Editor-Approved Gifts We’re Wrapping This Year

“My brother gave me an Ember Mug four years ago, and it’s still one of the best gifts I’ve ever received. I use it every day, whether it’s to keep my coffee at the perfect temperature all day while I WFH, or for warming up cooled-off cocoa. As silly as it sounds to talk about the ergonomics of a mug, the handle is extremely comfortable to hold, and the cup gets warm enough to feel cozy in your hands without being too hot. While it may feel ridiculous to buy yourself a $115 mug just so you don’t have to microwave your coffee, that’s what makes it a great gift. It’s a practical luxury I can guarantee anyone will love.” — Ciara Hopkinson, Senior Associate

“I have a habit of gifting beauty-themed treats during the holiday season, and this cream blush and lip gloss duo in a raspberry hue, from Hailey Bieber’s cult-favorite skincare brand, is on my list this year. The matching set not only delivers that coveted ‘cool girl’ glow that Hailey is known for, but the peptide-infused formulas actually pamper and nourish the skin.” — Alaina Mancini, Managing Editor

“Who doesn’t love an eye-catching, lightweight layering piece that you can toss over anything from a turtleneck to a T-shirt? I’m planning on gifting this fleece to my bestie, because we live in a mild climate where quality layers will always be essential. Who knows? Maybe she’ll let me borrow it.” — Diana Valenzuela, Assistant Editor

“Don’t you just hate when you put thought into a gift, only for it to sit at the back of your loved one’s closet? That won’t happen if you take my advice and buy this toiletry bag, which isn’t just cute, it’s incredibly practical. The neoprene fabric is trendy and easy to clean, it comes in cute colors, and the case fits so much stuff. Every time I’ve gifted it to someone special in my life, they’ve been genuinely grateful and I know it will be well-loved.” — Sara Levine, Managing Editor, Newsletters

“I love gifting a subscription box — it makes me happy to know that whoever receives it will be reminded of me every time they get a new shipment. As a fan of spicy food, I got this as a gift from my partner, devoured it, and then gifted a subscription to my grandma (who passed down her appreciation for food with a kick to me). You’ll be overjoyed when your loved one starts sending you photos of all the meals they’ve kicked up a notch with their latest batch of sauce.” — Ryan Buxton, Features Director

“For me, the holidays are all about cozy, carefree moments with family — and nothing complements that better than a luxurious set of pajamas. Eberjey’s holiday collection is always a standout, but this year, their red-pinstriped PJs are my top pick. The classic design is festive without being over the top, making them just as perfect for post-holiday lounging as they are for Christmas morning.” — Alaina Mancini

“For some reason, my partner has decided he will be running three ultramarathons next year, and apparently most of them don’t allow in-ear headphones for safety reasons. To help him prepare for the long, long runs across mountainous terrain, I’ll be giving him these Shokz open-ear headphones that allow him to hear what’s going on around him to the soundtrack of his favorite tunes, while he traverses the trails.” — Katie Pittman, Commerce Editor

“A Le Labo candle is one of those little luxuries you might not splurge on for yourself, but is such a joy to receive from someone else. Its sophisticated scent instantly elevates any space, creating a cozy, elegant atmosphere. Hand-poured with care, it’s a thoughtful, high-quality gift that feels indulgent and special — perfect for making someone’s holiday extra memorable.” — Victoria Bellucci, Account Manager

“I love vintage menswear and Americana. That’s why, when I stumbled across these new soft-knit shirts from J. Crew, I fell in love. They draw in all the amazing details from old-school made-in-union shirting (think: camp pockets, buttons, and an already worn-in feel). If you’re stumped on what to get the important man in your life, you truly can’t go wrong with a quality shirt that clearly cannot go out of style.” — Sam Vastis, Senior Associate

“An ad for this sweater popped up on my Instagram a few weeks ago. Did I need a new sweater? No, but I couldn’t stop thinking about this one. It’s so clean and classic, and I love that the boatneck makes it a tiny bit sexy, which isn’t a word I usually associate with loose-fitting winter wear. So because it was haunting me and since I’m a sucker for a targeted ad, I bought it, vowing to return it if it wasn’t my new favorite sweater ever. Well, guess what? It’s my new favorite sweater ever. It’s unbelievably soft and cozy, but also delicate and feminine. I got the dark brown, but since this is a gift list, I’d like it in navy and red as well, thank you!” — Emily Pinto, Senior Producer

“The best kinds of gifts are those that give back, which is why I love shopping at Parks Project. Not only do you get an amazing piece to share with a loved one, but the brand donates a portion of every purchase to help fund parkland preservation, education, advocacy, and restoration projects around the country. This sweatshirt will be going to my partner’s sister, who’s obsessed with protecting local wildlife.” — Katie Pittman

“As someone whose winter wardrobe can get a bit bland, I love opting for a cold-weather accessory that adds a bit of drama. This scarf is like a beautiful, warm, wearable work of art, and with so many colors woven in, you can match it with practically anything, making it a welcome addition to anyone’s closet.” — Emily Pinto

“If I could, I’d give everyone in my life a Chanel bag. Unfortunately, my bank account won’t allow for that, but I will be generous enough to hand out these designer travel-sized trinkets. Each houses the iconic N°5 scent in an Instagram-worthy container that my friends will surely wear as a separate accessory.” — Justine Carreon, Affiliate Content Manager

“While all of you folks are scrolling through Amazon as you hunt for presents, I will be doing all my holiday shopping at my new go-to retailer Quince. (OK, I’ll stop judging because I almost certainly will also buy a thing or two from Amazon — no shame.) I recently discovered that the brand has so much more than affordable yet well-made clothing: So far, I’ve tested their towels, pans, and luggage and have not yet been disappointed. Next up is their cutlery — I plan on buying and wrapping up this hoity-toity-seeming set of knives crafted by renowned French brand Jean Dubost Laguiole. I have multiple family members who could use a utensil drawer upgrade, and I have a feeling these beautiful-yet-functional steak knives will do the trick.” — Maggie Parker, Deputy Site Editor