AD’s Editor Picks: Gifts for Friends and Family Who Love Design

Since the holiday season is fast approaching, we’ve rounded up our picks for the best gifts for friends and family with proclivities for great design: from your picky cousin who couldn’t decide on a sofa for months, to your wellness-obsessed mother-in-law, your best friend who loves to host, and anyone in between. No matter what winter has in store, we’re committed to making sure you come out smelling as fresh as pine this gifting season. So to relieve some stress and cut out the guesswork, we’ve rounded up 27 thoughtful gift options that’ll show them how much they mean to you (or that might make a nice treat for yourself).

This handcrafted candle holder will easily become the table centerpiece for all their future dinner soirées. Add to the gift with a British Colour Standard tapered candle set that has a similar color scheme.

We think Maison Balzac’s cheeky olive-adorned cruet is the perfect gift to give your olive oil-loving bestie (in addition to an especially nice housewarming gift for any new homeowners). “This is a real showstopper of a gift for someone you want to impress,” says AD’s commerce director Rachel Fletcher. “I always look to Maison Blazac for elevated and personality-packed glassware, and this EVOO decanter is no exception.” Pair with some quality product from Graza or Flamingo Estate for a present they won’t forget.

No fireplace, no problem—Diptyque’s Feu de Boi is the perfect blend of smokey and woody that really smells as if there’s a fire crackling in your living room (minus the extra work).

If they’re all about self-care, a splurgey new Theragun will be greatly appreciated. The massage device is built with a rotating percussion arm and ergonomic multigrip that delivers professional-grade muscle treatments to any achey spots.

“Our Place is an old faithful in my kitchen, and the Always Pan is a big reason why,” says senior commerce editor Nashia Baker. “Its durable and deep enough for me to tackle anything from simmering sauces to roasting meats and veggies.” If you know someone who isn’t already privy to the cookware essential from Our Place, the holidays are the perfect time to upgrade them to this colorful kitchen must-have.

Tinned fish lovers will love this swoon-worthy gift set from Fishwife and Fredericks & Mae. Each comes with Fishwife faves, cutlery, and a matching cutting board to make your next night in all the more savory. According to AD commerce writer Julia Harrison, “Fishwife is as great a gift for the long-time ally of tinned fish as it is for cautious newbies. Everything they make is inspired and delicious, but my go-to is a Caesar with their anchovies, or a tin of rainbow trout on a bed of lettuce.”

If they’re an aspiring baker, an elegant dutch baby from Great Jones and Zander Schlacter might inspire their next great sourdough bread loaf.

Though this alarm clock looks sleek and streamlined, it’s actually full of bells and whistles (the sophisticated kind). Beyond showing you the time, the Loftie clock has features like built-in bluetooth speakers, guided meditations, sleep playlists, breath-work exercises, sound baths, and white noise. It’s here to help you finally get some restful sleep.

Explore 1,000 of the world’s most thoughtfully designed objects with this eye-catching coffee table book from Phaidon. A great gift for any design enthusiast, this visually compelling read is filled with beautiful photography and interesting anecdotes about some of our favorite pieces from the Eamese, Alvar and Aino Aalto, Isamu Noguchi, and more.

For her, we recommend this comfy set of machine-washable silk pj’s from the brand, which is available in an array of charming prints.

For the guy in your life who could use a new set of pj’s, this best-selling pair from Eberjey is so buttery soft, he might have a harder time getting out of bed in the morning. And did we mention you can make it a personalized gift with a monogram, too?

Rest easy knowing that anyone who receives this breezy sheet set with cooling eucalyptus fibers will wake up on the right side of the bed.

This towel set from Baina (a fave of Ashley Tisdale and our editors alike) can dress up the most mundane bathroom setups. Available in multiple solid colors, patterns, and materials, they’re a fun twist on classic terrycloth.

Lily Juliet’s home objects are handmade from resin, sustainably sourced horn, and natural shell—like the Green Grand Slam Servers, which add a delightful pop of color to any dining occasion.

This catchall from the latest collaboration between Schoolhouse and Clare V is a great for lots of gifting scenarios—from a good friend to a coworker. The most difficult part will be choosing just one from the stylish color offerings.

A comforting weighted blanket will be a perfect gift if your giftee is prone to sleepless nights or even stress and anxiety. This one from Bearaby comes in several different hues, is made from 100% organic cotton, and is available in four weight options ranging from 10 to 25 pounds.

For the person in your life who has it all, a luxurious Aesop balm will be a lovely upgrade from their current hand cream. “This is one of my go-tos whenever I’m stumped on what to buy as a gift, I’ve even gotten it as a treat for myself from time to time,” commerce editor Audrey Lee told us. And if you’re still not convinced, just know that we even named it one a foolproof host and hostess gifts to bring to your next function.

This animated candle set from Shanghainese brand WEKÜKÜ is the ultimate way to spark joy through votives. The best part? It already comes in very stylish packaging that’s ready for gift-giving.

The holidays are the perfect time to surprise someone with a piece of jewelry. This luxurious yet light-hearted freshwater pearl necklace from Gohar World is a unique gift that should delight your loved one with eclectic taste in accessories.

How about a home library refresh? A sleek-looking pair of bookends from Craighill will keep their treasured paperbacks looking sharp.

Maybe they can’t stop talking about their trip to Lisbon from earlier this year. In that case, Siesta Co.’s tinned fish variety pack will up their supply with special options like white clams and mussels in pickle oil.

Michael Graves’s stainless steel pepper mill will stand the test of time (it was first designed for Alessi in 1988, after all). We consider it the perfect kitchen accessory for adding a dash of cracked pepper in ready-to-serve appetizers and sides.

And we couldn’t forget about a pinch of salt, too.

With a unique open-ear silhouette, the nwm Ones challenge traditional headphone design using Sound Zone Technology that allows for complete auditory awareness—meaning users can hear their own voice and surroundings while still listening to music. “These were hands-down my go-to headphones during the summer because they’re so breathable,” says Lee. She added that “it’s also really nice being able to hear your surroundings, especially if you live in a place like NYC.”