At SPY, we pride ourselves on our wide array of gift guides that are sure to make the special (and not-so-special-but-still-important) people in your life feel appreciated. But one of the most underserved groups is siblings. Perhaps that’s because finding the best gifts for siblings is often much harder than you expect.
Siblings are tough to shop for, and gift guides aren’t always a big help. “Gifts for her” can be too romantic, while some gifts are too impersonal. Adding to the difficulty is the fact that your siblings may be of a different gender than you, and they may be older or younger than you. That’s why this gift guide provides options for brothers and sisters of all stripes.
Getting a great gift for your sibling is important, no matter what kind of relationship you have with your brothers and sisters. It’s true that siblings are famous for feuding, and rivalries have ranged from friendly (Venus and Serena) to acrimonious (Oasis’ Noel and Liam Gallagher) to downright disastrous (Cain and Abel). But when it comes down to it, you probably don’t know what you’d do without them. Of course, if you admit that you love your siblings they’ll mercilessly mock you, so let our favorite gifts for siblings do the talking.
These are the best gifts for siblings to give in 2021.
1. Audio-Technica Stereo Turntable
FOR THE MUSIC-LOVING SIBLING
Turntables can be hard to buy because they can get really, really expensive. That said, you also don’t want to buy overly cheap ones that will do a disservice to that old stash of records your dad doesn’t use anymore. The Audio-Technica hits the sweet spot. It’s in the sub-100 dollar range, but it’s from a reputed brand with a long history. It also won’t make extra work for whoever you’re getting it for. The built-in phono preamp means they don’t need to go searching for specialized gear. Just hook this turntable up to powered speakers or a stereo system, and getting spinning.
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2. Homesick Mini Scented Candle
FOR THE SISTER WHO JUST MOVED OUT
This scented candle from Homesick is about as close as you can get to a sentimental gift for your sibling without warranting a swift punch in the arm. For the sibling that moved away, this scented candle will remind them of home. Homesick makes tons of options, including cities (New York City), states (Texas) and less geographically-linked ideas of home (grandma’s kitchen).
3. Simple Modern Classic Insulated Tumbler
FOR THE THIRSTY SIBLING
Staying hydrated is very important for your healthy. If you have a sibling who drinks a lot of water, or has made it a goal to drink more in 2022, get them this insulated tumbler. They have various sizes and designs to best fit your sibling’s needs and personality, and it’ll keep their water cold and refreshing for hours. The straw makes it super easy to sip throughout the day, but there’s also an insulated flip lid if you think they’d prefer that. It also happens to be very affordable, so it’ll make a great addition to their holiday gifts.
4. Garmin Dash Cam 45
FOR THE TEEN SISTER WHO JUST GOT HER LICENSE
Got a teen sibling who just got their license? It’s understandable to worry about them. This dash cam from Garmin will help keep them safe and its tiny size won’t be a distraction. Collision-detection saves video footage automatically, so if they were in an accident that wasn’t their fault, they won’t automatically get the blame. And if they’re driving mom’s old Mercedes that doesn’t have smart features built-in, this dash cam has lane-departure and forward-collision warnings. It may not be the most exciting gift, but they’ll thank you later.
5. Disney+ Subscription
FOR THE BINGE-WATCHING BROTHER
Gifting a subscription to a streaming service is a great way to give them something you know they’ll enjoy. Even if they’re not fans of Disney movies, a Disney+ bundle can get them access to Hulu and ESPN+, in addition to all of the great titles on Disney+ ranging from Star Wars to National Geographic.
Read More: Check Out Our Full Review of the Disney+ App
6. Lodge Cast Iron Skillet
FOR THE SISTER WHO’S GETTING INTO COOKING
Properly taken care of, a cast-iron skillet will last them forever. Lodge skillets are respected but inexpensive, making them great options for the sibling who’s just starting to move away from making frozen pizzas every night.
7. Anker Nebula Capsule
FOR THE FILM-BUFF BROTHER WHO MISSES THEATERS
Tech gifts can be hard, because the tech-obsessed sibling in your life might already have the latest and greatest gear, including stuff you’ve never heard of. But we feel pretty confident they don’t have this. Anker’s innovative mini projector is about the size of a Venti drink from Starbucks, and it lets you turn your average movie night into something truly memorable. You can gather the family together for a socially distanced outdoor movie night without needing a bulky projector that needs to be plugged into a power source.
8. Target Room Essentials Weighted Blanket
FOR THE SISTER WHO’S ALWAYS COLD
Not only is a weighted blanket a great way to keep warm, but it also has other benefits like helping to reduce anxiety, insomnia and even pain. And if those benefits don’t pan out, at least they’ll have something cozy that they can enjoy. This option from Target has a sherpa texture and comes in classic white or gray to suit any decor.
Read more: Best Gifts For Sisters-in-Law
9. Larceny Bourbon
FOR THE SAZERAC-LOVING SIBLING
Whether your sibling just turned 21 or they’ve been drinking for 21 years, get them a bottle of Larceny Bourbon. It tastes more expensive than it is, and it’s a more low-key option that they may not have tried yet. With a slightly sweet taste and a smoky finish, Larceny offers something for every bourbon drinker, all in one sip.
10. Uniqlo Hoodie
FOR THE BROTHER WHO KEEPS IT CASUAL
Uniqlo’s hoodies are classic, comfortable and available in tons of colors, so it’s easy to find one that they’ll love. Whether they regularly rock a hoodie or would rather wear one as loungewear around the house, Uniqlo’s cotton hoodies are an affordable option for anyone.
11. Everlane Italian Leather Day Glove
FOR THE STYLISH SISTER ON THE GO
The smooth Italian leather of this Everlane flat makes it buttery soft to mold to your foot, while the classic cut makes it a stylish option. It’s a great option for the stylish sister who’s always on the go. It comes in a few different colors and is currently on sale, so act fast.
12. Swatch Grey Cord
FOR THE SIBLING WHO’S ALWAYS LATE
A watch can be an expensive gift, but it doesn’t have to be. This watch looks sleek, it’s water-resistant and it’s a much more affordable option than other designer watches. It can look great on anyone, but if you’re looking for a more feminine option, Swatch has tons of reasonably priced and chic watches to buy as a gift.
13. Standard Baggu
FOR THE ECO-CONSCIOUS SHOPPER
Many states no longer allow single-use plastic bags to be offered at grocery stores or other places you may shop, and these reusable Baggu bags are one of our picks for the best Christmas gifts of 2022 — because everyone can benefit from having a quality resuable bag. Baggu bags are the best way to go if you have a sibling who likes to be generally eco-friendly and have their own bag on them at all times. It folds up into a tiny little square, and there are tons of stylish options so they’ll be eager to tote it around.
14. Acne Studios Face Logo Beanie
FOR THE SIBLING BRAVING WINTER
If your sibling lives in a cold-weather climate, or just likes the look of a stylish beanie, this Acne Studios option is the way to go. It’s unisex so anyone can rock it, plus it comes in a variety of color options to make sure it suits their personality. It’s oversized and knitted from a thick rib-stitch soft wool, so it’ll keep them super warm all winter long.
Read More: The Best Beanies for Winter 2021
15. Ray-Ban Sunglasses
FOR THE HIP SIBLING
Who doesn’t love Ray-Bans? These hexagonal flat lenses are one of their newer and most popular pairs of sunglasses. I constantly get compliments on mine, and they genuinely elevate any outfit. For all of the siblings, sisters or brothers, who consider themselves to be hip and like to have a variety of shade options, they’ll be thrilled to get these designer sunglasses on any special occasion.