Some consider gift giving the Eighth Art, others may liken it to filing taxes: something that will get done, probably at the eleventh hour, but might it be possible to have an extension? In between those extremes exists a happy medium, one where you can surprise and delight, keep within budget, and maybe, for once, get gifting right. Flowers and gestures of the written kind are never a bad idea, but this time of year invites more imagination than that. Our Gift of the Day is an ode to those tokens of appreciation and once-a-year indulgences befitting of the season. Revealed one at a time for 25 days, check back daily for inspiration—we promise, there’s plenty to love, covet, and wrap up in a pretty little bow.
Day 1: For the one you share your mornings with
To-go cappuccinos: expensive, questionable milk-to-espresso ratio, batch potentially burnt. An Alessi moka pot: beautiful to behold, perfect for sharing, undeniably indulgent. They don’t have to have a permanent stash of biscotti to appreciate l’arte del caffè. Add a bag of freshly-roasted beans to this gift—may I recommend Oslo’s Odin?—and let them sip and savor. —Talia Abbas, shopping director
Day 2: For the one who always leaves room in their luggage for olive oil
When the tariffs were announced earlier this year, I had one thought: But what about the EVOO! Cut to the end of August, when I made each of my family members pick up a bottle of the really good stuff at duty free and tote it in their carry ons. Four months later, and our supply has dwindled, so this is the perfect gift in my book. —Chloe Schama, senior editor
Day 3: For the friend who never met a mirror they didn’t like
Mirror mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all? Your giftee, obviously. Dries Van Noten’s mirror compact is chic as can be. Zebra and tortoiseshell, tartan and blue, leopard and pink—each half moon mirror delivers a playfully maximalist touch even the most ardent minimalist can appreciate. Perfect for on-the-go checkups or simple vanity decor, this will delight any beauty devotee. —Kiana Murden, beauty shopping editor
Day 4: For the takeaway pro looking to reform
You can’t box up and mail someone’s grandma, but you can gift wrap her recipes. This journal has plenty of room to jot down notes for every slow-simmering stew, orange syrup-soaked cake, and flaky spanakopita so a family-favorite dish is never far out of reach. (And, for those of us working with the metric system, it also includes useful sections on measurements and conversions.) —Elly Leavitt, lifestyle shopping editor
Day 5: For the person who wouldn’t dare cut their own bangs
Daily hair brushing may fall into the have-to category, but La Bonne Brosse’s chic tools feel more like coveted display pieces. The French brand combines durable, high-quality bristles with a design so elegant your giftee will proudly keep their brush on display. And that sculptural handle? Impossible to resist. Choosing a color is half the fun, too. —Concetta Ciarlo, beauty shopping writer
Day 6: For the one with a signature scent
Rose are red, and often rich in scent. Traditional rose perfumes open with a bold, powdery accord, but Regime Des Fleurs wanted to make something different. Inspired by—and made in collaboration with—Chloë Sevigny, Little Flower is described as a rebel’s rose. The scent retains floral sweetness and uplifts it via cassis, peony, and honeysuckle—grounded by palo santo. It’s vibrant. It’s soft. It’s fresh. It’s the scent for the coolest girl. —Kiana Murden, beauty shopping editor
Day 7: For the friend with an active Goodreads account
While Heart the Lover is set up as something of a companion to Lily King’s most recent book, Writers Lovers, new fans needn’t be familiar with her oeuvre to enjoy her work. I’ll admit that I still haven’t read this one (shouting it out in case someone would like to take this gift guide to heart and send me a copy), but it’s top of my list this holiday season. Everyone I know is obsessed—and weepy—after reading. Grab some tissues, pick a friend, and start a book club for January! —Hannah Jackson, fashion writer
Day 8: For the scatterbrained coworker
If being loved means you are seen, then the best gifts in the world are the ones that say “I see you and I want to make your life better.” That’s what makes something a bit unsexy—an Apple AirTag—an absolutely fantastic gift. It’s for your loved one (ahem, me) who is accidentally leaving everything, well, everywhere. My work ID? I don’t know where it is half of the time—but if it had an AirTag attached to it, I could just press ‘find’ on my iPhone and instantly know its location. Same with my keys. Every single morning would be easier if I could simply have my house keys at the ready to walk out the door. Saving time, energy, and being—gently—more organized by a gift? Love, seen, and thankful. —Margaux Anbouba, senior beauty editor
Day 9: For the friend who always shows up to dinner with three tote bags
“I see your boat and tote and raise you a shadow font monogrammed Alex Mill weekender in your dream colorway—including a red and brown Vogue Shopping exclusive—in the perfect rugged canvas.” —Chloe Malle, head of editorial content
Day 10: For the aesthete who always has a trick up their sleeve
Game nights aren’t for everyone, but when you’re drawing from a deck inspired by the house that Charles and Ray Eames built—a 1940s-era Modernist masterpiece sat on a meadow in the Pacific Palisades—it’s rather a different thing. These cards, a dazzling collaboration between Art of Play and the Eames Office, are just the thing to level up a round of gin rummy … or else to shuffle back and forth on an idle afternoon as Glenn Miller and His Orchestra play. —Marley Marius, senior features news editor
Day 11: For the sensible sophisticate
“As someone who wears a striped button-down most days of the week, I dream of a closet filled with Charvet shirts. Unfortunately, that just wouldn’t be practical: I am prone to spilling my lunch, and the stress of ruining a $500 shirt just isn’t worth it. But while I wouldn’t splurge on a Charvet shirt, I would splurge on a pair of Charvet slippers. Just look at the supremely elegant curve of that shoe. That soft, supple suede. That plush leather footbed. You’ll have them forever! Really, the only thing better than buying a pair of Charvet slippers is being given a pair as a Christmas gift.” –Liam Hess, senior lifestyle weddings editor
Day 12: For the coworker who makes sourdough bread their entire personality
Fresh loaves should never be bought sliced, and butter must be salted, ideally served at room temperature, in its own ceramic vessel. Any ordinary table knife won’t do. A vintage butter spreader would be most ideal, but they’ll make an exception for Sabre. Choose their favorite color and finish and hand-deliver it alongside a brick of Isigny Ste Mère—they’ll never feel more seen. —Talia Abbas, shopping director
Day 13: For their secret snack stash
“My kids call dominoes ‘dom-ee-ohhhs’ and like to build roads with them, I bet these ones would disappear more quickly!” —Chloe Malle, head of editorial content
Day 14: For the one who collects every little orange box
“Few lipsticks are as covetable as covetable as Hermès’s limited-edition tubes—each holiday season, a new creation debuts. This year’s features a colorful circle and square motif designed by Pierre Hardy and is a sculpture to behold. The striking satin and matte finish lipstick, itself, is simply an added bonus. It can be theirs for special occasions, or their new go-to.” —Kiana Murden, beauty shopping editor
Day 15: For the one who thinks candles are overrated
Incense sticks burn at all hours of the day, room sprays are cleared out in a matter of weeks, and they’ve never met a smudge stick they didn’t like. A diffuser sounds like a good idea, but anyone could come up with that. Santa Maria Novella’s “Medicinal papers” bring a sense of purpose to their ritual: Infused strips that burn flame-less ribbons of smoke, perfuming the air with a powdery, purifying scent. It’s an enduring tradition of cleansing spaces that dates back to 1885; a moment of calm and clarity for their day. —Talia Abbas, shopping director
Day 16: For the boyfriend who still sleeps in cartoon PJs and needs to level up.
Fancy (read: expensive) pajamas are something that everyone appreciates—but not everyone buys for themselves. And let’s face it: Men especially don’t splurge on such luxuries. This is the perfect gift for someone who deserves a cozy night’s rest (and wants to look good doing it). —Christian Allaire, senior fashion style writer
Day 17: For the light of your life
They’re the last to crawl in bed, but the first to ask you to switch off the lights. A portable table lamp splits the difference. Match the color to your decor and leave it by their side of the bed. —Talia Abbas, shopping director
Day 18: For the one who favors snail mail over Partiful
My 3 year-old is obsessed with envelopes and the mail system, these would blow her mind. –Chloe Malle, head of editorial content
Day 19: For the one who always says the best gifts come in the smallest packages
“Lab-grown diamonds are a girl’s best friend, especially if they’re a pair from Dorsey. What better way is there to add some holiday sparkle than by sporting an emerald cut ear candy?” —Irene Kim, production editorial associate
Day 20: For a gift you’ll be “borrowing”
“Nothing says cozy winter evenings to me like an oversized sweatshirt, boxer shorts, and cashmere socks. Who needs a boyfriend to steal them from when Tekla has this gift set, perfect for any girlfriend or a boyfriend you want to thief them from!” —Libby Page, executive shopping director
Day 21: For the friend who’s always cold
“For the loved one who appreciates a well-placed pop of color, Bode’s Fair Isle mittens are a joyful upgrade to their winter rotation. Whether paired with the matching knit or worn as the standalone statement of a bundled-up look, this is the kind of gift that promises warmth, charm, and just the right dose of festive spirit all season long.” —Minty Mellon, shopping market editor
Day 22: For your favorite host
“Someone who hosts regularly probably goes through an alarming amount of tapered candles in a year: They’re a must for a cozy table and make an easy centerpiece. Fuel their fixation with this pair from Misette, which features hand-painted fruits and vegetables and is almost (almost) too pretty to burn.” —Elly Leavitt, lifestyle commerce editor
Day 23: For a tiny indulgence that could never read last-minute
“The Comme Si Pandoro sets are the ultimate little luxury and the perfect stocking stuffer for that person in your life who desperately needs to update their sock drawer. I mean, what says I love you more than the gift of cozy (and chic) fingers and toes?” —Florence O’Conner, content manager
Day 24: For the vitamin D-deficient wardrobe
“Dopamine dressing hits harder during the depths of winter, when a jolt of color stands in as a second source of warmth. Consider Loewe’s striped scarf a thoughtful gift that delivers both: A vibrant accessory that can change their outfit and outlook.” —Andrea Zendejas, shopping market editor
Day 25: For those with a limitless budget
“A beautiful watch can be a spendy gift. I love to think of it as so much more than the price tag. You’re celebrating the time you’ve spent together, to be spent together, future, past, the milestones, and that’s all before we consider just how good looking the Cartier Baignoire is. This petite timepiece is elegant and the sort of demure luxury that a cashmere coat by The Row is to those in the know. If you’ve got deep pockets for gifting, we’d bet on this for a hero gift with meaning that can be worn, truly, forever.” —Daisy Shaw-Ellis, jewelry director
