Your twice-weekly deep dive into what’s fresh on our radar.

I’ve been buried under a proverbial mountain of bows, ribbons, and wrapping paper for the past few months, all in preparation for the rollout of gift guide season. I’ve gone down Internet rabbit holes and created slideshows filled with hundreds of products to fine-tune our curation and bring together the ultimate mix—gobs of new products, reliable classics, affordable yet quality picks, and splurges that are absolutely worth it. Now that the legwork is done, I’ve earmarked my favorites of the bunch to gift personally. —Samantha Weiss-Hills, managing editor

It may be cliché to admit, but right now is my favorite time of year. The early darkness can be a downer, but I embrace it because I love the romance of candlelight and cozy meals, as well as the anticipation of festive gatherings and, yes, gifting the ideal present.

Whether you’re giving out of tradition or just because, these are my highlights from our 2024 gift guides, below.

01. This cool cooler is the first product created by Coming Soon, the designer-stocked store we’re always looking to for the best gifts. Pack theirs with a bottle of bubbly before finishing it off with a ribbon.

02. Did you catch our home tour with designer Clare Vivier? She recently collaborated on a whole bunch of products with Schoolhouse, and this delightful catchall is as stylish as it gets.

03. The best gift baskets are actually boxes (and bags and buckets). This zippered pouch holds my three holy grail, changed-my-skin Monastery products; it’s a splurge, but for the right person, it’s worth it.

04. Cookbooks are the food gifts I prize most. Of all the beautiful new tomes published this year, my pick to give is the latest from Seattle chef Renee Erickson—a joyful, creative ode to simple, everyday food. Plus Erickson created all the artwork herself.

05. Nick Spain, the mind behind design firm Arthur’s, anointed Birkenstock’s Super Birkis the It clog to give your favorite gardener this year.

06. Citrus-kissed salt will thrill the colleague you know loves to cook in your annual Secret Santa exchange.

07. A good bag always makes a good present. For the men on your list, why not try this Japanese-made, 100% cotton canvas number? It comes in three colors and will look even better with use over time.

08. A unique gift is hard to define, but it just has that something special—maybe it’s a little kooky or sweet, fun-loving or fancy-free. Quite like this book of DIY posters from Amanda Jane Jones.

09. While this Danish-designed bowl is made for sugar and suited for coffee time, I could see it housing jewelry, keys, or any other knickknacks that need a spot.

10. This little teapot expertly strains tea leaves and miraculously keeps its contents hot, despite being made of glass. Affordable, adorable, and specific: a perfect mom gift if we ever saw one.

A few extra little luxuries that are bound to be hits with even the pickiest people.

Clockwise from top left:

If they are always on the go with one too many products, Cadence’s latest organizing system will keep them corralled.

The dinner-party store Big Night is dipping its toe into other rooms of the house, namely the bedroom and bathroom. Its collaboration with creative studio Far West includes a hotel-worthy striped cotton robe.

In a sea of algorithmic feeds, finding a unique, nonexpensive object to give someone can feel daunting. Sabre’s serveware isn’t as pricey as its flatware, and the teak-handle rice spoon can be used in all sorts of applications.

These $10 hinoki-filled bags bring to mind the cedar interior of the oak chest my father made me when I was younger. It’s the kind of fresh yet woodsy scent I’d love to receive as a host gift.

I share a birthday with my neighbor of the last five years, a multi-hyphenate artist who is turning 80. The date falls on Thanksgiving this year, which happens from time to time. I’m lucky to call him a close friend, and we’ll celebrate together among a small group. Here’s what I’m bringing to the party.

• A magnum of bubbles, like my favorite rose champagne.

• These personalized matchbooks, which make great party favors.

• A couple disposable cameras to document the occasion—I like the Kodak classic and Ilford’s black and white version.

• My favorite Lady M mille crepe cake, so I don’t have to bake.

• A bountiful bouquet of flowers from my friend’s studio FDK Florals.