Embracing Practicality in Gift Giving

This week, we dive into our gift team’s best-in-class tips for finding awesome affordable gifts for everyone on your list.

Guest: Wirecutter editor Hannah Morrill

Additional Reading

• The 45 Best Gifts for Teens in 2024 
• 43 Best Gifts for Frequent Travelers of 2024 
• 25 Best Gifts for Plant Lovers of 2024 
• The 39 Absolute Best White Elephant Gifts Under $25
• 31 Best Secret Santa Gifts of 2024 
• 50 Wirecutter-Approved Stocking Stuffers for Adults

Products We Recommend

Great value:

• Baggu Small Cloud Carry-On

Playing with shape & size:

• Bonilla a La Vista Potato Chips
• Maldon Sea Salt Flakes (3 pounds)
• World's smallest Uno 

Novelty:

• Lazy Duck, Lying Flat LED Duck Lamp
• Puebco Empty Book
• Kikkerland Solar-Powered Rainbow Maker
• Emile Henry Salt Pig
• GurglePot Fish Pitcher

Utilitarian upgrades:

• TravelCard Plus
• MoMA Self-Watering Wet Pot Planter
• Heirloom Art Co. Larissa White Nightgowns

Tech ideas:

• Epicka Universal Travel Adapter
• Google Chromecast with Google TV

Cooking ideas:

• The New York Times Cooking Page-A-Day Calendar 2025
• Mosser Glass Jade 3 Piece Mixing Bowl Set

Beauty/Luxe ideas

• Dr. Singha’s Mustard Bath Salts
• Senteurs d’Orient Fleurs d’Oasis L’Huile

Secret Santa or White Elephant:

• 101 Pooping Puppies Jigsaw Puzzle
• LEGO Cherry Blossom
• Lonely Planet’s Where to Go When
• Retro Point & Shoot Camera Phone Converter

Hannah recommends:

• Dorsey Kate Riviere in Silver

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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