In the past two years, we started seeing red everywhere: on runways, in our closets, and on the floors of tasteful people’s apartments. As fellow Strategist writer Lauren Ro noted, “The color is bold, unexpected, and a little sleazy.” And once you start buying the accent color, you can’t really stop. So I set out to find gifts in every shade of crimson for everyone on your list. There’s a Scottish-made cashmere foulard for the friend who already owns a drawerful of red tights, a pair of socks worn by the pope for the brother who won’t shut up about Conclave, and an apple-shaped grinder for your stoner friend. And if you don’t like any of the gifts below, check out all of our other best gift ideas here.
Made in the Scottish Borders from 100 percent cashmere, a jaunty foulard offers all of the warmth of a traditional scarf with none of the bulk.
For the family member who won’t stop talking about Conclave, a pair of Gamarelli socks is in order (the tailors at this Roman shop have been dressing the pope since 1798).
Japanese indoor-slash-outdoor slippers that one Strategist contributor described as being like “puffer jackets for your feet.”
A CdG wallet is a perennially great gift, and I especially like the extra tassels on the zipper.
There are plenty of “perfect” red lipsticks out there you could gift, but none of them come with a customizable, built-in compact like Guerlain’s do.
I saw Strategist contributor Mya Gerber wearing this exact chunky cardi from Nikki Chasin last year and have been saving up for it ever since.
If Santa Maria Novella is good enough for Alexa Chung, it’s good enough for any giftee on your list. “Santa Maria Novella, which is great for really beautiful bath things or a gorgeous hand cream, a luxurious treat,” she said when asked where she buys presents by our friends over at the Cut.
Originally made to scent the lobby of the Baccarat Hotel, Baccarat Rouge is basically the red bottoms of the perfume world. Timeless, woodsy, expensive.
Gift this Bialetti Moka pot to your roommate and never have to make yourself a cup of coffee again.
A handsome steel tool box for the husband who insists he doesn’t want anything this year.
If you have an office Secret Santa coming up, the “happiness-inducing” Hoptimist will work for any co-worker or boss.
For any pantry nerds on your list.
Louis Sherry makes gorgeous chocolates, but the tin they come in is the real gift. Once the treats have been eaten, it works as a lovely jewelry box.
M. Gemi’s loafers are the only ones I’ve found that are supersoft straight out of the box and don’t require any gnarly break-in time.
A cigarette case is a good gift for smokers but also doubles as a wallet for non-smokers. For the former, filling the case with their brand of choice is a nice touch. For the latter, a few scratch-off tickets completes the gift.
A set of French flatware for anyone on your list who just moved in to a new place.
A little piece of Scandinavian design that is dead useful in the kitchen for everything from simmering sauces to reheating soup (and, yes, warming butter).
Or you could give the gift of red-light therapy this year. CurrentBody just released this updated version of its popular LED mask that’s been redesigned for a better fit on the face and head.
For the person on your list you just can’t figure out, JBL’s super-portable speakers won’t let you down, since they’re a favorite amongst teens, tweens, and adults alike.
Sackville grinders are super-popular among the stoner set and this is a nice option for one with hometown pride (or one who got really into the apple dance this summer).
And if you’re shopping for a kid who prefers the great indoors, this camera allows the budding kidfluencer to record their own videos, which they can then upload to a computer.
Instant at-home hot pot, any night of the week. The set includes an electric hot pot, Fly by Jing’s hot-pot Fire base, and two stainless-steel ladles.
A mid-century-inspired flip clock to literally watch the time go by.
The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
