gifts

111 Carefully Selected, Unusually Special Gifts Over $200

Including an electric surfboard, a 24-carat cold vibe, and feathered Ferragamos.

Photo: Hugo Yu
Photo: Hugo Yu
Photo: Hugo Yu

Each year, in order to create the Strategist’s annual print “Gift Issue” (subscribe here!), we set out to find the newest, grooviest, most surprising and delightful things that you (very likely) won’t find on the zillions of other gift guides out there in the universe.

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Here’s how the process works: Each Strategist writer on staff submits and makes a case for the items that came out this year that they think would make for an excellent gift. Meanwhile, a smaller group of editors devote hours to just poking around and perusing our favorite shops (online and IRL), polling our coolest friends, going down numerous shopping rabbit holes that take us to Polish boutiques and Eastern Maine farmstands. And then we begin to argue. Is that button-down really that special? There’s something a little too 2023 about that cutting board. How do we really feel about tomatoes these days? We create “boards” so we can examine each item up close, then continue to whittle down till we have the perfect assemblage.

And there you have it! We’ve divided the 297 gifts that made the cut into three categories — under $50, $50 to $199, and $200 and up. Below, you’ll find our favorite inexpensive/slightly splurgy gifts/more expensive gifts. And if you haven’t found what you’re looking for, peruse the many other gift guides the staff of the Strategist has made for you here.

Filson for Her

Photo: Retailer

This drawstring backpack is from the brand’s first-ever women’s line.

Perfect Ice

Photo: Retailer

Klaris’s ice-maker produces pristinely clear two-by-two-inch cubes.

“Unhappy Meal”

$1,000
Photo: Retailer

Hand-embroidered by artist Carly Owens Weiss.

Off-Mountain Shoe

Photo: Retailer

Despite its hiking silhouette and Vibram sole, this sneaker is meant for everyday use.

Tech-Bro Vest Upgrade

Photo: Retailer

A handsome denim design with a high ribbed collar.

Dressed-Up Oxford

Photo: Retailer

The Dries Van Noten button-down is gathered in the front and clasped together with a dramatic brooch.

Murano Chandelier

Photo: Retailer

Botanic maximalism from the capital of glass art.

Quinquagenarian Chair

Photo: Retailer

Designer Cini Boeri’s Botolo high armchair turned 50. It’s available in three color combinations.

Biarritz Bedding

Photo: Retailer

A heart-stitched, down-filled comforter as seen on the beds at French hotel Villa Magnan.

Bus Bag

Photo: Retailer

In honor of the Hampton Jitney’s 50th anniversary, a collaboration with Greenport-based sailmaker Wm. J. Mills & Co.

Last Collab

Photo: Retailer

From Iris Apfel’s posthumous collection with Dr. Scholl’s, the mules are inspired by her husband’s signature slippers.

Tiny Drone

$429
Photo: Retailer

Controller free and deeply easy to use.

Very Serious Knife Sharpener

Photo: Retailer

It can get the entire bevel of the knife, not just the outer edge, for pro-level sharpening.

Puffer Pants

Photo: Retailer

From C.P. Company for street- and slopewear.

Blinged-out Tennis Bracelet

Photo: Retailer

A rainbow of gems (tanzanite, purple sapphire, tsavorite, morganite, garnet, aquamarine) from CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund winner L’Enchanteur.

Plumage Pumps

Photo: Hugo Yu

The toe is barely visible amid all the ostrich feathers.

Black Roses

Photo: Retailer

Adorning a leather belt.

Cableless Compression Boots

Photo: Retailer

Just as powerful as the previous model but without annoying tubes.

Special-Occasion Chopsticks

Photo: Retailer

Hand-forged from sterling silver.

Silver Spoon

Photo: Retailer

Shown at Jacqueline Sullivan Gallery, it’s made by Conie Vallese and Elhanati.

24-Karat-Gold Vibe

Photo: Retailer

On a wearable, waterproof ring.

Hermès Fly Cap

Photo: Retailer

Only the best for their show pony.

AI Binoculars

Photo: Retailer

Built-in software can ID birds and other wildlife as one spots them.

Silver Sneaker

Photo: Retailer

Kiko Kostadinov’s latest for ASICS, inspired by archival netball-competition shoes.

Superior Pillow Fort

Photo: Retailer

Superspace’s magnetic felt squares are like giant Magna-Tiles.

Status Strawberry

Photo: Retailer

From Herend, the Hungarian porcelain company founded in 1826.

Beribboned Prada

Photo: Retailer

Straight off the ready-to-wear runway and apparently made with more than 150 feet of ribbon.

Useful Seahorse

Photo: Retailer

A bottle opener plated in 24-karat gold.

Reversible British Coat

Photo: Retailer/

It has a curly interior and a smooth caramel-colored suede exterior.

Sheer Silk Pants

Photo: Retailer

With an elastic waist and ankle; from Paloma Wool.

Frilly Day Pack

Photo: Retailer

The loops have a practical purpose: attaching skiing or climbing equipment.

Teeny E-Reader

Boox Palma
$246
$246
Photo: Retailer

The Android-powered Boox can fit in their pocket.

New York Taxidermy

Photo: Retailer

A fully articulated, medical-education-quality, ethically sourced pigeon skeleton.

Silver Slip-ons

Photo: Retailer

The Shoe of the Year in a festive silver colorway.

Sapphire Ring

Photo: Retailer

Ever so slightly surrealist; handmade by designer and artist Alice Waese.

Zip Necklace

Photo: Hugo Yu

First designed in the 1950s, this adjustable 18K white-gold Van Cleef & Arpels necklace is dotted with diamonds.

Stately Snuffer

Photo: Retailer

Dinner-party drama from jewelry designer Ted Muehling.

Lisa Corti Stool

Photo: Retailer

The designer’s classic block prints have been ottomanized.

Scandi Doll Pram

Photo: Retailer

From a Copenhagen kids’ line.

Exclamation Earring

Photo: Retailer

From photographer turned lab-grown-diamond jeweler Alexei Hay’s first collection.

Mushroom House

Photo: Retailer

An all-felt embroidered creation that comes with four woodland creatures that seem very down for a tea party.

Summery Fashion Bag

Photo: Retailer

A collaboration by Lemaire and Filt, the original French manufacturer of fishing-net totes.

Wintry Fashion Bag

Photo: Retailer

A slight upgrade to this past summer’s “It” bag: The bucket design has a thicker weave and a lining.

Not UGGs

Photo: Retailer

Loewe shearling boots with a suede lining.

John Mayer’s Watch

Photo: Retailer

He designed the brand’s last limited-edition model with a self-winding perpetual calendar.

Haute Couture Bedding

Photo: Retailer

A Swiss tailored pillowcase from a hot new “bedclothes” brand.

Dessert Dior

Photo: Retailer

These plates come in the same toile that covered the walls of the first-ever Dior store.

Supersonic Sequel

Photo: Retailer

Dyson’s beloved hair dryer, now with sensor technology to reduce heat damage.

Stunning Knobs

Photo: Retailer

These anemone-shaped drawer pulls are a collaboration by jewelry designers Pamela Love and Guillaume Pajolec.

Opera Scarf

Photo: Retailer

Air Mail commissioned a line of silk scarves from Andrea Ferolla featuring notable artists as children. This one depicts a young Maria Callas.

Opera Cloak

Photo: Retailer

In orange velvet with a silk lining; designed by Colleen Allen, who used to work at The Row.

Enormous Jewelry Box

Photo: Retailer

The trunk by jewelry designer Marla Aaron is lined with a patented fabric to help prevent baubles from tarnishing.

Silver Shaker

Photo: Hugo Yu

A sterling-silver replica of Viennese silversmith Karl Sedelmayer’s 19th-century saltshaker.

1948 Frank Lloyd Wright

Photo: Retailer

The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation teamed up with Steelcase to re-create the architect’s furniture, including his favorite chair.

Holiday Party Skirt

Photo: Retailer

Courtesy of Super Yaya, a Lebanese Ivorian brand that relaunched last year.

Two-Pizza Oven

Photo: Retailer

Ooni’s newest is also its biggest: It can fit two 12-inch pizzas side by side.

Electric Surfboard

$24,950
Photo: Retailer

No waves? No problem with these Swedish boards that are apparently super-easy to use.

Cappuccino Computer

Photo: Retailer

Not only makes your coffee but tells you when your grind size is running too small.

Kids’ Off-Roader

Photo: Retailer

The seats adjust as the child grows, so this big-ticket toy won’t be completely obsolete after six months.

Collectible Braun

Photo: Retailer

A highly sought-after stereo system made in partnership with Dieter Rams from the ’60s.

Viennese Rain Boots

Photo: Retailer

A collaboration by 1885-era shoemaker Ludwig Reiter and Parisian line Rier.

Impractical Purse

Photo: Retailer

Could it fit more than an iPhone? That’s not the point.

Roger’s Racquet

Photo: Retailer

Federer designed this with Wilson, and tennis people are legitimately enthused about it.

Scent of the Season

Photo: Retailer

From indie perfumer Gumamina, Odette has notes of grapefruit soda and rhubarb.

Collector’s Comics

Photo: Retailer

A near-identical reproduction of The Avengers Nos. 21 to 40 from the Stan Lee–Don Heck glory days of 1965–67.

Cybercasket

Photo: Retailer

Their chariot to the cyberafterlife.

Adam Sandler’s Fender

Photo: Retailer

His go-to guitar got a special 70th-anniversary release.

Beautiful Board

Photo: Retailer

This red-oak cutting (and serving) board, handmade in Indiana, has hidden cutout handles.

Tuscan Tote

Photo: Retailer

Untie the side bows to reveal four pockets for clothes and sundries; from new Italian brand Tomo.

New Year’s Dress

Medieval-Music Maker

Photo: Retailer

Teenage Engineering’s latest beat machine includes hundreds of sounds from the Middle Ages, like hurdy-gurdies and Gregorian chants.

Sonos’s First Headphones

Sonos Ace Headphones
$349
$349
Photo: Retailer

They can easily toggle between their phone and TV.

Handy Canary

Photo: Retailer

Like JW Anderson’s pigeon, his canary can be opened up through the right wing.

Cashmere Foulard

Photo: Retailer

Spun in Hawick, Scotland, and available in six shades.

Cool-Guy Sunglasses

Photo: Hugo Yu

From Port Tanger, which makes all its shades in Japan.

Super-Stroller

Photo: Retailer

Cybex’s e-Gazelle S has built-in power-assist for hilly streets. It can also rock your baby to sleep.

Eloise Rug

Photo: Retailer

Part of a collection in honor of everyone’s favorite rapscallion’s 70th birthday.

Bean Bag

Culbia Ozzy Suede Bag - Camel
$133
$133
Photo: Retailer

Available in four shades of suede with Culbia’s signature handle and silver beanlike base.

Faux Mink

Photo: Retailer

A rather realistic fake-fur coat; faux-leather belt included.

Local Louis Vuitton

Photo: Retailer

A card holder to celebrate the brand’s splashy new store. (Louis Vuitton, 6 E. 57th St.)

Stand Mixer of the Year

Photo: Retailer

People are incredibly worked up over this stand mixer. It’s the first time KitchenAid has made a walnut mixing bowl.

Opulent Doghouse

Photo: Retailer

A made-to-measure taffeta dog-crate slipcover by Adam Charlap Hyman and Andre Herrero.

Ballerina Skirt

Photo: Retailer

Made from Irish linen by Brooklyn-based designer Zoe Gustavia Anna Whalen.

Romantic Earrings

Photo: Retailer

Pretty freshwater-pearl drops with the subtlest of bows from Sophie Bille Brahe.

Striped Sweater

Photo: Retailer

There’s silk yarn woven in; from Paris-based line Casey Casey.

Fendi Baby Booties

Photo: Retailer

The sweetest little shearling slippers $820 can buy.

Pom-Pom Coat

Photo: Retailer

Less impractical than it looks — it’s made from 100 percent wool, so it’s quite warm.

Just-Right Knee-Highs

Photo: Retailer

Available in calf sizes ranging from narrow to extra wide.

Maya Lin Lamp

Muhly Lamp
From $2,150
From $2,150
Photo: Retailer

Inspired by her 2001 Ecliptic, this metal light features hand-punched holes that lend it a starry-night look.

Postmodern Coffeepot

Photo: Retailer

Christofle reissued Danish silversmith Christian Fjerdingstad’s 1926 design known as “the Stork.”

Three-Piece Set

Photo: Retailer

From Pakistani British designer Zn Ali, the cotton pants, shirt, and vest are available in custom sizes at no extra charge.

Quite a Scallop

Photo: Retailer

Made from a lion’s-paw-scallop shell; from a collection of sea-themed lights by journalist turned lamp designer Christopher Tennant that includes an abalone and escargot.

Gorgeous Goblet

Photo: Retailer

Looks as if it should be in a Renaissance painting; designed by Seoul-based glass artisan Hyunsung Cho.

15th-Century Ring

Photo: Retailer

The cut is modeled on the first recorded diamond engagement ring, given to Mary of Burgundy by the archduke Maximilian in 1477.

Chenille Going-Out Top

Photo: Retailer

In addition to electric blue, it’s available in black.

Coconut Cooler

Photo: Retailer

It’s collapsible and insulated with upcycled coconut husks, which keep food cool and minimize agricultural waste.

Pharrell Pearls

Photo: Retailer

There are diamonds involved, too; part of the Louis Vuitton creative director’s Tiffany Titan collection.

Made-to-Order Dress

Photo: Retailer

Full-length lace, covered in beaded clusters; two bows add some tasteful coverage.

Leonard Cohen Shirt

Photo: Retailer

Gabriela Hearst has said this suede button-down was inspired by the musician.

Dry Ager

Photo: Retailer

Can hold up to 44 pounds of meat; made in Germany.

Prickly Pillow

Photo: Retailer

69’s cactus pillow is for those who want to get close — but not too close.

Baby-Blue Investment

Photo: Retailer

A herringbone wool number from Gucci.

Miles in France

Photo: Retailer

The eighth installment of the Miles Davis “Bootleg Series” contains eight records of unreleased live performances in Antibes and Paris from 1963 and 1964.

2,000 French Recipes

Photo: Retailer

From a five-volume ultrarare 1984 facsimile of an even rarer 18th-century cookbook by Vincent La Chapelle.

New Nugget

$219
Photo: Retailer

The Chunk can be a ball pit, a lounge chair, a table, or an ottoman with toy storage.

Woolly Mammoth Throw

Photo: Retailer

So named for its size (enormous) and texture (Suri alpaca).

Bejeweled Croc

Photo: Retailer

The Cartier reptile itself is set with 332 diamonds, 44 emeralds, 34 sapphires, and 37 tourmalines.

High-Concept Backpack

Photo: Retailer

Also can be worn as a tote; from experimental Mexico City fashion line Minena Studio. (Available at Tumbao, 20 Orchard St.)

Cherry-Birch Champagne Flutes

Photo: Retailer

From a centenarian family-owned Japanese woodworking house, Gato Mikio.

Sound-Therapy Pod

Tersa Sava
$12,000
$12,000
Photo: Retailer

It uses immersive “vibroacoustic” technology for meditation and recovery.

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.

111 Carefully Selected, Unusually Special Gifts Over $200