The 56 Best Gifts for Her: Thoughtful Finds She’ll Actually Use and Love

Bottled sparkling water — even the stuff in glass — is a big player in the toxic kitchen lineup. To avoid PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), choose water that’s never been bottled — that is to say, your own filtered tap water. 

The Aarke Carbonator 3 is everything you’d expect from a Swedish design. The sparkling water maker comes in several neutral colors and varying finishes. Plus, it requires no batteries or electricity. I actually like how this looks on my kitchen counter, and it makes perfectly crisp carbonated water every time, more bubbly than anything I’ve had in a can (a houseguest recently told me it made the best sparkling water they’d ever had).

This is the kind of heirloom-worthy cookware that any home cook will be thrilled to unwrap. “It’s beautiful. The polish, the copper-hued seasoning, the engraved knob — you can tell it’s very thoughtfully constructed,” says editor Katie Tuttle. She adds that because it’s not enameled, “you don’t have to worry about chipping, cracking, or flaking, and you can use it over all kinds of heat sources, even open flame.”

From hearty stews to feed a crowd to crusty homemade bread or slow-simmered meats that fall off the bone, this Dutch oven does it all — and looks gorgeous doing it. It’ll become an integral part of both everyday cooking and special holiday meals.

Keep the kitchen plastic-free (and chic) with this gorgeous set of stainless steel utensils. It includes a solid spoon, a slotted spoon, a ladle, a turner, a pasta fork, a fish spatula, a 12-inch French whisk, and a durable, chip-resistant porcelain bain-marie.

“The tools have a great weight to them: not too heavy, but also not too flimsy. And they’re so pretty, they’re definitely display-worthy,” editorial director Simone Scully says. “I also love that they come with a ceramic holder that feels like something I might have bought on my own — it’s not flimsy or a throwaway addition.”

Get her excited to preheat the oven with this beautifully crafted set of stainless steel mixing bowls that will have her dreaming up her next creation. They’re dishwasher safe, making cleanup a breeze, plus they can be safely heated up to 500 degrees F, and they stack neatly.

“I’m the queen of having cheap mixing bowls — I’m not going to lie. I’ve had plastic ones, inexpensive ceramic ones ... but I have never taken the time to invest in good ones. This set is definitely that,” Scully says. Plus, they’re built to last. “These are the kind of mixing bowls that could quickly become an heirloom gift you hand down for years,” Scully adds.

“It’s quite pretty, coming in an array of cheery colors,” says Tuttle. The set even comes with its own clever storage system with magnetic closures, so everything stays organized (and the nonstick coating stays scratch-free).

Okay, hear me out: Fancy food storage is actually a great gift, at least when the set is this nice. This set contains nine glass storage containers of various sizes, perfect for storing leftovers or prepping food for the week.

“I love that they’re glass and not plastic,” says editor Ashley Ziegler, who tested this set. “I also love that each container has a little tab on the lid that you pop open when you put the lid on, allowing all of the air to get out of the container before closing the tab again for an airtight seal. Brilliant design.” These little valves are also great for venting steam, ensuring microwaved food warms well without overheating.

This set of three pans will level up her cooking. They feature ceramic nonstick technology and have handles designed to stay cool on the stove. One of the best things about these pans is that they’re compatible with all types of stoves, including induction, thanks to the aluminum-encapsulated base that promises quick and even heat distribution.

“I like the sizes of the skillets and that they all come with lids. They’re also dishwasher safe and oven safe up to a certain temperature, which is great and not common with nonstick pans,” says our tester, writer Tori Martinet.

Ever wonder what to get the person who loves both pizza and cats? Look no further. This kitschy kitty pizza cutter wheel makes it look like a kitten is scampering over the surface of a pizza, chasing a mouse that’s etched on the blade. Would you want that to happen in real life? No. Is this approximation of it super cute? Yes.

“This is a cute, fun pizza cutter that makes pizza night just a little more fun in our home. My son definitely loves it when we bring it out,” Scully says, adding that it cuts well, too. This is a sweet stocking stuffer or white elephant gift that makes pizza night just a little more fun.

A stand mixer is something she’ll probably display on her counter, so it makes sense to give the baker in your life a beautiful one she’ll be happy to look at every day. This Laura Ashley print kind of looks like fine china, but fortunately, it’s way more durable. The mixer itself is a lightweight plastic that’s easy to move but stays firmly in place thanks to suction cups on the bottom.

This mixer comes with a dough hook, beater, egg whisk, and splash cover, and the bowl itself locks into place, so there won’t be any wobble when mixing. Raki Swanson, who tested this product for us, says that “the accessories were very easy to swap out and didn’t take much effort.” She also notes that it was easy to move the head of the mixer to allow the bowl to be moved or to change the mixing accessories. Overall, she found the mixer very easy to use. “It was easy to change speeds on the mixer,” Swanson says, and the food-grade aluminum bowl and the mixer did well with speed changes.

This air fryer and convection oven is perfect for anyone who loves to cook but doesn’t always want to fire up the full-sized oven (or has a dollhouse-sized oven in a small apartment). This Rolls-Royce of air fryers can take the place of an oven or toaster. It’s a splurge of a gift, but it has tons of functionality.

“You can do a lot with it: bake, broil, air fry, proof, toast, bagel, and warm,” says writer Brittany Vargas, after giving this a shot during a recent test. “It’s nice and modern-looking, very sleek. I like that I can avoid using the stove when using this product. I can also replace my toaster oven.”

This tea sampler three-pack is a sweet under-$10 gift or stocking stuffer — perfect for anyone who loves cozy moments and pretty packaging. Each blend has a charming, evocative name (Sunday Pancakes, Snow Angel, Road Trip) and the unexpected flavor combinations (like ginger, tulsi, and cinnamon; and peppermint, rosehip, and spearmint) make teatime feel special.

“It’s cute, it’s fun, it’s got unique flavor combos,” says writer and tester Olivia Campbell. “The design is really sweet, and the fact that you can get a sampler pack of three bags of a flavor so you know what you want to order more of is great.”

It’s thoughtful without being over the top, the kind of small gift that feels personal — especially when paired with a mug.

Art meets function in this beautiful matcha maker that stores, grinds, and whisks organic matcha leaves, making the perfect cup every time. Just as coffee often tastes better when ground from fresh beans, starting with matcha leaves yields a rich, smooth cup.

“I like the aesthetic — one of my friends noted that it looks like a giant perfume bottle, very sculptural. It’s well made and fairly quiet,” says tester Tuttle.

Note that this comes with three samples of each leaf blend, but she’ll need more to keep her matcha habit going.

If you know someone who has decided that morning is the best time to have people over (especially if young kids are involved), then they need a coffee maker that can serve an undercaffeinated crowd. This sleek coffee maker makes as many as 10 cups of coffee, blending the precision and tastiness of hand-brewed coffee with the ease of automation. You can schedule a brew time in advance using the app, so she can check one thing off her morning to-do list before the day’s even begun. It can also manage multiple schedules, which is great for couples or roommates who like coffee at different times. There’s even a cold brew option.

“It makes pour-over quality coffee despite being mechanical,” Vargas says, adding that it’s definitely tasty coffee. You can adjust it to your elevation, which affects how it’s brewed, or opt for “guided brews,” which give you directions on which type of filter to use and how much coffee to put in. This is also made from stainless steel — “no plastic leeching into your coffee and no worries about breaking glass.” Vargas says.

Sleek, minimal, and available in a range of cool matte colors, this stainless steel tumbler is a great gift for commuters, gym-goers, and anyone who always has a drink in hand. It’s perfect for iced coffee, iced tea, kombucha — even a cocktail to go — and it keeps drinks refreshingly cold for hours on end.

“It keeps items cold for around 20 hours. It’s spill-resistant. It looks nice. The plastic lid is BPA-free,” says Vargas, who tested it. This one has a handy straw top, but it’s compatible with other lids as well. Just note: It’s made specifically for cold beverages, so skip the hot coffee in this one.

It’s very rare that a coffee maker can be described as chic, but the Melitta Vision 12-Cup Coffee Maker manages to be both gorgeous and functional (with the ability to make enough to caffeinate a crowd). Several features make this gift a good fit for anyone: It can be used by righties or lefties, thanks to a swivel dashboard that changes its orientation; you can adjust the coffee strength; and you can set it to stay warm for anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours, perfect for those who like to sip coffee all morning.

“It’s beautiful,” says tester Tuttle. “The copper accents are so pretty, and the all-glass carafe is minimalistic and classy. And the water tank lights up and bubbles like a lava lamp when brewing!”

This sleek espresso maker makes great coffee without using any electricity, which means one less thing hogging precious outlets in your kitchen.

You can use finely ground espresso or cafetière-coarse (what you’d put in a French press). “It made really delicious espresso quickly and easily without using any power,” says tester Campbell. “This was very simple and straightforward to use, which is refreshing, as espresso makers are notoriously complicated.” In addition to the espresso maker itself, this set includes a wooden-handled portafilter, coffee spoon, and a splitter to make two single espressos. The brand also makes a manual coffee maker if you’re embracing the whole “no electricity” part of the deal.

I also got to try this little machine and gave it to my husband, the family’s coffee critic. He usually uses an Aeropress but said this was “sleek and easy for a quick jolt.” He appreciated that he could take it with him when traveling or even camping.

Who doesn’t want a massage they can take with them anywhere? This mini massage gun is “sleek and futuristic looking,” as writer Maria Cristina Lalonde says, adding that it’s “super small and quiet — I use it while my partner and I are watching TV, without disturbing him.”

She also likes that it’s easy to travel with, as it “fits in a backpack or gym bag, or even a large purse.” It comes with three attachment heads for different types of pressure, a charging cable and block, a microfiber cleaning cloth, and a carrying case.

With its thin straps and soft scoop neck, this bra may look dainty, but it delivers. Many people are still rocking the same sports bras they’ve had for the past decade. Treat the yoga or Pilates lover in your life to this supportive, snug sports bra that will hold up during headstands but be comfortable enough for a Child’s pose.

This bra won best for yoga and Pilates in our best sports bras roundup earlier this year. Tester Lili Ladaga, one of our editors, said that this bra was comfortable and “despite the high level of compression, it’s easy to pull on and off,” which is good news for anyone who’s ever gotten stuck in a sports bra.

Sure, she already has leggings, but she may not have these leggings. Made with a four-way stretch fabric, they contour to the body while being supercomfortable and lightweight without slipping down (a must if she loves yoga or running). The cuffed hem and drawstring waist make these sky-high leggings feel versatile enough to wear from Pilates to the grocery store or even out to drinks.

These are available in sizes XXS to XXL and in an array of colors, though the exact hues change regularly. They are my go-to for anything from barre class to day-care drop-off, and I always seem to get compliments on them.

This roomy tote is large enough to hold two pickleball paddles or tennis rackets. When she’s off the court, she can use this chic and functional bag for overnight or weekend trips.

“It’s an amazing travel or overnight bag. It is made really well, so easy to clean, and is very spacious,” says Swanson. When she used it for pickleball, it held paddles, shoes, balls, a sweatshirt, and snacks. It comes in gorgeous, saturated colors and has a wipe-clean material that can handle sweat or spills.

Dark creeps in earlier and earlier in the winter months, and if she likes to squeeze in an outdoor walk or run after work, she’ll need a reliable headlamp. I’ve owned other headlamps before, but this one blows them away. It has several different lights, including white, red, and strobe options; it includes a moisture-wicking band; and it charges using a USB-B (just eight minutes on the charger yields a full hour of light).

My husband, who has used this in more hardcore camping situations than I have, said he appreciated that this is comfortable, low-profile, and lightweight. It’s the kind of gift she doesn’t know she needs but won’t stop using once she has it.

With its retro-inspired design and pretty color options, this is the kind of bike that makes you want to cruise down a boardwalk in the sunshine. “The adult one I received (the Priority Coast) has an almost retro look, which is very pretty,” Scully says.

Available in one-, three-, or seven-speed options (you’ll pay a little more for each upgrade), this lightweight aluminum bike is rust-resistant and built to handle coastal conditions, like salt and sand. “It comes with a relatively comfortable seat and brown wheels that feel retro and classical. It’s also very easy to step over,” Scully adds. It ships straight to your door and is easy to assemble, though you can also have it sent to a local bike shop for help setting it up. With its mix of vintage charm and timeless practicality, this is a great gift for the person who loves a good seaside ride (or commuting in the city pretending she’s on vacation).

Whether you’re shopping for someone who is pickleball curious or a seasoned pro, we think she’ll love this sleek and luxurious paddle. The handle has just the right amount of grip (not too thick), making it comfortable for long matches and easy to hold for those with smaller hands. But what really sets this apart is the presentation: It arrives in packaging designed to look like a book. Open the cover, and the paddle is nestled inside like a hidden treasure. 

“I did like the design — it made me smile. I also liked the packaging. It truly would make anyone happy if they were to receive this,” says Swanson.

This roomy and lightweight mini quilted duffel comes in a range of cool, modern colors like black, navy (called Dawn), apple red, or a (dare I say festive?) red and white stripes. It works just as well for frequent travelers and gym-goers as it does as a chic diaper bag or hospital go-bag. “It’s got so many compartments inside so you can store everything you need,” Scully says. “It also came with three mini bags to help organize my stuff.” She used it as a travel bag and noted how light the bag felt, even when packed.

This keeps its shape without seeming bulky, and it’s the answer to the prayers of any mom who has ever had to pack multiple bags for what seems like a simple outing.

Yes, they are certainly a splurge, but if you’re looking for a “wow” gift for a music lover, these headphones are sure to be adored. I’ve been lucky enough to test these, and I did not know headphones could be this good. They’re comfortable and light with unparalleled sound quality — it feels (almost) like being at a live show. 

These headphones are made with crisp aluminum armature and real leather finishing, and the battery lasts 30 hours (plus if she’s about to start a long commute and realizes she’s out of charge, a quick 15-minute charge tops them up for seven more hours of use). I appreciate all the features the headphones have, but my favorite is that you can set them so that the music or podcast pauses when you lift an ear cup.

The only thing every nature lover needs more than a hammock is a double hammock. Whether she’s sharing with a loved one or chilling solo, she can do so in the king-sized bed of hammocks with plenty of room for sprawl, and it comes in a ton of beautiful colors and fun prints.

“The DoubleNest hammock is colorful, spacious, and feels durable and sturdy when you sit or lie in it,” says Scully. “It also collapses down very small, which is great for bringing on trips or camping (which is what I did). This is going to be something I bring with me on trips for years to come. It was big enough to fit me and my 6-year-old son when we sat, and very relaxing on my own.”

This little kit is the perfect travel companion. The PlaneAire Travel Essentials bundle comes with a Clean Surface & Air Mist, six individually wrapped wipes, and a bottle of hand sanitizer lotion in a reusable, TSA-friendly zip-top pouch. The mist is made of 99 percent natural ingredients and is a good way to clean off an airplane’s tray table or deodorize the air, and the hand sanitizer lotion comes in unexpected scents like cardamom lavender, or coriander tangerine.

“I liked that the hand sanitizer comes out in smaller quantities than typical bottles — it wasn’t messy at all,” says our tester, Mary Sauer. She noted that even if she isn’t regularly on a plane, the sleek, compact design makes it easy to toss in a bag or keep on a desk for quick refreshes throughout the day.

This sleek backpack is great for anyone who travels, commutes, is a parent, or is just always prepared (some may say overprepared). The wide, bucket-style opening allows you to easily find what you’re looking for (no more digging through the depths blindly for your keys), and the double zipper is a breeze to open. Thoughtful pockets abound: There’s an internal zipped hanging pocket with a quick access slip pocket, a hidden pocket with a magnetic closure, side pockets for water bottles and umbrellas, and more.

“This is a pretty bag,” Scully says, “that is big enough to fit a 16-inch laptop. It could work for commuting to work, a gym bag, or just a substitute for a purse.” 

Sure, your loved one may already have a carry-on suitcase, but when’s the last time it got an upgrade? This has double-spinner wheels for effortless rolling, a comfortable handle, and high-end zippers, plus everything is vegan. If your friend likes to keep it classic, this is available in black or navy, but it also comes in bubble gum pink, on-trend brown, a chic off-white, and more.

Scully is the daughter of a pilot, meaning she’s traveled around a lot, and she got the opportunity to test this bag for us. “I fly standby a lot, which means I have to pack light and can only bring a carry-on,” she says. “I have gotten to be a bit of a connoisseur when it comes to finding lightweight, carry-on bags, and this one fits that bill.” She says that the suitcase is one of the lightest she’s used, it rolls very well (and allows you to move quickly if you need to sprint across the airport), and is very durable. “Lightweight suitcases were also what my mom needed when she started having mobility issues, and I think a bag like this would have been exactly what she was looking for. This is great for anyone who has trouble lifting heavy things,” Scully says.

Comfortable, cute, but basic enough to please everybody, these slippers are a go-to when you just aren’t sure what to get someone. Plus, they have a real suede upper, which is difficult to find at this price point, plus a sturdy outsole, making it easy to take these out of the house if she wants.

“They have an Ortholite foam footbed, which actually is comfortable and meant that I enjoyed wearing these all around the house while I cleaned, cooked, etc.,” says Scully, after testing these. “They are also made with real suede, have a sheepskin scuff, and a faux-fur lining and footbed, which keeps your feet super warm and toasty, even on very cold days (and even when you’re not wearing socks). They fit true to size and quickly became one of my favorites.”

So many comfortable shoes look, well, comfortable — but not especially cool. Not these. The British-made sneakers are designed to be comfortable for people with bunions, wide feet, hammer toes, or hallux rigidus, and they look great doing it. Cool enough to wear to a party or out with her most fashionable friend (she probably is the most fashionable friend), but practical enough for long walks or errands, these will be a go-to for years to come.

“​​These are really beautiful sneakers,” Scully says. “I wouldn’t be afraid to wear these to the office, for example, as well as in my day-to-day. They are also a little wider, which is nice if you have wider feet, and they’re very comfy.”

Everyone needs a good pair of little black boots. These low-heeled boots are made in Portugal specifically for people with wide feet or bunions. They’re made from a buttery suede with a lamb’s leather lining, and they’re just the right heel height for wearing to work, sightseeing, or going out on the town.

“I wore these all day around the city, and my feet, for once, weren’t dying at the end of the day,” Scully says. “The fabric breathes nicely, and they don’t put any pressure on the side of my feet. Their insoles are also nicely cushioned and relatively supportive for this kind of shoe.”

There’s a lot to love about these festive flats. “After months of trying mostly fitness shoes, I was looking for something comfortable but still office-appropriate — and not a high heel,” Scully says. “I’d also been looking for shoes to give my sister, who has bunions. That’s how I found these — and right off the bat, it’s hard not to notice how adorable they are.”

These loafers come in a rainbow of colors and playful embroidered patterns (think cats, florals, plaids, holidays, and more), making them a fun pick for teachers or anyone who likes a little pop of personality in their wardrobe. “Mine are the mustard-yellow Audrey cat pattern ones, but there are a whole bunch I could easily buy because they’re cute and whimsical,” Scully adds. Beyond the charm, they’re incredibly comfortable and practical, especially for those with wider feet.

Give her the look and fit of laces without ever having to deal with an untied shoe at the worst possible moment again (looking at you, escalators and airport walkways). These sneakers from French brand Mephisto are a bit of a splurge but worth every penny for anyone who insists on walking everywhere, because we all have that friend who wants to walk to dinner without first consulting the map. 

In testing, we found they’re especially comfortable for wider feet and even bunion-friendly, thanks to the roomy toe box. We also loved the side zipper, which makes them easy to slip on and off without ever untying the laces. They come in chic, color-blocked combinations that feel polished enough for travel, busy weekends, or casual office days.

For the friend who’s always trying to make hikes happen, this long-sleeve top is a winter must. It’s made from a soft, breathable merino blend that’s plenty warm without being sweaty — ideal for everything from trail runs to chilly morning coffee breaks. Editor Ally Hirschlag says that she “loved the color, the pockets, and the breathability.”

It comes in a feminine blush pink or a timeless black, and it’s made with thoughtful details like offset shoulder seams that help reduce friction when worn under jackets.

This winter jacket works hard to keep you warm while still being chic and without looking like you’re wearing a sleeping bag. There’s a lot to love about this coat. It uses something called Solarball insulation, a lightweight material that converts solar energy into warmth. It’s also water-repellent and windproof.

Scully raved about (all eight!) pockets, saying that there was plenty of space for gloves, dog poop bags, keys, and all her winter walk essentials. She appreciates the recycled polyester filling, which means it’s suitable to give to vegans and vegetarians (down may not be). “The pockets also have magnetic snaps, which I liked. I didn’t have to take off my gloves or struggle to open my pockets to get stuff out. It’s also machine washable, which is nice,” she says.

Even if she seems to have every perfume under the sun, she probably doesn’t have this one. Elevated and unique, this solid, wax-based fragrance is something she can throw on quickly, and it won’t spill or shatter.

Fulton & Roark’s solid perfumes are easy to apply, packaged in metal containers, and are made of a highly concentrated perfumed wax. “These perfumes travel easily — no need to worry about a vial of perfume leaking into your luggage — and they smell wonderful. My favorite is Fulton; it has rich, amber notes, and once applied, the scent sticks around all day,” Tuttle says.

If you know what scents she’s into, you can shop by scent family, including amber, fresh, floral, citrus, warm, wood, or spicy.

Full disclosure: I purchased these 45 minutes into a three-hour road trip when both of my kids were screaming in the back seat (I was in the passenger seat, not driving, for the record). If, like me (and most parents), she gets a bit overstimulated, Loop Quiet 2 Earplugs are the perfect solution. 

They help reduce noise-related stress and sensory sensitivity without blocking out sounds (so she can wear them while the kids are playing with a loud toy and she’ll still be able to have a conversation with you). These earplugs are soft and light, so they’re comfortable to sleep in. They come with three different-sized ear tips, so you can get the perfect fit, plus they have a carrying case for taking on the go (aka on car rides with your kids).

Give your loved ones the gift of a lip balm trifecta — one for the car, one for the nightstand, and one for her bag. This trio is a cute stocking stuffer that’s ready to give, no wrapping paper required (which you’ll be happy about on Christmas Eve). You can even use the ribbon to hang it on a tree.

Each balm is smooth, hydrating, and subtly scented in fun wintery flavors like Candy Cane Fluff, Sugared & Spiced, and Frosted Sugar Plum. “It’s also made of beeswax and organic coconut oil, which are both natural ingredients, so this is a feel-good gift,” Scully says.

This hair mask feels like part science experiment, part clean beauty — in the best way possible. To avoid preservatives, the mask contains two separate parts: a serum and a powder that you mix together and add water to. Once mixed, it looks a bit like brownie batter, with an earthy botanical scent that reminded me of a high-end salon.

The packaging itself is so beautiful that this gift really doesn’t need wrapping paper — it comes in a sturdy, pretty cardboard box with a magnetic closure and an orange ribbon. This left my hair shiny, silky, and feeling super clean (which was nice because it meant I could go longer between washes).

Whether winding down after a long day or trying to soothe a tension headache, this weighted eye mask makes relaxation feel like a small luxury. It can be used for both hot and cold therapy, and it’s crafted from high-quality cotton/linen fabric. It’s strap-free by design, as straps can sometimes add pressure and can make headaches worse. 

Katie Mannion, one of our writers, who tested this product, preferred using it warm. “You heat it up in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time until it reaches the desired temperature,” she says. “What I love about this eye mask is that the outside fabric really doesn’t get too hot.” Available in a range of pretty prints, this mask provides the kind of everyday comfort that feels like a treat after a long or stressful day. And if you want to level up this gift, there’s an option to pair it with a neck wrap for ultimate comfort.

The gift that truly keeps on giving? Refillable soaps in lovely scents. Our tester, writer Julia Childs Heyl, says that these come in generous sizes with clean ingredients and would make a thoughtful gift for eco-conscious friends.

This set comes with three products: a bubble bath (that’s aloe-based, so it won’t be drying), bath oil, and bath salts, which contain magnesium to help her relax. Most of the ingredients will be familiar to her, so she doesn’t have to feel icky about what’s going in her tub.

This luxe body-care set will make her feel great from morning to night. She can start her day with the airy body soufflé that contains an energizing blend of lemongrass and spearmint. The lavender eucalyptus soap is downright spa-like any time of day, and the Drift Away Bath Soak is rich in relaxing salts and scented with lavender to help her unwind in the evening.

“I really love the ethos behind it. I’ve been familiar with the brand for a while and always admired their impact,” says Childs Heyl. One hundred percent of proceeds go to survivors of gender-based violence, who physically make these gift sets.

She’ll love slipping into these soft bamboo sheets every night. Made from ultrasoft bamboo viscose, this set has a silky, cooling feel, but not so much that you feel like you’re sliding around on it. Tester Ziegler put it well: “I can’t get over how soft they are. I don’t typically like things that are slippery soft, and these are as soft as you can get without it feeling slippery.”

If she’s tired of the wrestling match required to get sheets on, these are also a good bet. “I appreciate the deep pockets on the fitted sheet. It fits over my mattress and mattress topper without requiring me to yank it on,” Ziegler says.

“This blanket really is heavy, but once you get it on you, it does actually calm you down. I was kind of a skeptic before I got this,” says Scully. But it helped to calm some of the anxiety she’d been experiencing.

This blanket is art you can cuddle up with. “This is neither the warmest blanket I tried, nor the most practical, nor the most affordable, and yet it’s one of my favorites,” Scully says. “It’s soft, without being overly soft, and it is colorful. It looks almost handmade (which is because it was made by artists). I also really love that it is made of 100 percent Egyptian cotton, and it has quickly become my favorite blanket in the living room. It’s also pretty enough to keep out all year long.”

Bonus: Its machine-washable care means whomever is lucky enough to get this won’t dread its upkeep.

“This pillow has changed everything about how I sleep,” says Swanson. It comes fully stuffed with shredded foam, which you can take out or add to to get “the right amount of firmness and support,” Swanson adds. She likes the special neck roll chambers that hold filling in place too. 

The pillow is made with Purple’s signature Honeycomb GelFlex Grid, which offers cooling and pressure relief in a comfortable grid texture. It’s weighty without being overly heavy. I also have this pillow, and I’ll leave you with this endorsement: I brought it with me to the hospital when I had my son, and the labor and delivery nurse said it was the nicest pillow she’d ever seen (and presumably that woman has seen a lot of pillows).

We’ve all had the experience of assuming we’ll remember something and then looking back months or years later and realizing the memory is a blur. This gorgeous, embroidered five-year journal helps serve as a record of her life, and it doesn’t take more than a few quick sentences a day. It’s great for people who want to remember funny things their kids say, how they felt at a certain time, or even just what they were doing a year ago.

Scully, who tested this product, says, “The candles come in a heavy-duty glass jar — it’s thick and feels well made — that can be reused or refilled. In fact, the company sells a refill eco candle making kit on its website, if you want to refill it. The scents are mild but relaxing.” She particularly likes the Midnight Jasmine scent, which she says felt very floral and natural. She also enjoyed the Into the Forest scent, and she appreciates that it didn’t have an artificial pine scent.

Break the mold and give her this gift around Thanksgiving to set her up for the most festive holiday season yet. The full-color book includes 30 recipes for food and cocktails, including fan favorites like pull-apart pastry puffs or espresso martinis, plus fun party ideas, bits of Christmas history, and ideas to make the holiday season extra special.

“It’s a really cute, fun, breezy guide to casual entertaining, gifting, cooking, and crafting at the holidays,” says Campbell. “The recipes were great because they were simple and the ingredients weren’t too outlandish; I have most of the stuff in the pantry already. Nearly every recipe is 10 ingredients or less. There are recipes for snacks, sweets, and drinks for parties, homemade food kit gifts, home decor craft instructions, and holiday hosting tips.”

There’s a lot to love about this sunrise alarm clock, starting with its simplicity. “You don’t need to connect to an app to program it or use it. It’s totally screen-free — even the clockface feels more calming because it doesn’t have plastic,” Scully says.

It has a beautiful, minimalist look with a wood base and fabric clock front that gives it a natural, grounding feel. On top sits a real carved Himalayan salt rock in the shape of a sphere that glows as it lights up. “I got the white one, which looks a bit like a moon when lit up, but the company also has a very popular pink one too (that tends to sell out quickly),” Scully notes. This sunrise clock makes a lovely, thoughtful gift for anyone trying to create a calmer morning routine or add a grounding touch to their nightstand.

Whether she’s sober-curious, trying to cut back, or just not all that interested in drinking, she’ll appreciate these festive drinks that make any evening feel special — sans booze. This variety pack includes four nonalcoholic cocktail flavors: Ginger Mule, Paloma, Spicy Margarita, and Negroni Spritz, and it’s a good entry point into the brand. My personal favorites are the Paloma and Negroni Spritz, which are refreshing, crisp, and feel elegant, especially when poured over ice in a wine glass.

This isn’t the type of mocktail that’s really a sugary soda disguised in cute packaging. They all have zero sugar and are just 5 calories. They’re also made with reishi mushrooms and botanical terpenes that help to chill you out, without any of the regret that comes with that third drink.

This truly is a gift you can give anyone on your list, because it works just as well for your best friend as it does your kid’s bus driver. The olive oil and balsamic vinegar duo feels elevated and festive, while still being useful and pretty universally liked.

“I thought both Laconiko’s olive oil and balsamic vinegar had a great flavor,” says Tuttle. “They’re nuanced enough that I save them for drizzling on items where the flavors can really shine. The olive oil in particular has a fresh, green, buttery taste that I really enjoy.”

Bonus: These drinks come with a three-month subscription to the meditation app Calm.