Sometimes shopping for a gift is the easiest thing in the world. Other times it can feel more like a trip to the dentist, particularly if you’re shopping for a friend or loved one whose tastes are a little more discerning and a cut above the classic and affordable goodies you might normally buy.
There will always be folks you know who like to get the fancier stuff for any occasion, whether it’s a birthday, anniversary or other such milestone. We’re talking about items like a barista-quality cup of coffee they can enjoy in the comfort of their own home or a luxury briefcase that’ll level up any business trip.
Those are nice examples, but it’s also worth noting that anyone with refined taste may already own the high-end items they want. That presents a shopping challenge. After all your work hitting one store after the other, the last thing you’d want is for your fancy gift to be tossed into the back of the closet and forgotten. You don’t want that, and neither do we. We’ve put together a list of some of the best luxury gifts on the market, to guide you on your journey.
Below, you’ll find products that appeal to a wide range of needs and preferences. Shopping for an audiophile or podcast lover? There’s a book-size speaker they’ll love. Looking for the perfect item for a friend who’s always putting on dinner parties? Check out the embroidered tablecloth with a cult following. On our list, you’ll find something for everyone. Take a look and find something special for that sophisticated someone in your life.
If you’re looking for a seriously entertaining gift, the Meta Quest 2 will sweep your giftee into a virtual three-dimensional world. While the Quest 2 is more affordable, the Quest 3 outshines its predecessor, with better controllers, superior graphics, a higher-resolution display and the inclusion of a mixed-reality function. It’s CNET’s choice for the best VR headset at the $500 price point. (Spend another $150, and you can quadruple the storage to 512GB.)
Read CNET’s first take of the Meta Quest 3.
A quality espresso machine doesn’t come cheap. Breville’s Barista Express is ranked CNET’s top choice on our list of the best espresso machines, and it comes with a price tag to match. In our testing, it consistently delivered the most delicious shots of espresso among its peers, earning it a CNET Editors’ Choice award. Your giftee will never have to go to the cafe again and will be pulling shots like a barista in no time.
Read our Breville Barista Express review.
Whether they enjoy listening to music or puttering around the house while they have an audiobook going, a quality speaker makes a great gift. That’s a tricky gift to give since so many speakers are clunky and large, which can easily throw off the carefully curated aesthetic of a room. The Bang & Olufsen Beosound Emerge Speaker solves that problem. It’s the size of a book but still manages to deliver impressive, 180-degree sound no matter where you place it. It also supports Apple AirPlay 2 and Chromecast and comes with a built-in radio and microphone for voice control via Google Assistant.
There’s nothing like having a glass of wine around a fire pit or roasting marshmallows over an open flame. The only drawback to those cozy scenarios is the smoke that clings to your clothes and hair afterward. The award-winning design of the Yukon nixes that issue, allowing your giftee to entertain outside without any of the negatives. The Yukon is the largest version of the pit that the brand sells, and if you get the accompanying stand, you can use it on heat-sensitive flooring like a wooden deck.
Have your giftee turn heads when they go back to work in January with the sophisticated and ultra-sleek Tumi Sadler Brief. This modern briefcase is structured for form but is packed with utilitarian pockets, zippers and compartments that will make them feel more organized and prepared. It has helpful details like magnetic zipper pulls, front U-zip pockets, back pockets, padded laptop and tablet enclosures and specialized compartments for items like pens and phones.
If you have a beauty enthusiast on your list and they don’t have the Dyson Air Wrap yet, then remedy that oversight. The Dyson is meant to replace a whole arsenal of beauty tools; the bevy of attachments can create everything from sleek blowouts to stylish beach waves and bouncy curls. What makes it so innovative is that it uses much less heat than traditional tools, never going above 300 degrees.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is Apple’s most expensive smartwatch, but that price tag comes with a lot of perks. This rugged watch has a tough titanium build made for adventure seekers and fitness enthusiasts, and it’s got top-notch features to match, including an action button to quickly launch apps and start workouts and a bright screen with a maximum of 3,000 nits, which makes it easy to see if you’re in the great outdoors.
Read our Apple Watch Ultra 2 review.
You might have seen artist Sarah Espeute’s trompe-l’oeil embroidered pieces on dinner party accounts on Instagram and TikTok. Her whimsical designs add a touch of charm to the table, outlining a messy sprawl of dishes, main entrees and bouquets. The designs will have guests asking where your giftee got their clever tablescape from, which is the ultimate host compliment.
Whether you have a jet-setter on your list who seems to be on vacation every other month, or a high-level performer who is constantly being pulled away on business trips, they will appreciate you upgrading their flying experience with a Rimowa carry-on. The cult-followed suitcase brand is something of a status symbol, and they will look incredibly chic rolling the iconic aluminum design through the airport.
Does your loved one have a standing monthly facial appointment or keeps their dermatologist on speed dial? Then they will love playing with Therabody’s latest at-home luxury beauty gadget, the TheraFace Mask. It combines LED and vibration therapy to help reduce fine lines and dark spots. Both treatments stimulate collagen production, according to Therabody, leaving you with firmer, healthier-looking skin.
Do you have a purse lover in your life? Rather than gifting them a luxury bag from Chanel or Prada, introduce something new to their wardrobe, like Aesther Ekme. The brand creates structured leather handbags in Denmark, specifically focusing on architectural styles. They will love the unique swoop of the Demi Lune shoulder bag.
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