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).

• Best ceramics gift: Best Laetitia Rouget Blue Tulip Candle Holder, $180 from SSENSE
• Best candle to gift: Diptyque Feu de Bois (Fire Wood) Scented Candle, $110 from Nordstrom
• Best glassware gift: Maison Balzac Green ‘The Olive Bottle‘ Cruet, $130 from SSENSE
• Best wellness gift: Theragun Prime Plus, $399 from Therabody
• Best cookware gift: Our Place Always Pan, $150 from Our Place

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 Balzac 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. “I’m a fanatic for tiny chrome details because of their versatility—their color and reflection do a lot to elevate a dining space in subtle ways,” says Harrison. “For a salt and pepper set that will play nice with modern tablescapes, this Alessi set is a great gift for the Italian design lover in your life.”

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.”

Robes aren’t limited to just hotel stays or spa visits. “I’ve never felt more luxurious than when I wrap myself up in this cushy robe post-shower,” says commerce producer Lauren Arzbaecher. “Wash after wash, it’s stayed super soft.” Pair it with some fuzzy slippers and you’ll transform their bathroom into a personal day spa.

Here’s a very fashionable cushion cover that'll transform their sofa from drab to fab. “Christina Lundsteen is, in my opinion, a master of color blocking. All of her tones feel expensive and warm but come with an achievable price tag courtesy of this Anthropologie collab,” says Fletcher, who also mentioned the Holly cover and the bolster pillow are topping her personal wish list this year (hint hint to anyone reading).

One of these throws is the ideal companion for wintery nights watching TV. These stand-out blankets come in earthy color palettes and are made with a mohair blend that's still breathable.

Last but not least on our best gifts for friends list, a subscription to their favorite magazine will be the present they can enjoy beyond the holidays. Subscribe now get 1 Year of AD at a discount, plus an exclusive tote!

More Gift Guides From The AD Team:

• Best Gifts for Women (and Everyone Else in Your Life): Skip the gift cards and get her something she’ll actually love—like a lovely piece of jewelry or a new set of wine glasses.
• Best Gift Ideas for Men That Won’t Disappoint: Whether you’re shopping for a husband, boss, or BFF, impress him this holiday with the best gadgets, games, Lululemon goodies, and more.
• Stocking Stuffers and Gift Add-Ons That’ll Delight Everyone on Your List: Looking for the best mini Christmas gifts? Sometimes the best things come in small packages.
• Gifts Under $50 for the Design Lover: The best holiday gift ideas—including DIY kits from Uncommon Goods, tote bags, and home decor—for keeping spirits high when budgets are low.
• Expensive Gifts Worth the Splurge: Treat someone on your list who’s been extra-good (or maybe even treat yourself) with some luxe cookware, a TikTok-famous mirror, a Theragun, and more.
• Best Gifts for Foodies: A best friend gifts according to their tastes. From New York ice cream to cookware, the food enthusiast on your list will love these picks.
• Best Candles: Gifts That Smell Incredible: The perfect home fragrance for every votive lover on your gift list.
• Self-Care Gifts That Deserve the Hype: The best silk eye masks, scented candles, and water bottles to treat someone deserving (or yourself!) this holiday season
• Best Etsy Gifts for Every Occasion: Birthdays, holidays, housewarming parties—there’s a keepsake for everything at Etsy.
• White Elephant Gift Ideas That Will Steal the Show: We found funny gifts that don’t skimp on style. Check out our white elephant gift guide, which includes socks, coffee mugs, coasters, and more.