We write about hundreds of products every week. Here, in our version of the Sunday circular, we’ve plucked some of our recent favorites — and given that we’re a week away from December 25, just about everything here will make a truly excellent gift. In this week’s roundup, we’ve got the Hanes sweats celebrity stylist Law Roach asks for every Christmas, the toys that our editors are giving their own kids, and the rare sneakers one expert gift-giver tracked down for Trevor Noah’s birthday. If you’re still at a loss on what to get someone for the holidays (or even what to add to your own last-minute wish list), check out our list of over 60 gift guides — and if you’re really one to procrastinate, check out our roundup of the best on-sale gifts that’ll arrive by Christmas.
A gift set that won’t feel last-minute (even if it is)
Mom, dad, sister, boyfriend — you probably have their gifts covered already. But what about the giftees that aren’t at the top of your shopping list, like your daughter-in-law or your sibling’s new significant other? Well, our writer Kitty Guo rounded up the best last-minute gifts for the people you almost forgot about (all of which you can buy right now on Amazon). Practically any recipient will appreciate this gift set from body-care brand Nécessaire, which includes our beauty columnist Rio Viera Newton’s eczema-friendly body wash and one of our favorite body lotions for dry skin.
The supersoft blanket that Lucy DeVito’s mom (Rhea Perlman) gave her …
Rhea Pearlman “loves a throw, like swung over the couch,” according to her daughter Lucy DeVito, who shared the things that she can’t live without with us this week. And this Coyuchi blanket checks all the boxes: It’s made of organic cotton and is baby soft, mid-weight, and earth-toned. Lucy and Rhea are now fans of the brand, and lived in its loungewear during the pandemic, too.
… and the Squishmallow that our editor is giving her kids
Our team of professional shoppers spends months selecting gifts for everyone on your lists, including kids of every age — so we decided to ask parents on staff to share what gifts are good enough for their own kids this year. Picks ranged from a bouncy horse for toddlers to a mini-Togo that’ll become “the chair,” and, of course, the perennial favorite, a Squishmallow. “All kids seem to love them and want them, and honestly, they are my favorite thing to lie on in my kids’ beds, so I get it,” senior editor Jen Trolio says.
A kids’ crafting kit for artsy adults (who love assembling Ikea furniture)
Arts and crafts usually make foolproof gifts for kids — but the grown-ups in your life may enjoy cutting, folding, and hot-gluing, too. “I find the clear directions and guaranteed success of kids’ crafting kits deeply satisfying,” says designer and mother of two Yvonne Lin. She rounded up her favorite crafting sets, including a Van Gogh–inspired Lego build, a make-your-own candy kit, and this Perler bead project. Lin says the Perler website offers many sophisticated and unexpected patterns that will appeal to “adult sensibilities,” but this multicolor box is a solid starting point.
The Hanes sweatpants to give someone who has everything (like Law Roach)
After our writer Lauren Ro spoke with celebrity stylist Law Roach about his favorite things in October, one item stood out to her: the Hanes sweatpants he receives every Christmas and birthday. To get to the bottom of this tradition, Ro interviewed Roach for a second time and got his gifting advice if you’re shopping for someone (like him) who’s “got everything.” Roach describes the comfy gray sweats as his version of holiday pajamas and says it became a simple, inexpensive present that family members could give him. “I think people enjoy giving them to me because they know it really makes me happy,” Roach says, adding that he’s been wearing these pants for over a decade.
A toddler dress that’ll give “haunted Victorian doll” vibes this Christmas
On the other end of the Christmas dressing spectrum is this request from a reader: to dress their 3-year-old daughter up like a haunted Victorian doll for Christmas. If you’re serious about achieving the spooky gothic vibes, Ro suggests going the vintage route, on Etsy or eBay. But if you want something brand-new, she likes this green dress from British company La Coqueta, which manufactures its garments in Spain. This one is made from 100 percent cotton velvet and has subtle lace trim.
A basketball encyclopedia for the person who regularly quotes Phil Jackson
There’s no shortage of basketball memorabilia out there — so to find gifts that will delight die-hard NBA fans and players at every level, our writer Jeremy Rellosa spoke to hooping experts about the items they’re secretly hoping to receive this holiday season. Written and illustrated by Ben Detrick and Andrew Kuo, the co-hosts of the podcast Cookies Hoops, this basketball encyclopedia is chock-full of hot takes featured in essays, colorful graphics, illustrations, and charts.
Bistro plates spotted in NYC restaurants for your next festive feast
As you prepare to set a memorable holiday table for friends and family, our kitchen and dining writer Emma Wartzman found the porcelain plates taking over New York City restaurants right now. From Café Spaghetti to Superiority Burger and more, these bistro-style dishes kept popping up as Wartzman ate out in the city and scrolled through her Instagram feed. “It just feels like a plate that’s really classic — really classic to New York,” Jon Neidich, chief executive of Golden Age Hospitality, told Wartzman. The thick plates are also strikingly durable — a fact every chef and owner mentioned to Wartzman — which means there’s less chance of chips and scratches, whether you’re hosting a couple of dinner guests or serving 300 pizzeria-goers.
Marcus Leslie Singleton’s mesh messenger bag for a tote-using person
If their current tote needs replacing, this messenger bag will make a lovely gift. It’s the one painter Marcus Leslie Singleton uses daily to haul groceries, art books, his laptop, and more. The bag, which has a shoulder strap and two carrying handles, is “versatile and stylish” and can be easily folded and placed in your pocket when not in use, Singleton says.
The very-hard-to-find Nikes Trevor Noah received as a birthday gift
Shopping for serious sneaker collectors (like Trevor Noah) is no easy task — you probably know what sneaker your recipient wants, but the real challenge can be tracking down an authentic, unworn pair. That’s what happened to The Daily Show photographer (and expert gifter) Matt Wilson when he landed on the perfect present — NikeLab Air Max 1 Pinnacles — for Trevor. When the shoe didn’t appear on the usual collectors’ sites like StockX and GOAT, Matt turned to a website many shoe collectors had abandoned: eBay. Using eBay’s professional authentication system and his keen eye, Matt found one pair from a seller in Romania that arrived just in time for Trevor’s birthday.
An on-sale toy drum that’ll still arrive before Christmas
And finally, our deals editor Sam Daly dug through every online sales bin to find discounted items you can buy now and still receive by Sunday, December 24. For the early learner on your list, go for this light-up drum that’s over 40 percent off. Your infant will practice sitting up, and the toy’s varying melodies won’t make your skin crawl. You can find more gifts for babies here, and as a reminder, there’s still time to consult our mega-list of ideas.
The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
