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.
In This Issue
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
Designer’s Monograph
Over 800 images of Alexander Girard’s interiors.
Rechargeable Mini-Hozuki
Snow Peak’s popular camping light now has a USB-C port for car charging.
Polish Candleholder
A peacockesque centerpiece for the table.
Foot-Long Grinder
LEGO Pet
Almost-actual-cat-size building set with adjustable ears, paws, and tail.
Cooling Clay Jug
Made by a Spanish family in the pottery business since the 18th century. The white clay naturally keeps water cool.
Handblown Coupe
In a slightly smoky yellow hue from Bollenglass, which makes reproductions of historical styles from the 16th and 17th centuries.
Sensitive Shearing
Manscaped’s upgraded pubic-hair trimmer now features foil and trimmer heads.
Mexico City Scent
Beauty brand Nopalera’s first foray into perfume; formulated from Mexican cactus oil.
Bean-Shaped Mitts
Bow Bolster
Also available in pink from the LoveShackFancy x Pottery Barn Teen collection.
Fauvist Tablecloth
From New York textile line Inner Child.
Exquisite Knife
The blade is made with VG10 stainless steel, which is known for being corrosion resistant and especially easy to sharpen.
Eyelash-Saving Mask
A silk sleep mask with built-in eyecups to keep lashes from being squished.
Satin Dachshund
This Mini Rodini bag has an adjustable crossbody strap.
Stately Bird Napkins
Each set of six contains a pheasant, duck, partridge, wood pigeon, woodcock, and quail.
Plywood Toddler Chair
Designer Charlie Crane uses scraps from the popular Levo rocker to make this surprisingly affordable beech lounge chair.
Zebra-Stripe Serving Set
Made of plexiglass by a German company that originally produced tortoiseshell combs.
Peter Hujar’s Pictures
The late great portrait photographer’s only monograph is back in print.
Resin Rose
Handmade in Brooklyn in small batches; comes with a nail to hang it on the wall.
Beading Briefcase
This Super Smalls kit has over 630 gems plus stretchy string.
Swim Hat
Made of water-friendly nylon by New York–based hat-and-accessories line Clyde.
T-shirt Hat
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
Cole Escola on the front, “Oh, Mary!” on the back.
Supremely Soft Boxers
From Baserange’s newly launched men’s collection; made of Portuguese cotton.
Gelatin Lighter
A new line from Edie Parker. The top comes off to reveal an ashtray.
Fish Carafe
By Alessandra Baldereschi, a flameworked piece for Ichendorf Milano.
Their Own Moo Deng
A symbolic hippo adoption from WWF comes with this plushie.
Mohair Scarf
It’s huge at five and a half feet long.
Wool Scarf
A portion of each scarf purchase is donated to local AIDS organizations.
Toucan to Scale
An almost-16-inch-tall replica made by Andalusian artisans.
BBM Nostalgia
If they miss the tactile feel of a hardware keyboard, they’ll love typing messages with Clicks’ retro keyboard case.
Wassaic Whiskey
The latest batch of single malt from Tenmile Distillery upstate.
Adult Solo Cup
Rentrayage’s recycled-glass pieces are designed to look like plastic party cups.
Opera-Night Shoes
Elegant satin slippers from Taiwan.
“It” Hairbrush
A pocket-size version of the French boar-bristle brush that some are calling the new Mason Pearson.
Peach Liqueur
Made from heirloom peaches harvested in the Rhône Valley in July; pairs well with bubbly.
Classical Mug
Inspired by Greek and Roman myths; cast in porcelain by Marcie McGoldrick.
Hot Rod
The newest fishing rod from Ugly Stik, available in ultralight-to-medium-heavy strength.
Show-off Socks
Maria La Rosa’s flower-adorned knee-high socks are made with a silky merino wool.
Fancy Didion
The Folio Society makes beautifully packaged editions of classics.
Extra Closet
Yamazaki’s storage ladder in forest green, made in collaboration with the Strategist.
Poodle Plushie
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
A teeny-tiny Magic Wand vibrator with plenty of power.
Powerpuff Baby-G
Wear it on your wrist or use the Tamagotchi-esque case to hang it from a backpack.
Soundless Sleep
An unobtrusive design and cushy wing tips make these earbuds comfortable to sleep in — even on your side.
Black Rodeo Book
Ivan McClellan photographed contemporary Black rodeo culture from Texas to Compton.
Blueberry Burberry
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
Nineties Naomi Campbell photographed by Ellen von Unwerth, printed on a silk twill scarf for the V&A’s gift shop.
Crystal Spider
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
This three-step skin-care routine from Futurewise is vegan (meaning no snails) and deeply hydrating.
Wee Matching Set
Barbie x Kartell
Five doll-size renditions of the brand’s most famous chairs — each in Barbie’s favorite shade.
Girlish Evening Bag
Sewn from deadstock fabric sourced in Cambodia and Thailand.
Roll-Top Camp Table
It folds easily, and the top is made of easy-to-clean aluminum.
Mossy Bathrobe
A first for Autumn Sonata in its signature Portuguese terrycloth.
Collapsible Clutch
A trapezoidal creation from sustainable Japanese textile brand Mate Mono.
Velvet-Soled Slippers
A French pair that can be personalized with a name or date.
Marni Plate
Part of a 120-piece collaboration with Serax emblazoned with the daintiest watercolor-inspired florals.
Hexagonal Plate
Hand-painted from Egyptian line Malaika.
OG Eye-Shadow Palette
The Urban Decay palette that launched a million smoky-eye tutorials and YouTube channels is back.
Rihanna’s Final Frontier
Fenty does hair care now.
Eau de Tween Boy
Colognes from the ’90s (like this one from Jean Paul Gaultier) are suddenly super-popular among the Gen Alpha set.
Softest Button-up
A worn-in-feeling shirt with added stretch for comfort.
Magenta Mandoline
Reversible Puffer
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
The singer’s latest foray into (a cherry-and-chocolate scented) perfume.
Wintertime FiveFingers
Vibram’s newest model, the V-Lynx, is meant for wetter and colder climates.
Baby Balance Bike
Peaceful Peppa
Soft light emanates from this Peppa Pig nightlight, made by Amsterdam design studio Mr Maria.
Sleeping Socks
Apparently sleeping in cashmere socks lowers the body temperature.
Souped-up Casio
1972 Cookbook
Trippy masterpiece by Moroccan surrealist Ahmed Yacoubi, available in paperback for the first time.
Korean Body Pillow
A collaboration between streetwear brand Ojos and TikTok-famous bedding company Gata.
Trompe L’oeil Trash Can
A faux-cane bin from British brand Pentreath & Hall.
Underrated Olive Oil
Bottles from the oft-overlooked Portuguese oil-producing regions of Alentejo and Trás-os-Montes.
Mint Mist
With notes of basil, bergamot, and lemon from Astier de Villatte.
Extremely Compact Tote
A nylon bag that folds down to just three and a half inches wide and clips onto a key chain.
Big-Enough Makeup Bag
With fold-down sides and 18 wall pockets, Parallelle’s travel makeup bag will end their rummaging for good.
Cool-Girl Bloomers
All summer, the LES was crawling with girls in their Charlie Beads bloomers.
Sailor Moon Boxed Set
Includes volumes one to six and 16 art cards packaged in a holographic metallic box.
Eye Candy
Creamy, shimmery eye crayons from Euphoria makeup artist Donni Davy’s line.
Elegant Cycling Jersey
Finally, a kit that doesn’t make you look like a Power Ranger.
Built-in Backgammon
This towel from G. McGee makes it easy to play a round by the water.
Spotted Sled
The Nice Fleet specializes in tasteful inflatables.
Ovoid Candle
Even after it burns, this candle — found at cool downtown home shop Bomi — keeps its egg shape.
Matisse’s Snail Swatch
24 Steamed Buns
A sampler pack from Taiwanese restaurant Din Tai Fung, including pork, vegan, and chocolate buns.
Bungee Button-down
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.