Nov 15th, 2025 - We've tasted, sniffed and inspected more than 300 presents to bring you our ultimate Christmas gift guide – from must-have Lego and smoky mezcal to Meera Sodha's favourite knife on't you just love Christmas shopping? There's a massive thrill in finding a present you know they'll love and won't have thought to ask for, but the pressure is enough to drive any sane person to hibernation. We've gone the extra (2,000) miles to help you find the perfect gifts: we've tested out the latest ... [Read More]

Nov 15th, 2025 - From the viral trend to Italian brainrot memes , tweens are hard to figure out. This is perhaps especially true during the holiday season, when you're racking your brain for a holiday gift idea for preteens that won't elicit an eye roll. We removed some of the guesswork by speaking to 20 tweens to decode what items they are coveting this year. From trendy skincare to , here are 47 holiday gift ideas for kids ages nine to 12, both boys and girls. All prices current at the time of publication. ... [Read More]

Nov 14th, 2025 - When the dad in your life insists he doesn't want a gift, the first step is to take him at his word. Ask a few follow-up questions to figure out why he's present-averse — does he have too much stuff already? Does he hate being in the spotlight while opening a gift? Does he think holidays are a psyop engineered by Hallmark to sell cards? — and choose your strategy from there. If your giftee really, really wants nothing, consider an experiential gift, like a trip to the movies or ... [Read More]

Nov 14th, 2025 - The 31 Best Deals From REI's 2025 Holiday Sale The company that wants you to #optoutside for Black Friday is having its sale early. Gear up for next year with these great deals on packs, sleeping bags, merino wool, and more. This year marks a decade of REI's observance of the consumer high holy day, Black Friday. For the past 10 years REI has shut its doors for Black Friday, suggesting that instead potential customers should get outside and enjoy the world around you. That's great advice, but ... [Read More]

Nov 14th, 2025 - In our advice column, " Ask the Strategist ," we take your  most burning shopping questions  and survey friends, call up experts, and draw on our own personal experience to answer them. If you have an online-shopping question of your own, please send it to strategist@nymag.com with the subject "Ask the Strategist." We're here to help. A traditional roasting pan works fine, but it's also big and bulky and, I think, unnecessary. On the opposite end of the spectrum, you could go the ... [Read More]

Nov 13th, 2025 - Luxury Candle Scents That Make the Perfect Gift Candles today are the best way to evoke memories, enhance moods, and even calm the mind. When you consider giving a candle as a gift, you bring warmth to spice up someone's life. Therefore, you need to know which luxury candle scents make the perfect gifts for their tastes, style, and preferences. After all, we all know that scent plays a significant role in a candle's appeal. So, let's discover the lovely, luxurious candle scents that make ... [Read More]

Nov 13th, 2025 - Plus: kitchen essentials from around the world. Each week we cut through the noise to bring you smart, practical recommendations on how to live better – from what is worth buying to the tools, habits and ideas that actually last. As an admittedly competitive gift giver, I'm always on the hunt for presents that will impress the recipient, and won't end up in a donation bin in a matter of months. An experiential gift like cooking lessons fits that bill perfectly, but how do you go about ... [Read More]

Nov 12th, 2025 - If you're looking for that "wow" present, look no further. By We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process. How do you know that the play set you're getting for your kid will actually be something they'll like, and not a toy they'll abandon after five minutes? That's where the annual Good Housekeeping Best Toy Awards come in. The 2025 list has input from parenting experts ... [Read More]

Nov 11th, 2025 - Adding an element of personalization is an excellent way to gussy up a gift . Something tailor-made for your recipient , whether it's emblazoned with their initials, embroidered with an inside joke, or printed with a fond memory, can go a long way toward making them feel especially loved. Engraved jewelry and monogrammed tote bags are classics for a reason, but there are all sorts of creative options out there, from custom LEGO mini-figures to hand-painted portrait candles; below, I've gathered ... [Read More]

Nov 11th, 2025 - By I never know what to bring to a holiday gathering, whether it's a gift for the host or a gift exchange. The goal is to bring something that feels special but is actually useful, not just another tchotchke that ends up in a drawer. I want something that a host will genuinely use, something that elevates their kitchen a little and makes them smile every time they reach for it. This year, I found a gift that checks all those boxes-a present that feels thoughtful, practical and a little ... [Read More]