Gift guide

New Year Gifts for Friends

Great New Year gifts for friends are fun, useful and easy to hand over at a party: a card game for game night, a tumbler they will use daily, or a five-year journal for the big-picture friend. Nothing too serious, nothing that needs explaining.

Several of these work as group gifts, so you can split one nicer item or grab a few small ones for the whole crew.

1
BooksEditor's pick

The Lawyer Who Killed the Judge

A tense psychological thriller set inside the courtroom, written by a practising lawyer. Easy to wrap, hard to put down, and a far better gift than another candle for anyone who loves a twisty read.

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2
Games

WE'RE NOT REALLY STRANGERS Card Game

A conversation game that gets friends talking about real things. Perfect for the first get-together of the year.

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3
Games

Exploding Kittens Original Edition Card Game

Fast, silly and easy to learn in two minutes. It is a guaranteed laugh at any gathering.

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4
Books

Q&A a Day: 5-Year Journal (Potter Gift)

One question a day for five years. Your friend will love comparing answers each New Year.

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5
Outdoors

Owala FreeSip Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle, 24 oz

A cult water bottle in fun colors with a clever two-way lid. Great for the friend with a hydration goal.

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6
Kitchen

Corkcicle Stemless Wine Tumbler with Lid, 12 oz

A lidded stemless tumbler that keeps wine cold at picnics, pools and backyard parties.

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7
Beauty

Burt's Bees Beeswax Bounty Classic Lip Balm Gift Set

Four classic lip balms in a gift box. Easy to wrap and always used up.

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8
Outdoors

YETI Rambler 20 oz Tumbler with MagSlider Lid

A tough tumbler that keeps coffee hot for hours. Good for the friend who commutes or works outside.

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9
Home

STANLEY Quencher H2.0 FlowState Tumbler, 40 oz

The big tumbler that fits a cup holder and lasts all day. Ideal for gym friends and road trippers.

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For a group, pick one game everyone can play together, then add a small personal item for each friend. Inside jokes beat fancy gifts, so a quick note about a favorite memory from last year goes a long way.

Add a message: pair your gift with one of our New Year Wishes for Friends.

Frequently asked questions

What is a good New Year gift for a friend?

A party card game, a quality tumbler or a five-year question journal all make good New Year gifts for friends. They are fun, useful and easy to give at a party.

What is a good group gift for friends?

A card game like Exploding Kittens or We're Not Really Strangers works for the whole group. Everyone gets to enjoy it together on game night.

What small gifts can I give friends at a New Year party?

Lip balm sets, insulated wine tumblers and pocket-size card games make easy small gifts. They are simple to wrap and suit nearly everyone.

Should I give my friends a gift for New Year?

It is not expected, but a small gift is a kind way to start the year. A thoughtful note matters more than the gift itself.

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