What makes a great gift? The Strategist staff has spent a lot of time pondering this question. After curating hundreds of gift guides each year for everybody from Pilates obsessives to birders to gadget dads, we’ve figured out how to appear extra thoughtful, even if you happen to be shopping at the very last minute or you’re working within a tight budget.
Below, you’ll find 100 foolproof gifts that our writers and editors would be pleased to both give and receive — in fact, many of us have done so several times over. Some of them are nongeneric standbys that we fall back on when buying gifts for people who we don’t know very well. Others are hyperspecific and come recommended by experts like our resident children’s-toy tester, our kitchen writer, or the always tasteful Secret Strategist newsletter team. We’ve also included picks from all-time-great celebrity gifters like Amy Sedaris, some of which have featured in New York’s annual holiday-season gift issue.
We’ve got gifts that smell good (but aren’t candles), gifts that smell good (and are candles), and gifts that don’t smell at all, because some people are quite fussy about that. You’ll also find items worthy of dads who hate getting gifts, moms who are used to getting terrible gifts, and kids and teens of different ages. When in doubt, get them an edible gift that won’t clutter up their apartment or something sparkly and silly but also kind of useful. Just don’t forget the wrapping paper. And for more of our very favorite products that would also make good gifts, check out our Travel Hall of Fame, Wedding Registry Hall of Fame, and Best in Class Hall of Fame.
