Good evening. Tonight we’re sharing the best gifts we received over the holiday season. Plus:
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| East Fork, Mejuri, Verloop; illustration by Con McHugh for NYT Wirecutter |
Some of the most exciting days in Wirecutter’s Slack happen this first week of the new year. Because in between shaking off the cobwebs and remembering our passwords, we’re all gushing about the best gifts we got over the holidays.
These messages are a true treasure trove: the gifts that managed to impress our experts, a famously discerning bunch who make a living scouting, scrutinizing, and crowning only the best of the best stuff out there. I, for one, peruse them like my own personal shopping catalog. Join me?
- Deputy editorial director Maxine Builder received a big ol’ bowl from East Fork Pottery, the maker of one of our kitchen expert’s favorite dinnerware sets. It’s the perfect size for slurping noodles, tossing dense salads, and snacking on popcorn. Says Maxine: “A day with her in the dishwasher is a day wasted.”
- The runaway hit of editor Hannah Morrill’s stockings this year? These French Brie and truffle chips, which are heady, tangy, and perhaps most important, ruffled. “Unfortunately, even my 4-year-old liked them,” she says, “so they didn’t make it to New Year’s.”
- Writer Zoe Vanderweide, currently on a quest to incorporate more mixed metals in her daily jewelry stack, got a mismatched set of silver earrings: a delicate spin on the classic huggie for one ear and an elegant, subtle chime earring for the other. She also unwrapped this mixed-metal set of sculptural rings that stack quite nicely.
- Courtesy of her mother, gifts writer Mari Uyehara received some Japanese makeup brushes, including this versatile blush brush and this silky eyeshadow blender. Made of goat hair, they’re super soft — and precious enough that she’s resolved to get serious about keeping them clean.
- In just a few weeks, this handsome belt — with its luxe leather and shiny, weighty metal parts — has already earned its keep as projects editor Phillip Zminda’s default belt with blue jeans. He’s been leaning into its nouveau cowboy vibe by pairing it with raw denim, or a corduroy or leather jacket.
- Writer Samantha Schoech — on the record as a white-elephant connoisseur — reports that the most coveted item of her annual gift swap was this funky pair of Verloop house socks, lined on the inside with faux sheepskin. “It was originally opened by my 76-year old stepdad who is always freezing, then stolen by my stylish bestie, and finally stolen and kept by her 22-year-old vintage-chic daughter.” Folks, she’s done it again.
- “Did I need to spend $36 on a tape measure? Absolutely not,” confesses creative director Julia Harris. “Does she bring me joy every time I pull her out? Absolutely.” An avid knitter, Julia uses it to measure and track the length of her work — and the peppy smiley face is extra cute.
- As for me, I was utterly charmed unwrapping this cheery stoneware egg dish from the Wirecutter-beloved NYC home-goods shop Fishs Eddy. The mint-colored dish holds a half-dozen eggs, looks darling in my fridge, and makes me smile every time I crack the door.
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What to give: A recently retired dad? |  |
My dad has time on his hands, and I want to get him off his phone and away from the TV. He has, let’s say, “collection” tendencies, and I would love to find something that isn’t just another thing around the house. He enjoys vinyl, antiques, nostalgia, football, vintage sound systems, and other people cooking for him. — K.C.
From gifting expert Hannah Morrill:
Your dad has such a range of fabulous interests, I have a feeling retirement will be very good to him. My impulse is to scaffold and support those passions — starting with this Lego radio, which is a near-perfect replica of a ’70s portable boombox and a very satisfying build. Yes, it will end up on a shelf, but only as a talisman to his hard work.
Why do I think he might get a kick out of this rock speaker to stream tunes outdoors? Or perhaps one of these Tiny Vinyl records, which are 4 inches in diameter but spin on regular turntables. The catalog favors new artists, but there are some nostalgic gems in there, too.
And since he does love his TV time, why not join him? A colleague of mine is having a blast watching more local football games with his son thanks to this passive indoor antenna. Bring one over with a batch of home-cooked wings, and I bet you’ll really see the guy smile.
Have someone who’s impossible to shop for? Submit your question here.
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 | For Dry January: 14 great nonalcoholic drinksOur favorites — including a solid swing at a Negroni and a fruity sparkling aperitif — are sophisticated enough to bring to any dinner party. |
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One last gift (for you): This ultra-spacious Coach bucket bag has a vintage-yet-timeless vibe and plenty of interior organization. We found a couple colors for half off right now.
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