I’m a semi-competitive shopper. These are my 12 favorite finds for someone who has everything

Umi Tea Sets

Walnut Adjustable Electronic Tea Stove Heater

$83

$83 at Umi Tea Sets

Katy Chui, a lawyer and tea aficionado, first discovered this elegant little heater at a cafe in Berkeley: “It was perfect and probably bad for business because no one left,” she says. With its walnut frame and adjustable temperature dial, it keeps tea warm throughout the day (or night), making it an ideal gift for anyone whose New Year’s resolution is “spend less time and money at cafes”.

KEVA

Bonjour Mahjong Art Pop and Gallery Tray

$20

$20 at KEVA

Ali Linkov, owner of Foxy Red boutique in Lambertville, New Jersey, stocks an eclectic mix of housewares that feel of-the-moment without veering into “too obvious” territory. Right now, that means a carefully-curated assortment of mahjong-related pieces, and for the friend who’s made mahjong their entire personality, this colorful design by artist Jessi Raulet is a winning gift. Available as an interchangeable insert for KEVA’s gallery trays, it can brighten up game night or hang on the wall afterward.

Retrospekt

Snoopy’s Beagle Scouts CP-81 Cassette Player

$99

$99 at Moma Design Store

Speaking of things that feel of-the-moment and also, somehow, completely timeless, this Snoopy-themed portable cassette player is the kind of thing 80- and eight-year-olds will be equally delighted by (and if anyone shopping for me is reading this, I’d be pretty excited to get this myself). Make 2027 the year of physical media and throw in a few cassette tapes to get their collection started.

Ban.do

Game Night! Peg Game

$17

$17 at Ban.do

For the friend who wants to do more hanging out and less scrolling phones, Drew Zandonella-Stannard, a writer and creative, suggests this colorful peg game from Ban.do, which doubles as a cheerful coffee-table accessory, making it an ideal gift for design-conscious friends who love a little friendly competition. It’s also a clever housewarming party present, since it also makes for an instant activity.

Nostalgia

3-Tier Party Fountain

$55

$55 at Amazon

Speaking of party-themed gifts: “A friend is having a divorce party and I bought her this,” said Zandonella-Stannard. A recent divorcee isn’t the only person who would love this – anyone who prides themselves on being a good host will also welcome this into their party repertoire.

Glasshouse Fragrances

Kyoto in Bloom Candle and Spinning Carousel

from $85

$85 at Nordstrom$85 at Bloomingdale’s

It is a truth universally acknowledged that every gift guide must have a candle on it – I don’t make the rules, but I do follow them! Even devoted candle collectors probably don’t own one that moves. This Glasshouse Fragrances set features a gold carousel that spins above the flame, and has a floral fragrance with notes of camellia, lotus, amber and sandalwood. This is the kind of gift I’d give to an aspiring fancy person – someone who wants to dip their toes into being indulgent, one high-end candle at a time.

John Derian

Flowers Coloring Book

$30

$30 at John Derian

This floral-themed collection brings John Derian’s distinctive vintage-inspired aesthetic to a wonderfully low-stakes creative activity. Pair it with a beautiful set of colored pencils for the friend who doesn’t have the attention span for needlepoint.

Olipop

Crisp Apple Soda

from $24

$24 at Amazon$36 at Olipop

I’m something of a beverage expert – self-proclaimed, I haven’t gone to beverage school or anything. Of all the drinks I’ve tried over the last 12 months, nothing has come close to the flavor of this soda (it’s healthy!) that somehow perfectly captures the essence of Martinelli’s Sparkling Apple Cider, but with prebiotics. Stick a red bow on the box and bring these to every party you’re invited to from now until Valentine’s Day.

Line Phono

Magic Audio Brush for Records and Gear

$20

$20 at Turntable Lab

Over the last several years more and more corners of my living room have been devoted to record storage – I wasn’t kidding about physical media! My husband, the librarian and custodian of our collection, pulled out this brush one day and our LPs have been dust-free ever since. Its approximately 100,000 soft synthetic bristles remove debris from records, turntables and audio equipment, making for a smoother listening experience.

Fishs Eddy

Butter Stick Butter Dish

$48

$48 at Fishs Eddy

Has anyone else noticed that everything is butter now? Seriously: socks, hair clips, stuffed animals – they’re all shaped like butter, probably because of a TikTok trend I am too old to know about. That’s why I’m tickled by this butter dish from gift-guide standby Fishs Eddy, who excels at crafting kitchen accessories that take themselves just seriously enough.

Gammarelli

Mid-calf Socks

$29

$29 at Mes Chausettes Rouges

Another gift-guide staple? Socks, of course! There are many directions you could go in here, but as they say, all roads lead to Rome, so I picked the fine lisle variety made by Gammarelli, also known as the place where the Pope gets his socks.

Marvis

Cinnamon Mint Toothpaste

from $10.50

$10.50 at Amazon$11 at Derm Store

As the proprietress of a popular shop in a Hallmark-y town, Linkov is no stranger to people rushing in to search for last-minute stocking stuffers, and for that there’s nothing better than a tube of Marvis’s Cinnamon Mint toothpaste. Yes, toothpaste is not the most obvious gift, but that is precisely the appeal, and this one comes with a beautifully retro tube that makes an everyday routine feel surprisingly luxurious. At about $12, it’s an affordable treat for someone who appreciates a little indulgence first thing in the morning.

Haflinger

Roots Slippers

from $160

$160 at Zappos$160 at Amazon

Slippers might seem like an uninspired gift until you’ve tried a really good pair. These Haflinger Roots slippers offer the kind of cozy comfort that makes staying home feel like an occasion. Their understated design – those sweet embroidered vegetables! – will put a smile on the face of anyone who can’t wait to get back into the garden as soon as the frost melts.

Deliberico

Serrano Shoulder Ham by Fermín

$209

$209 at Deliberico

The best part of any historic house or castle tour is getting to visit the kitchens–there’s always a huge fireplace, gleaming copper kettles, and an array of meats hanging from the ceiling, to give you a sense of what it was like to be rich in Ye Olden Times. This ham has a similar vibe, and it ensures your recipient will always have an easy snack on hand!

Kitsch

Satin Sleep Scrunchies

from $8

$8 at Nordstrom$10 at Kitsch

Modern life is hard enough these days–no one has time to be carefully combing knots out of tangled hair! Enter these silky-smooth scrunchies, which somehow prevent nighttime knots from forming for even the most restless sleepers. I’d put these in a stocking, and also keep a pack on hand for the friend who “just couldn’t resist” getting you a little something even though you’d already said this was a no-gifts year.

The Six Bells

Cloved Orange Garland

$55

$55 at The Six Bells

For the grown-up American Girl doll on your list, who has always wanted to make her own pomander balls but never found the time.

House of Bruar

Harris Tweed Hip Flask Keyring

$14

$14 at House of Bruar

For the Scotch aficionado (or Outlander superfan), this cheeky keyring flask holds a wee nip of whatever drink you like, and the tweed wrapping is hand-woven in the Outer Hebrides.

Vermont Country Store

Real Accordion for Kids

$48

$48 at Vermont Country Store

As a DINK, I am always on the hunt for gifts that will delight the children of my friends while also annoying said friends just a little bit. This accordion is a noise-maker for sure, but it’s also screen-free, so everyone wins!