Gifts for the Hard-to-Please

We’re fielding listener questions with pro tips for delighting picky friends, impossible relatives, and other challenging recipients on your holiday list.

Guest: Staff writer Samantha Schoech

Products we recommend:

Beautiful Utilitarian Upgrades:

• Brushed Stainless Steel French Press
• Rough Linen Robe

Personalized Gifts:

• Handwriting Cuff bracelet
• Personalized retro view finder
• Customizable drinking straw

Experiential Gifts:

• Teas to try together
• Bokksu Japanese Snack Box

Great for Dads:

• Yeti Cooler
• LL Bean Wicked Good Slippers

Digital gifts that don’t clutter:

• MasterClass subscription
• Libro FM audiobook subscription
• Met Opera subscription
• BritBox British movies and TV subscription

For a brother who buys himself what we wants:

• Williams Sonoma Monogrammed Steak Brand
• The best growler
• The best home brewing kit
• HappyTooned Print

For people you don’t know that well:

• Fast Growing Trees Citrus Trees

Sam loves:

• Italian loafers

Additional Reading:

• Most Gift Baskets Are Terrible. These Are Great.
• 36 Gifts for People Who Have Everything 2024
• 28 Best Personalized Gifts of 2024
• 15 Aesthetic Gift Picks (for Those With Impeccable Taste)
• The 48 Best Gifts for Dads 2024

We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more›

 

Wirecutter Social and Website

Instagram: /wirecutter

Threads: /@wirecutter

Twitter: /wirecutter

Facebook: /thewirecutter

TikTok: /wirecutter

LinkedIn: /nyt-wirecutter

Website: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/

Newsletter: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/newsletters/

 

The Wirecutter Show is executive produced by Rosie Guerin and produced by Abigail Keel.Engineering support from Maddy Masiello and Nick Pitman. Episodes are mixed by Catherine Anderson, Efim Shapiro, Rowan Niemisto, Sophia Lanman, and Sonia Herrero. Original music by Dan Powell, Marion Lozano, Elisheba Ittoop, and Diane Wong. Wirecutter’s deputy publisher and general manager is Cliff Levy. Ben Frumin is Wirecutter’s editor-in-chief. Hosted by Rosie Guerin, Caira Blackwell and Christine Cyr Clisset.

 

Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast