If you’re here, it’s because you’re still looking for the best holiday gift for that special (or just particularly difficult to shop for) person in your life. Fortunately, we’re here to help. Our gift-giving caps are always on during the holidays, and this season, our writers and editors are going above and beyond in their quest to find presents for every person on your list. The annual festivities are growing ever nearer, and we’ve been interviewing hard-to-shop-for groups of people — like skin-care obsessives, astrology faithfuls, vegans, and even zillenials — for straight-from-the-source gifting advice and their ultimate wish lists. We’ve also prepped tons of brand-new gifts guides, which you’ll find on our site throughout the month.
Below is every single gift guide that we’ve updated (so far) this season, featuring more than 160 of the most giftable, truly worth-it items from our archive. No matter who you’re shopping for this year, whether that’s your recipe-curious girlfriend, your pickleball-playing boss, your entire group chat of friends, or your extremely organized mother-in-law, you’ve come to the right place.
I’ve gone through the gifts from each guide featured here to make sure that just about everything will arrive before Tuesday, December 24 — but stock and shipping times can change rapidly now that Christmas is only a couple weeks away, so don’t dillydally if you see something you like. We’ll continue to update these lists with in-stock and arriving-on-time products, and I suggest bookmarking this post to stay up to date on any last-minute gift-giving developments. (At this point in the game, you may need to pay extra for expedited shipping or be prepared to pick up your presents in-store to ensure time for wrapping.) And, as always, sign up for our newsletter for even more festive coverage.
Update on December 20, 2024: Swapped in gifts that should arrive in time for Christmas; checked stock and updated prices on all products.
Jump ahead
Gifts that
Might Sell Out
The most sought after items of the year that will go fast.
Opening a little treat each day makes the countdown to December 25 far more fun, so writer Rachael Griffiths found the most popular self-care, toy, food, and drink Advent calendars available this year. Whether your recipient follows the traditional day-by-day protocol or unwraps one of our 16 picks all at once, the options above (and their contents) would be just as delightful either way — especially because we looked for ideas to suit all kinds of people, along with sets we’ve bought ourselves and highly anticipated collections that’ll likely sell out, like LEGO’s mini-builds. Find more Advent calendars here.
Strategist writer (and resident beauty expert) Tembe Denton-Hurst rounded up 2024’s best beauty Advent calendars from makeup and skin-care brands like M.A.C, Typology, and more. Think of these standouts as your chance to try new products or restock old favorites, Denton-Hurst says — which is why she uncovered best-selling sets containing lots of full-size products (they’re well worth the money) and others with travel-size versions (so you won’t have to restock at a random drugstore until next year). Find more beauty Advent calendars here.
Every year, we reach out to toy-trend experts to hear their predictions about the most coveted toys that will likely sell out fast. But sometimes a trend is just a trend, so our senior writer Liza Corsillo visited several toy fairs herself and got her hands on as many toys as possible to ensure that each is worth the hype. In one handy guide, she collected the most in-demand and worth-it options, from colorful crafting kits to squishy stuffed animals that every kid will be begging for this holiday season. Find more toy gifts here.
If you’re eager to get your hands on the newest gadgets, our tech writer Jordan McMahon says tech accessories — along with hot-ticket items like flagship smartphones and consoles — are a popular category for gifts. That means phone-friendly keyboard cases, headphones, and Bluetooth speakers will be at the top of any tech-obsessed person’s list. Find more tech gifts here.
Gifts for
Him
A gift for every man in your life, from husbands and dads to brothers and boyfriends.
There’s no one-size-fits-all gift for dads, our writer Erin Schwartz says. Some dads are movie critics who’d appreciate a new way to spice up their popcorn at home. Others are podcasters (in their own minds) looking to outfit their sound booths with professional microphones. And some are grill masters looking to fine-tune their backyard setup. The father figure in your life might be all three, so Schwartz culled 50 recommendations from numerous cool dads we’ve spoken to. Find more gifts for every type of dad here.
Finding an unexpected and high-quality gift that your dad will actually use often translates to a much heftier price tag. To help you find presents that are worth the expense, Schwartz combed through the Strategist’s deep archive of cool-dad content to create a guide of splurge-worthy gift ideas. Find more worth-it gifts for every kind of dad here.
When it comes to dad gifts, it’s fine to ignore the “I don’t want anything” shtick just this once, Corsillo says. The catch is that if you’re going against their wishes, the gift in question must be especially great, so she collected a range of smart, practical, and delicious items for every type of dad. Find more gifts for dads who don’t want anything here.
To bring you the best gifts for every type of husband, tech writer Jordan McMahon curated a list of 72 items guaranteed to impress your spouse — from the gear and gadgets he’s spent countless hours reviewing to non-tech-related ideas that come highly touted by experts, such as must-have fitness tools and comfy footwear. Find more gifts for every type of husband here.
If he’s been denying your requests for a wish list, you might want to check this guide. Jeremy Rellosa found numerous unusual yet practical gifts that will speak to your significant other’s favorite hobby or latest obsession, even if you’ve only recently started dating. Find more gifts for every type of boyfriend here.
With years of experience buying his own brother Christmas gifts, Rellosa says that the more a gift speaks to one of his tastes, the better. Whether your bro’s a fitness fanatic, a plant enthusiast, or a Star Wars fan, Rellosa created a list of items for even the pickiest of siblings. Find more gifts for every type of brother here.
He likely has a favorite brand of razor and shaving cream, but you can always elevate his kit with an editor- (or celebrity-) approved grooming gift. When choosing a present, Griffiths says it should be practical (yet luxurious) and suit the recipient’s needs (for example, don’t give a soufflé face mask to someone who’s just discovered moisturizer). Following that gifting theory, you’ll find our favorite purchases from across our grooming coverage, including leak-resistant accessories and fresh-scented colognes. Find more grooming gifts here.
Gifts for
Her
Perfect presents for moms, sisters, girlfriends, and more.
When shopping for her own mother, our style writer Ambar Pardilla likes to pick out items her mom needs (but hasn’t gotten around to buying) or surprise her with something she would never, ever buy for herself. But we know sourcing the right gift for your mom might still feel like an impossible holiday mission, so Pardilla collected the best options for mothers everywhere — from products Pardilla has personally vetted to the ones beloved by our own writers and editors, an admittedly picky group. Find more gifts for every type of mom here.
There’s a big difference between a gift that’s worth the expense and something that’s just expensive, says Pardilla. To help you spoil your mom and spend on something actually worth it, Pardilla sifted through our archives and rounded up the best splurge-worthy gifts for moms, from fancy kitchen gadgets to buzzy beauty tools. Find more worth-it gifts for every kind of mom here.
Your mother-in-law can be just as tricky to shop for as your mom. But a foolproof plan is to give her something she’ll actually use and doesn’t already have, Pardilla says. To make this gift guide, Pardilla searched through our archives for surefire “won’t-returnables” to suit every type of MIL, whether she’s a world traveler, an adventurous home cook, or a neat freak. Find more gifts for mothers-in-law here.
Becoming a new mom means everything can feel overwhelming: late-night feedings, never-ending dirty diapers, and even her own physical recovery, Ro says. For those reasons, she found gift ideas that will help make the transition to motherhood smoother — including lots of items for her and a few things for baby that will make mom’s life easier. Find more gifts for new moms here.
If they’re pregnant (or recently pregnant), they’re likely experiencing tons of changes — and it can be difficult for a mom-to-be to feel like herself for nine-plus months, writer Lauren Ro says. As the mother to two small kids, Ro speaks from experience, and that’s why her list contains comforting and relaxing items that will go a long way toward making this new stage of life more enjoyable (and get them ready for their due date). Find more gifts for pregnant people here.
The perfect present for your wife does exist, and it might be in this roundup. While every wife is different, Griffiths says there’s one core strategy for picking a gift for her: It needs to surprise, delight, and prove you’ve been listening. To make the process easier, especially if you’re running out of ideas after gifting back and forth for years, Griffiths put together an edit of more than 60 items that are all available on Amazon. Find more gifts for every type of wife here.
Whether it’s been three months or three years, shopping for a thoughtful gift for your special someone requires some digging. That’s why Denton-Hurst — a self-described “professional girlfriend” who held the title for nine years — says the key is to zero in on her taste and listen for the little things. Because that’s easier said than done, Denton-Hurst found lots of fun options based on specific things girlfriends (yours included) are likely to love, from design-forward gadgets to cozy pick-me-ups. Find more gifts for every type of girlfriend here.
You may have very similar tastes to your sister(s) — or perhaps you’re drastically different. Whatever the case, I think it’s important to choose a surprising item that touches on her interests or a memory you’ve made together. Following that approach, I compiled a list of presents — many of which are Strategist-tested and -approved by a sister or were successfully gifted to one. Find more gifts for every type of sister here.
Gifts for
Tweens, Teens & Young Adults
Whether they want video games, beauty products, or clothes.
For Tweens
Tween girls (ages 9 through 12) can be tough to please because they’re still learning about their own preferences, Griffiths says. Some enjoy playing with dolls, while others are more focused on trying the latest TikTok makeup trends. To help you navigate this divide, Griffiths spoke to toy-trend forecasters, parents of tweens, and lots of actual tween girls about what’s at the top of their must-have lists. Find more gifts for tween girls here.
When Griffiths spoke to tween boys to get a sense of the gifts they’d like to receive this year, she learned that what this group really wants is to be treated like young adults — meaning no one wants LEGOs, but lots want a PS5 or an Apple Watch. We also collected less obvious (and more affordable) options, ranging from games and activities to toys and books. Find more gifts for tween boys here.
For Teens
It can feel like doing high-level math shopping for teenage girls — so writer Arielle Avila asked members of this age group which gifts they’d like to receive this holiday season. From the most popular skin-care products featured in Sephora-haul videos to non-cheesy room décor, Avila covered a range of gift-giving categories, including jewelry, tech, clothing, and more. Find more gifts for teen girls here.
Video games like NBA 2K25 or the latest Call of Duty might (predictably) be on your teen boy’s holiday list. But if he’s satisfied with his current game collection, Avila uncovered other items that will speak to your teenager, including musician-approved gear and stylish sneakers. Find more gifts for teen boys here.
Gifts for
Kids
Age-appropriate recommendations, from this season's hot toys to classic crowd-pleasers.
If you’ve shopped for toys before, you know it can be impossible to pick out the playtime mainstays from the ones that’ll soon be collecting dust in the corner — and the more you spend, the bigger the risk. So, to help you splurge wisely, Corsillo spoke to teachers, toy-store owners, and many fellow parents for their recommendations. Find more worth-it toy gifts here.
At six months old, babies grow and learn through play, so the best gifts for infants will nurture their development and keep them engaged, Ro says. To narrow the market of toys, accessories, and books, Ro spoke to child-development experts about their favorites and included some picks she used with her own kids. Find more 6-month-old baby gifts here.
The key to delighting 1-year-olds involves finding open-ended toys that will stimulate and surprise their growing minds, says Corsillo. When compiling our gift guide, she kept those guidelines in mind and uncovered dozens of items to entertain curious toddlers while engaging all five senses. Find more gifts for 1-year-olds here.
Toys that inspire imagination while developing motor skills are a good bet for 2-year-olds who can’t sit still, Corsillo says. It’s also the age when children begin to participate in pretend play, so our experts recommend gifts that let toddlers imagine themselves in the roles of adults, whether that’s with musical instruments or dress-up sets. Find more gifts for 2-year-olds here.
At three years old, language development or talking with your child becomes extra important — and that’s true whether they’re narrating a story or asking you about the differences between two Bluey action figures, Corsillo says. She found toys that will spark new conversation and indulge your 3-year-old’s blossoming interests. Find more gifts for 3-year-olds here.
As critical thinking and motor skills sharpen around 4 years old, Corsillo says children are also becoming verbally advanced and more independent. In more practical terms, conversing with a 4-year-old feels like talking to a little person with strong preferences, interests, and an actual personality. That’s why items that encourage curiosity and creativity are ideal for these rapidly growing humans. Find more gifts for 4-year-olds here.
At 5 years old, kids are learning how to play in groups and what it means to cooperate — two skills they’ll use daily as they start kindergarten, Corsillo says. That’s why she rounded up tons of toys to support these milestones that will make memorable gifts while also helping these early learners expend some of their seemingly endless energy. Find more gifts for 5-year-olds here.
At 6 years old, transitioning from kindergarten to first grade means adjusting from a mostly play-based atmosphere to a much more work-based one (a.k.a. there’s less coloring and more reading and math, Corsillo says). To comfort your 6-year-old after challenging school days, we found gifts that will give them the space to play without pressure or constraints. Find more gifts for 6-year-olds here.
Corsillo says 7-year-olds are much more coordinated, can focus for extended periods, and are developing their own hobbies. So, when buying them a gift, your best bet is to find out what they’re interested in, whether that’s trading Pokémon cards or hanging at the park with their friends. Find more gifts for 7-year-olds here.
Although they’re not officially considered tweens, most 8-year-olds are experiencing a tremendous growth spurt in physical, emotional, and cognitive development. To delight and challenge their minds and bodies, Corsillo found items that will nurture their increasing need for independence and motivate them to experiment with their creativity. Find more gifts for 8-year-olds here.
As the youngest tweenage group, 9-year-olds often act like teenagers-in-training one minute and little kids the next, Corsillo says. If your child is moving away from their toys in favor of new creative endeavors, Corsillo found age-appropriate gift options that are guaranteed to capture their budding areas of interest. Find more gifts for 9-year-olds here.
To engage 10-year-olds on a deeper level, Corsillo says it’s important to understand that these kids are developing new-found mental maturity, from formulating well-organized thoughts to thinking more abstractly. But identifying what 10-year-olds actually want will largely depend on your child’s unique talents and interests, which is why we included gift ideas for an array of hobbies, from sports and drama to painting and more. Find more gifts for 10-year-olds here.
As puberty begins around age 11, most kids are facing hormonal shifts that can also affect their emotional states. Those changes — coupled with the fact that these kids are entering sixth grade (a.k.a. moving to a big-kid school) — mean it can be tricky to find a gift for this quickly maturing age group. From books to toys to puzzles, Corsillo aimed to cover both the latest trends and classic crowd-pleasers when she made her picks. Find more gifts for 11-year-olds here.
When choosing a gift for an almost-teenager, the experts (including actual 12-year-olds) Corsillo spoke to recommended items that give a recipient freedom to experiment with new interests. Though they’ve grown up as digital natives, this age group will appreciate receiving hands-on products that allow them to express their creativity and individuality. Find more gifts for 12-year-olds here.
Denton-Hurst sifted through every title we’ve written about to create a list of board books, picture books, chapter books, and even cookbooks that would make great gifts for any child (and their parents). Along with those picks, she included options with unique stories and artwork to ensure there’s a range of options to diversify any library. Find more children’s books here.
Gifts for
Extended Family and Friends (and More)
Grandparents, co-workers, best friends, and everyone in between.
For Extended Family
After polling tons of people 65 and over (like for our 1,000 Senior Survey), Avila says she’s learned that most grandparents will insist that spending more time together is their ideal gift; however, Avila says a thoughtful present is still a meaningful way to show you care. That’s why she found items for the gourmand, the gardener, and even the one who’s as obsessed with their pets as they are with their grandkids. Find more gifts for grandparents here.
Of the first-time grandparents Avila spoke to for this guide, several said they want gifts they’ll actually enjoy themselves (like keepsake books and things that make traveling to their new grandbaby easier) rather than baby-centered gifts. Find more gifts for new grandparents here.
For Friends
Whether you’ve known them since childhood, college, or last year, the ideal gift will help you make new memories (or remember old ones) with your best friend. And because your friendship knows no limits, we found dozens of gifts that speak to the many roles your BFF might play, from roommate and relationship guru to personal stylist, and more. Find more gifts for every type of best friend here.
Whether you’re back in the office or working from the comfort of your couch, you might want to get a nice gift for a co-worker. For the one who’s tired of schlepping their laptop or the one constantly trying to improve their desk space, McMahon uncovered Strategist favorites and other thoughtful items that will please new and longtime colleagues alike. Find more gifts for every type of co-worker here.
Getting a gift for your boss is a fantastic idea, but deciding what to give them can feel daunting, especially if you don’t know much about their personal life. So we brainstormed tasteful and appropriate (and, dare we say, fun) ideas — some of which might even encourage them to consider all the ways they can promote you. Find more gifts for every type of boss here.
Whether you’re heading to a dinner party or preparing for a long-overdue visit to see family, deciding what to give a host is always challenging. To help you find the right gift for whatever kind of host you might be thanking, our home writer Lauren Ro rounded up practical and unexpected items, all of which would definitely be appreciated. Find more gifts for hosts here.
For those interested in expressing appreciation for their teachers, check out our roundup, in which writer Kitty Guo talked to more than 25 educators to find the best gift ideas. Her sources, who teach everything from physics to art, say a heartfelt handwritten note from a student goes a long way, while some requested items that can be used in the classroom. Find more gifts for teachers here.
For Anyone
Last year, we called in reinforcements, asking Amy Sedaris to be our first-ever gifting columnist. And this season, Sedaris started posting her own gift guides on her Instagram account, so we asked if she would be up for letting us publish them on the Strategist. While this isn’t every single gift, it’s, as she put it, “the pick of the chick,” or the stuff that most easily translates to a website. Find more gift ideas from Sedaris here.
Holiday gift baskets are often one-size-fits-all presents filled with predictable items like artisanal cheeses and designer pears. But this year, the Strategist team reimagined the gift basket and created 76 bundles tailored exactly to your recipient’s taste and interests. From the Boat Dad to the Mahjong Mom, there’s one for everyone else on your list. Find more holiday gift baskets here.
There might be a chance you know absolutely nothing about a certain giftee. Luckily, Schwartz found gift options that are low context enough to work for anyone and genuinely exciting to open. Plus, they’re all non-generic and under $100. Find more non-boring gifts for anybody here.
As our tech writer, McMahon has been thinking about gift ideas for those who aren’t particularly interested in tech or anyone who’s into tech but doesn’t want to spend hours tinkering with settings. So he rounded up his favorite simple gadgets of the year, from digital picture frames to handheld gaming consoles. Find more easy-to-setup tech gadgets here.
For a double dose of giving, choose a present with a built-in donation, Pardilla says. We’ve featured many of these philanthropic brands on our site before, but she searched for tons of new gift ideas that will benefit organizations fighting for racial justice, food security, reproductive rights, and much more. Find more gifts that give back here.
If you’re out of ideas on what to give as a gift or want to avoid a shipping-delay nightmare, subscription boxes (a.k.a. “the gift that keeps on giving”) are your best bet, Guo says. She curated a list of the most giftable services in categories including food, home items, books, beauty, and more, so you can pick the best option based on your recipient’s interests. Find more monthly subscription gifts here.
Gifts for
Every Hobby
For the artist and crafter, the outdoors fanatic, the jet-setter, and more.
For Hobbyists
Artists are known for having very particular tastes, so Corsillo and Schwartz went straight to the source and asked sculptors, painters, photographers, textile designers, and more about what gifts they’d like to receive this holiday season. Find more gifts for artists here.
Instead of yarn or needles, get the knitter in your life something unique they’ll appreciate and use, Gillespie says. To help you find unusual (yet practical) presents, she spoke to experienced knitters about their must-have items, from niche tools and beginner-friendly patterns to many other crafter-approved recommendations. Find more knitting gifts here.
If you’re stumped on what to give them, why not use their star sign as inspiration for finding the very best gift? Pariso interviewed eight astrologers to understand what each sign tends to be drawn to, then handpicked a list of gifts tailored to each sign and their specific qualities. Find more gifts for every zodiac sign here.
For Bookish Types
Denton-Hurst, a self-proclaimed bibliophile (and published novelist herself), compiled a list of ideas for the voracious readers in your life. And because they’re most likely buying books already, she found the extras they’ll need to round out their reading routines, from book lights to bookmarks to scented candles. Find more gifts for book lovers here.
With thousands of options to choose from, the realm of coffee-table books can feel tricky to navigate. Whether your recipient prefers their coffee-table titles to function primarily as décor or to spark conversation among guests, Denton-Hurst found publications for every type of person on your list. Find more giftable coffee-table books here.
Beauty Gifts
The makeup lover in your life most likely already has a vanity full of favorite products, so Guo created a list with dozens of makeup gifts — from sparkly eye shadows to shiny new lip glosses — that are guaranteed to please even the hardest to shop for. Find more makeup gifts here.
Skin-care obsessives can be highly particular about the products they use, which makes finding an acceptable skin-care gift (and one that they haven’t already tried) perplexing. After speaking to dermatologists and beauty writers, Brenley Goertzen — a self-described skin-care lover — created a list of gift sets, tools, and recent launches that are sure to impress. Find more gifts for skin-care obsessives here.
As a beauty writer with three years of experience, Griffiths knows how to track down the best beauty gifts, from stocking stuffers to status skin care. Beauty products can often be expensive, so Griffiths took to finding as many beauty gifts as possible for less than $30. All of her beauty gift picks under $30 are here.
Fan Gifts
Most fans are still debating whether the cast of RHONY 2.0 is delightfully delusional or messy enough to live up to the OGs. Avila thought this particular group of Housewives would have strong stances on gifting, so she consulted five of them to find out exactly what they want this holiday season. Find more gifts from The Real Housewives of New York City wish lists here.
As the Strategist’s resident Swiftie, our junior writer Bella Druckman used her expertise to gather the best gift ideas and consulted the Swifties behind some of the most prominent Taylor Swift fan pages. Whether they prefer more obvious paraphernalia or stream Reputation over Lover, Druckman found something for every kind of fan. Find more Swiftie gifts here.
Their Spotify Wrapped might be dominated by “Good Luck, Babe!” and that’s all right because, as Griffiths put it, it’s been a Pink Pony year. To find the best gifts to match the Midwest-princess aesthetic, she tapped OG Chappell fans for their suggestions. The one thing that each die-hard fan recommended was a ticket to a local drag show, but Griffiths also gathered items that embody the Chappell Roan spirit. Find more gifts for Chappell Roan fans here.
Beyoncé took things to the next level with her release of Renaissance — then this year we got the second act of the rollout with her country album, Cowboy Carter. There’s no question that the artist is a force powered by her BeyHive, so Denton-Hurst spoke to Beyoncé enthusiasts about the gifts that fans, new and old, will be excited to receive. Find more gifts for Beyoncé fans here.
If your recipient has been consumed by “Espresso” or tried to DIY Sabrina Carpenter’s bouncy blowout, they’re not alone. To uncover the clothes, décor, and accessories to gift Sabrina Carpenter’s most avid listeners, Griffiths spoke to several superfans about the flirty babydolls and candy-sweet fragrances on their own wish lists. Find more gifts for Sabrina Carpenter fans here.
While the band tee is undoubtedly a timeless piece of music merchandise, many artists have really leveled up their merch, putting their names on everything from lighters and socks to house keys, says Matthew Schnipper, a former editor at Pitchfork and The Fader. Featuring musicians such as Sabrina Carpenter and Billie Eilish, Schnipper’s guide includes the very best merch to give music fans this year. Find more music-merch gifts here.
Food and Drink Gifts
Edible presents are considered “foolproof” by Wartzman — and that’s because there’s always something for everyone, she says. So whether you’re shopping for an accomplished home cook or a foodie with their favorite local spot on speed dial, she created a list of the most memorable and delicious edible items we’ve written about, plus included some of her go-to treats. Find more edible food gifts here.
To find the best gifts for chefs — professional or not — Wartzman surveyed dozens of restaurant owners, recipe developers, and more, plus gathered up her favorite tools that she’s tested and still keeps in her arsenal. So, no matter how many kitchens they frequent (or how much gear they already have), she rounded up tons of special, truly useful, and (we daresay) sexy items they’ll enjoy. Find more gifts for chefs here.
Wartzman says she counts herself in the very group of people this gift guide is intended for: an avid home cook with a lot of equipment and very distinct taste. And with years of experience interviewing professionals and trying the latest tools, appliances, and ingredients herself, Wartzman says she knows a thing or two about identifying worthy gifts for home cooks (even if you don’t know your way around the kitchen at all). Find more gifts for home cooks here.
When the restaurant server grates cheese over their pasta, and there’s a prolonged silence because they never say “when” — well, you’re in the right place for that friend. To gather the best gifts for cheese enthusiasts, chef and former Strategist editor Kiki Aranita turned to cheesemongers, shop owners, and cookbook authors for their expertise. Find more gifts for cheese enthusiasts here.
While seafood lovers might enjoy dinner out at a five-star restaurant, there’s something special about having an order of oysters or caviar delivered to their home. Contributor Tanya Edwards tested a range of seafood-delivery services to find the best ones out there, whether the recipient prefers sushi-grade cuts or an entire box of stone-crab claws. Find more seafood-delivery gift boxes here.
If you’re looking for more edible gifts, meat delivery — like Wagyu from Japan straight to your door — will delight and impress many recipients. Edwards tried numerous meat-delivery services and rounded up the best options, from single-source beef to family-run farms and more. Find more meat-delivery gift boxes here.
Serious vino drinkers can be hard to impress, so Pariso asked nearly two dozen sommeliers and winemakers for their takes on the best gifts for wine lovers. Whether the recipient drinks Champagne year-round or is more of a picnicking type, the resulting guide features tons of wine-adjacent ideas, including decanters, coolers, expert-approved glasses, and more. Find more gifts for wine lovers here.
Devout coffee lovers need a seriously vetted gift, so Wartzman consulted baristas, roasters, and espresso nerds for their suggestions. Along with an array of expert-approved must-haves, you’ll find her personal recommendations, too, from products she uses at home to some amusing items she discovered while scouring the internet. Find more gifts for coffee lovers here.
The group of tea connoisseurs that kitchen and dining writer Emma Wartzman spoke with — including tea sommeliers, consultants, and authors — put her on to plenty of beautiful, handy, and all-around standout items. From buzzy loose-leaf varieties to the teapots, cups, and books these experts swear by, Wartzman unearthed the best gifts for the tea-obsessed person in your life. Find more gifts for tea lovers here.
From backyard Weber owners to grill-loving city dwellers, the barbecue enthusiast you’re shopping for will appreciate a practical, non-novelty item they can use for years to come, Wartzman and Gillespie say. With that gifting approach, you’ll find numerous staples professional pitmasters are giving (and want to receive), plus a few ingenious accessories from our archives. Find more fits for grilling enthusiasts here.
Gaming Gifts
Whether the gamer in your life is serious about becoming a content creator or just playing to stay connected with friends, our tech writer, McMahon, uncovered the consoles, games, and collectibles they’ll be wishing for this year. He also sorted through our archives to find products that gamer celebrities — including Mick Jenkins, Amelia Meath, and T-Pain — can’t live without. Find more gifts for gamers here.
No matter which Pokémon the superfan in your life loves most, every gift on our list is sure to please. That’s because Griffiths chatted with nine of the franchise’s biggest devotees to find the coolest items to give the Poké-fanatic in your life, including soft plushies, trading cards, and limited-edition merch. Find more gifts for Pokémon fans here.
Pet Gifts
Few things are more rewarding than owning a four-legged friend, but finding a helpful, unique, or simply amusing gift for a fellow dog lover is definitely up there. As one of the Strategist’s resident pet experts, I uncovered lots of ideas for canines of all sizes and breeds — and, of course, for every kind of pup parent. Find more gifts for dog owners here.
It can be baffling to buy an actual gift for a cat parent if you aren’t one yourself (or if you’re strictly a dog person), Guo says. That’s why she consulted a panel of cat experts for their recommendations, which include non-catnip items any kitty would go crazy for and other ideas pet parents will actually find useful. Find more gifts for cat lovers here.
Sports and Outdoors Gifts
Rellosa has played tennis regularly for the past 15 years, but this year, he says the sport has surged in popularity like never before. The buzz has brought a crop of new tennis-specific brands that are making lots of interesting products, many of which make great gifts for the tennis-obsessed person in your life. So Rellosa spoke to tennis players about their favorites and created a guide to the best ones on the market. Find more tennis gifts here.
There’s no shortage of cycling gear available, so Rellosa, who’s a longtime biker, spoke to other avid bikers about the items that would make excellent gifts. He also combed through our archives — from our stories on the best bike lights, helmets, and cold-weather gear — to find options for cyclists of any skill level, whether they’re training for a race or prepping for a bike commute to work. Find more gifts for cyclists here.
Regardless of their mile time, the runner in your life is probably picky about their gear. That’s why Rellosa sought input from avid joggers, coaches, and Strategist staffers to uncover the best gifts for all runners, whether they’re tackling their first 5K or collecting ultramarathon medals. Find more gifts for runners here.
A fellow outdoor enthusiast, Gillespie says the hiker in your life probably gets excited about certain (mundane to some) products — such as wool socks — so don’t be afraid to go simple. Along with selecting her favorite trail basics, she spoke to a group of expert adventurers to find durable footwear, handy multi-tools, and more to help the hiker on your list reach their next summit. Find more gifts for hikers here.
If you prefer staying inside over venturing into the backcountry (or your backyard), buying a gift for an outdoorsy person can be challenging, Rellosa says. But he and many of his fellow Strategist staffers have tested hundreds of outdoor items — from camping and climbing gear to the hiking and backpacking equipment you need to survive in the woods — and can vouch for which items would make great gifts. Find more gifts for outdoorsy types here.
In our 55-item roundup of (Strategist-approved) gardening gifts, Schwartz selected something for every horticulturist on your list, whether they’re the proud keeper of a backyard greenhouse or an apartment gardener leveling up their plant-tending skills. Find more gifts for gardeners here.
Bird-watching has become a popular pastime in the past few years, which led Gillespie to ask a dozen birders across New York and beyond about the best gifts for these hobbyists. She identified options for ornithologists of all levels, and if you’re buying for a birder who already has everything, she found some bird-themed ideas for when they’re at home instead of out exploring the Ramble. Find more gifts for bird lovers here.
Writer (and resident travel expert) Katherine Gillespie says the best gifts for frequent travelers are often the most practical. Along with interviewing flight attendants and travel agents about what they recommend, Gillespie collected highly giftable yet functional items from our Travel 100, which features our absolute favorite pieces of gear for all sorts of trips. Find more travel gifts here.
Gifts for
Every Budget
Whether it's $10 or $100, we've curated lists by price.
Cheap gifts don’t have to feel cheap, so Schwartz rounded up thoughtful, quality gifts under $5 you can buy on Amazon. From a small, festive token to a component of a multipart gift, they found inexpensive items that will show your appreciation without draining your bank account. Find more gifts for under $5 here.
If you know where to look and what to look for, you can find plenty of budget-friendly gifts to delight every single person on your list, McMahon says. That’s why he created a guide to the best under-$10 items available on Amazon to make your shopping experience even easier. Find more gifts under $10 here.
You may want to max out your budget on gifts, but affordable items can be just as thoughtful and covetable as pricier ones, Pariso says. To help you spend less (and find something meaningful), she curated a list of 100 under-$25 options, from longtime Strategist top-sellers to gifts she’s given or received herself. Find more gifts under $25 here.
Buying a standout gift doesn’t have to break the bank, especially in this economy. To prove it (and help you shop for everyone on your list), Druckman pulled together 50 of our favorite items under $50 — all of which have been best sellers among our readers this holiday season. Find more top-selling gifts under $50 here.
This year, we spoke to people who we thought had exacting, exceptional taste to reveal the gifts they were most excited to give with a price limit of just $50. The list of 49 gifts should go a long way toward checking off any still-unchecked people on your list. Find more gifts under $50 approved by tasteful people here.
We rounded up delightful gifts under $50 for every occasion, many of which come from our ever-growing directory of nearly 200 Black-owned businesses. Our guide is broken into categories from beauty and self-care, to home goods, to books and entertainment. Find more gifts under $50 from Black-owned businesses here.
We’ve put together a guide to 60 nice gifts under $50 you can buy from Asian and Asian American–owned brands and small businesses, most of which we’ve written about before — for all sorts of people and occasions. Find more gifts under $50 from Asian and Asian American–owned brands here.
Each year, to create the Strategist’s annual print “Gift Guide,” we set out to find the newest, most unexpected and charming things that you won’t find anywhere else. As we whittled down the list to create the perfect assemblage, a small team of devoted Strategist editors worked for months, examining each item to bring you a selection of more than 90 gifts under $50. These delightfully off-kilter offerings include a remote-controlled tarantula and Broadway tarot cards. Find more unusually special gifts under $50 here.
For slightly splurgy gifts, we also created a list of items that are $50 to $199. From a stately replica toucan to a John Derian crystal brooch, these are 91 gifts that you won’t find anywhere else — many of which are also brand-new. Find more unusually special gifts under $200 here.
These more expensive gifts are just as groovy and surprising — from a pair of ostrich-feathered pumps to a cyber casket. Find more unusually special gifts over $200 here.
Gifts that
Make Good Stocking Stuffers
Delightful doodads and little extras.
Anyone can buy a big-ticket gadget or designer scarf, but Gillespie and Schwartz say there’s an art to finding a stocking stuffer that’s affordable, thoughtful, and won’t end up in their junk drawer. To help you find the perfect little presents, they created a list of items organized by food and drink, beauty and self-care, plus games, toys, and art supplies. Find more stocking stuffers under $15 here.
Non-boring stocking stuffers might sound like an oxymoron, but Guo rounded up a slew of affordable and useful gifts — which are all small enough to fit inside a holiday-themed novelty sock. She even thought of every possible type of giftee, from scrupulous sisters to pet parents, and made sure every item was available on Amazon for speedy delivery. Find more stocking stuffers under $25 here.
Ro scoured the internet and our archives to find the best stocking stuffers for your sister’s 5-year-old, your co-worker’s newborn, or your own kid. And to make things even easier, they all cost less than $20, including toys, books, and other treats (many of which are approved by Strategist editors and writers who happen to be parents). Find more stocking stuffers for kids and babies here.
Gifts for
Last-Minute Shoppers
An e-gift card doesn’t have to be a lazy last-minute gift. Consider it a way for them to get exactly what they want this holiday season — and it’ll certainly arrive on time. Find more recommendations for e-gift cards here.
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 women’s jeans, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, ultra-flattering pants, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
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