To help you figure out what to get your loved ones for the holidays, we’ve rounded up the best gifts that will suit a wide variety of tastes and interests, including foodies, tech lovers, self-care enthusiasts, and more. We also spoke to gifting expert Kristin Fisher, founder of Bocu, to get her advice on how to choose the most memorable Christmas gifts for the people in your life. “No matter your budget, you can gift a little bit of luxe at the holidays with a chic candle, beautiful coffee table book, or high-end olive oil—all of these gifts could be under $50 but will give a ‘wow’ moment to someone who may not normally treat themselves,” says Fisher.
Read on to see all of our gift recommendations and learn how to pick the best gifts for your family, friends, co-workers, and more.
The Deep Dutch Oven is oven-safe up to 500 degrees, can be put in the dishwasher, and comes in the brand’s signature array of beautiful colors, ranging from various shades of blue to red, mustard, and an orange-red ombre color.
Price at time of publish: $200
Price at time of publish: $14
The pan also comes with its own spoon, a built-in spoon rest on the pan, and a steamer basket. What’s more, it’s compatible on multiple cooktops, including induction.
Price at time of publish: $145
This little machine can last up to two and a half hours on a single charge and comes with three speed settings, making it great for tackling mild to moderate cramps, knots, and more. It’s also designed to be quiet, so no need to worry about the product causing a racket while using it in public.
Price at time of publish: $150
It’s made of Turkish cotton, so you can expect premium softness and great breathability. The wide sleeves also allow for additional airflow, while the fabric overall will absorb the excess moisture after bathing or swimming. It’s available in five standard sizes as well as three colors, including mint, mango, and pop pink.
Price at time of publish: $125
What really stands out about these earplugs is the little attached handle, which makes for easy removal and prevents them from lodging too far into the ears. The set comes with four sets of silicone ear tips and a little carrying case that can be attached to a key ring.
Price at time of publish: $20
Price at time of publish: $179
Price at time of publish: $53
These knives can be exclusively for steak, or can also be used as paring knives for food prep. They’re available in multiple colors, including two shades of blue, persimmon (a light orange), and beige.
Price at time of publish: $90
Our tester appreciated the various accessories and said that after 15 minutes of aeration, the decanter did its job well. After 30 minutes, they said the wine was “less astringent” and “still nice, bright, and juicy.”
Price at time of publish: $40
Price at time of publish: $119
Accidentally Wes Anderson the book features 368 pages of exactly that, along with stories to accompany the stunning photographs. It also includes a foreword by the filmmaker himself, which helps set the reader up for the journey they are about to embark on in the pages.
Price at time of publish: $38
It also comes with a convenient bar that allows you to tilt the foot massager up for added comfort while sitting. In addition to taking care of feet, this machine can also massage ankles and calves, adding to its overall value.
Price at time of publish: $290
Price at time of publish: $350
Price at time of publish: $185
Price at time of publish: $295
Price at time of publish: $55
Price at time of publish: $82
Price at time of publish: From $199
Price at time of publish: $75
Price at time of publish: $98
Price at time of publish: $100
Price at time of publish: $12
Price at time of publish: $17
Price at time of publish: From $24
The rings are sold by month—you can find April to June here, July to September here, and October to December here.
Price at time of publish: $68
Price at time of publish: $155
Price at time of publish: $60
Price at time of publish: $129
It’s also reversible, adding double the amount of life to the product. This also prevents the need to buy a separate board to cut veggies and meat on. Plus, the 100 percent American cherry wood makes it a sight for sore eyes.
Price at time of publish: $159
Price at time of publish: From $40
There are plenty of color options available for the monogramming as well as the pouch itself, including neutrals such as white and caramel as well as vibrant shades such as hot pink and orange.
Price at time of publish: From $49
Price at time of publish: $90
Price at time of publish: $43
Price at time of publish: $165
Price at time of publish: From $62
The Butterfly Bucket Bag is no different and offers convenient features such as an adjustable strap and inside pockets. This, along with its stylish design and neutral color options, make it a great bag for your every day.
Price at time of publish: $160
Price at time of publish: $105
Price at time of publish: $35
Price at time of publish: $90
Price at time of publish: $130
Converse’s All Star label is replaced by Play’s mascot, a cute little heart with curious eyes. This playful design makes for a cool addition to anyone’s shoe collection, and certainly something your loved one won’t see anywhere else. Keep in mind that the sizing is unisex.
Price at time of publish: $150
Price at time of publish: $39
Price at time of publish: $175
They can wear this wearable throw open or fasten it together by a single button, which lends to a crossbody style that is similar to a shawl. The fabric is made with the brand’s famous microfiber polyester, which is super soft and feels like a lightweight fleece. There are four colors available, including white, a light pink, dark grey, and leopard pattern.
Price at time of publish: $145
Price at time of publish: $78
Price at time of publish: $158
Price at time of publish: $80
The entirety of the shoe is waterproof, including the suede, and contains OrthoLite footbeds that make for a more comfortable tread. Plus, the traction of the shoes will allow them to traverse all kinds of terrain with ease. Should you buy these for the outdoors lover in your life, the brand does recommend getting a half size down from their normal size.
Price at time of publish: $210
Price at time of publish: $144
Price at time of publish: $89 for queen
Price at time of publish: $68
Price at time of publish: $100
Price at time of publish: $400
Price at time of publish: From $35
Price at time of publish: $100
Price at time of publish: $130
Price at time of publish: $38
Price at time of publish: $140
Price at time of publish: $99
Price at time of publish: $95
Price at time of publish: $90
How much should I be spending on a Christmas gift?
Fisher doesn’t have any hard and fast rules regarding the price of a Christmas gift. Instead, she recommends focusing more on the value it will bring to the gift’s receiver. “At risk of sounding cliché, what is more important is the thought behind the gift,” she says. She also stresses that the thought behind a gift isn’t measured by the amount listed on a price tag. “You don’t need to spend a lot to show someone that you care about them or appreciate what they have done for you throughout the year,” she tells us. “No matter your budget, you can gift a little bit of luxe at the holidays with a chic candle, beautiful coffee table book, or high-end olive oil—all of these gifts could be under $50 but will give a ‘wow’ moment to someone who may not normally treat themselves.” If you’re buying presents for a handful of friends and coworkers, Fisher says you can get creative with budget gifts without skimping on thoughtfulness. “A gift card for a coffee or even lottery tickets tucked inside of a hand-made card from your kids, and beautifully wrapped baked goods are a few lower-cost, thoughtful gift ideas to hand out to larger groups of people,” she says.
What are some creative Christmas gifts?
Whether you’re stumped on what to get someone who is hard to buy for, or really want to take your gift-giving up a notch this year, Fisher has some great ideas for creative Christmas gifts. The first thing she recommends is doing something personalized that isn’t a monogrammed item. “Whether it’s something in their favorite color, fragrance or flavor, or an item that can be useful in their day-to day-life but has a fun or unique twist will really stand out,” she says. “I love the hunt for a fun, tech-forward gift that is both useful and unexpected like a coffee mug warmer, or a chic phone charging station.” For those who have it all, she suggests giving a donation in their name to a charity of their liking.
Take Our Word for It
This article was written by Rachel Center, a product reviews home writer for Real Simple. To write this article, she spent hours researching the best Christmas gift ideas to make the best possible recommendations. She also spoke to gifting expert Kristin Fisher, founder of Bocu, for expert insight on choosing a Christmas gift.
