My friends and family are always so happy to have me, their Shopping Editor, in their lives. I’m their Delphi oracle when it comes to beauty, of course, but online shopping in general. However, there is a downside to this as well. That’s a story I hear a lot. This means that you cannot shop.
That got me thinking. What gifts can impress those who are considered gift-poor? To answer this question, I spoke to over a dozen colleagues (at a bakery) who also happen to be experts in the field of shopping. I heard it. They each gave me special gifts that I still admire to this day, and I wanted to share a little inside knowledge with you.
13 Shopping Editors’ Favorite Gifts
Keurig K-Supreme K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker, $99 (originally $179). amazon.com Epson EpiqVision Flex CO-W01 Portable Projector, $300 (originally $370). bestbuy.com Swarovski Bella Crystal Earrings Collection, $51; amazon.com Coach Willow Tote Bag, $350. Coach.com Emmy Paintbrush Hand Painted Custom Pet Portrait Ornament, $43. etsy.com Summer Friday Jet Lag Hydrating Face Mask, $49. amazon.com Barnes & Noble Nook GlowLight 4, $150. barnesandnoble.com Bose QuietComfort Bluetooth headphones, $199 (originally $349). amazon.com Bombas Women’s Solid Half Calf Socks 4-Pack, $53 (originally $56). Bombas.com Catbird Dollhouse Gold Locket, $150 (originally $198). catbirdnyc.com Sandro Yza bag, $340 (originally $425). nordstrom.com Vitruvi Stone Essential Oil Diffuser, $86 (originally $125). amazon.com Allen Sports Deluxe 2-Car Trunk Mount Rack, $44 (originally $60). Amazon.com
Keurig K-Supreme K Cup Pod Coffee Maker
I’m an avid coffee drinker, so I consider my Keurig K-Supreme to be one of the best gifts I’ve ever received, but it’s also hard to part with things. I kept my old Keurig even though it was long past its prime. My husband decided to gift me this newer and better upgrade, knowing I would never replace it myself. It does everything you need. Just press a button and you’ll have perfectly freshly brewed coffee every morning. On days when I need a pick-me-up, I opt for an iced latte that this Keurig makes in seconds. — Cher Checchio, Beauty Copy Editor
Epson EpiqVision Flex CO-W01 Portable Projector
I really hate it when the TV dictates the layout of the living room. Why does my home’s feng shui depend on a giant black rectangle? So my setup is a ceiling-mounted retractable screen and a projector. The latter has long been a paltry $80 from Amazon, but I paid for it elsewhere. You couldn’t watch TV during the day, the quality was mediocre, and it quickly depreciated in value.
My brother gave me this Epson projector because I’m a movie buff (I have Criterion, Shudder, Mubi, etc.) and I complain about movies a lot. Although this brand’s projectors are top-of-the-line, they also tend to cost thousands of dollars. EpoqVision is its lower-priced model, but it doesn’t feel like it. The quality was incredibly crisp, and rewatching some movies felt like I was watching them for the first time. It also easily connects to the operating system you use at home (in my case, a Roku soundbar). I got it a few years ago and it’s the gift I’ve gotten the most miles on. — Tamim Alnuweiri, Senior Commerce Beauty Writer
Swarovski Bella Crystal Earrings Collection
These were an anniversary gift from my ex-boyfriend, but I actually threw away the shoes he gave me after we broke up in a fit of rage. But after wearing them every day for over a year, I realized that I really like these earrings. It’s sparkly and chic, yet practical and understated, and will pull any outfit together. I ended up repurchasing the pair myself. Perhaps that expression of independence is the greatest gift of all. — Zara Kabalana, Associate Editorial Director
coach willow tote bag
I don’t usually make wish lists or tell people what I want for the holidays, but two years ago I actually made a request. I needed a versatile bag that I could use for all sorts of purposes, whether it was at work or running errands. meanwhile. Luckily, my husband understood the challenge and gifted me a Coach Willow tote bag. Practical for daily use, large enough to hold laptop, books, phone, wallet, water bottle, etc. It’s refreshing but doesn’t get stuffy, so it’s easy to match with everything from loungewear to shift dresses. — Alyssa Morin, Commerce Senior Editor
Emmy Award Paintbrush Hand Painted Custom Pet Portrait Ornament
A friend gave me this a few years ago during our annual Secret Santa gift exchange, and it has become my most treasured Christmas ornament. (JSYK: Pet parents always appreciate pet-related gifts!) This was an especially thoughtful gift because it was a hand-painted portrait of my rescue dog, Cleo. I think especially as you get older, you really start to appreciate thoughtful gifts. Especially with you in mind. — Erika Reals, Commerce Senior Editor
Summer Friday Jet Lag Hydration Face Mask
Holidays coincide with dry skin season, so I always order this Summer Friday mask. It’s rich and rich and one of the only moisturizers that actually hydrates my dehydrated skin. As the name suggests, it is perfect for refreshing while traveling. I’ve received this mask several times during the holiday season, and each time it’s been the gift I use the most. There’s nothing more practical than a gift you’ll actually use every day. — Isabel Bekele, commercial writer
Barnes & Noble Nook Grow Light 4
I’m an avid reader. Reading is one of my favorite ways to spend my free time, whether it’s on my way to work, before bed, or while relaxing on a Sunday afternoon. I hate reading from a screen, and paper books are heavy, so the expense of the hobby adds up quickly. My Nook saves space and money in your apartment (ebooks are usually much cheaper than paper books). I always carry a book with me, so it’s very stylish and portable. It’s great to have on board for long trips, and e-readers have kept the latest spicy romances out of the public eye. This is definitely the most used gift I’ve ever received. Since switching to this glare-free e-reader, I’ve been reading more than ever. — Shannon Bauer, Associate Editorial Director
Bose QuietComfort Bluetooth Headphones
I used to tease my boyfriend that I had very expensive Bose noise-cancelling headphones until he bought me my own. This headphone changed my life. As someone with undiagnosed misophonia, they have made work and travel so much easier. You can shut out all the annoying sounds in your life. Now I can’t imagine my life without these headphones. — Kelly Chiello, Director of Photography
Bombas Women’s Solid Half Calf Socks 4 Pack
My favorite gifts are often the ones that I can actually use every day – the most practical. There’s nothing more practical than socks. I have been obsessed with socks ever since I was given a pair of Bombas socks for Christmas a few years ago. They are very comfortable to wear and have become a staple item for fall and winter. The brand’s lineup changes with the seasons, but right now I’m obsessed with their thick, durable, and stylish half-calf socks. — Christina Butan, Senior Commercial Editor
catbird dollhouse gold locket
I felt really special when my parents gifted me this very thoughtful item. It’s an item I’ve always wanted, but I don’t think I would buy for myself, and what’s more, it has a beautiful cursive “I” engraved on it.
I don’t change my jewelry often, so I like that it’s a quality piece that I can wear every day, including in the shower, and never take it off. Matching it with other gold accessories, the understated look is just my style. While they’re not actually vintage, they have an old-school aesthetic that I love, and the brand says they’re made in a family-run workshop that’s been around since the 19th century. — Eileen Richardson, commercial writer
Sandro Isa bag
My boyfriend gave me this as a gift last Christmas, and not only did I love the design, but I was also very impressed with his taste in bags (which made it top my list of favorite gifts). This is the reason). I love that this bag is large enough to hold my phone, wallet, keys, lip gloss, etc., yet compact and classy enough to wear on formal occasions. It has all the hallmarks of a designer bag costing 10 times the price: it looks stylish, luxurious, and is made from high-quality materials. — Christina Oehler, Senior Commercial Editor
Vitruvi Stone Essential Oil Diffuser
My twin sister knew I wanted a Vitruvi diffuser from the moment she saw it, and she made my wish come true a few years before the holiday season. A go-to for Gwenyth Paltrow, Sarah Jessica Parker, and other tastemakers, this forward-looking essential oil diffuser is one of the prettiest items on my nightstand. (Among the countless diffusers I’ve tried, this one is unparalleled in every way.) Add a few drops of oil to water and it creates a gentle, seductive mist that scents the air around you. . In addition to being cute, this diffuser is functional. For example, it has a timer function that allows you to fall asleep without turning it off. Additionally, the base emits a soft glow that is perfect for use as a night light. I’m sure my bedroom would be a lot less cozy and stylish without this gorgeous gadget. — Sophie Wirt, commercial writer
Allen Sport Deluxe 2 Car Trunk Mount Rack
Cycling is a small hobby, but it’s not enough to express my personality. I also have friends who ride bicycles, but they don’t live nearby. I have a small toy car that can barely fit 4 people, so it’s impossible to ride a bike together. So I was pleasantly surprised when I was gifted this bike mount. I thought it was a very unique gift and not something I would buy myself. — Jaclyn Mastropasqua, Associate Production Director