toward women, but I know for a fact that there are men in the world who use this item. I know this because I live with one of them. Pink is the original color, but it can be found in different colors this year, such as teal, red, purple, and sky blue which is awesome for personalizing the gift.

Cartier Love Bracelets are beautiful, but very expensive. They may also be a passing trend, who really knows. A gold bangle inspired by the Cartier version, however, is timeless piece of unisex jewelry. I like that fact that this gold bangle is inspired by the Cartier look, but it doesn’t try to be an exact copy. For something with more detail, I really like this roman numeral design gold bangle, or you could also buy this set of 3 gold bangles and share them as friendship bracelets. The thing about jewelry is that you can give it any meaning you want, so whatever it is that you want to tell someone, you can tell them with jewelry.

One of my biggest disappointments when I bought my Apple Watch was the terrible assortment of bands Apple sells. And don’t get me started on the exorbitant prices. Apple Watches are rather un-stylish straight from the box– a clunky block screen situated on a dorky colored rubber watch band isn’t the pinnacle of fashion. When people see the band options that Apple carries and their prices, it turns many of them off from seeking out better options. But I am here to say to please not let Apple’s bad fashion sense scare you! There are plenty of cute Apple Watch band options for way less money than Apple’s offerings. This thin genuine leather band comes is almost every color. Alternatively, there are also thicker leather bands that will work for both men and women.

If anyone you know with an iPhone doesn’t own AirPods, I think these would make for an awesome surprise. It’s another one of those things that people are hesitant to purchase for themselves because they see the price and they think it is too expensive and maybe they won’t use it. I used to think that about AirPods until I purchased a pair. I’ve owned the same pair for going on two years and I don’t know how I enjoyed life without them. They are so handy and they work seamlessly with your iDevices so there’s no battling your Bluetooth like you have to with other wireless headphones. You can buy them on Amazon, at Target, or Best Buy for the best prices. Note: I recommend the regular AirPods because those are what I have and I think they sound great. I haven’t tried the AirPods Pro, but personally I will continue to repurchase the regular version because I think they are the best value.

Many people are still working from home, but it’s been long enough that the novelty is wearing off. Working in your loungeiest sweats felt liberating at first, but perhaps you or someone you know is itching to get back into somewhat real clothes. But you still want to be comfortable, because really, you’re still working from the kitchen island. What people need now is a cute and comfortable “coatigan.” Basically, a cardigan that is comfortable for wearing around the house, but still nice enough that you feel put together while wearing it. I like this cardigan for men because the folded collar gives it some needed structure. This long striped cardigan for women will add interest to an otherwise boring outfit. Facing yet another Zoom meeting? Just throw your coatigan on over your t-shirt for an instantly meeting-appropriate look.