gifts

91 Carefully Selected, Unusually Special Gifts Under $200

Including a stately toucan, sleeping socks, and a crystal brooch.

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 slightly splurgy 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.

Blobby Ashtray

Photo: Retailer

From Milanese smoking brand Weed’d.

Designer’s Monograph

Photo: Retailer

Over 800 images of Alexander Girard’s interiors.

Rechargeable Mini-Hozuki

Photo: Retailer

Snow Peak’s popular camping light now has a USB-C port for car charging.

Polish Candleholder

Photo: Retailer

A peacockesque centerpiece for the table.

Foot-Long Grinder

Photo: Retailer

Made by designer Fabien Cappello in Mexico.

LEGO Pet

Photo: Retailer

Almost-actual-cat-size building set with adjustable ears, paws, and tail.

Cooling Clay Jug

Photo: Retailer

Made by a Spanish family in the pottery business since the 18th century. The white clay naturally keeps water cool.

Handblown Coupe

Photo: Retailer

In a slightly smoky yellow hue from Bollenglass, which makes reproductions of historical styles from the 16th and 17th centuries.

Sensitive Shearing

Photo: Retailer

Manscaped’s upgraded pubic-hair trimmer now features foil and trimmer heads.

Mexico City Scent

Photo: Retailer

Beauty brand Nopalera’s first foray into perfume; formulated from Mexican cactus oil.

Bean-Shaped Mitts

Photo: Retailer

Kidneyesque, courtesy of Laila and Nadia Gohar.

Bow Bolster

Photo: Retailer

Also available in pink from the LoveShackFancy x Pottery Barn Teen collection.

Fauvist Tablecloth

Photo: Retailer

From New York textile line Inner Child.

Exquisite Knife

Photo: Hugo Yu

The blade is made with VG10 stainless steel, which is known for being corrosion resistant and especially easy to sharpen.

Eyelash-Saving Mask

Photo: Retailer

A silk sleep mask with built-in eyecups to keep lashes from being squished.

Satin Dachshund

Photo: Retailer

This Mini Rodini bag has an adjustable crossbody strap.

Stately Bird Napkins

Photo: Retailer

Each set of six contains a pheasant, duck, partridge, wood pigeon, woodcock, and quail.

Plywood Toddler Chair

Photo: Retailer

Designer Charlie Crane uses scraps from the popular Levo rocker to make this surprisingly affordable beech lounge chair.

Zebra-Stripe Serving Set

Photo: Retailer

Made of plexiglass by a German company that originally produced tortoiseshell combs.

Peter Hujar’s Pictures

Photo: Retailer

The late great portrait photographer’s only monograph is back in print.

Resin Rose

Photo: Retailer

Handmade in Brooklyn in small batches; comes with a nail to hang it on the wall.

Beading Briefcase

Photo: Retailer

This Super Smalls kit has over 630 gems plus stretchy string.

Swim Hat

Photo: Retailer

Made of water-friendly nylon by New York–based hat-and-accessories line Clyde.

T-shirt Hat

Photo: Retailer

This hat, which can be untied and worn in a number of ways, debuted at Dauan Jacari’s first runway show this year.

Mary Merch

Photo: Retailer

Cole Escola on the front, “Oh, Mary!” on the back.

Supremely Soft Boxers

Photo: Retailer

From Baserange’s newly launched men’s collection; made of Portuguese cotton.

Gelatin Lighter

Photo: Retailer

A new line from Edie Parker. The top comes off to reveal an ashtray.

Fish Carafe

Photo: Retailer

By Alessandra Baldereschi, a flameworked piece for Ichendorf Milano.

Their Own Moo Deng

Photo: Retailer

A symbolic hippo adoption from WWF comes with this plushie.

Mohair Scarf

Photo: Retailer

It’s huge at five and a half feet long.

Wool Scarf

Photo: Retailer

A portion of each scarf purchase is donated to local AIDS organizations.

Toucan to Scale

Photo: Retailer

An almost-16-inch-tall replica made by Andalusian artisans.

BBM Nostalgia

Photo: Retailer

If they miss the tactile feel of a hardware keyboard, they’ll love typing messages with Clicks’ retro keyboard case.

Wassaic Whiskey

Photo: Retailer

The latest batch of single malt from Tenmile Distillery upstate.

Adult Solo Cup

Photo: Retailer

Rentrayage’s recycled-glass pieces are designed to look like plastic party cups.

Opera-Night Shoes

Photo: Retailer

Elegant satin slippers from Taiwan.

“It” Hairbrush

Photo: Hugo Yu

A pocket-size version of the French boar-bristle brush that some are calling the new Mason Pearson.

Peach Liqueur

Photo: Retailer

Made from heirloom peaches harvested in the Rhône Valley in July; pairs well with bubbly.

Classical Mug

Photo: Retailer

Inspired by Greek and Roman myths; cast in porcelain by Marcie McGoldrick.

Hot Rod

Photo: Retailer

The newest fishing rod from Ugly Stik, available in ultralight-to-medium-heavy strength.

Show-off Socks

Photo: Retailer

Maria La Rosa’s flower-adorned knee-high socks are made with a silky merino wool.

Fancy Didion

Photo: Retailer

The Folio Society makes beautifully packaged editions of classics.

Extra Closet

Photo: Retailer

Yamazaki’s storage ladder in forest green, made in collaboration with the Strategist.

Poodle Plushie

Photo: Retailer

Her name is Hyacinth, and she comes with a brush.

Upstairs Wand

Therabody’s latest very portable skin-care device features cold and heated therapy.

Downstairs Wand

Photo: Retailer

A teeny-tiny Magic Wand vibrator with plenty of power.

Powerpuff Baby-G

Photo: Retailer

Wear it on your wrist or use the Tamagotchi-esque case to hang it from a backpack.

Soundless Sleep

Photo: Retailer

An unobtrusive design and cushy wing tips make these earbuds comfortable to sleep in — even on your side.

Black Rodeo Book

Photo: Retailer

Ivan McClellan photographed contemporary Black rodeo culture from Texas to Compton.

Blueberry Burberry

Photo: Retailer

This tea-towel set includes one adorned with a recipe for the very British dessert Eton mess as well as a more understated blue-and-white-striped cloth.

Supermodel Scarf

Photo: Retailer

Nineties Naomi Campbell photographed by Ellen von Unwerth, printed on a silk twill scarf for the V&A’s gift shop.

Crystal Spider

Photo: Hugo Yu

John Derian’s by-the-cash-register brooches are handcrafted and also come in the shape of a horse, snake, or crab.

Skin-Slugging System

Future Wise Hydration Heroes
$56
$56
Photo: Retailer

This three-step skin-care routine from Futurewise is vegan (meaning no snails) and deeply hydrating.

Wee Matching Set

Photo: Retailer

For a little lounger.

Barbie x Kartell

Five doll-size renditions of the brand’s most famous chairs — each in Barbie’s favorite shade.

Girlish Evening Bag

Photo: Retailer

Sewn from deadstock fabric sourced in Cambodia and Thailand.

Roll-Top Camp Table

Photo: Retailer

It folds easily, and the top is made of easy-to-clean aluminum.

Mossy Bathrobe

Photo: Retailer

A first for Autumn Sonata in its signature Portuguese terrycloth.

Collapsible Clutch

Photo: Retailer

A trapezoidal creation from sustainable Japanese textile brand Mate Mono.

Velvet-Soled Slippers

Photo: Retailer

A French pair that can be personalized with a name or date.

Marni Plate

Photo: Retailer

Part of a 120-piece collaboration with Serax emblazoned with the daintiest watercolor-inspired florals.

Hexagonal Plate

Photo: Retailer

Hand-painted from Egyptian line Malaika.

OG Eye-Shadow Palette

Photo: Retailer

The Urban Decay palette that launched a million smoky-eye tutorials and YouTube channels is back.

Rihanna’s Final Frontier

Photo: Retailer

Fenty does hair care now.

Eau de Tween Boy

Photo: Retailer

Colognes from the ’90s (like this one from Jean Paul Gaultier) are suddenly super-popular among the Gen Alpha set.

Softest Button-up

Photo: Retailer

A worn-in-feeling shirt with added stretch for comfort.

Magenta Mandoline

Photo: Retailer

Extremely sharp in a shocking color.

Reversible Puffer

Photo: Retailer

Kiddos can wear radishes on Mondays and pasta on Tuesdays with this Rachel Antonoff x Little Spoon puffer that has cat ears on the hood.

Eau de Sabrina

Photo: Retailer

The singer’s latest foray into (a cherry-and-chocolate scented) perfume.

Wintertime FiveFingers

Photo: Retailer

Vibram’s newest model, the V-Lynx, is meant for wetter and colder climates.

Baby Balance Bike

Photo: Hugo Yu

Suitable for children as young as 10 months.

Peaceful Peppa

Photo: Retailer

Soft light emanates from this Peppa Pig nightlight, made by Amsterdam design studio Mr Maria.

Sleeping Socks

Photo: Retailer

Apparently sleeping in cashmere socks lowers the body temperature.

Souped-up Casio

Casio WS-B1000 Series
$46
$46
Photo: Retailer

The WS-B1000 has the ability to track steps.

1972 Cookbook

Photo: Retailer

Trippy masterpiece by Moroccan surrealist Ahmed Yacoubi, available in paperback for the first time.

Korean Body Pillow

Photo: Retailer

A collaboration between streetwear brand Ojos and TikTok-famous bedding company Gata.

Trompe L’oeil Trash Can

Photo: Retailer

A faux-cane bin from British brand Pentreath & Hall.

Underrated Olive Oil

Photo: Retailer

Bottles from the oft-overlooked Portuguese oil-producing regions of Alentejo and Trás-os-Montes.

Mint Mist

Photo: Retailer

With notes of basil, bergamot, and lemon from Astier de Villatte.

Extremely Compact Tote

Photo: Retailer

A nylon bag that folds down to just three and a half inches wide and clips onto a key chain.

Big-Enough Makeup Bag

Photo: Retailer

With fold-down sides and 18 wall pockets, Parallelle’s travel makeup bag will end their rummaging for good.

Cool-Girl Bloomers

Photo: Retailer

All summer, the LES was crawling with girls in their Charlie Beads bloomers.

Sailor Moon Boxed Set

Photo: Retailer

Includes volumes one to six and 16 art cards packaged in a holographic metallic box.

Eye Candy

Photo: Retailer

Creamy, shimmery eye crayons from Euphoria makeup artist Donni Davy’s line.

Elegant Cycling Jersey

Photo: Retailer

Finally, a kit that doesn’t make you look like a Power Ranger.

Built-in Backgammon

Photo: Retailer

This towel from G. McGee makes it easy to play a round by the water.

Spotted Sled

Photo: Retailer/B) 2024 Moda Operandi, Inc. All rights reserved.

The Nice Fleet specializes in tasteful inflatables.

Ovoid Candle

Photo: Retailer

Even after it burns, this candle — found at cool downtown home shop Bomi — keeps its egg shape.

Matisse’s Snail Swatch

Photo: Retailer

A collaboration with Tate.

24 Steamed Buns

Photo: Retailer

A sampler pack from Taiwanese restaurant Din Tai Fung, including pork, vegan, and chocolate buns.

Bungee Button-down

Photo: Retailer

Designer Nena Hansen reworks vintage into plus-size pieces like this bungee-cord cutout shirt.

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.

91 Carefully Selected, Unusually Special Gifts Under $200