Holiday Gift Guide 2025: Thoughtful Gifts for the Home, the Host, and the Cook
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Every year, I love curating beautiful, thoughtful gifts that feel special, pieces that bring warmth, comfort, and a touch of everyday luxury to the people I love most. Whether you’re shopping for a homebody who loves cozy nights in, a host who makes entertaining look effortless, or a cook who finds happiness in the kitchen, these three guides are filled with gift ideas that feel personal, and will be a joy to give.
Gift Guide for the Home
When I’m choosing gifts for the home, I look for pieces that are lovely to look at, but also useful. From an original paintings to gorgeous chessboard, every item in this guide is meant to feel thoughtful and enduring, beautiful pieces that can be used daily and appreciated for years to come.
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Handmade Glassware Set: Sold as a set of two wine glasses, or two water glasses, these short stemmed glasses have a beautiful shape and texture. Handmade, yet dishwasher safe, they’re a lovely luxury for daily living.
Gold Drink Coasters: With the personalization options, these coasters are a wonderful gift. Dad or grandpa would love setting their drinks down on monogramed coasters, and they’ll think of you every time.
Labrador Bookends: Have a dog lover on your list with classic, traditional taste? These sophisticated bookends with Ralph Lauren vibes are just the thing your looking for. Bonus points if they have a Lab!
Original Painting: You can never go wrong with original art. It’s just so special to give something that won’t be found anywhere else. This artist is one of my favorites on Etsy.
Classic Silver Candle Holders: These candlesticks from Pottery Barn are the perfect modern traditional accessory. And honestly, candlelight is always a good idea.
Silver Urn: Uses as a decor piece on a shelf, or as a centerpiece filled with flowers, this urn is a great gift for the design obsessed.
Handmade Marble Chess Set: A gorgeous chessboard can be left on a coffee table as decor, ready for a game at any moment. I have one I keep on my coffee table to encourage my kids to play. It’s not as pretty as this one though, so if anyone is thinking of something to get me, hint hint.
Leather Drink Coasters: I love this gift idea for those who are on a tight budget, but want to give something a bit special. These coaters are under $20, but the faux leather gives off a sophisticated, luxury feel.
Handmade Vase: Shopping for a flower lover? The vintage shape of this small buttercup vase is elegant and minimalist. It comes in nickel and brass, and it’s made to patina over time. A real heirloom piece!
Washable Wool Throw: Boy, LL Bean really does classic well. This plaid throw is a take-everywhere blanket. You can’t go wrong gifting cozy, useful, and stylish.
Gift Guide for the Host
For the friend who’s always ready to pour a glass and set the table, this guide is filled with gifts that make entertaining effortless and elegant. These pieces are also great for bringing along to a holiday party.
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Wine Coaster: Given on its own, or accompanied with a bottle of wine, this coaster is just the thing to add a little shine to the table.
Cotton and Lace Napkin Set: Equal parts charm and simplicity, these napkins are just so darn pretty. Choose from two styles.
Brass Alphabet Coaster: Another small, inexpensive gift, that feels thoughtful and personal. Gift one or two with your host’s first or last initial. They’ll love it!
Warming Coaster: Well, this is a useful little thing! Pop it in the microwave for 30 seconds, set a hot drink on it, and it will keep the drink hot longer. This is a great under $20 gift they’ll use every day.
Spice Gift Set: A host will always appreciate a gift set that will up their food game! These spices have fantastic reviews, and aren’t something they can just pick up at the store.
Marble Cheeseboard: Step it up a notch with this memorable host gift. Made from gorgeous marble, this cheeseboard can be personalized with their family name.
Gingersnap Cookie Mix: Trying to come up with the perfect little something? Tie a ribbon around this jar of gourmet cookie mix, and you’ll have it! For $13, this would also make a great teacher gift.
Electric Wine Opener Gift Set: Now this would be useful at parties! This electric wine opener set is rechargeable, and includes an electric corkscrew, aerator, stoppers, foil cutter, and storage base.
Gift Guide for the Cook
Cooking is an act of love, and this collection celebrates that. Whether it’s a beginner just finding their way in the kitchen or a seasoned home chef, they’ll find these gifts very useful.
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Chef’s Apron: Even home cooks deserve professional grade tools. This apron was designed to make the act of cooking easier with perfectly placed straps and pockets. (budget option)
6-in-1 Air Fryer: If they don’t have an air fryer yet, they need one. Plain and simple.
Le Creuset Dutch Oven: Give the gift of luxury cookware. A quality cast iron dutch oven from a classic company, this gift will absolutely receive a gasp when it’s opened.
Tip: Create a tradition of gifting a Le Creuset piece every year and help them build a collection!
Personalized Recipe Journal: They probably have a ton of favorite recipes at this point. This recipe journal gives them a place to put them all, while the personalized cover honors the work they’ve done collecting and crafting their recipes.
Automatic Pan Stirrer: Who doesn’t need another hand in the kitchen? This genius gadget will save your favorite cook time and energy.
Quality Classic Knife: Be the person who gifted your favorite cook their favorite knife. Trust me.
Infused Olive Oil Gift Set: From tangy sweet roasted vegetables to savory dipping sauce, they’ll love playing with these premium olive oils from William Sonoma.
Microwave Veggie Steamer: This a a great tool for every day cooking, and pretty enough to keep out when not in use. I love this for a cook with a busy family who may need to shave a few minutes off their nightly cooking time.
MasterClass Membership: Why not give the gift of education? A membership to MasterClass will give them access to classes from top chefs on everything from Texas BBQ to advanced technique.
