The List: Gifts for ... well, anyone!
From the The List: Your guide to more than 300 gift ideas series
Sometimes gifts aren't just for a "him" or a "her." Sometimes a teen might like the same sort of thing a grandparent would. For those types of gifts, we present the gifts for anyone list, which happen to include some of our favorites.
Meeting mugs
Unnecessary meeting mug • Announce your disapproval of unnecessary meetings with this set of tasteful 11-ounce coffee mugs. Set of two: one for you and one for your favorite co-worker. $14.99 at amazon.com
Vernon clock
Vernon clock • The midcentury modern enthusiast will love this starburst clock in a sherbet rainbow of colors. $179 at joybird.com
Jellyfish Oceanarium
Jellyfish Oceanarium • They may be synthetic jellyfish, but they hypnotize you just like the real thing in this tranquil tank with a silent motor that generates gentle currents, causing the jellyfish to rise, fall and undulate in the water. $249.99 at Hammacher Schlemmer, hammacher.com
Harry Potter Lip Balm
Harry Potter lip balm • Scented of butter beer or one of the four Hogwarts houses, these Harry Potter lip balms are a great gift for the fan on your list. $3.82 at Fiction Haven on etsy.com
Replica fragrance
Replica fragrance • For him or her, a fragrance that calls to mind an afternoon break in a coffee shop from Maison Margiela. $126 for 3.4 ounces at Nordstrom and shop.nordstrom.com
Robomow
Mower of your dreams • Powered by a rechargeable battery, the Robomow RS630 mows your lawn randomly, leaving its charging station multiple times a day, shaving a little bit each time. It returns to its charging station automatically when the battery is low. Over the course of a week, Robomow will cut and maintain the height of the entire lawn. The mower has GPS and sounds an alarm if it is lifted to prevent theft. $2,499 at the Home Depot, homedepot.com
TV puzzle
TV history puzzle • Have fun reminiscing about memorable moments and faces from television history — Johnny Carson as Carnac the Magnificent, the moon landing, a mustachioed Alex Trebek — while putting together this colorful 1,000-piece puzzle. $16.99 at shop.pbs.org
"Golden Girls" Pez
“Golden Girls” PEZ dispenser • The appeal of Rose, Blanche, Dorothy and Sophia is timeless. We’re not sure anyone actually enjoys eating the candy, but these Funko Pop! PEZ dispensers make great gifts for the golden gals on your shopping list. $6.99 each at amazon.com
Cast of Louis Sullivan snowflake, Carson Pirie Scott building
Special snowflake • Bring home a piece of architectural history with this cast of a Louis Sullivan snowflake from the Carson Pirie Scott building. $75 at the ARTifacts store at the City Museum, 750 North 16th Street
Giraffe drawing
Brian’s Dots • Brian is a Pennsylvania artist who was paralyzed at age 16. He learned to use a fine-point marker to make dots to create works of art on canvas, such as “Two Giraffes,” sold here as a reproduction. $49.95 at Mississippi Mud Gallery & Gifts, 118 Market Street, Kimmswick, mississippimudgallery.com
Pay for the news
Pay for the news • Just like Netflix, pizza and the gym, the news isn’t free. The journalist — or journalism lover — on your list will love this black T-shirt, designed and printed by Raygun. Available in men’s and women’s sizes. $23 at raygunsite.com
Camera Coffee Cup
Coffee click • What could be better for your favorite coffee-loving shutterbug than an insulated coffee mug that looks exactly like a 24-105 mm zoom camera lens? $15 at the International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum, 3415 Olive Street, iphj.org
Travel toiletry bag
Travel toiletry bag • Frequent travelers will love this Monstina toiletry bag’s compartments and capacity. Fill it with the necessities, then unfurl it and hang in the hotel bathroom. Available in multiple colors. $11.89 at amazon.com
Wagon
Folding utility wagon • Ask anyone who lives in an apartment building: Getting groceries from the car to the kitchen is a pain. This collapsible wagon can hold all those shopping bags, making grocery day more bearable. It includes a fold-out table with cup holders, perfect for concerts, sporting events and other events. $99.99 at amazon.com
Fine print magnifier
Magnifier • People of, ahem, a certain age in your family will love this one. Help them read the newspaper or menus with this illuminated fine print magnifier. $39.95 at Hammacher Schlemmer, hammacher.com
23andMe kit
DNA kit • 23andMe allows users to track their ancestry to more than seven generations. Whoever receives this gift could see where his or her family lived more than 500 years ago. $99 at 23andme.com
Bob Ross mug
Bob Ross mug • This coffee mug is a blank canvas — until it’s filled with a hot beverage. That’s when a picture-perfect scene appears — complete with happy little clouds and happy little trees. $15.95 at amazon.com
Picture frames
Zodax picture frames • For horizontal or vertical display, each frame is polished agate stone. $82 to $98 at Lusso, 165 Carondelet Plaza, Clayton, shoplusso.com
National Parks Monopoly
Monopoly: National Parks Edition • This special edition of the classic board game features more than 60 sites. A portion of sales benefits the National Park Foundation. $39.95 at Dillard’s stores and dillards.com
Cup of Destiny
“Cup of Destiny” • Learn to read tea leaves or coffee grounds with this book and lovely cup and saucer. Wow your friends or just give a gift that might amuse someone. $24.95 at Urban Outfitters, St. Louis Galleria or urbanoutfitters.com
Wooden bud vases
Wood vases • Display a bloom or two in one of these hand-turned vases, which include a plastic insert to protect the wood from water. $15-$20 at Eclectica, 3189 South Grand Boulevard, eclecticastl.com
Collapsible travel mug
Silicone collapsible travel cup • Feel good about bringing your own mug to work or on trips, but don’t like the bulk in your bag when it’s empty? This travel cup collapses and comes with a heat sleeve to protect your fingers. $19.99 for a 16-ounce cup, stojo.co
Monogrammed cheese board
Wood and leather bar board • When life hands you lemons, cut them into drink-size slices and invite friends over. This rustic-looking bar board and utensil is perfect for cutting up fruit or snacks. It also features an initial, offering a personalized touch for those who like to entertain. $22 at the Gingham Buffalo, 500 North Main Street, Edwardsville, ginghambuffalo.com
Ellia ultrasonic aroma diffuser
Oil diffuser • Ditch your candle gift idea and allow your loved one to fill her home with natural, gentle scents. This essential oil diffuser’s sleek design perches nicely on a shelf without looking too much like a diffuser. $60 at bedbathandbeyond.com
Whimsical mug
Monster mug • Are you facing the day with a grin or a growl? Ponder as you sip a caffeinated beverage from this monster mug from Lollipop Pottery in Perrysburg, Ohio. $48 at Craft Alliance Center of Art + Design, 6640 Delmar Boulevard, University City, craftalliance.org
Word calendar
365 New Words-A-Year calendar • For word lovers, writers, crossword puzzle addicts and obsessive readers, this is the essential Page-a-Day calendar from the editors of Merriam-Webster. $14.99 at Von Maur, 2 Fountain Grass Drive, Lake Saint Louis, vonmaur.com
Driftwood votive candleholder
Repurposed driftwood • Artist Elizabeth Koziatek took driftwood from the recent Missouri River floods and turned it into a candleholder with tea lights. $18 at Blooming Daisy Marketplace, 5541 Chestnut Street, Cottleville, bloomingdaisymarketplace.com
Native Balm
Native balm • Give the gift of relief with the locally made Native Balm. This elixir alleviates aches and sinus congestion with peppermint, orange and cedarwood essential oils. $21.25 for a 2-ounce jar at STL Herbs and Aromatics, 7290 Manchester Road, stlherbsandaromatics.com
Weighted blanket
Hug before bedtime • Blankets stuffed with added weight, typically in the form of small beads, are all the rage as a way to calm down and relax before bed and have a more restful night’s sleep. $169 at amazon.com
Waterpik
Sparkling smiles • For those who hate flossing but desire a clean-mouth feel, the Waterpik Aquarius water flosser is an oral hygiene must-have. It’s the most effective way to remove up to 99.9% of plaque from treated areas and perfect for braces, implants and other dental work. $85 at amazon.com
Tumi luggage
Vintage laptop bag
Vintage-style laptop bag • This budget-friendly backpack has six compartments to accommodate everything from a laptop and books to clothing and beverages. There’s even a built-in USB port so you can attach a phone charger and connect to the outside of the bag. $25.99 at amazon.com
Hummingbird ornaments
Hummingbird ornament • These hummingbird cloisonné ornaments, 2½ inches by 3½ inches, are made of enamel over copper and gold plated. $21.99 each at the Missouri Botanical Garden's Garden Gate Gift Shop, 4344 Shaw Boulevard, mobot.org
Post-Dispatch store ornaments
Arch ornaments • These holiday ornaments are created by St. Louis designer Diane Katzman and feature the St. Louis Arch in holiday settings. Choose from two designs, Arch with a poinsettia or Arch with the word "Gloria." $17.95 each at thepost-dispatchstore.com
Fleur de lis ornament
Fleur de lis ornament • Add a bit of sparkle and St. Louis pride to your gift or tree with this exclusive beaded ornament developed for Zee Bee Marketplace by artisans in India. $14 at Zee Bee Marketplace, 3211 South Grand Boulevard, and 7270 Manchester Road, Maplewood, zeebeemarket.com
Amber Beer glass ornament
Beer ornament • The beer lover in your life can pay homage to the tasty, amber brew with this handmade glass holiday ornament. $13.95 at Down the Hall Home Brew, 122 East Main Street, Belleville, facebook.com/dthhomebrew/
Amazon Echo Dot
Amazon Echo • Control smart home devices using voice commands with this Amazon Echo Dot (3rd Gen) smart speaker. Set alarms, play music and check the weather using voice commands. This Amazon Echo Dot has a built-in LED display that shows the time, date and temperature in big, bold characters. $49.99 at Best Buy stores and bestbuy.com
Wireless turntable
Wireless turntable • With vinyl outselling CDs for the first time in since 1986 it’s time to get in on the record revival. This Pro-Ject VT-E BT record player is Bluetooth-enabled, so it connects to audio systems wirelessly. $399.95 at amazon.com
Tile stickers
Tile stickers • Don’t lose your phone, keys or purse again with these waterproof Tile stickers. An app lets you track their location to a 150-foot range. $39.99 for two at thetileapp.com
Laptop backpack
Laptop backpack • We can vouch for this backpack, which we bought for a summer trip overseas. It’s got plenty of pockets for the essentials and a padded sleeve for a laptop or tablet, and it sits solidly on the ground while you open its doctor’s-bag-style top. $39.99, amazon.com
Mophie case
Mophie case • Your protective phone case can also charge it with the Mophie case’s built-in battery. This one is for the iPhone 11, but it’s also a great gift idea for those who have an older phone that doesn’t hold its charge as well. $99.95 at zagg.com
Penzey's Spice gift set
Spicy and sweet • This Kind seasoning gift box contains eight popular spice blends from sandwich sprinkle to cinnamon sugar. It also includes a signature “Kind Heart” pin and recipe tips. $39.95 at Penzeys Spices, 246 THF Boulevard, Chesterfield, penzeys.com
Holiday singing dogs figurines
Dog figurines • The dog lover on your list can add a touch of holiday cheer with these doggie figurines (in sweaters). They stand about 5 to 6 inches tall. $22.99 each at April’s on Main, 222 North Main Street, St. Charles, aprilsonmain.com
Holiday toilet paper
Funny toilet paper • For a gag gift or just a gift for someone with a great sense of humor, these embroidered toilet paper rolls are good for a chuckle. $8 at Scentchips, 612 South Main Street, St. Charles, stcharles.scentchips.com
African animal napkin rings
African animals napkin rings • Invite a menagerie of animals to a dinner party with this collection of six mahogany napkin rings, hand-carved in Kenya. $34.95 at Zee Bee Marketplace, 3211 South Grand Boulevard, St. Louis and 7270 Manchester Road, Maplewood, zeebeemarket.com
Peacock pattern vase
Glass vase • Sam Stang of Augusta, Mo., created this stunner of a vase with traditional European glassblowing techniques. Gift with a bouquet to wow a favorite hostess. $290 at Craft Alliance Center of Art + Design, 6640 Delmar Boulevard, University City, craftalliance.org
Bill Cunningham book
Bill Cunningham photography book • The New York Times photographer covered high-fashion and street style for decades. “Bill Cunningham: On the Street” traces 50 years of American trends and traditions. $65 at Left Bank Books, 399 North Euclid Avenue, left-bank.com
Set of Christmas trees
Glitter brush trees • Everyone needs a little sparkle on his or her holiday table or mantle. These buri trees can be clustered together to create a glittery forest or used as a backdrop to a manger scene. The medium tree is about 9 inches tall; also available in small and large sizes. $18 at Holliday, 4600 Olive Street, bowoodfarms.com/holliday
Happiest Season of All pillow
Canvas holiday pillow • If you had any doubts that the holidays are the happiest season of all, this comfy, casual throw pillow, in a fun, stonewashed red color, will put those doubts — and you — to rest. $32 at the Gingham Buffalo, 500 North Main Street, Edwardsville, ginghambuffalo.com
Gnome
Holiday gnome • Gnome for the holidays? Yes, please! With his furry, gray beard and tall hat, this guy offers a whimsical change of decor for the winter months. A sturdy filled base ensures he’ll stay upright wherever you place him. $24 at the Gingham Buffalo, 500 North Main Street, Edwardsville, ginghambuffalo.com
Chocolate saying dish
Ceramic snack bowl • Chocolate is the answer (or should be!) to any and every question, and this is the perfect little dish to hold a snack-size amount of chocolate, nuts or even dips and condiments. $8 at the Gingham Buffalo, 500 North Main Street, Edwardsville, ginghambuffalo.com
Mini record player and records
Crosley Mini Turntable and mini records • Music lovers will want to take this mini but mighty turntable for a spin. It plays 3-inch records and has a built-in speaker, but can also be connected to an existing speaker system, and is USB- or battery-powered for extra versatility. $69.99 for the record player; $9.99 each for the records at Trusty Chords, 1514 Troy Road, Suite C, Edwardsville, facebook.com/TrustyChordsRecordShop/
Umbrella
Smart umbrella • You’ll be singing in the rain with this clever umbrella that makes it easy to maneuver without getting soaked. It opens inside-out so getting into and out of your vehicle in the rain is easier, stands upright for easy drying and has a C-shaped handle that frees up your hands. $27.99 at Seams for the Soul, 216 South Buchanan Street, Edwardsville, seams4thesoul.com
Honey bear glass salt and pepper shakers
Honey bear salt and pepper shakers • These charming glass honey bears, filled with a bellyful of salt and pepper, are too cute to hide away in a cabinet. $21.99 for the pair at Grimm & Gorly, 324 East Main Street, Belleville, grimmandgorly.com
Holiday-themed dishcloths
Swedish dishcloths • Help your avid cook keep her kitchen clean with these Swedish dishcloths. Each cloth absorbs 20 times its weight and replaces 17 rolls of paper towels. $6.95 each at Cornucopia, 107 North Kirkwood Road, Kirkwood, cornucopia-kitchen.com
STL glasses
St. Louis stemless wine glass set • Whether a St. Louis native or tourist, this wine set makes the perfect gift for wine drinkers. The set includes two stemless wine glasses and one tea towel embroidered with the St. Louis skyline. $34 at Larder & Cupboard, 7310 Manchester Road, larderandcupboard.com
Cat-design oven mitt
"Made from scratch" oven mitt • Complete the kitchen of your favorite cat lover with this large oven mitt. $12.99 at the Green Goose, 1267 South Laclede Station Road, Webster Groves, greengoose.com
Twisted metal tree wall hanging
The Tree of Life • This sculpture by artist Devin Mac is made from a single strand of aluminum wire. $99 at Mississippi Mud Gallery & Gifts, 118 Market Street, Kimmswick, mississippimudgallery.com
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The List: Your guide to more than 300 gift ideas
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The List: Gift ideas for her
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The List: Gifts for him
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The List 🎁 Gifts for babies and kids
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Welcome to the List, our annual gift guide and our biggest one yet. We spent hours shopping the streets of St. Louis and its neighborhoods, an…