We work full-time on discovering the absolute best products for HuffPost Shopping. All those hours spent have turned us into shopping experts — and make gift-giving season extra fun, since we get to put our knowledge to use picking out the coolest gifts for our loved ones.
So if you’re stumped on what holidaygifts to get, allow us to give you an inside scoop on the biggest-hits we’ve given in the past and the presents we’re psyched to hand out this year. There’s a little bit of everything in here, compiled across our team of personalities, with options for adults and kids alike. Read on our personal favorites; (almost) everything is under $50!
HuffPost and its publishing partners may receive a commission from some purchases made via links on this page. Every item is independently curated by the HuffPost Shopping team. Prices and availability are subject to change.
“Anyone who loves (and lives in) their PJs will be in for a delightful surprise with these Hanna Andersson long johns. Made of breathable organic cotton, they get softer and softer the more you wash them.
I’m convinced they are the holy grail of pajamas; I own five so that I’ll never be caught without a clean pair. I stand behind them so aggressively that I’m confident they’ll outdo whatever other comfies are in my loved ones’ PJ drawers.
They fit all heights due to their tapered ankles and are great for folks with texture sensitivities, thanks to their flat, smooth seams.” — Haley Zovickian, shopping writer
The long johns come in unisex adult sizes XS-XXL and in six whimsical striped colors. Also, heads up: They’re currently on sale so grab them while sizes are well stocked.
“I purchased these Target sweatpants for my partner after catching a feel of them in the store and being blown away by their softness. Since bringing them home, he’s declared that they are his favorite lounge pants that he owns and loves how they are the perfect mid-weight fabric — not to heavy and not too thin.” — Tessa Flores, shopping writer
These Goldilocks-worthy sweats come in men’s sizes XS-XXL, 3XL-5XL and in men’s tall and big and tall options. You can grab them in 10 colors (all currently on sale)!
Promising review: “I haven’t liked wearing sweat pants since I was 6 years old until now. These are the most comfortable, best fitting pants, with actual useful pockets I’ve ever had.” — sinchsw
“Target’s 400-thread count performance sheets will require little introduction with our audience. Their sturdy and shockingly high-quality construction combined with an impossibly reasonable price makes them an irresistible purchase for… well, practically anyone with a bed. I have a set at home that my mom recently asked about, so I have my eye on them for a holiday gift this season. The packaging is also much nicer than it needs to be. And, if a full sheet set sounds like too much gift, know that you buy these sheets piecemeal and get an individual fitted sheet or pillowcase set as a stocking stuffer.” — Emily Ruane, managing editor
The beloved sheet set comes in 12 colors and four sizes.
Promising review: “This is the fourth set of these sheets I’ve purchased and I honestly had to stop myself from buying more. They are just perfect in every way. The fact that they’re 100% cotton is top of my list – I absolutely cannot stand sleeping on microfiber or anything else and these feel amazingly soft and comfortable. I also can’t ever go back to standard fitted sheets with only the bottom elastic because these with the double elastic have raised my bar. They NEVER slip off. I am a very active sleeper and move around in bed a lot, but it’s no problem for these sheets. I cannot give them a high enough review. Buy them!” — frasertaser
A bidet — to make sure you’re clean as a whistle instead of just scraping toilet paper around — is no longer just a luxury. Reviewers say that bidets have been so life-changing for themselves that they’ve gifted multiple to family members and close friends. Rest assured, as a reviewer named Lee put it: “The more people get familiar with bidets, the more they like having them.”
The person Lee gifted a bidet to “turned around and purchased another one for their second bathroom,” so don’t underestimate how much this gift can be a hit.
Luxe Bidet’s Neo 120 Plus is the brand’s bestselling option; it comes with intuitive water pressure and mode selection knobs, plus everything else you need for installation and to get started.
Promising review: “Our first bidet was a gift from our son who said it would be life changing! He was right. I have since prompted the sale of at least 20. I couldn’t imagine living without one now.” — Jan
“For a friend’s birthday once, I stored smaller gifts inside a personalized canvas tote bag just like this one, which lets you pick their initial to display on the front side with a flower. It was a nice way to have a gift-within-a-gift, and the tote is more usable than a standard gift bag.
This tote has reinforced handles, an inside pocket with a zipper, a button closure on top and enough room to function as a beach bag or hold a laptop. Just be aware that only 20 out of 26 letters of the alphabet are available for this one, so you’ll want to check whether your recipient’s name fits the bill. You’ll also be happy to know that for many options here, they’re available to ship in two days for Prime members!” — Erica Kam, shopping writer
Promising review: “Ordered this bag as a welcome gift for a new employee. She loved it! Everybody needs a ‘work’ bag, and this is perfect. You can throw everything in it on your way out the house and off to work you go. It’s durable and large enough to carry all your stuff for work, including your lunch.” — Nina Ruiz
“Cat- and puzzle-lovers tend to overlap, in my experience, because both groups have absolutely loved this cat-themed jigsaw puzzle. Nicknamed ‘The Chorus’ for its symphony of adorably expressive cats, the puzzle has 504 pieces, so it’ll keep your recipient happily occupied without being too challenging.” — Zovickian
A “postcard puzzle” option with 24 pieces is also available elsewhere on seller Rebecca Salinas’s Etsy page.
Promising review: “I bought this as a birthday gift for a family friend who loves cats. She was so happy about it! Such a cute and fun design!!” — Atsuko
“I was once gifted a Dash mini waffle maker as a housewarming present, and it transformed my Sunday mornings. The 4-inch iron made perfectly-sized waffles for me as someone living alone, though I imagine it could also be a hit for young kids (or anyone who appreciates a good waffle, honestly). The indicator light and nonstick surface make the appliance easy to operate and clean, and with the number of colors available, this is a fun way to add a little personality to your recipient’s kitchen.” — Kam
“If you’re a regular reader of this site, you’re probably extremely tired of hearing me talk about Melissa and Doug’s Water Wow painting books, but there’s really no better diversion or stocking stuffer for a toddler/preschooler than these completely mess-free and engaging activity books. Just fill the reservoir of the included brush with water and watch as your child ‘paints’ without consequence. The books can be reused countless times are really a must for car rides, restaurants or any boring situation. My kids are a little old for them now, but I used to buy them in bulk and just keep them around the house/car incase of an emergency.” — Ruane
Promising review: “This is truly the best gift/toy for youngins. Keeps my kiddos busy forever! Minimal mess because it’s just water. Great for restaurants, planes and basic home play!” — Mariha
“I gifted this Hot Wheels dinosaur-eating T-rex truck to my now three-year-old nephew because he adores dinosaurs and likes cars. I felt the mashup was good and just tried it on a gamble but in NO WAY was I prepared for how much he was going to love this.
I shut down Christmas with it last year because he opened this first and would touch nothing else for the rest of the day. (I’ve since been banned from my gifts to him being opened first for further context. Hehehe.)
Most importantly? Somehow, at three, my baby remembers that his Auntie Quay got this for him. When I walk into the house, he immediately runs to this dinosaur so we can play together with it. For the past year, this has been his favorite toy ever and even if my knees don’t, I enjoy every second on the floor with him chasing Hot Wheels cars to eat.” — Marquaysa Battle, deputy managing editor
Promising reviews: “My son had been asking for this for almost a year. I was somewhat hesitant because of the price. Little did I know how absolutely COOL it is! It not only transports the Hot Wheel cars, but it eats (and poops!) them out. When it returns to the horizontal position from the vertical stance, it goes very slowly, so no pinching of fingers. If your child is crazy about Hot Wheels, this is sure to be a WIN.” — Karen
“Peak Design’s Packable Tote is so damn nifty, has helped me carry so much and looks so good, I don’t think I’ll do it any justice, but I’ll try. This tote bag is deceivingly big, airy, lightweight, minimal, nearly seamless and made with a hardy nylon that makes it tough to tear, snag or rip.
It stuffs right into itself and looks like a small burrito-like pouch that’s less than six inches long, so you can put it in your pocket or attach it to a carabiner using its keychain loop and carry it on the go without having to sling it over your shoulder.
Once it’s unpacked and open, it’s plenty roomy, and its unstructured design does a great job of balancing groceries, laptops, books and various goodies. It has a single shoulder strap with a microfiber band to prevent it from slipping, and its lack of many seams reduces stress points. This is truly the handiest, most practical thing I think I’ll ever gift anyone, period.” — Kevin Cortez, shopping writer
Promising review:“I keep this with me when I travel and use it often, from grabbing some groceries to throwing various items in (towel, hat, sunscreen, water bottle) for a day trip, this bag handles it and looks great in the process. Wish the handle was a bit longer but it’s not a critical point to me. Overall, love the bag and its quality.” — Bookworm
“My family and friends are really into party games and so I spend the year before the holidays trying out a lot of options to find good ones to gift. Evil Genie checks a lot of boxes: It’s fun for all ages, easy to learn and made my group laugh a lot when we first played. The hypothetical wish combinations sparked a lot of hilarious conversations.” — Adam Schubak, growth strategist
“I have given and received at least a dozen dopp kits over the years, but this one takes the cake. Bagsmart has created the toiletry version of the magical bag from ‘Mary Poppins,’ and I can’t gatekeep it anymore. Between the copious number of compartments and the built-in hanger, this gift is guaranteed to help the person you buy it for become a better traveler.” — Schubak
Promising review: “This little bag is amazing! I took it to Chicago, packed with all my toiletries, makeup, etc…What a fun bag it was. I am so glad I purchased it. It kept everything organized. You all need one of these!” — karen jackson
“After recently becoming a huge fan of this nail care line, I gifted this essential set to a friend of mine as a little hosting present because it’s a really great option for anyone who wants to be as low maintenance as possible with their nails. The intention of the polishes is to create a subtle and muss-free nail look that will actually improve nail health over time, while also helping to conceal any ridges or marks on the nails. You can also mix and match the application of the polishes to create a really customized look and I love how fast drying each one is.” — Flores
Promising review: “My nails are actually growing and strong for the first time in my life.” — Zoe
Heads up: Prefer to just gift or try one instead of a set? Try the individual hues like Bois de Rose and Beige.
“I haven’t gifted this to anyone yet but I plan on it this year because this thing rules my mornings. The Rapid Brewer is my lazy way of making strong, delicious coffee, and it’s so tidy and compact it makes clean-up and storage a breeze. This small thing can make concentrated hot or cold coffee in two and five minutes, respectively, that you cut with milk or water (your choice, but I prefer the latter). You just load and tamp some ground coffee into its base, fill the chamber with water, wait then plunge it into a cup when it’s ready. I prefer cold brew so I don’t even have to boil my water. This thing is dishwasher safe, too, plus it doesn’t need to be charged or plugged in or anything, making it great for camping or on-the-go bean water.” — Cortez
Promising review: “This is a simple and easy to use brewer that makes a VERY tasty cup of coffee. I have not tried making cold brew yet, but the hot coffee has been somewhere between espresso and French press for me. Good texture, amazing flavor. Impressive, OXO. Impressive.” — The Alpha Akita
“I have a lot of trans angels in my life, meaning there is always a name change happening somewhere. For this, and just for general gifts, I give a lot of name necklaces to people. I truly think they are such a universal gift that doesn’t break the bank. You can write someone’s pet’s name, their new initials if they got married, their hometown or something ironic like ‘Pickles’ or ‘Linguine’ that the hipsters in Philly all do. I’ve tried a bunch of shops and like this store on Etsy. After the shopping [reporters] joined the Writer’s Guild I got myself one from here that says ‘Unionize.'” — Griffin Wynne, shopping writer
“My spouse cooks a lot and he is very hard to shop for. I don’t cook at all, so I have no idea what he’s actually going to use, and anything he wants he’ll just buy for himself anyway. It’s hard to surprise him. However, I did so successfully on his birthday this year when I presented him with this nifty cube grater from Microplane. It’s ingenious — it has three different stainless steel grating surfaces, measurements on the side, and a lid to stash whatever shredded contents you’re working with. And! It was around $20.” — Ruane
Promising review: “These are part of my go-to hostess gift (along with a cube of Tonewood maple). Easy to carry and not commonly part of anyone’s kitchen inventory. Microplane gear is great, anyway, and this one is especially cool.” — anomalink
“I am also very proud to say that he uses these shorty tongs I got him almost every single day. He already had a longer metal set and a silicone-tipped set, but this shorter stainless steel pair gets a ton of mileage with meat, salad, etc. This is seriously such a good stocking stuffer for any home cook. It’s so cheap!” — Ruane
Promising review: “These are great…true WINCO product with thicker materials and solid hinge pin, not the cheap knock-offs that are out there that must be avoided at all costs. Bought these as holiday gifts to give to family and friends as I love mine…I’m a professional chef and use these all the time for plating and handling smaller items.” — E. Daniels
“I just got me and my bestie matching embroidered hats reading ‘Can I be mean for a second?’ which is also our daily text greeting. Whether you go ironic, funny, snarky, sweet, earnest or festive, I think an embroidered baseball hat is a really great gift that someone will love to wear. I did a little homework before picking an Etsy store and this one had good reviews and very open lines of communication which was nice because I could really specify what I wanted. Would recommend!” — Wynne
You can choose between tons of different embroidery fonts and hat colors!
“If you want to take the guesswork out of a personalized hat, you can’t go wrong with these cool literary baseball hats, each emblazoned with the name of a female author. Berkeley-based Etsy store Womb House Books lovingly makes each one (and offers a bunch of used books on their page, to boot). They’re an awesome, unique gift for bookworms young and old!” — Zovickian
Promising review: “I literally screamed with excitement when I unboxed it! Great quality and looks exactly as described.” — Daijah
“I love incense but I hate the gas station variety that produces way too much smoke, smells like chemicals and feels like it sticks to every surface of your room. This stuff from Shoyeido is much more gentler on the sinuses and has a really nice, pleasant aroma, plus it doesn’t burn forever — 30 minutes and it’s done, or you can also snap them in half if you want a shorter burn since they don’t have those metal support sticks. I’ve been gifting these to friends for years and its a wild, wild value; 500 sticks for $22 is more than a few month’s supply, but 250 for $16 might be just the right amount.” — Cortez
Promising review: “After a trip to Japan (and not purchasing enough while I was there) I rekindled my love for incense! This scent is so lovely. It brings a sense of peace and calmness all over my house. A box lasts a long time!” — Stacey Cantlin
“Classic lunchbox and cooler brand Igloo has unreal collaborations with so many different pop culture-y things, sports teams, bands and other beloved brands like Jeep and Whataburger. A few years back I got my best friend a limited edition Simpsons Igloo lunch box, which they still thank me for. It seems the Simpsons launch is all sold out, but how cute is this Peanuts option that looks like Snoopy’s dog house?! It’s a universal gift that’s super fun and can be great for anyone who likes going to the beach or park.” — Wynne
Promising review: “This cooler makes me joyous. Roomy for my lunch items and more and oh so adorable.” — Christine F
“I’ve given a variety of ‘spice of the month club’ type of gifts to friends and family that I know love to cook or who are trying to cook different types of recipes at home. But one year I knew I wanted a physical present to give someone in person and went with a multi-pack from Spicewalla. Truly everything from their shop is so great, and so good looking. If its time to upgrade your parents’ spice drawer (that consists of one dried-out container of garlic powder) or if you know someone in your life who loves to cook, it’s a super thoughtful, universal, but still eye-catching kitchen gift that’s not a clunky appliance and will be used. Also the little tins are literally so cute, you can use them to hold little items around your house after.” — Wynne
“Any ‘Numberblocks‘ fans around here? This education math TV show is weirdly mesmerizing, and my 6-year-old nephew is obsessed. I got him this figurine set (featuring the characters Six, Seven, Eight, Nine and Ten) for his birthday last year and my sister has reported back they’ve been a consistent hit. This is another affordable and fairly educational gift that won’t annoy parents too much.” — Ruane
Promising review: “Our 6 year old daughter absolutely LOVES Number Blocks and the show has helped her learn math! These were the perfect gifts for her this Christmas. They are a great quality and match the characters perfectly from the show. These are just figurines and don’t come apart (thank goodness!). So, you don’t have to worry about small pieces everywhere. I highly recommend if you have a little Number Blocks fan at home!” — Kristina
“I also like to gift Levain Bakery cookies to people with a sweet tooth, since they ship nationwide — they do a great job with seasonal festive flavors, but the classics are always a hit too when I’ve sent these to friends. I think some of their fancier bundles are over the $50 mark, but the regular assortments are cheaper and they still come wrapped nicely. (If you’re not familiar with Levain, four cookies is a lot; these things are huge!)” — Kam
Shipping Note: Levain cookies get delivered on Tuesdays through Fridays. No deliveries are made Saturday through Monday. Also, the brand recommends that during peak holiday seasons (so, now) that shoppers “select a date 1-2 days before desired delivery to ensure your package will arrive in time for the holiday.”
“I LOVE getting people good knives, and this breakfast knife from Opinel (a beloved French brand) is a seriously useful multitasker. It’s sharp enough to slice through an apple or a piece of bread, without having a sharp point that could hurt kiddos. Its round, flat surface is perfect for spreading butter, peanut butter, jam or whatever you want … and I especially love the orange wood handle. I think it’s particularly chic.” —Kristen Aiken, editorial director
Grab it in two colorways.
Promising review: “I desperately needed a good knife for bagels. So I searched for the right one for days before ordering this one. I’m truly glad that I did! This brunch knife is absolutely stunning and very well made. It does exactly what I need, has held up well, and is very pleasing to the eye!” — Fauna Hankins
“I grew up in the ’90s and fell hard for my Tamagotchi when they were first released. I’m admittedly a little jealous that kids today get to play with essentially an updated version called Bitzee. This is one of my go-to gifts because it teaches children about responsibility while they interact with their adorable magical pet.” — Schubak
Promising review: “I bought them as a gift for my daughter’s friend, and they LOVE them!!” — allen
“I’ve been getting everyone in my life this waterproof shower speaker, because who doesn’t want to listen to something while they’re in the shower? Music, podcasts, whatever … it connects to your phone to play whatever you want and help make your shower time a little more enjoyable. Plus, it’s the kind of item most people don’t already have.” — Aiken
Promising review: “I love this speaker. Listen to music, etc. as a part of my morning routine. Connected via Bluetooth without any problems. Sound quality is very good. This is feels like a solidly built device in your hand. Definitely not what I find with most consumer electronics these days. Would definitely buy again.” — Rich Sybert
“One of my favorite all-time gifts I’ve ever given someone was a vintage program from their favorite sports team from a game the month and year they were born. It was pretty cheap on Etsy, (you can find alllll sorts of vintage sports programs there) but made such a big impact. It was a little more creative/out of the box than a modern poster, and is such a cool piece to have for someone that’s a big sports fan. I think something like a vintage Playbill could be great for a theater lover too. ” — Wynne
“I recently began one of these five-year journals, and it’s one of the best purchases I’ve made in a long time.
Each date includes a few lines for you to write in for five successive years, so when you reach that date again in subsequent years, you can rediscover forgotten moments and reflect on how your life has changed.
Reviewers say that this journal has helped them stay sane amidst life changes and served as a respite, calling it a ‘best kept secret.’ I’ve found it’s been that and more; it’s helped me notice and appreciate the small moments in my life.
I love mine so much that I’m gifting my loved ones copies of their own — I think it will make a fantastic gift!” — Zovickian
Promising review: “I love these books. I had bought one maybe 5 years ago and then gave a bunch out for gifts. I’ve bought 7 of them. I love the color and the feel of them. They don’t feel cheap at all and are nice and sturdy. I’m sure I will be buying again at some point!” — Amazon Customer
“I will never shut up about Dreamfarm’s knock box, which I am planning to gift to an espresso-machine-owning member of my family who shall remain anonymous. I was on the receiving end of this gift several years ago, and it changed my espresso-making experience to a degree that I cannot overstate. This plastic container has a sturdy rubber-encased bar that you slam the portafilter onto, which ‘knocks’ your espresso grounds into the vessel without damaging any of your coffee tools. No more standing over the counter scraping your espresso grounds into the trash can. It’s specific, but life-changing.” — Ruane
Grab the “Grindenstein” knock box in three colors and two sizes.
Promising review: “I purchased this knock box years ago and it has been a quiet, steady, reliable partner in the kitchen ever since. Very sturdy – it is still in tip top shape, easy to clean and does the job well. It is rare to buy something these days that you know will last – but this an exception. Well worth the money.” — Moshi Mom
“Last year, I bought this dishwasher sign for my parents so they’d actually know whether their dishes were dirty or clean. They love it — their previous method of keeping track was unnecessarily complicated — and now they use it regularly. The clean/dirty sign is hugely popular online with a rarely-seen 4.8-star rating, and comes with adhesive in case your recipient’s dishwasher isn’t magnetic.” — Zovickian
Note: Clip the coupon for an additional discount at checkout.
“My friends are all struggling right now with shoulder and back pain, and I’ve decided it’s time for me to intervene with some Tiger Balm, which is a lifesaver for my own aches and pains.
The legendary salve blissfully soothes discomfort with its signature minty-hot formula of menthol, camphor, plant oils and paraffin petrolatum. It’s a must-have for any medicine cabinet or nightstand — so much so that I’m certain it’ll be a stocking stuffer hit.” — Zovickian
Promising review: “I have used Tiger Balm for years. Now that I’m getting older, I’m introducing my friends to it by giving it as a small gift. They love it!” — gwndol
“I love to include ornaments as part of my gifts for people and I am unhealthily obsessed with this Danish brand, Klarborg, and their hand-painted elf figurines and ornaments. I collect them myself and I’m on a mission to get everyone I know as in love with them as I am. Just look at those little faces…how could you not?” — Schubak
“This $4 cat toy taps into kitties’ evolutionary instincts by triggering their prey drive, according to a feline behavior specialist HuffPost previously interviewed.
Made with springy steel wire and rolled cardboard, the toy imitates the scuttle of bugs and small critters when dragged across the ground.
My own cat cannot get enough of this thing: She’ll stalk and chase it, often leaping dramatically in the air before settling down to gnaw blissfully on its cardboard ends.
A few of my loved ones have been told by veterinarians to increase their cats’ exercise. From my own experience, I think this thing will do the trick — and capture their cats’ heart in the process.” — Zovickian
Promising review: “If you haven’t tried this, it’s the BEST gift you can get your cats. My girl that passed away loved this from when she was a kitten to when she was 19 years old! I just got a new one for my 2 new girls. They absolutely love this toy! It keeps them busy for hours!” — Ciera
“These pocketable memo books have graph lines so you can make freeform notes. I use mine for impromptu notes, sketches, scribbles and ideas, and I typically gift these to buddies to encourage them to take a pen to some paper and just have at it. I’m sure they’re the best gift this year as a mindful alternative to doomscrolling. Pair ’em with a nice pen (who doesn’t love a Uni-Ball?) and you’re giving those loved ones a daily blank canvas.” — Cortez
Promising review: “I never thought I would become such an enthusiastic reviewer, but these booklets are awesome. They are really well made and fit in my pockets even more easily than my phone. It’s actually fun to have an analog way to jot down quick notes and random thoughts wherever you are. It’s even meditative. I’d forgotten how much nicer it is to write on paper rather than typing notes on a tiny phone keyboard. I also feel more organized, rather than keeping random sticky notes and folded pieces of paper in my wallet, I have these nice notebooks to fill up with to-do lists, ideas and ramblings. This is a good brand, I will buy again.” — William L
“I pretty much handed [Lifestraws] out like candy to my family [last] Christmas … They’re thrilled to take them on camping trips, and my inside-person mom is keeping some in her pantry in case we ever have any emergencies that prevent us from having clean running water.” — Aiken
Each Lifestraw is designed to remove microplastics, bacteria, parasites and more (including E. coli, salmonella and Giardia) from just about any water source. A single filter lasts an impressively long time, providing about 1,000 gallons of clean, safe drinking water.
The bestselling tool, which has earned over 97,000 5-star ratings on Amazon, comes in three colors and in various pack sizes.
