30 things they probably haven’t bought themselves.
THE RULE: SURPRISE BEATS PRICE.
People who can buy themselves what they want are rarely impressed by more expense. The gift has to earn its place another way: discovery, design, usefulness, wit, story or personal meaning.
Someone, not everyone.
The Intended Gift may earn a commission from purchases made through selected links, at no additional cost to you.
Amazon — Marble Touch Table Lamp02
Alessi — Juicy Salif Citrus Squeezer03
MoMA Design Store — Yoshimoto Cube No. 104
Orbitkey — Leather Key Organizer05
Victorinox — Swiss Card Classic06
Bellroy — Tech Kit Compact07
Fellow — Stagg EKG Pro Kettle08
AeroPress — Clear Coffee Press09
Printworks — Classic Games — Chess / Backgammon10
Piecework Puzzles — 1000-Piece Puzzle Wine Puzzle11
brand:Jonathan Adler — Leopard Lacquer Card Set12
MoMA Design Store — Perpetual Calendar13
Assouline — Destination Book — Choose Their Place14
Areaware — Everybody Grinder15
FiiO — FT15 HeadphonesFor the person who has seen almost everything: give them something they probably haven't. This Lamp has the satisfaction of a design-store discovery without requiring an entire room redesign. Why TIG chose it: Distinctive design discovery; unlikely to already own.
SHOP THE GIFTIt looks like a tiny alien landed on the kitchen counter. Philippe Starck's citrus squeezer is useful, debatable and instantly recognizable — three excellent qualities in a gift. Why TIG chose it: Iconic Philippe Starck object; conversation piece.
SHOP THE GIFTA cube that becomes two star-shaped polyhedra and then somehow becomes a cube again. Give it to the person who insists they don't want anything and watch them spend twenty minutes with it. Why TIG chose it: Museum-store object with mathematical/design intrigue.
SHOP THE GIFTKeys are not glamorous. Neither is the metallic jangle at the bottom of a bag. This turns the whole situation into one neat little object. Why TIG chose it: Elevates a universal nuisance.
SHOP THE GIFTA toolbox flattened to approximately the size of a credit card. The sort of useful little object that earns its place by solving problems nobody planned for. Why TIG chose it: Wallet-size utility with discovery factor.
SHOP THE GIFTFor the person whose laptop is immaculate and whose charging cables are absolutely not. A small intervention in the least elegant part of modern life. Why TIG chose it: Solves universal cable clutter elegantly.
SHOP THE GIFTDo not give them another hobby. Give them the beautiful version of the one they already have. For coffee people, this is the kettle that makes the counter look as serious as their opinions. Why TIG chose it: Turns coffee/tea habit into considered ritual.
SHOP THE GIFTFor the coffee person who has tried everything except perhaps making excellent coffee through what looks vaguely like laboratory equipment. Why TIG chose it: Recognizable but experiential and portable.
SHOP THE GIFTA game that does not need to be hidden when nobody is playing. For the impossible person who has everything except perhaps a reason to put the phones away. Why TIG chose it: Display-worthy game for adults.
SHOP THE GIFTA puzzle designed for people who care what the box looks like on the coffee table. Choose the image as carefully as you would choose art. Why TIG chose it: Strong visual identity and low commitment.
SHOP THE GIFTStore your decks in the high-gloss, bold toned lacquer box, featuring a mirror image of Jonathan Adler's favorite symbol of timeless glamour Why TIG chose it: Elevated familiar game; gift-worthy materiality.
SHOP THE GIFTA calendar for someone who already knows the date. The pleasure is in moving it, looking at it and owning a small piece of design that refuses to become an app. Why TIG chose it: Interactive design object, desk-friendly.
SHOP THE GIFTThe impossible person can buy themselves another beautiful book. They cannot choose the reason you chose this particular city, coast or country for them. Why TIG chose it: Personalization through memory/place rather than object preference.
SHOP THE GIFTA pepper grinder with enough personality to make someone ask where it came from. Useful, slightly absurd and therefore far more memorable than another kitchen gadget. Why TIG chose it: Playful kitchen object; visual surprise.
SHOP LINK COMING SOONFor the impossible person who can hear the difference. This is not the safe headphone gift; it is the one for someone who will appreciate that you went looking beyond the obvious names. Why TIG chose it: Serious audiophile discovery for a specific recipient.
SHOP THE GIFTNever arrive empty-handed.
READ THE EDITThe thought is in the choosing.
READ THE EDITComing soon
Coming soon
The considered things he will keep.
READ THE EDITComing soon