These 25 Luxury Gifts Are Worth the Splurge
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The holidays are the perfect time to spend time with loved ones and reflect on the past year before we do it all over again — and luxury gifts are a great way to give people tangible things that you can point to and say ‘I love you this many dollars worth,’ a la Michael Scott. In all seriousness, though, splurging a little for a gift for a loved one, someone you look up to, or even yourself for the holiday season can be fun.
The Best Luxury Gifts to Buy Online This Holiday Season
Here are our picks for the best luxury gifts for anyone you want to spoil a little. (Or a lot). We sorted through pricey offerings from big retailers like Amazon, as well as luxury goods from smaller brands and everything in between. Lastly, we made sure that all products have been tested and loved by our editors, and/or have garnered at least a 4/5-star rating from customers.
1. A Better Looking TV
We can debate which TV has the best image quality or the best tech all day, but no TV looks as good as the Samsung Frame. When powered down, the sleek TV turns into a framed picture thanks to its unique matted screen (i.e. less reflection). It’s a decorator’s best friend, but anyone would be thrilled to replace their eyesore flatscreen with the Frame.
2. The Most Famous Candles
Few gifts are as universally loved as Diptyque candles. The famous scented candles are just a little too pricey for most of us to keep stocked with our own cash — although we’d love to — which makes them so good as gifts. Grab this best-selling Feu de Bois (firewood) scent from Nordstrom.
3. A Statement Suitcase
Rimowa’s suitcases are one of the most recognizable suitcases around, making them a great luxury gift for any traveler on your gifting list. This polycarbonate Hybrid version of the brand’s Cabin is incredibly durable (we think it looks better with a few scrapes) but also much more stylish than your typical soft-side suitcase.
4. A Great Bottle of Whiskey
Shopping for a whiskey lover? Grab a bottle of this Redbreast Lustau. For this edition, the “if you know you know” Irish brand finished its single pot still liquid in Oloroso Sherry casks. This addition of the finishing step further highlights the fruity, sweet flavor profile that enthusiasts love about Redbreast. Plus, you can get it delivered to a giftee’s house with ReserveBar.
5. A Red Light Therapy Mask
The gift of self-care is hard to top, and if your recipient is keen on state-of-the-art skincare devices, this will certainly award you a spot in their good books. Red light therapy has been, and continues to be, a popular form of treatment that can help improve overall skin health — and that’s no different with Sun Home’s at-home Radiant Face Mask. What sets this mask apart from all the others you’ve probably seen on the market is that it features five wavelengths (think: red, deep-red, amber, near-infrared, and blue) that all boast of different skin-loving benefits.
6. A Scandinavian Throw Pillow
This Knot Pillow from Nordic designer Ragnheiður Ösp Sigurðardóttir (we can’t pronounce it either) has become a go-to for in-the-know designers. And it’s easy to see why: It’s a playful take on the throw pillow that works in just about any setting, providing a whimsical pop without drawing too much attention.
7. Noise-Canceling Headphones
We recommend AirPods to just about everyone doing holiday shopping, but, if you want to give them the best that Apple has to offer, go with the AirPods Max. The headphones provide premium sound quality and top-notch noise cancelation (great for airplanes and noisy offices), but they’re also better looking than most headphones.
8. A Rugged E-Bike
E-bikes have exploded in popularity recently, and almost everybody would be happy to get one this holiday. If you want to outfit someone with an electric ride, we suggest this new Revv 1 from Ride1Up. The moped-style e-bike blasts to around 30 miles per hour (in our testing) and boasts a sturdy, off-road-ready build to tackle any terrain.
9. The Latest and Greatest Gaming Console
There’s not much to explain about the PlayStation 5. It’s currently the most desired gaming console in the world, making it an excellent choice for gifting (even if your recipient isn’t an avid gamer). Your best bet is to give this bundle, which includes one of the year’s biggest games: Spider-Man 2. You might want to get your giftee a couple more games too; we recommend FC 24, God of War Ragnarök, and Resident Evil 4 as starter games.
10. Better Morning Coffee
A good espresso machine can upgrade someone’s whole day. One such machine is this best-selling Barista Express from Breville. The sleek machine features a built-in grinder and milk frother, essentially turning your giftee into their own in-house barista. And the best part is that the Barista Express is very easy to use, so you don’t have to worry about your recipient having any espresso-making chops.
11. An Insanely Soft Shirt
Here’s a luxurious, cozy gift that they’ll actually use on a regular basis. Naked Cashmere’s Asher button-up is made of 100% premium cashmere, but it looks like a casual shirt you’d wear to the office or out running errands. Your giftee can rock it it with slacks and boots under a coat in the winter, or over a tee with jeans and sneakers on warmer weekends, and feel ultra cozy either way.
12. An Iconic Chair
Leaf through any recent design magazine and you’re likely to see the Togo Fireside chair featured at least once. The iconic Seventies chair has come roaring back into vogue, and it’s being used in a huge range of interior styles. Plus, like all iconic pieces of furniture, the Fireside is as comfy as it is good-looking.
13. The Most Sought-After Hair Dryer
The Dyson hair dryer is the perfect gift for when you want to get someone something that they’ll actually use. I’ve used my Dyson Airwrap for a few years now and it truly is one of the best for quickly styling your hair and having it stay all day long. Dyson’s Supersonic Hair Dryer is equally as good, with new attachments that come with the hair dryer. The Supersonic is great at drying your hair quickly, with intelligent heat control to limit damage (I.e. no frying your hair here). Use the Supersonic to help reduce frizz and keep your hair healthy, even when blowdrying it out.
14. Softer Hands
Luxury gifts don’t have to be above a certain price point to be considered luxury — receiving gifts you normally wouldn’t justify for yourself are always a fun surprise. This classic hand cream from Chanel is a go-to gift for me each year. It’s not sticky, it’s super hydrating, smells great, and has the luxurious look and feel of Chanel without breaking the bank. Some other fun alternatives are the pack of Chanel cotton pads and the Boy de Chanel lip balm.
15. A Sumptuous Scarf
Chunky scarves are an easy and very warm way to elevate your look in the winter, and this scarf from Loewe goes with every outfit. It’s a simple white mohair and wool scarf, but that leather patch featuring the Loewe anagram makes it the perfect ‘quiet luxury’ gift.
16. A Better Kettle
This stainless steel kettle is perfect for anyone who loves to bring fun designs into their home. It features Alessi’s signature kettle bird whistle on the spout and looks great when it’s being used, but can also act as a piece of home decor.
17. A Great Watch
Watches have, and probably always will be great gifts. If you can go high-end for your giftee, we love this Omega Seamaster. It’s the James Bond edition of the Swiss classic, with a design inspired by the world’s most famous (and stylish) spy and assisted by Daniel Craig himself. But most onlookers wouldn’t know that the timepiece is a special one; they’d just see a stylish, rugged diver watch.
18. An It Bag
Bottega Veneta’s woven leather bags are unquestionably one of the “it” bags of the moment right now, and it’s not surprising. The design is subdued yet instantly recognizable and very high-quality. If you know anyone in need of a classy new bag, spoil them with this Mini Wallace Bottega Bag.
19. Fancy Glassware
Glassware is an oft-forgotten MVP of any gifting list — and the fancier the better. This year, we’re eying this old-school crystal tumbler set from one of the most famous glassware brands, Baccarat.
20. High-End Toiletries
Another great gift for the jet-setter on your list is this toiletry travel kit from Aēsop. It’s a massive upgrade from the typical travel toiletries that most of us grab on the way airport, and your recipient will be very grateful when they take that first post-flight shower using these luxurious hair and body products.
21. A Cozy Throw Blanket
Throw blankets are another easy gift idea that works for just about anyone, no matter how well you know them. We like this one from SFERRA, which features a herringbone pattern in several fun colors.
22. An Elevate Cold Plunge
Cold plunge pools have blown up recently as a way to speed up athletic recovery, improve immune health, and just feel great overall. While you can fill a bath with ice, it’s much better to get a dedicated plunge pool for the yard. If you know any cold plunge fans, grab them this Rolls Royce of cold plunge tubs: Plunge. It quickly gets water as cold as 39°F, feels great, and boasts a very solid build quality.
23. Best-Selling Sheets
Almost everyone is happy to get a fresh new set of sheets. These Percale sheets from Parachute are one of the best there is, boasting a lightweight, breathable feel. Better yet, Parachute offers some unique, stylish stylish colors that make the sheets all the better for gifting.
24. No More Litter Scooping
This Litter-Robot 4 eliminates every cat owner’s least favorite chore: scooping litter. The smart, WIFI-enabled device automatically separates clumps into a sealed drawer that traps the odor and makes clean-up a breeze. Plus, the device even tracks your cat’s weight and bathroom habits, automatically alerting you to any worrying patterns.
25. Everyone’s Favorite Slippers
We have yet to meet someone who doesn’t like UGG’s Scuffette II slippers. The suede upper is flexible and premium feeling, while the star of the show — the slippers’ sheepskin collar and footbed — lend cozy warmth while you lounge around the house. They also have a rubber sole, which we like for, say, quick dog walks or taking out the trash.