Editor Obsessions: Gifts We’re Planning to Give This Year

You know how coffee always goes cold before you finish it? That’s how I feel after coming out of the shower. Cold and the joy is gone. A towel warmer fixes that and I’m trying to introduce everyone in my family to this luxury that they didn’t know they needed. It’s such a treat and makes your bathroom feel like a spa. —Sarai Thompson

I’ve been a big fan of Bose for years, so when I got my hands on the newest generation of their Soundlink Flex speaker, I knew exactly what to get my giftees this year. It’s the goldilocks of portable speakers, not too large, not too small, and it sounds just right. I’m also a sucker for tech in gorgeous colors and Bose never disappoints. I’m planning to get one in Citrus Yellow for my best friend, and Alpine Sage for my partner. — Alessandra Rey

I thought I knew what safe water tasted like…until I came across this water filter pitcher from LifeStraw. It filters over 30 contaminants (like bacteria, microplastics, and forever chemicals), while also improving taste. It’s very sleek so it’s not a total eyesore on your countertop and makes for a great hostess gift. Plus, for every product sold, a child in need gets a year’s supply of safe water. Psst…get 20% off starting October 19 through November 1.* — Alessandra Rey

I saw my girl Molly-Mae Hague sipping her iced coffee with gorgeous glass straws, and suddenly, I wanted gorgeous glass straws for my iced coffee. These bow-adorned straws will also make cute stocking stuffers for the Gen Zers in my life. Bonus points for being dishwasher-safe. —Caroline Goldstein

This year my mom’s really been on a wellness journey, which has made me so proud of her. She’s been getting into daily meditation, journaling, and affirmation work. To help her on this journey, I plan to gift her a Calm membership. The app provides guided meditations, sleep stories, soundscapes, and so much more. She’s not the best sleeper, so doing some breathwork and visualization before bed can help her fall asleep faster. —Alexandra Napoli

One of my greatest wins: getting my fiancé into a basic skincare routine. He fell in love with Dieux’s Baptism Gel Cleanser after stealing mine, and now he (like me) can’t live without it. It’s the perfect everything cleanser that’ll remove dirt, oil, sweat, sunscreen, and more without overly stripping your skin. I’ll be stocking up on a bottle or two for him ahead of the holidays. The best gifts are those you’d never buy for yourself. —Margo Ghertner

Socks are such an underrated gift, and my fiancé is also in need of some regular, no-frills quarter socks. These Bombas have a seamless toe, a cushioned footbed, and arch support. I also love that when you shop from Bombas, they’ll donate socks to those in need. —Margo Ghertner

There’s just something about a personalized gift that makes me smile, even when I’m the one giving it. This hand-engraved calligraphy is so stunning that, no matter what their name is, you know it’ll turn out beautifully. When they pull this out of their purse to check their teeth or reapply their favorite lip combo, they’ll be transported back to the glamour of the 1920s. It’s the little things. —Martha Upton

I received this pajama set as a gift last year, and my first thought was, Oh great, another pajama set I won’t wear. But I stand corrected. Last winter there was nary a night that I didn’t look forward to slipping these on after a long, hot shower. There's something magical about this fabric — it’s incredibly soft on your skin and warm enough for the chilliest nights, but it also won’t overheat you (coming from someone who overheats easily). I’ll be gifting these to everyone I know so they can experience the magic. —Martha Upto

I had a charm bracelet like this when I was growing up, and with custom jewelry trending in full force, I’m helping these make a comeback. You can select how many charms you want, which dictates how big the bracelet is, and they’re all so unique. It’s just the right mix of retro and kitsch — peep the matching soulmate and slice of pizza charms — that they’ll want to wear it every day. Plus, selecting each charm tells them that you put a lot of thought into it. —Martha Upton

I recently tried the Pebbles from Kate McLeod and have become so obsessed. They’re perfect for a zen shower moment. They dissolve pretty quickly when wet, so you get to moisturize your skin first and then exfoliate thanks to the formula within. My sister is a first-time mom this year, so I want to gift her these to help her selfcare routine. I know having a baby pretty much demolishes a sense of normalcy, so anything to help her get some calm and time to herself. —Alexandra Napoli