Our Favorite Gifts of 2025

CR writer Jessica Waller enjoys giving cookbooks as gifts to friends and loved ones. This year, she has her eye on this particular book, which she recently came across at the library. “I’ve been cooking my way through it for a few weeks and won’t be stopping anytime soon, thanks to its perfect blend of highly practical yet still interesting weeknight meals—try the One-Pot Gnocchi Ragu—alongside more project-focused entries for when you have more time on the weekend. The Buttermilk Ginger Scones were a hit!” Waller says. “I love how this book highlights the duality of cooking: that it’s a necessity—we have to eat!—but can also be such a pleasure.”

Delicious olive oil is always a welcome gift for anyone who loves to cook, and this version from Flamingo Estate is not to be missed. Made from organically grown and hand-harvested olives, this cold-pressed extra-virgin olive oil is vibrant and peppery, with subtle notes of softer fruit. A customizable label allows you to personalize each bottle you give.

Although this version wasn’t included in our evaluations of the best extra-virgin olive oils last year, I love it for dressing salads or simply using it as a dip.

A curated basket of sweet treats and baked goods always makes a thoughtful holiday gift. Pair them with a small cutting board or serving plate, a festive tea towel, and don’t forget to throw in a delectable jam or preserve. “Finding a good sour cherry preserve is tricky,” says CR managing editor Ginger Cowles. “Often, they are way too sweet and therefore taste nothing like sour cherries. American Spoon gets it right. I have given a jar of their Sour Cherry Preserves to friends with a basket of homemade scones. It’s always a hit!”

The secret to a seamless dinner party lies in the preparation that goes into it well before guests arrive. Ina Garten can do no wrong in my book, and that rings especially true when it comes to entertaining. Her cookbook “Make It Ahead” has been a saving grace. It’s chock-full of mouthwatering recipes that you can, well, make ahead, which means you won’t be scrambling the day of. Don’t skip Garten’s roasted vegetarian lasagna and tres leches cake.

These resting stones from Material Kitchen are quite versatile. Apart from using them as intended (as a spoon rest), they can also serve as a vessel for salt or even a tray for trinkets. Made from handcrafted glass, these brightly colored stones are functional and aesthetically pleasing.

I bought one of these whimsical bowls on a trip to Paris years ago and have been infatuated with it ever since. The cabbage-inspired piece makes the perfect dip bowl or candy display. I’ve also accumulated a matching version in a cream color along with two small dessert platters, which I love to bring out when entertaining. They’re quite the conversation starters!

This timeless cheese knife set has all the essentials one needs for a holiday grazing board: a cleaver for hard cheeses, a spreader for the soft ones, and a fork-tipped spear for serving the pieces. Pair this gift with a block of Brie and your go-to crackers or a fresh baguette.

Les Ottomans’ hand-painted iron trays are perfect for design lovers and versatile enough to use in just about any room in your house or apartment. Put one on your coffee table, use it as a catchall for beauty products on a vanity, or simply display it as an artful accent.

One of my favorite gift ideas for a holiday host is to buy repurposed store-bought flowers in a beautiful vase. Cue this baroque-inspired, terracotta vase that’s prime for a dramatic arrangement of seasonal florals. It packs a punch and saves the host from having to worry about finding a vase for cut flowers.

East Fork’s two-toned mugs are equal parts beautiful and durable. Available in a set of four and a wide array of fun colorways, these dishwasher- and microwave-safe mugs will be a welcome addition to your morning brew. Made in North Carolina, each mug can hold between 10 and 12 ounces, the latter when filled to the brim. The coffee lover in your life will be pleased with this one.

If you can’t make it to that dream getaway, revel in its beauty from afar. Assouline’s “Capri Dolce Vita” is a book of inspired images from the iconic Italian island that will have you aching with wanderlust. The dreamy coffee table book is one you’ll find yourself leafing through while cuddled on the couch on a cold winter’s day.

My family’s holiday gatherings always feature a few friendly rounds of board games, and backgammon is a mainstay. I love this version from Printworks, reimagined in vivid colors and bright patterns. It’s a fun twist on a classic.

Treat the fashionista in your life to this beautifully illustrated collection of photographs that chronicle the former First Lady’s style evolution. “I received Michelle Obama’s new book, ‘The Look,’ this week, and it is the perfect coffee table book. It’s beautiful to display, and the photos and insights from Obama’s stylist are just lovely,” Cowles says. “If you’re a fan of Michelle Obama or even a fan of fashion lookbooks, this is a great gift.”

Upgrade an artist’s standard watercolor palette with this Japanese paint set. It features colors inspired by shades found in nature, and they dry with a slight shiny finish.

Once the weather cools, few things can compare with snuggling up on the couch with a warm, oversized throw. Cue this faux fur version from Quince, which is both luxurious and comforting. At under $100, it seems too good to pass up.

We love good slippers as much as the next person, and these sheepskin-lined ones with a smooth, suede exterior are as cozy as can be. Their lightweight platform gives them a welcome boost, plus you can wear them indoors or out.

Finding a great gift for Dad can be tough, but here’s one he might just love: cozy slippers he can stylishly relish during the colder months. These classic ones from Ugg feature a sheepskin insole and a full-grain leather top that’s bound to keep him warm.

“I was gifted this diffuser by a friend and can honestly say it has been one of the best gifts I’ve received in a long time,” says senior writer Jodhaira Rodriguez. The Aera diffuser’s claim to fame is its use of patented technology designed to deliver a “hypoallergenic” scent experience and fill rooms up to 1,000 square feet. You can set the device on a schedule and adjust its output levels. “As a former frequent candle burner, I love that this diffuser gives me control over the intensity of a scent that candles never allowed. There are so many scents available, too.”

Something as simple as a splurge-worthy body wash can be a little luxury that goes a long way. Bathing Culture’s line of green-minded and deliciously scented bath products is a prime example. I’ve been a longtime user and can attest to its allure. It also happens to be a hit with shopping editor Mary Beth Quirk. “I absolutely love the smell of the Cathedral Grove scent; it’s refreshing without being too overpowering,” she says. “I also like its silky texture and the fact that a little goes a long way. I only have to use a small amount on my washcloth, so it’ll take me a while to work my way through the bottle.”