Holiday Gift Exchange Ideas That Aren’t Socks or Candles
Elevate your holiday gift exchange game with five creative ideas, from build-your-own cocktail kits to portable mini waffle makers. These unique picks ditch the predictable presents for fun, memorable options everyone will want to steal—no scented candles required!
Let’s face it—holiday gift exchanges are the Wild West of presents. One minute, you’re opening a cute mug; the next, someone’s handing you a re-gifted scented candle from Bath & Body Works from 2012. It’s time to elevate the game with some creative, memorable, and fun ideas. These gifts will have everyone swapping, stealing, and laughing—no socks required.
Holiday Gift Exchange Ideas That Aren't Socks or Candles
1. A "Build-Your-Own Cocktail Kit"
A DIY cocktail kit is equal parts classy and crowd-pleasing. You can go classic (think margaritas or old fashioneds) or festive with hot toddies or spiked eggnog. Include mini bottles of liquor, mixers, and cute garnishes like dried fruit or cinnamon sticks. Bonus points if you throw in a recipe card!
- Find pre-made options:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com
2. Miniature Tabletop Games
Bring on the nostalgia with mini versions of classic games! Tiny Jenga or Connect Four is perfect for sparking some friendly competition after the gifts are unwrapped. Portable, fun, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
- Purchase options:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com
3. Customized Bobbleheads
Are you like me and sometimes go the weird route of gift-giving? Want to be the talk of the exchange? Gift someone a custom bobblehead of themselves. It's funny, personal, and definitely unexpected. Upload a photo and let the creators handle the rest!
- Get yours here:
Bobbleheads.com: https://www.bobbleheads.com
4. “The Gift That Grows” – Cute Plant Kits
For the friend with (or without) a green thumb, plant kits are a gift that keeps on giving. Succulents, herbs, or even bonsai trees are fun to grow and brighten any home.
- Order options:
The Sill: https://www.thesill.com
5. Portable Mini Waffle Maker
Because who doesn’t love waffles? These tiny appliances whip up Instagram-worthy breakfasts, and they come in festive shapes like snowflakes or gingerbread men. Breakfast just got way more adorable.
- Buy one here:
Target: https://www.target.com
Walmart: https://www.walmart.com
Holiday Gift Exchange Ideas That Aren't Socks or Candles
The days of predictable holiday gift exchanges are officially over. Whether you go for something practical, playful, or a little out there, these ideas will keep your gift-giving game strong and your reputation untarnished. So ditch the candles, keep the socks for yourself, think outside the box, and let the holiday fun begin!
10 Classic Ben & Jerry’s Flavors Inspired by Celebrities
Ben & Jerry's has been a freezer section staple for decades and rightfully so. The ice cream brand has stood out among its competitors thanks to its unique flavors and pint packaging designs.
Ben & Jerry's has also been at the forefront of partnering with and honoring a number of celebrities over the years. In fact, the first celebrity-inspired flavor they ever launched was Cherry Garcia in 1987. Cherry Garcia, of course, was a nod to legendary Grateful Dead co-founder/singer/songwriter/guitarist/vocalist Jerry Garcia.
Most of the Ben & Jerry's celebrity collaborations have had charity partnerships, which further supports the brand's reputation for activism. Many charities have benefitted from these partnerships, which we explore below.
In honor of Jerry Garcia's birthday today (August 1), here are ten classic Ben & Jerry's flavors inspired by celebrities. Grab a spoon and dig into our list!
Jerry Garcia
Don Paulsen/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty ImagesBen & Jerry’s Cherry Garcia flavor was first launched in 1987. It remains one of the brand’s biggest-selling flavors of all time. Since Jerry Garcia was diabetic, profits from the sale of Cherry Garcia have gone to various Diabetes charities.
Stephen Colbert
Scott Wintrow/Getty ImagesStephen Colbert’s AmeriCone Dream was first introduced in 2007 when the comedian was still hosting ‘The Colbert Report.’ The ice cream flavor gets its name from having fudge-covered waffle cone pieces. Since its launch, all profits have gone to the Stephen Colbert AmeriCone Dream Fund, which benefits a number of charities assisting veterans, children in need, environmental causes and more. So far, this flavor has raised over $4 million for charity.
Ron Burgundy
Frank Micelotta/Getty ImagesOkay, so Ron Burgundy is a character and not a celebrity, but how could we not mention his flavor Scotchy Scotch Scotch? This flavor was a limited release to coincide with the release of ‘Anchorman 2.’ And no, the ice cream didn’t taste like Burgundy’s favorite spirit; it was a butterscotch ice cream with ribbons of butterscotch swirl.
Elton John
Erika Goldring/Getty ImagesSir Elton’s flavor of Goodbye Yellow Brickle Road was also a limited edition flavor. When it was released in 2008, the flavor was described as “an outrageous symphony of decadent chocolate ice cream, peanut butter cookie dough, butter brickle and white chocolate chunks.” Like with many celebrity collaborations, profits from the sale of Goodby Yellow Brickle Road went to charity. In this instance, the profits went to the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
Willie Nelson
Taylor Hill/Getty ImagesWillie Nelson’s Country Peach Cobbler flavor features cinnamon-sugar shortbread pieces and a peach swirl mixed in with peach ice cream. Profits from its sale went to Farm Aid, which provides assistance to family farmers in the United States.
Monty Python
Evan Agostini/Getty ImagesThe flavor honoring the legendary comedy group was aptly named Vermonty Python, which is a nod to the home state headquarters of Ben & Jerry’s. On sale from 2006-2008, Vermonty Python is one of many flavors that rests in the Ben & Jerry’s Flavor Graveyard, with its epitaph noting its flavor profile being “Coffee liqueur ice cream with chocolate cookie crumb swirl & fudge cows.”
John Lennon
Evening Standard/Getty ImagesBen & Jerry’s love of classic rock grew with the launch of the John Lennon-inspired flavor Imagine Whirled Peace. The flavor has a caramel and sweet cream ice cream base with toffee cookie pieces and chunks of fudge in the shape of peach signs. Sales of Imagine Whirled Peace benefitted Peace One Day, a non-profit organization that aims to spread peace around the world.
Queen
Ian Tyas/Keystone/Getty ImagesAnother limited edition flavor, Bohemian Raspberry was released in 2006 in honor of Queen with profits benefitting the Mercury Phoenix Trust, the organization founded by the members of Queen in honor of their late singer Freddie Mercury. The organization provides aid and support to AIDS charities and other efforts around the world. As the name would suggest, the vanilla based ice cream features a raspberry swirl and fudge brownie chunks.
Phish
Stephen Lovekin/Getty ImagesOne of Ben & Jerry’s most iconic celebrity flavors, Phish Food is a chocolate ice cream with marshmallow, caramel swirls and fudge pieces shaped like fish. Proceeds from the sale of Phish Food go toward environmental efforts supported by Vermont’s Waterwell Foundation.
Jimmy Fallon
Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images for American Museum of Natural HistoryThis Ben & Jerry’s flavor honoring ‘Tonight Show’ host Jimmy Fallon is cleverly called The Tonight Dough. (Get it?!) The flavor features a caramel and chocolate ice cream base with a chocolate cookie swirls and chunks of chocolate chip cookie dough and peanut butter cookie dough. Proceeds from sales of The Tonight Dough benefit SeriousFun Children’s Network, which provides support to camps around the world for children with serious illnesses.
