To help you get a handle on holiday shopping this year, we’ve been curating gift guides for every person in your life, from your mother to your boss to your BFF — even your furry friends. You’ve probably noticed that some of those guides feature things you can buy from the same retailer — because, as we’ve said, there is something truly satisfying (and savvy) about getting all of your shopping done in one place. Here, we’ve gathered a bunch of Strategist-approved gifts from Macy’s — the department store your grandparents love for its role in Miracle on 34th Street and your younger cousins know better as that place that sponsors the Thanksgiving Day Parade. Read on for our 30 favorite gifts, from cozy slippers to cult-y kitchen appliances to expert-recommended skin care. (If yours is a Nordstrom household, we’ve got you covered, and if you think your recipients would prefer gifts from Urban Outfitters or Best Buy, we can help there, too.)
For the baby celebrating their first Christmas
Flappy the Elephant, one of our best gifts for 1-year-olds, may drive parents crazy with its cheery (or creepy, depending on whom you ask) singing voice, but it will endlessly delight the little one who unwraps it. The stuffed toy is actually pretty cool: The ears wiggle and can cover its eyes to play peekaboo.
For the dad who just became a grandfather
Even if he can’t be there to cradle his new grandchild, he’ll still feel connected with this digital picture frame that lets anyone on the family account upload photos through an app, no matter where they live. The sleek frame means it also won’t look half-bad sitting on a shelf.
For the older cousin who can’t visit craft breweries
He’ll get a kick out of this set of glasses that’s made specifically for enjoying IPAs.
For the son who never misses a run (even in the winter)
This running-coach-approved base layer from Under Armour will keep him comfortable, even if he’s out in inclement weather.
For the wife who has a whole nighttime routine
It’s not cheap, which is why this culty lactic-acid treatment from Sunday Riley that beauty editors swear by would make a thoughtful — and likely very appreciated — gift.
For the grandma who has a whole nighttime routine
This dermatologist-recommended moisturizer with hyaluronic acid for mature skin will leave her face glowing (without the grease).
For the toddler who loves to help out around the house
She’ll get a kick out of this cleaning set that includes a mop, broom, duster, and dust pan, all organized on a nifty stand. It’s one of our favorite gifts for 2-year-olds (and, unlike the stuffed elephant above, we’re certain parents will love it, too).
For the girlfriend who lives in leggings
Even if she’ll never go back to wearing jeans again, she can at least elevate her lounging leggings for something a bit more put together, like a pair of faux-leather ones that stylish women swear by.
For the sister-in-law who’s a little fancy
If it’s good enough for Catherine Zeta-Jones, it’ll be good enough for your sister-in-law. The actress calls this lime-basil-and-mandarin-scented candle her “all-time favorite” and keeps one in almost every room of her house.
For the mom who’s always asking for a foot massage
This heated shiatsu foot massager is one of our all-time-favorite gifts for moms, so we’re willing to bet big bucks that your spouse will love it too.
For the older sister who’s expecting
She’ll appreciate this expert-approved, four-in-one car seat that goes from infant mode all the way to booster seat. She’ll never have to replace it as her child grows.
For the father-in-law who always wants perfect grill marks on his steak
If winter weather means your FIL can’t go out and use his favorite grill, this griddle can help him achieve those marks inside his kitchen. It can open flat or close if he wants to make pressed sandwiches with his leftover fillets.
For the older brother who needs even more help in the kitchen
This writer swears by Cuisinart’s toaster oven that’s also an air fryer (among other things). Your bachelor uncle can use it to crisp up frozen dumplings, bake sweet potatoes, and heat up leftovers in a matter of minutes. (I should know, as I’ve done all that and more with it.)
For the great-aunt who always has the kettle on
She won’t be able to resist the convenience of an electric kettle, especially one in a cheery cherry color that she’ll want to leave out on display. It shuts off automatically once the water is boiling, leaving more time to actually enjoy a cuppa.
For the best friend who asked you to be her maid of honor
This mascara that gets lashes “thick, long, and separated” was deemed the best clumpproof mascara by a panel of makeup artists. It’s also waterproof, which means that she (and you) can go about her wedding activities without worrying about smudged eyes from your tears of joy.
For the boyfriend who’s still wearing college-era underwear
Nothing says cool and confident like a pair of classic Calvin Klein boxer briefs — the go-to choice among menswear experts. “The shape is exceptional, not too tight, and it’s very low maintenance,” says Phillip Wong, the co-founder and creative director of Hawthorne, a direct-to-consumer men’s personal-hygiene company.
For the husband who wants to get back in shape
The Garmin Foreunner 45, a version of one of our expert-recommended GPS running watches, might inspire him to squeeze more quick jogs in.
For the younger cousin who’s obsessed with board games
He’ll love the spy-themed Codenames, a board game that requires players to use word association to help their teammates collect cards while avoiding ones that belong to the opposing team. If that doesn’t convince you, perhaps the fact that our former writer David Notis was hooked after just one game will: “I played it at a friend’s house and loved it so much I bought it on my phone before even heading home.”
For the tween niece who likes all things cozy
Thanks to Ugg’s (surprising) staying power, the fur-lined footwear is definitely an appropriate gift for the next generation. Your niece will probably never want to take off these wool-lined slippers that stylish women recommend for “reaching peak coziness levels.” Which is honestly fine, because the grippy sole means she can wear them outside the house, too.
For the tween nephew who can get jealous of that niece
Heaven forbid he doesn’t get his own pair. (Ugg’s moccasin-style slippers are some of our all-time favorites for guys.)
For the fiancé who has trouble falling asleep
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: Gravity’s weighted blanket is one of the best weighted blankets to gift for its silky-soft, minklike microfiber cover and hefty feel — all details your daughter will love.
For the grandpa who’s always got “something to show you”
He’ll love showing this off to any friends or family who’ll listen: What looks like a handsome briefcase opens to become a compact faux-leather backgammon set. That set is “high quality,” according to Lauren Bilanko, the owner of Brooklyn’s Twenty Sided Store. It also zips up so Gramps can easily take it with him when he heads to Florida for the winter.
For the brother-in-law who’s always at the gym
This insulated bottle from Takeya will keep his water chilled for hours, ensuring that your gym-rat brother-in-law won’t ever go thirsty. It’s a favorite of Amazon reviewers for its convenient spout lid, which, again, is ideal for popping open between reps.
For the college-age sister who’s also a VSCO girl
She’ll adore how cute and tiny this backpack is even if it doesn’t fit a laptop, because she basically lives on her phone. It’s one of the most popular backpacks on college campuses, according to RAs, a fact that she will also appreciate.
For the daughter experimenting with makeup
This “cult favorite” eyelash curler from Shiseido was dubbed the best for round eyes in our list of the top-rated eyelash curlers on Amazon. It will go a long way toward helping her achieve that full-on smoky eye look she’s watched countless influencers create.
For the fiancé who always posts fit pics
These are very similar to the New Balances that our Resident Cool Guy Chris Black swears by (these are V5; his are V4). They will have your New GQ–reading fiancé feeling fresh, whether he’s “sashaying through the Delta terminal at JFK,” as Black says, or walking to class.
For the wine-drinking aunt (who’s a bit of a klutz)
These less precarious stemless wineglasses were deemed the very best in their class by restaurant owners for how thin the glass is (the better for smelling the wine) — and for how closely they replicate the experience of drinking from a traditional stemmed glass.
For the kid that just got their own place
She’ll probably want to upgrade that old, lumpy mattress with something a little more sophisticated. Leesa’s original mattress is great for back and side sleepers alike, with Strategist deputy editor Maxine Builder calling it “soft and plush” but supportive enough that she “never sank down into it.”
For the couple who just moved in together
Because receiving a Le Creuset is just as big of a milestone as shacking up.
For that someone special your family hasn’t met (yet)
A toothbrush that they can keep at your place. Or, rather, an electric toothbrush from Philips Sonicare, a brand that dentists say is one of the best out there, that they can keep at your place.
The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
