30 Great Gifts to Buy for Yourself

HAY can do no wrong in my book, and these color-blocked candles are no exception. Featuring a motif that pays homage to the brand’s Danish roots, these artful accent pieces are perfect for entertaining during the holidays. Choose among three different color palettes—or grab them all to mix and match.

Holiday entertaining is made better with beautiful dishes and serving ware. East Fork pottery has been a favorite of mine for years—I love their artistic approach to the everyday. This versatile bowl, available in 10 inspired colorways, is a staple of my dining table, whether I’m using it as a soup bowl or as a vessel prime for entertaining.

I received these cocktail napkins as a housewarming gift and they are by far one of my most prized possessions. Made from reclaimed denim, the hand-embroidered pieces spark joy each time I pull them out for a party or an everyday occasion.

There’s something to be said about splurging on the basics with the intention of elevating the everyday. Case in point: This speckled plastic cutting board can easily transition from a prep station to the dinner table. Its eye-catching composition, with the bright yellow handle, is just one reason to love it. It also happens to be quite sturdy and is available in a variety of equally fun colorways.

Cocktail hour just got a whole lot more chic thanks to these colorful vessels from Sophie Lou Jacobsen. Available in an array of colors, the delicate stemware is bound to elevate the everyday. Each glass comes with a stainless steel stirrer that’s prime for your garnish of choice.

When it comes to cooking essentials, good olive oil almost always comes out on top. This olive oil from Wonder Valley was a standout in our evaluation. It boasts a fruity flavor balanced with pepperiness and bitterness. Its strong taste would make it good for drizzling on foods and added to salad dressings.

Upgrade your snacking repertory with this subscription snack box from Bokksu. Every box ships directly from Japan and includes an assortment of Japanese sweet and savory snacks, candies, teas, and more. A one-month subscription starts at $40, but for more variety, go for the three-month option.

Each month will feature a unique theme for the treats. Past versions have included the “Sakura Story” box, an ode to Japan’s famed cherry blossom season, and a “Night Out in Osaka,” which includes snacks made in Osaka and inspired by its street food.

Upgrade movie night with freshly popped popcorn right from the comfort of your kitchen. This model was a standout in a recent evaluation of the best popcorn machines because it delivered a lighter, toastier flavor with a pleasant snap in each piece. It takes roughly 2 minutes to pop a whole bowl and has a capacity of 16 cups.

Few items say self-care quite like chocolate, and this truffle set from Compartés, based in Los Angeles, is poised to please. In fact, we were blown away by the flavors in a recent evaluation of the best boxed chocolates. As CR reporter Angela Lashbrook put it: “For a chef or a cook, a true sign of success is taking a flavor your audience is known not to love and convincing them that they’ve been missing out this whole time. That’s the case with this beautiful, elegant little box of chocolates.”

For more options: Best Boxed Chocolates

Give yourself the gift of a better vessel for your morning brew. According to Bernie Deitrick, a CR test engineer, compact mugs for multiple small servings (rather than one big pour) can optimize the flavor and retain the heat of coffee. Jiyoon Han, the founder of Bean & Bean Coffee Roasters, recommends this mug from NotNeutral. “Made from high-quality porcelain, it has a wide mouth to enhance aroma, a comfortable handle for a secure grip, and a modern design,” Han says. Choose from a range of vibrant and pastel hues or mix and match to your heart’s content.

For more options: Best Coffee Mugs for Keeping a Brew Warm

Claire Chan, founder of The Elk, a specialty coffee shop and general store in New York City, prefers drinking cold-brew with a straw and over a lot of ice. So whenever she’s whipping up a batch at home, the coffee pro makes sure to put it in an insulated tumbler like this colorful option. “The insulation keeps it cold for much longer, and the straw is built in,” Chan says. “I know it might sound silly, but it really makes a difference.” 

Making matcha at home can require a bit of skill and finesse, not to mention the appropriate tools. The Cuzen Matcha Maker could fix user error-induced flaws by taking you from organic leaves to a perfectly whisked cup of freshly ground matcha in less than 5 minutes. Our evaluator found that the device was easy to use and that it produced a better matcha consistency than the traditional method of whisking.

While it’s aesthetically pleasing (a bonus if you’re storing it on your countertop) and convenient, it’s also pricey. You’ll also need to buy Cuzen matcha leaf refills to use with the machine, which are $30 for 20 grams (after you use up the first three packets). But, if you’re an avid matcha drinker but don’t like the traditional ritual of preparation, this is a good buy.

If you can’t make it to that dream getaway, revel in its beauty from afar. Assouline’s Mykonos Muse depicts inspired scenes from the Cyclades and beautifully curated passages from various tastemakers around the world. The tome is a visual treat and will have you dreaming of your next trip.

Few things in life feel as great and refreshing as a spritz of Caudalie’s iconic Beauty Elixir—especially after a long-haul flight or a workout. This versatile mist, made from grape extract and a variety of essential oils such as rose, peppermint, and rosemary, can be used as a setting spray for makeup or a little pick-me-up whenever you need it.

Dreaming of a getaway but can’t quite make it there? Paint Anywhere’s vibrant paint-by-numbers kits offer an escape, even if it’s just temporary. Choose from a variety of themes and motifs, including an entire collection inspired by the holidays.

The Béis Dopp Kit is made of cotton and vegan leather and comes in a variety of colors. It’s a bag you’ll enjoy holding because of how comfortable the material feels. It can be opened wide enough that every item inside is in full view, which makes it easy to access. The bag is divided into a top and bottom compartment, and there are two side pockets in the top compartment. Take this gift to the next level by pairing it with your giftee’s favorite beauty essentials.

Treat yourself to a little getaway. And while you’re at it, why not snag a new weekender as well? This Dagne Dover bag was a favorite in an evaluation of the best weekender bags. It features six large mesh pockets, a smaller zippered pocket, and two removable sleeves. Made from neoprene (a material commonly used to manufacture wetsuits), this water-resistant bag is a choice option for traveling during rain or shine.

This Monos carry-on luggage aced our durability test, which measures the ability to resist damage from being dropped, pulled, or having other items dropped onto it. Featuring a polycarbonate shell, it also comes with an ultra-sturdy telescopic handle with four height settings, spinner wheels, and a lock. 

The Kodak Printomatic is the fastest instant camera of those we reviewed, producing a fully printed photo just 38 seconds after the shutter was pressed. Once printed, the photos have a sticky backing, which means you can easily tack them onto most surfaces. The model also stores photos on an SD card at a higher resolution than the other zero-ink cameras we tried, which is nice if you want to order a larger print down the road.

For more options: Best Instant Cameras: How Six Would-Be Polaroid Replacements Stack Up

Few things in life are as luxurious as cashmere socks, and this pair from Naadam is not to be missed. Available in four colors and two sizes, these 100 percent cashmere socks are light yet warm and will carry you through winter with flair.

This fragrant duo, comprised of a candle and room spray, will instantly transport your mom to a lush summer garden. When she catches a whiff of Flamingo Estate’s now-famous heirloom tomato scent, she’ll feel like she’s standing in front of a ripe tomato hanging off of a vine. The beautiful packaging is a bonus.

CR senior writer Angela Lashbrook spent the early months following the birth of her child wrapped up in this vibrant blanket. “It’s soft and beautiful, and because it’s 100 percent cotton, more breathable—and thus all-season appropriate—than many of the microfiber options on the market,” she says.

For those who don’t shy away from matching outfits, Baby Cats of California is the place to go, according to Jennie Lennick, founder of the creative accessories and apparel brand Jenny Lemons. Prime for all ages and available in a variety of patterns, “each product is screen-printed by hand and high quality, making it a great gift idea,” she says. “I’m loving the Cat Cloud Sweatshirt print. It’s adorable!”

The Gravity blanket comes with its own matching “micro-plush” duvet cover. It indeed felt soft to the touch, according to a staffer who tried it at home—similar to velour. She also noted that its ties, buttons, and zipper keep the comforter particularly secure. Gravity says the cover is machine-washable in cold water and can be tumble-dried on low. The inner weighted blanket, which includes glass beads, is hand-washable and should be air-dried only. (But we did run it through a wash cycle because it seems unwieldy to hand-wash something so large and heavy. It turned out fine.)

“I bought this when a dermatologist I interviewed told me that cotton pillowcases are thirsty and drink up everything, including the cream I spend way too much on for my face,” said Joanne Chen, CR’s former deputy home editor, who has spent 15 years digging into health trends, including the quest for better sleep. And while less expensive satin or silk pillowcases are available, Chen knew she had to splurge on this one the moment she saw it. 

“I love fluffing up my pillow [I have the Sleep Number ComfortFit Ultimate, which is recommended by CR] each night before bed, admiring the swirls of stars, which never fail to put me in a more blissful state,” she said.

The Dyson Supersonic lives up to its status as a luxury product. In our lab tests, it earns top scores for drying speed and is one of the quietest of the models. Plus, it comes with five attachments: a diffuser, styling concentrator, gentle air attachment, flyaway attachment, and wide-tooth comb. All attach easily to the nozzle with a magnet and store neatly in a case that also houses the hair dryer.

For more options: Best Hair Dryers

The ultraportable Theragun Mini is one of the quietest massage devices we’ve tested. It has a wedge-shaped handle and reduces problematic wrist postures. “I like the fact that it is small to hold, and I love how easy it is to use and charge. It’s compact and easily transportable,” said a user in a study conducted by CR. For overall portability and quietness, this could be a top choice.

For more options: 7 Massage Guns Evaluated

Wind down each day with a quick stretch or an at-home yoga session. This mat is quick to dry and offers a modest amount of cushioning. It provides a solid grip on the floor and earns top marks when it comes to grip on hands and feet. It also comes with a carrying strap so that you can easily tote it around with you.

For more options: Best Yoga Mats