10 original gifts that nobody expects (but everyone wants)

There are those gifts we have all received or given at some point. The mug with a company logo. The box of chocolates from the supermarket. The bottle of wine you hope comes from a decent liquor store. They aren't bad. They aren't good. They just exist, and they evoke exactly the reaction you expect: a polite thank you and nothing more.

The problem is not that people are ungrateful. The problem is that such gifts say nothing about the recipient or the relationship with the giver. What you are actually saying with these gifts is that you felt you had to give something, so you went with a generic option in the hope it would be okay.

And the recipient senses that. Not necessarily as something negative, because the gesture still holds value, but certainly not as something special. And that is a missed opportunity for the occasion.

This blog is about gifts that have a different effect. And no, these aren't necessarily the most expensive or complex choices. But they are gifts that spark a reaction. Get inspired by this gift guide featuring 10 unique gifts that are sure to make an impression. Whether it is for a business associate, a family member, or a friend.

A carafe that used to be a wine bottle

This carafe from Rebottled is made from recycled glass. 100% upcycled glass that, with its cobalt blue color, looks like a design piece. That deep blue stands out against the white of the plates—it immediately becomes the most beautiful object on a set table.

Would you like matching glasses? Rebottled also offers matching blue tumblers. The same color, the same sustainable material. Rebottled started in 2016 based on a simple question: why do we throw away 440 million wine bottles when we can turn them into beautiful products? A fair question with a beautiful answer from this B-Corp.

An escape room in a bottle of wine

The bottles from Wijnkrakers are wine and an escape room in one. The wine box is filled with stories and puzzles about the region where the wine originates. These lead to a three-digit code to unlock the wine bottle—because yes, it is locked. The game should take about 45 to 60 minutes, so it is recommended to have something else to drink on hand to quench your thirst while playing ;).

The great thing is: you take a standard gift and elevate it to the next level: an activity, an evening, a conversation starter. And even better: an alcohol-free version is also available, so everyone can participate.

An introduction to yoga

Through Nature's Gift, you can gift a voucher for three trial yoga classes for two people, at a studio in Amsterdam, Enschede, Heerhugowaard, Deventer, or Leeuwarden. Suitable for beginners and advanced yogis alike—no prior experience is needed to start, everyone is welcome.

And Nature's Gift has many other activities and outings to truly surprise someone. How about island hopping, a bird-watching excursion, or kayaking?

Want to add a physical gift to it? Take a look at the products from Samarali. This is the yoga brand founded by Nodira. When she started practicing yoga more regularly, she looked for beautiful products to practice with. She couldn't find anything that was stylish, high quality, and sustainable, so she decided to make them herself.

The result: beautiful, sustainably produced yoga products that are also of superior quality.

A chess set with style

More and more people are looking for hobbies outside of the digital world. Combine that need with sleek design and you have a great gift in the form of this chess set by Printworks.

This so-called Coffee Table Game has wooden playing pieces and a sleek green-and-beige board that looks great on your table or on an open shelf, even when folded shut. Chess fun guaranteed, but also a pleasure to look at.

A massage gun (yes, seriously)

This gift falls into both the original and practical categories, but it is a hit with everyone. This massage gun from VirtuFit isn't just great for athletes. It's for anyone who has long days with lots of sitting or gets stiff shoulders from looking at a screen. With as many as 30 speed levels, it offers relief for every tight muscle.

Maybe not the first thing you think of as a gift. But it's the kind of thing people actually use—every day, not just on the day they receive it. And that is ultimately what matters most.

Dilemmas for adults

Discover this intriguing card game with 52 dilemmas by The School of Life. No trivia, no general knowledge, but complex moral problems that provide plenty of food for thought and discussion. If a colleague has bad breath—do you tell them? If a stranger is crying on the bus—what do you do? The game invites you to flex your moral muscles and compare your problem-solving skills with those of your friends and family.

The strength of this gift is that it works at any moment. At a team outing, during Friday afternoon drinks, or an evening at home. It is not seasonal, not age-restricted, and it never runs out. You can play it time and again, and each time it sparks different conversations, from lighthearted to profound.

Alcohol-free enjoyment with Gingor

This organic, non-alcoholic ginger drink from Gingor is one with character. Made from pure ginger and lemon—delicious in ginger tea, refreshing with sparkling water, or as a base for a mocktail. This is guaranteed to be a hit!

The great thing about an alcohol-free drink as a gift is that you don't have to wonder whether someone drinks alcohol. You don't always know, and it's a question you don't always want to have to ask.

Take care of your shoes

The Premium Bundle from First Amsterdam contains everything to make sneakers look like new again. Brushes, shampoo made from 99% natural ingredients, a microfiber cloth, suede eraser, and a water-repellent spray. A complete kit in a sleek package.

Everyone intends to take really good care of every new pair of sneakers they buy, but almost no one actually buys the products to maintain them. That's what makes this such a strong gift: it's something people want, but would never buy for themselves.

The club you want to belong to

For unique gifts, Lepelclub is the place to be. From cheese knives with pearls to glasses with bows, hearts, and roses: everything is a hit.

These are products that instantly make any gathering feel like you put a lot of effort into it, even if you might have actually just put a cheese board and a bottle of wine on the table. By the way, we also have beautiful serving boards to present those cheese knives on. How about the unique version by Namture?

Earplugs to sleep with

Light sleeper? The Sleep Earplugs from Golden Sound will help you get through the night. These earplugs dampen ambient noise so that a snoring partner, busy traffic, or thin walls no longer dictate your night. Thanks to the soft foam, they are comfortable even when sleeping on your side, and you can play music or white noise via Bluetooth to help you fall asleep.

You wouldn't easily buy this for yourself. But once someone has them, they can't imagine how they ever slept without them. That is exactly the kind of gift you want to give: something that someone will still be happy with three months from now.

And how do you give this?

With a choice gift via Cadeo, you don't have to choose which gift suits whom—the recipient does that themselves. You choose a budget per person (starting from €15), personalize the choice portal with your company name and a message, and send the link. Found a specific gift you want to send? That's possible too, and the great thing is that the recipient still has the option to discreetly exchange it.

All the products in this article, and about 1200 other products, can be found in our range. The recipient chooses, and the gift is delivered to their home. No collecting delivery addresses, no boxes piling up at the office.

Schedule an introduction and we'll show you what is possible. The mug with the logo can officially retire.