Sure the food is great and the movies are entertaining, but gift-giving is by far the best part of the holiday season.
There’s just nothing like the time-honored tradition of painstakingly searching for the perfect gift, wrapping it just right, and feeling a sense of satisfaction when your recipient seems to find genuine joy in opening whatever it is you've picked out for them.
As awesome as those moments are, the path to getting there is often fraught with anxious online shopping and doubts over whether your giftee will actually like what you've picked out — which is precisely why going the weird-but-brilliant gifting route is almost always fail-proof.
At Walmart, there are countless gifts for everyone in your life — from your mom to your nephew — that are sure to surprise and delight far more than an ugly sweater or tired candle. Whether practical or just plain funny, Walmart has everything from the latest tech to the cheekiest White Elephant gifts — available for free pickup or free 2-day shipping*. So forget all that critical thinking and skip to the fun part. Here are 10 unexpected but awesome holiday gifts from Walmart your friends and family are sure to love:
*$35 minimum. Restrictions and same-day delivery fee apply.
1. A vintage-style arcade machine
You’ve got to know a gamer who's missing this Ms. Pac-Man Arcade Machine from their life. Not only is this an epic conversation piece, but a retro arcade machine will provide hours of entertainment to anyone who stops by — or anyone who's laying low at home for the foreseeable future.
2. A reliable grip for your phone
For the uninitiated friend who still hasn't come around to PopSockets, this Black PopSocket Grip with Swappable Top will make a warm welcome to the club.
3. Aerosmith’s greatest hits
“Why would someone need this Aerosmith- Greatest Hits Vinyl” you ask? Well, imagine how tragic it would be if your friends were overcome with the urge to air-guitar and jam out to a round of classic rock favorites, but were without this essential vinyl. No response? It seems that's settled, then.
4. A phone case (complete with a lifetime warranty)
Know someone clumsy? Consider giving them the gift of a protected phone — for life! The OtterBox Defender Series Pro Phone Case is legendary for keeping devices safe and comes with a limited lifetime warranty… as long as they don’t misplace their phone. (Hey, it happens.)
5. The smell (just the smell) of fried chicken
Some people love the smell of laundry, fresh-cut flowers, babies’ precious little heads. And, you know, other people wish their home could smell like fried chicken. Luckily, with this KFC® Limited-Edition 11 Herbs & Spices Firelog by Enviro-Log®, you can finally give the smell of fried chicken. The fire log will last two-and-a-half to three hours, and warning: will most likely result in a craving for the real thing.
6. The air fryer to end all air fryers
Most air fryers are pretty small, but this list isn’t for most air fryers. Not only can the Masterbuilt 20 Quart 7-in-1 Outdoor Air Fryer fit an entire turkey, but it can bake, roast, broil, smoke, and more — all without the oil of a conventional fryer.
7. A high-tech way to grow produce
Speaking as someone who once tried (and failed) to grow tomatoes in their living room, this indoor growing kit is super cool. It comes with seven different pods so you can grow a range of veggies and herbs, plus has an energy-efficient LED light that automatically turns on and off as needed.
8. A casual genetic workup
Who doesn’t want to learn their entire genetic makeup for the holidays? (Well, technically the results wouldn’t come that quickly.) This AncestryDNA Genetic Ethnicity Estimate Test is an incredible gift for someone hoping to learn more about themselves and their future.
9. Thoughtful essentials for the car fanatic
If cars had a skincare regimen, this Maguiar's Complete Car Care Kit would be the ultimate set of products. For the vehicle-obsessed, this gift — inclusive of wheel and tire cleaner, glass cleaner, and more — is a dream come true.
10. A portable fireplace
Not everyone is lucky enough to have a functioning fireplace, which is where this Comfort Zone Mini Electric Fireplace Spa comes into play. It gives the ambience of a fireplace with real heat and a cute log detail. Plus, its portability makes it easy to bring warmth into every room of the house.
This advertising content was produced in collaboration between BDG Studios and our sponsor, without involvement from Inverse's editorial staff. Learn more here.
