Editor Obsessions: Gifts We’re Planning to Give This Year

We can’t help it. Year after year, we find ourselves giving Apple Gift Card to family and friends. Because they can all appreciate the chance to choose their own Apple adventure — whether they use it to buy tech, accessories, music, books, an Apple TV+ subscription, App Store games, or…anything else. The possibilities are basically endless. Plus, you can send it via email or give a physical card. Consider every unknown on your list taken care of. ($10+, Apple)*

When it comes to winter candles, I’m like Rory Gilmore sniffing books at Yale — I want it to smell woodsy, slightly musty, and a little ancient. I want the scent to fill up my apartment and make me feel like I’m in the Beast’s library in Beauty and the Beast. This candle fits the bill; it’s hand-poured in the US with nontoxic wax and smells like “sandalwood and old books.” The scent is even better than you can imagine, plus the minimalist vessel is so chic. I love finding niche candle brands to gift my friends and family, so I think I’ve found mine for this year. —Martha Upton ($78, Aerangis)

Help your bestie keep only the best-tasting water in her emotional support water bottle with this LifeStraw Home filter pitcher. It’s the only filter that removes microplastics, bacteria, PFAS, and over 30 different contaminants. Not to mention it looks incredibly chic on a countertop or in a fridge. Plus, for every pitcher purchased, LifeStraw will supply a year’s worth of safe water for a child in need. ($64.95, LifeStraw)*

I’ve been giving Catbird charms as gifts for years — I gave my roommate in New York one of their key charms with our apartment number on it before I moved back to North Carolina. So when I saw this trolley charm, I simply couldn’t resist giving it to my mom for Christmas this year. We love to quote the line from Princess Diaries, “Goodbye, trolley people,” so it’s like a little inside joke in the form of a stunning piece of jewelry. —Martha Upton ($258, Catbird)

Journals are like candles — you love to receive them, but hate to buy them for yourself (or at least I do). This one is a collaboration between Anthropologie and one of our favorite journal brands, and you can choose your recipient’s initial for the front cover. I’m an avid journaler; there’s something so soothing about putting pen to paper and preserving thoughts and memories that way. This holiday season, I’m sharing the ritual with the people I love. —Martha Upton ($28, Anthropologie)

I am a huge fan of Jambys. They’re super comfortable boxer shorts that are perfect for lounge and sleep. They feel more substantial than normal boxers, so the material is a bit thicker. This year for the holidays, I’m gifting a pair to my partner. Whenever he stays at my apartment, he gets annoyed that he sometimes forgets a cozy pair of sweats to change into. Keeping a pair of Jambys here for him will solve that problem. —Alexandra Napoli ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)

My mom is the definition of a hot sleeper. She needs the house to be ice cold, even in the winter. I plan to gift her a Cool Nights sleep shirt from Soma. It’s made from lightweight rayon fibers that stay cool throughout the night. Plus, it’s the perfect lazy-day lounge option. It comes in a ton of prints and colors, and sizes up to XXL. It’s a simple gift, but something practical that will get a lot of wear. —Alexandra Napoli ($46, Soma)

John Derian’s decoupage trays are legendary for their unique designs, culled from the designer’s own collection of vintage prints. I think they’re a foolproof gift — literally everyone needs a few catchall trays dotted around the house, and these feel really special. Plus, I love sifting through the designs and finding the one that would match my giftee’s personality. I think my witchy friend would love this zodiac tray. You can find several more designs here. —Caroline Goldstein ($130, Bergdorf Goodman)

A nice throw is one of those things that everyone wants, but doesn’t necessarily buy for themselves. Hence, the perfect present. I love Cozy Earth’s bedding, so this knit blanket is on my to-gift list. The ribbed, slightly stretchy material is reminiscent of your favorite sweater, and it comes in two neutral colors that would look chic in any home. —Caroline Goldstein ($125+, Cozy Earth) 

When I’m looking for high-quality, timeless-but-not-boring jewelry at a reasonable price point, I head for Missoma. (I recently got my picky boyfriend their Men’s Engravable Signet Ring for our anniversary, to great success.) I have my eye on this Bobble Chain Choker for my sister, who likes to wear lots of layers of dainty gold necklaces. There’s just something about a thin gold choker that makes everyone look pretty. —Caroline Goldstein ($83, Missoma)

Papier’s customizable notebooks are a tried-and-true gift for me. You can add your giftee’s name, initials, or a phrase — plus you can pick the cover and kind of paper (lined, plain, or dotted). Every time I give one of these to a loved one, they always come back to me to say how much they reach for it. They really are that good. —Margo Ghertner ($30+, Papier)

These ACE sweatpants from Mack Weldon have a cult following for a reason. They’re made of a soft and breathable knit, while maintaining a stylish cut. My boyfriend wears these lounging around our apartment and dresses them up on the weekends. This pair has a classic straight leg, but they come in a short version, too. —Margo Ghertner ($88, Mack Weldon)

I always look for gifts that are not only thoughtful, but also useful and practical. This year, I’m gifting my boyfriend a three-piece set of knives from Cutluxe. The knives are made from sharp, weighty high-carbon German steel and have ergonomic handles for an easier grip. Simply put, they cut like butter. And I love knowing he’ll have this set for years to come. —Alessandra Rey ($69.99, Amazon)

It’s not every day you stumble upon a wardrobe staple you KNOW you’ll need in every color, but this shirt was it for me. I love transitional clothes that I can wear season to season, and this ribbed, short-sleeve top from Old Navy definitely fits the bill. It has a hem that sits right at the waist for the most flattering fit. I’m planning to buy a few of these for my friends and pair them with a small necklace or earrings for a look that’s understated but put-together. —Alessandra Rey ($10+, Old Navy)