Some people are hard to shop for, but gift-giving should be simple: get something that shows the recipient you thought of them and bought something, because they deserve to live more adventurously, to have their lives improved, to have a tool they use all the time upgraded, to have their new hobby invested in, or to spend more time doing less. There are countless reasons we give gifts, but it always feels good, no matter how much we spend. The gifts below are sourced directly from our editors — they’re what they’re buying or what they recommend when someone asks them for a recommendation.
Right now, you can save big on trendy gifts like the popular Ninja Creami, a countertop ice cream maker that whips up sweet treats — Blizzard-like ice cream blends, milkshakes, and more — in minutes. There are viral recipes all over social media, and, when you do the math, it’s cheaper than buying a pint of ice cream, especially if it’s Jeni’s. (Chocolate fixings might change that, if prices stay the way they are now.) And there are other of-the-moment gifts that, while costing you, end up saving their recipients money in the long run.
A set of Apple AirTags seems somewhat lame, but each one is essentially built-in insurance for your favorite stuff. Potentially another gift you’re getting them — like a new suitcase or an expensive wallet. They’ll thank you every time they think they’ve lost it. A new set of sheets is a smart way to spoil a homebody, saving on nights out. But it could potentially trigger an uptick in ordering in. Better sheets last longer, though, and Cozy Earth’s popular Bamboo Set is impressively soft, machine-washable, and backed by a warranty that protects against annoying defects like pilling.
Apple AirTag (4 Pack)
If you’re giving someone a really good gift, you don’t want them to lose it. I know it comes across as rude, but a pack of AirTags to ensure the recipient’s gift remains on them (or at least within an AirTag’s reach) is like bundling built-in gift insurance. Sure, if it gets stolen, you’re probably best off filing a police report instead of hunting down whoever has your stuff, but an AirTag can help you locate smaller items lost in a messy room or on the floor of your car. Managing Editor Evan Malachosky says he’ll definitely be getting a few of these for his wife ahead of planning their honeymoon next year.
According to staffer Megan Rogers, these patches are a “non-negotiable” part of her morning routine. “I start my day with Grace & Stella’s energizing under-eye patches… I pop them on while the coffee’s brewing, and they get right to work, de-puffing and boosting hydration, thanks to skin-friendly hyaluronic and amino acids.”
Though your local ice cream shop may have closed for the season, nothing is stopping you from having your favorite frozen dessert at home. The Ninja Creami, which is on sale now, makes making ice cream, sorbets, milkshakes, and more easy: prep your base, freeze it, and process it using one of the Creami’s seven settings. Mix in your favorite candy, blend up vegan or non-dairy ice cream, or quickly mix a milkshake in your favorite flavor.
Life is easier with a label maker. Luckily, you probably know quite a few people who wish their lives were, well, easier, too. Wireless, half the weight and size of the traditional label maker, and equipped with a German thermal print head for better print clarity, Phomemo’s D30 Label Maker lets you add instructions onto supplements, directions onto leftovers, and labels (duh) onto drawers and bins. A label maker may feel like something you stole from the office, but it’s a practical, time-saving (and life-organizing) gift that will pay dividends long after the holiday season is over.
Waking up is never easy, especially when it’s early. A good alarm clock can indeed sway a sworn-against morning person or someone striving to limit their phone use in the bedroom. According to Managing Editor Evan Malachosky, his wife hates this habit and wants to switch to a traditional alarm to curb their reliance on smartphones to wake up on time. This Loftie Alarm Clock combines a smart alarm with a night-light and sound machine, making for a straightforward device to help reduce phone use at night. (And it looks great on a nightstand, he adds.)
Senior Writer Bennett Kleinman loves his Roam checked suitcase in a custom colorway he picked out online. The brand offers a slew of customization options, ensuring, in Bennett’s case, no one else walked away with his luggage. “The moment my Roam luggage arrived, I knew I had found my future travel buddy. The suitcase is lightweight, secure, and has way more room inside than I know what to do with. But it’s also fun to own a colorful piece of luggage I designed myself, and I’m more than happy to brag whenever someone asks me where I got it. The question isn’t ‘will I buy more Roam luggage?’ — it’s, ‘what unique design will I choose next?’”
Few pillows are customizable unless you’re willing to A.) sew your own or B.) get one custom-made. Coop’s Original Crescent Pillow, however, lets you adjust the amount of fill inside for a softer or firmer feel, and comes in a proprietary, croissant-like shape that accommodates back- and side-sleepers. No more kinked neck or bunched up, uneven pillows preventing you from getting a good night’s rest.
If you’re unsure what to buy, it’s great to lean into luxury. Luxury, of course, conjures up the idea of expensive and extravagant, but there are those quiet luxury brands that tote craftsmanship, quality, and style over wallet-compromising price tags. With Quince, you can get the best of both worlds with affordable luxury goods, from leather accessories, silk statement pieces, and, our personal favorite, cashmere clothing. With sustainable, ethically sourced cashmere that won’t rough out or start piling away, this light but incredibly warm sweater remains a statement-maker in our winter wear collection.
You’ve probably seen this bottle everywhere, because aside from the behemoth Stanley Tumbler, it’s probably the most popular one. Available in countless color combos, the real benefit of the Owala over the Stanley is its two-in-one lid, which locks, but lets you quickly sip from a straw or tilt back the bottle to drink, well, like you’re chugging from a bottle. It’s a cute, largely spill-proof gift to get a friend or your perpetually dehydrated family member.
The fan-favorite Our Place Always Pan 2.0 is now under $100 — a rare find. This 10-in-one kitchen essential replaces multiple pans with its nonstick, toxin-free design while looking chic enough to double as decor. From searing to steaming, it’s the versatile cookware upgrade home cooks rave about.
Sure, a host loves to entertain, but what happens when all the guests leave? Well, everyone needs time to unwind. One way to decompress after a long night is to indulge in a relaxing self-care routine, complete with comfy clothes and slipping your feet into a pair of soothing slippers, like these sherpa ones from Bombas. Fluffy yet sturdy, they feature a memory foam footbed and a raised back heel to keep their feet comfortable and fastened with every step.
Bamboo sheets help regulate your temperature while you sleep, but they’re also luxuriously soft. This set from Cozy Earth won’t pull at the corners or pill, and it comes in a variety of colors and sizes.
