Holidays & Entertaining Gift Guide 2022: 101+ Best Gift Ideas Holiday & Christmas Gift Ideas The 34 Best Christmas Gifts of 2022 for Everyone on Your List We’ve got you covered this holiday season, whether you’re shopping for friends, family, or acquaintances. By Rachel Center Rachel Center Rachel covers all aspects of the home space and tests products to find the best for consumers. When she's not writing, you can find her streaming, hiking, and decorating. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on November 15, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Amazon One of the best parts of the Christmas season is going through the process of figuring out which presents you want to get the ones you love. Although this can be fun, there’s always that family member or friend (or two) who are a little harder to shop for, leaving you unsure of what to get them. To help you figure out what to get your loved ones for the holidays, we’ve rounded up the best gifts that will suit a wide variety of tastes and interests, including foodies, tech lovers, self-care enthusiasts, and more. We also spoke to gifting expert Kristin Fisher, founder of Bocu, to get her advice on how to choose memorable Christmas gifts for the people in your life. “No matter your budget, you can gift a little bit of luxe at the holidays with a chic candle, beautiful coffee table book, or high-end olive oil—all of these gifts could be under $50 but will give a ‘wow’ moment to someone who may not normally treat themselves,” says Fisher. The Best (and Only) 100 Amazon Black Friday Deals You Need to Know About This Year Read on to see all of our gift recommendations and learn how to pick the best gifts for your family, friends, co-workers, and more. Slip Silk Pillowcase 4.9 Sephora View On Amazon View On Nordstrom View On Walmart Silk pillowcases not only feel luxurious, but they can also help your skin and hair look better. The Slip Silk Pillowcase is made of Mulberry silk, which is considered the best silk on the market. We tested 21 different silk pillowcases and found this pillowcase to be the best based on its quality, durability, and fit, which includes a zipper enclosure to ensure that your pillow remains hidden in the case. It also comes in a variety of colors, including white, gray, gold, pink, and more, so you can easily find something that matches their current bedspread. Price at time of publish: $89 for queen The 6 Best Silk Pillowcases, According to Our Testing Apple AirTag 4 Pack 4.8 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Apple This may not be the most exciting gift, but it is truly one of the most useful tools you can give anyone. The Apple AirTag is a tracking device that they can attach to their most important items, including luggage, keys, wallet, and even their car. The AirTag automatically syncs up to their iPhone, allowing them to track its whereabouts at all times on the Find My app. Plus, if their tag is attached to something that does get lost, whoever has it is unable to access their information via the AirTag. Price at time of publish: $95 Canon IVY Mini Photo Printer for Smartphones Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Target One of the biggest problems with using smartphones to take pictures is that it becomes tricky when you want to actually print them. Canon has solved that problem by coming out with a printer that connects to your smartphone and tablet via Bluetooth. The printer doesn’t require ink and prints pictures that come out completely smudge-free. It can be charged via USB and is so small (5.6 ounces) that it can be carted around while out and about with friends or family. Keep it mind that photo paper is sold separately. Price at time of publish: $144 Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Amazon View On Amazon View On Target View On Staples Kindle’s popularity still abounds for its incredible convenience and durability. With the included subscription, they’ll have access to two million titles and thousands of audio books. Plus, they can also adjust the brightness of the machine and increase the text size of the book to their liking. This Kindle was also built to handle disaster: If dropped in water, it’ll survive for 60 minutes in more than six feet of fresh water and 0.6 feet of seawater. What’s more, a single charge can last for weeks. Price at time of publish: $140 Click & Grow The Smart Garden 3 Amazon View On Amazon View On Nordstrom View On Walmart One doesn’t necessarily need a garden in order to grow their own herbs. This is a great gift for a gardener who wants to continue growing during the winter, or someone who loves having fresh herbs on hand in their kitchen. This smart device is able to monitor every aspect of the herbs’ growth, including water, light, and nutrient levels. All they have to do is put the herb capsules into the machine and add water, and the herbs will grow in just a few weeks. Price at time of publish: $80 Corkcicle x Rifle Paper Co. Coffee Mug Courtesy of Rifle Paper Co. View On Amazon View On Nordstrom View On Bloomingdales A mug is always a great go-to gift, but a mug that is portable is even better. Corkcicle partnered with Rifle Paper Co. to create a portable mug that you’ll actually want to show off. This product features Rifle Paper Co.’s signature vibrant flower pattern, has a shatterproof lid, and is triple insulated to keep any and all hot beverages warm and toasty. Price at time of publish: $43 Fellow Stagg EKG Electric Pour-Over Kettle 4.7 Amazon View On Amazon View On Best Buy View On Bluebottlecoffee.com The coffee lover in your life will be thrilled about this high-end kettle. The Fellow Stagg EKG Electric Kettle allows them to get the exact water temperature they like for their tea or pour-over coffee. They can watch as the temperature rises on the device’s LCD screen, and if they want to have their coffee later on, the kettle can maintain the water temperature for up to 60 minutes. Another standout about this kettle is the super sleek design and cool color options, including white, black, pink, a dazzling copper color, and more. Price at time of publish: $165 John Boos Cherry R-Board Series 1.5-Inch Cutting Board Amazon View On Amazon View On Wayfair View On Sur La Table A Boos Block is so reliable and long-lasting that it’s not something that’s meant to be stored away and taken out for slicing and dicing, but rather a staple that remains on your countertop. This cutting board is heavy enough that it won’t move while chopping, and features indented grips on either side to make the heavy block easier to transport. It’s also reversible, adding double the amount of life to the product. This also prevents the need to buy a separate board to cut veggies and meat on. Plus, the 100 percent American cherry wood makes it a sight for sore eyes. Price at time of publish: $159 Mark & Graham Leather Tassel Zipper Pouch Mark & Graham View On Markandgraham.com This small pouch is able to hold cards and cash while the larger version is big enough to fit their smartphone, makeup, and more. In addition to the fine leather construction, what stands out about the Leather Tassel Zipper Pouch is the available monogramming. You can get 2-3 initials monogrammed in ten different styles, ranging from two-toned shadow script to cursive and even sports-themed logos. There are plenty of color options available for the monogramming as well as the pouch itself, including neutrals such as white and caramel as well as vibrant shades such as hot pink and orange. Price at time of publish: From $49 The 51 Best White Elephant Gifts of 2022 That Everyone Will Actually Want Quince Mongolian Cashmere Sweatpants Quince View On Onequince.com One of the best gifts you can get your work-from-home friend or family member is a pair of cozy bottoms to help them get through the workday. These Quince sweatpants are perfect for that, or simply just lazing around the house. The pants are made from Mongolian cashmere, which is considered premium for its long and resilient fibers. You can choose between five colors, including navy, oatmeal, burgundy, gray, and black. Price at time of publish: $100 The 71 Very Best Gifts for Women of 2022 Pottery Barn Ellsworth Chunky Border Throw Pottery Barn View On Pottery Barn The Ellsworth Chunky Border Throw from Pottery Barn is actually made of large strands of yarn, all hand-knitted by artisans. These large strands mean that the blanket will have a nice weight to it, adding another layer of comfort for the wearer—so it’s perfect for cozying up with. This throw is available in six colors, including white, two shades of blue, two shades of gray, and a beige-y coral shade. Price at time of publish: $129 L.L. Bean Women's Bean's Sherpa Fleece Jacket L.L. Bean View On L.L.Bean Everyone needs a reliable, cozy fleece jacket to wrap themselves in during fall and winter. This option from L.L. Bean gives wearers exactly that thanks to its warmth, soft fleece construction, and slightly fitted shape, which is both comfortable and flattering at the same time. This jacket comes in five cool colors, including white, indigo, black, a brownish mustard, and a striking emerald. We also love that it comes in a wide variety of sizes, including petite and plus size options. Price at time of publish: $99 Artifact Uprising Everyday Photo Book Artifact Uprising View On Artifactuprising.com This unique photo album from Artifact Uprising is a gift that your loved one will cherish for years to come. The brand allows you to submit either 30, 40, or 50 photos of your choosing, with one photo per page. The pages are thick enough that they will lie flat when open, while the exterior features a linen cover that can be customized with foil-stamped letters. Get this book to commemorate a memorable vacation, a year of your loved one’s life, or just some favorite photos through the years. Price at time of publish: From $62 Diptyque Feu de Bois Wood Fire Candle Nordstrom View On Nordstrom View On Bluemercury.com View On Diptyqueparis.com If you’re stuck on a stocking stuffer or white elephant gift, one of the safest bets is a candle. This option from French luxury brand Diptyque boasts a scent that mimics a wood-burning fire, bringing the comfort of a crackling campfire directly into their home. This candle comes in three sizes, with the smallest (2.5 ounces) able to burn for up to 20 hours and the largest (10.2 ounces) able to burn for up to 120 hours. Price at time of publish: From $40 Solo Stove Mesa 4.5 Solo Stove View On Amazon View On Pcrichard.com View On Solostove.com This super cool mini stove provides the ambiance of a fire pit without any major maintenance. The Solo Stove Mesa is small enough to fit on a table, and can be used to add warmth while outside chatting with friends, for s’mores, or for simply creating a cozier atmosphere on your patio. This little fire pit produces a smokeless fire that can be powered by either pellets or small sticks of traditional firewood. It also comes with a carry bag, which makes it easier, and safer, to store it when not in use. Price at time of publish: $105 The 50 Best Gifts for Every Man in Your Life Papier Gratitude Journal Papier View On Papier.com Papier’s Gratitude Journal is filled with exercises that make practicing gratitude easier than ever, including daily gratitude prompts, mindful challenges, monthly reflections, and uplifting affirmations. It’s available in a range of different styles, but we especially love the Idyll version, which features illustrations done in the style of Portuguese azulejo tiles. Price at time of publish: $35 UGG Scuffita Slippers Photo Courtesy of UGG. View On Nordstrom View On Bloomingdales View On Macy's Give your loved one the gift of comfort this season with the Ugg Scuffita Slippers. The genuine shearling lining feels like a hug for your feet, and the wearer will likely never want to take them off. They can wear these slippers while having a day at home or even outdoors thanks to the bottom soles, which are made of a sturdy, waterproof rubber. What’s more, these cozy slippers come in multiple colors, ranging from gray to hot pink. Price at time of publish: $90 All-Clad D3 Stainless-Steel 12-Inch Fry Pan Williams Sonoma View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Wayfair If you really want to get your foodie friend something special this holiday season, surprise them with a piece of All-Clad stainless steel cookware. All-Clad is considered the gold standard of cookware, and when we tested their stainless steel cookware set, we found it to be the best too. The aluminum sandwiched between the two layers of stainless steel gives this frying pan even heat conduction, while the wide circumference allows for frying, sautéing, and searing large recipes. Price at time of publish: $130 The 5 Best Stainless Steel Cookware Sets, According to Our Tests Bodum Travel Press Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Bodum.com This is a great gift for that friend or family member who has to have their coffee exactly the way they like it, wherever they go. This portable press is made of a durable stainless steel and is vacuum-sealed so their coffee will remain warm while in transit. The Bodum Travel Press yields a single serving of coffee and is conveniently dishwasher-safe. They can also use it to brew up loose-leaf tea too. Plus, you can choose between three colors, including black as well as fun options such as red and light green. Price at time of publish: $39 Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Wearable Throw Nordstrom View On Nordstrom View On QVC This unique creation from Barefoot Dreams gives them the ability to wear their blanket around the house, hands-free. The wearable throw is deliciously pillowy, providing the warmth of a blanket with the versatility of a cardigan. They can wear this wearable throw open or fasten it together by a single button, which lends to a crossbody style that is similar to a shawl. The fabric is made with the brand’s famous microfiber polyester, which is super soft and feels like a lightweight fleece. There are four colors available, including white, a light pink, dark gray, and leopard pattern. Price at time of publish: $145 What's for Dessert: Simple Recipes for Dessert People Amazon View On Amazon View On Target View On Anthropologie Former Bon Appetit star turned cookbook author Claire Saffitz has become somewhat of a dessert queen in the baking world, which is all the reason why you should get this for the baker in your life. This cookbook contains a whopping 368 pages containing 100 recipes of crowd-pleasing baked goods, including cookies, pies, cakes, brownies, and even molten lava cakes. Price at time of publish: $38 Black + Decker 2L Purify Air Fryer BLACK+DECKER View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Home Depot Air fryers have emerged as one of the most popular cooking products on the market for their ability to make crispy food without using excess oil. This coveted cooking item would make a great gift for anyone who wants to cut down on their cooking time, oil use, or both. This Black + Decker air fryer has a two-liter capacity that is good for serving between two and four people. This appliance also has a convenient basket separator, which allows someone to cook two different foods at once. Price at time of publish: $78 Printfresh Long Sleep Set Printfresh View On Printfresh.com Consider skipping the Christmas PJs this year in favor of this playful set from Printfresh. There are tons of different styles to choose from, including animal motifs like turkeys strolling among palm trees or jaguars roaming through flowered bushes. There are also pajamas depicting botanicals and food, including a pumpkin patch. The Long Sleep Set boasts a relaxed fit that features a roomy top and mid-rise bottoms. Plus, unlike holiday pajamas, it can be enjoyed year-round. Price at time of publish: $158 Portland Leather Butterfly Bucket Bag Portland Leather View On Portlandleathergoods.com Fine leather goods are always a great go-to gift for the loved ones in your life. What’s so great about Portland Leather is that they present their leather goods as close to as-is as you can get. This means that the brand doesn’t use leather that has been synthetically coated and painted over, so you can enjoy the leather for exactly what it is. The Butterfly Bucket Bag is no different and offers convenient features such as an adjustable strap and inside pockets. This, along with its stylish design and neutral color options, make it a great bag for your every day. Price at time of publish: $160 Beis The Cosmetics Case Beis View On Beistravel.com A great makeup bag can truly go a long way while traveling. The Beis Cosmetic Case has enough room to fit all their makeup essentials, as well as useful compartments to ensure those products don’t get all jumbled up inside. These compartments include two spaces for brushes, as well as a secure flap that folds over to cover the brushes. There’s also a zippered pocket to hold items like lip glosses, eye pencils and liners, and another compartment for the product’s included mirror, which makes touching up even easier on the go. It’s also spill-proof, so if a product in the catch-all area leaks or breaks open, rest assured the bag won’t be ruined. Price at time of publish: $68 The 14 Best Makeup Bags to Keep All Your Products Organized Commes Des Garçons Play x Converse Chuck Taylor Hidden Heart Low Top Sneakers Nordstrom View On Nordstrom View On Bloomingdales View On Saks Fifth Avenue This collab has sent sneaker lovers into an absolute tizzy. Commes Des Garçons’ Play, the comparatively affordable line from the world-renowned Japanese brand, collaborated with Converse to put a fun spin on the brand’s timeless Chuck Taylors. Converse’s All Star label is replaced by Play’s mascot, a cute little heart with curious eyes. This playful design makes for a cool addition to their shoe collection, and certainly something they won’t see anywhere else. Keep in mind that the sizing is unisex. Price at time of publish: $150 Tineco Pure One S11 Cordless Vacuum Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart If you want to splurge, consider upgrading your loved one’s vacuum. The Tineco Pure One S11 Cordless Vacuum is a great gift as it’s comparatively affordable and, according to our testing, the best on the market. During our testing we found this cordless vacuum was able to pick up all of the debris we laid out for it, including dirt, crushed cereal, cat litter, and human and pet hair on both hard floors and carpeting. We also like that it can convert into a handheld vacuum, and that it changes the suction strength based on the mess it detects. Price at time of publish: $400 The 5 Best Cordless Vacuums, According to Our Tests LIKHÂ Baby Fox Planter LIKHÂ View On Shoplikha.com This unique planter will be a super cute addition to any plant parent’s pot collection. Each one of these adorable animals are handmade from artisans in the Philippines using coco coir, which are fibers that are extracted from the exterior of a coconut. This material is highly absorbent, so you don’t have to worry about water ruining the planter (although we do recommend using a plastic pot just in case). The Coco Coir Pots come in a wide variety of animal options, including dogs, farm animals, dinosaurs, and many more. Price at time of publish: From $35 Ring Video Doorbell Wired with Ring Chime Amazon View On Amazon View On Abt.com View On Crutchfield.com If a loved one has yet to experience the convenience of a Ring doorbell, get them one for the holidays. Ring allows them to see all the goings on outside of their house directly on their smartphone. They’ll get a notification on their phone every time the device detects motion outside their door, and they can actually communicate to the person outside using the two-way talk feature. Meanwhile, Chime acts as a digital doorbell, so if they aren’t near their phone, you’ll still be notified of a visitor from the doorbell noise it projects throughout the house. Price at time of publish: $90 Philips SmartSleep Wake-up Light 4.7 Amazon View On Amazon View On Best Buy Being jolted awake by your smartphone’s alarm isn’t exactly the best way to wake up in the morning. Phillips developed this sunrise alarm clock to help people rise and shine in a way that is more relaxing. Thirty minutes before they wake up, the clock’s light illuminates, changing from red to orange and then yellow to mimic a sunrise. This supplemental light is what triggers the body to wake up naturally. Once their room is engulfed in this light, a natural sound of their choosing will play (options include forest birds, ocean waves, and more). It also has a similar sunset simulation for bedtime. Price at time of publish: $100 The 9 Best Alarm Clocks to Prevent You From Oversleeping JBL Flip 6 Portable Bluetooth Speaker JBL View On Amazon View On Target View On Jbl.com The JBL Flip is made for the modern day, as it connects via Bluetooth and is dust-proof and waterproof, so they can take it to various outdoor settings and not worry about it getting damaged. The cylindrical shape is so convenient that they may even be able to fit it in their car’s cup holder. The speaker can last for 12 hours on a single charge and comes in fun colors, including teal, pink, red, and more. Price at time of publish: $130 The 45 Best Tech Gifts of 2022 for Everyone on Your List Danner Mountain 600 Waterproof Hiking Boot REI View On Amazon View On Backcountry.com View On Basspro.com Hikers know that a great pair of hiking boots can make or break the hiking experience. These hiking boots from Danner are both durable and comfortable. They were actually designed to hold up in the climate of the Pacific Northwest, so you know that they can handle rough weather conditions. The entirety of the shoe is waterproof, including the suede, and contains OrthoLite footbeds that make for a more comfortable tread. Plus, the traction of the shoes will allow them to traverse all kinds of terrain with ease. Should you buy these for the outdoors lover in your life, the brand does recommend getting a half size down from their normal size. Price at time of publish: $210 Lumio Lito Mini+ Amazon View On Amazon View On Lightology.com View On Moma.org If you’re looking to get someone something whimsical this holiday season, consider this unconventional lamp from Lumio. Upright, Lumio could easily be mistaken for an actual book, but instead of finding a story when you open its pages, you are greeted with brilliant light. The lamp can be configured multiple different ways, which makes this product even more fun. They can keep the book upright (just open it up a couple inches for the light to activate), lay it open flat, or pull the covers of the book down all the way, allowing it to transform into a stunning circular paper lamp that can stand on its own. Price at time of publish: $175 Oxford Chef 8-Inch Chef's Knife Oxford Chef View On Amazon Every home cook needs at least one great chef’s knife in their arsenal. This product from Oxford Chef is both affordable (compared to other chef’s knives) and is equipped with the right materials to get any and all chopping and slicing jobs done. This Japanese-style model is largely made with Damascus steel, making the knife light in weight, which puts less strain on your hands. It also boasts a razor sharpness that will stay sharp for long periods of time. The material also makes this knife resistant to rust and corrosion. Price at time of publish: $90 The 50 Best Gifts for Every Type of Boyfriend of 2022 Questions You Might Ask How do I pick a Christmas gift for someone? According to Fisher, her go-to strategy is putting yourself entirely in the shoes of your recipient to decide on their gift. “The number one thing that I recommend is to take yourself out of the equation,” she says. “While it’s easy to gift something that you like personally (we’ve all been guilty of falling into the ‘I’ll buy one for them and one for me’ mentality!), I recommend taking a moment to put yourself in the mindset of the person that you are shopping for. Think about their interests, what is currently going on in their life, and what would light them up. A gift that is both useful and thoughtful will make a more lasting impact on your recipient.” How much should I be spending on a Christmas gift? Fisher doesn’t have any hard and fast rules regarding the price of a Christmas gift. Instead, she recommends focusing more on the value it will bring to the gift’s receiver. “At risk of sounding cliché, what is more important is the thought behind the gift,” she says. She also stresses that the thought behind a gift isn’t measured by the amount listed on a price tag. “You don’t need to spend a lot to show someone that you care about them or appreciate what they have done for you throughout the year,” she tells us. “No matter your budget, you can gift a little bit of luxe at the holidays with a chic candle, beautiful coffee table book, or high-end olive oil—all of these gifts could be under $50 but will give a ‘wow’ moment to someone who may not normally treat themselves.” If you’re buying presents for a handful of friends and coworkers, Fisher says you can get creative with budget gifts without skimping on thoughtfulness. “A gift card for a coffee or even lottery tickets tucked inside of a hand-made card from your kids, and beautifully wrapped baked goods are a few lower-cost, thoughtful gift ideas to hand out to larger groups of people,” she says. What are some creative Christmas gifts? Whether you’re stumped on what to get someone who is hard to buy for, or really want to take your gift-giving up a notch this year, Fisher has some great ideas for creative Christmas gifts. The first thing she recommends is doing something personalized that isn’t a monogrammed item. “Whether it’s something in their favorite color, fragrance or flavor, or an item that can be useful in their day-to day-life but has a fun or unique twist will really stand out,” she says. “I love the hunt for a fun, tech-forward gift that is both useful and unexpected like a coffee mug warmer, or a chic phone charging station.” For those who have it all, she suggests giving a donation in their name to a charity of their liking. Take Our Word for It This article was written by Rachel Center, a product reviews home writer for Real Simple. To write this article, she spent hours researching the best Christmas gift ideas to make the best possible recommendations. She also spoke to gifting expert Kristin Fisher, founder of Bocu, for expert insight on choosing a Christmas gift. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit