tis’ the season
From affordable stocking stuffers to luxe gifts, these are our favorite Christmas and holiday gifts to give this year
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The bells are ringing, Mariah Carey is blasting through every speaker in every store, and people are ice skating in parts of the country where it’s never snowed. It can be a joyous time, but if the thought of the holidays puts you in a gift-induced panic, fear not; we’ve rounded up the best Christmas gifts for everyone on your list.
Whether it’s the impossible-to-shop-for parent, a new flame, or that long-distance friend you only see a few times a year, gift-giving comes with some unique demands that no gift guide can completely satisfy. That’s why this gift guide is intended as a launchpad — a starting point inspired by our obsessive product testing, knowledge of trends, and, frankly, our love of hitting the add-to-cart button.
Read on for our picks for the best Christmas gifts for everyone, or check out gifts for wives, husbands, gamers, and tech enthusiasts if you’re shopping for someone specific.
Best Christmas Gifts Under $50
An Outdoor-Ready Wine Glass
Yeti’s insulated tumbler is the ideal gift for the outdoors-loving wine drinker in your life, or even just the person with a penchant for breaking wine glasses. The double-walled insulation keeps wine at the right temperature, and the removable lid prevents spills.
An Easy-to-Learn Party Game
The board game Wavelength blew up online, but you don’t have to be plugged into TikTok trends to enjoy it. The simple game tests whether or not you and your friends are on the same wavelength — on spectrums ranging from “romantic movies to unromantic movies” to “good pet to bad pet”
Quirky Cosmetics Storage
Baggu’s bags are charming, affordable, and come in a variety of prints. This zippered cosmetics case is suited for travel or at-home use, and includes a separate zippered compartment for organization.
A Set of Unique Earrings
Wolf and Badger connects independent creators, primarily jewelry brands, with shoppers, making it easy to find something that suits your style and budget. These reasonably-priced earrings are available in gold or silver.
A (Tiny) Dutch Oven
Le Creuset’s Stoneware is iconic, but the full-size pieces are a little expensive for gifting. That’s why we love these adorable mini Le Creuset cocottes. They’re great for small appetizers and desserts, but they work for kitchen decoration when not in use.
Better Sounding Vinyl
Looking for a stocking stuffer for a new vinyl enthusiast? Pro-Ject’s cleaning set includes a carbon fiber dust brush and a brush for cleaning your turntable’s stylus, ensuring their records sound their best.
A Book of Classic Album Covers
A classic book for music lovers, Michael Ochs’ 1000 Record Covers does what it says on the tin. The coffee table book features album covers from the 1960s through the 1990s, and it’s a great collectible for rock music fans.
A Better Concert Experience
For the concert-goer in your life, Loop’s Experience earplugs are a comfortable and subtle way to protect their hearing. They’re available in a variety of styles to suit different environments.
A Colorful Travel Bag
Topo Designs’ compact mountain hip pack is an affordable, colorful option for any outdoorsy person, or just anyone who struggles with their phone slipping out of their pocket. The bag works as a crossbody or as a hip pack.
Big Sound in a Small Package
JBL’s speakers are known for packing a lot of punch, no matter their size. The same goes for the tiny Go 4 speaker, which is available for under $50 and comes in a range of fun colors.
A Place for Thoughts (and Doodles)
Leuchtturm1917’s notebook is available in a wide range of colors and is thread-bound, allowing it to lie flat when you open it. It’s available in dotted, ruled, plain, or squared designs.
Upcycled Vinyl Coasters
Looking for a stocking stuffer for a music lover? These coasters are made from the center labels of reclaimed vinyl records. Each set includes six coasters.
Reliable Luggage Tracking
Apple’s AirTags make a great gift for the frequent flier. They’re easy to set up, have a wide range, and are good for both finding lost items around the house and keeping track of luggage on the go. Just make sure your recipient has an iPhone, as these won’t work with Android devices.
A Stylish Match Striker
While candles are a popular gift, it can be difficult to know what your recipient’s preferred scent is. A match striker, on the other hand, like this one from Craighill, makes a unique gift for the home in lieu of the standard candle.
A Book for Creatives
Rick Rubin’s The Creative Act was a staple gift when it came out, and this book comes from a similarly legendary luminary. Brian Eno’s What Art Does features the legendary producer and ambient music pioneer’s ruminations on the importance of creativity.
Better Coffee on the Go
For the coffee lover who wants to take their brew on the go, the AeroPress is a popular option for travel, work, and even at home, thanks to its versatile design that can be used for everything from flash iced coffee to espresso-like brews.
One of the Best Albums of the Year
Looking for a gift for a music lover? Bad Bunny’s acclaimed Debí Tirar Más Fotos — Rolling Stone’s pick for album of the year, is available on a two LP opaque vinyl.
A Thoughtful Print
Staples lets you turn a photo or logo into wall art, making a thoughtful, personal gift. Their turnaround time is also very fast, so you can get it done at the last minute.
Best Christmas Gifts Under $100
A Smarter Smart Speaker
Google’s Nest Audio smart speaker is the rare smart home speaker that’s both intelligent and sounds good. It can be used for basic tasks like setting reminders, checking the weather, or controlling smart home devices, and the rollout of Gemini to Google Home adds new features. Plus, the speaker has surprisingly robust, room-filling sound.
A Bluetooth Dongle for Frequent Fliers
Twelve South’s AirFly Pro is a small but impactful gift for the frequent flyer. The Bluetooth transmitter lets you use your preferred wireless headphones with in-flight entertainment systems, and the compact design makes it easy to stuff in your travel bag.
Wine Glasses That Make a Statement
A stylish set of wine glasses is a classic gift option, and this set from Anthropologie is available in a range of colors, setting it apart from more traditional options.
Better Coffee, Every Month
A subscription is a great last-minute gift idea, and Trade’s coffee subscription is one of the most popular for a reason. Gift subscriptions are available for one month to a year, with many of the subscriptions on sale ahead of the holidays.
Storage for Jewelry
If you’ve gifted jewelry recently, a great alternative is a jewelry case. This option from GLDN has room for smaller pieces like rings and earrings, and it’s available in two muted colors.
A Gift Card for Music Lovers
Know someone who loves going to concerts? A StubHub gift card is a good option for the music lover in your life, but it’s a solid option for sports fans, too.
A Nostalgic Gift for Gamers
Lego’s Game Boy set is the ideal gift for the gamer looking for a more analog experience. The set includes 421 pieces, so it’s enough of a challenge without being overwhelming.
Easy Digital Photos
You don’t have to be an experienced photographer to use Camp Snap’s cameras. In fact, it might be better if you’re not — the easy-to-use digital cameras bring back the analog feeling of a disposable camera, minus the limitation of running out of film.
A Better Way to Stream Music
The WiiM Mini admittedly might take a little explanation, but it’s the kind of smart, simple gift that audio enthusiasts might not have even realized they needed. The device turns any speaker into a smart WiFi speaker, allowing you to enjoy higher quality, less dropout-prone audio than Bluetooth. It’s a great gift for the tech-savvy music lover who still likes old-school analog gear.
Affordable, Quality Cashmere
One budget-friendly style hack beloved in our office is the viral Naadam cashmere sweater on Amazon. It’s just $98 (and regularly on sale for less), which is a steal for cashmere.
A Great AirPods Alternative
Nothing’s earbuds combine a comfortable fit and pocket-friendly case design with surprisingly impressive sound and a minimalist design. The pinch controls on the stem are easy to use, and it’s available in black, white, or yellow.
Cozy Slippers for Cold Weather
Slippers are a classic gift for a reason; you don’t have to know someone’s exact shoe size, and it’s the kind of cozy essential that comes in handy in the winter. The North Face’s Thermoball slippers are a rugged take on the slipper, with the warm padding fans of their jackets will be familiar with.
A Pocket-Sized Music Maker
If you’re looking for a quirky gift for a music lover, Korg’s analog synthesizer is a fun, affordable way to create music. At less than 5″ and under $75, it’s a truly pocket-sized way to create music on the go.
An Oddball Statue of a New York Icon
There are practical gifts, and then there’s this. It may not do much, but Only NY’s cast iron pigeon is a quirky reminder of New York’s second-most ubiquitous critter, and a fun gift for any fan of these misunderstood birds.
Great Whisky for Any Palate
A fine bottle of whiskey goes a long way. Hibiki’s Harmony Japanese Whisky is a great choice for whiskey drinkers, whether they’re into bourbon, scotch, or just getting into Japanese whisky.
Softer Hands for Harsh Weather
Winter is a notoriously brutal time for skin health. Aesop’s hand care set is the kind that any giftee would be excited to use, and it comes with a bar soap, a hand wash, and a hand balm, combining cleanliness and comfort.
Best Christmas Gifts Over $100
The Gift of Music In Any Room
A great speaker might just be our favorite thing to gift. It’s something everyone will enjoy, whether they need upgraded sound for parties or better home theater audio, but not everyone will treat themselves to it on their own. We think the best speaker gift this year is the Sonos Era 100. This smart speaker packs incredible acoustics, especially considering its compact size, and fits almost anywhere. Your giftee can stream music via WiFi or Bluetooth, and it’s a great starting point for building out a whole-home Sonos system.
Grown-Up Posters for Music and Movie Fans
Sonic Editions is known for making high-quality prints that come pre-framed and ready to hang. Each print is made to order and available in a variety of sizes. They make great gifts for any music or movie enthusiast.
A Playful Gift for Car Enthusiasts
LEGO sets aren’t just for kids. This LEGO 911 Turbo/Targa offers a challengingly fun build for adults or older kids, and creates something worthy of displaying.
A Smart Camera for Birders
Know someone who loves birds? The Birdfy Feeder app allows them to capture feathered visitors, and it uses AI to identify common backyard birds. The camera has 1080p resolution and is IP65 water-resistant to withstand the elements.
Headphones With Great Sound and Noise-Canceling
Bose’s excellent new QuietComfort Ultra headphones are an investment piece, but one that’s worth the splurge. They offer unbeatable noise-canceling, all-day comfort, and improved battery life and controls compared to the first generation.
A Better Night’s Rest
There’s a reason weighted blankets continually pop up around the gifting season — not only are they cozy, but studies have shown benefits for sleep and anxiety. Bearaby’s blankets are good-looking enough for the living room and come in weights between 10 and 25 pounds.
The Gift of Knowledge
Worried about shipping deadlines? A gift subscription is one way to ensure your recipient gets their gift on time. MasterClass has classes from a range of leaders in fields from finance to film, and plans start at $10 a month.
A Sturdy Hauler For Travel and Camping
At risk of sounding dramatic, the Patagonia Black Hole duffel bag-slash-backpack is among the best travel bags ever made. It’s hugely versatile, weatherproof, extremely durable, and easy to carry with drop handles, backpack straps, and haul handles. Any frequent traveler or outdoor explorer would be thrilled to have one (or another).
A Modern Turntable for Vinyl Fans
Technics’ stylish direct-drive turntable is Bluetooth-compatible and can also be set up as part of a traditional analog system. Plus, it can be used with phono or line-level connections, allowing you to set it up with or without a preamplifier.
A Classic Affordable Watch
Nixon makes some of the best affordable timepieces on the market. Their Time Teller model is a best-seller for good reason, delivering a classic look and a wide range of color options.
A Tablet That’s Also an E-Reader
TCL’s unique tablet can be used as a regular tablet, but it converts into an e-ink-like display for reading, making it the best of both worlds if you’d rather not carry an e-reader and a tablet. The tablet is surprisingly snappy and smooth, especially given its relatively affordable price.
Comfortable Walking and Running Shoes
On’s plush, premium shoes have become go-tos for running as well as non-athletic activities (like airport walking). The brand’s Cloudmonsters are among their best offerings, delivering a rolling, springy feel that’s great for beginner and expert runners alike.
Compact Headphones for Travel
Beats’ Studio Pro headphones are excellent for travel, thanks to their compact carrying case. They’re also a solid value for their regular $180 sale price. The headphones have intuitive, tactile controls, and come in a range of colors.
A Smart Fitness Watch
Serious runners don’t wear Apple or Samsung watches; they wear Garmin. If you’re shopping for a runner, elevate their game with this best-selling Vívoactive 5 watch.
A Virtual Gaming Headset
The Meta Quest 3 has an impressive suite of games for experiencing VR gaming, and the headset tracks eye, hand, and head movements for an immersive gaming experience.
Cinema-Grade Movies, at Home
For a truly money-is-no-object gift, Leica’s Cine Play 1 projector is a stylish all-in-one, featuring surprisingly room-filling speakers and an adjustable display that’s surprisingly bright, even on regular walls.
