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The 18 Best Gifts Our Shopping Editors Have Ever Received (Take Notes)
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If you think it’s hard shopping for the difficult person on your list, try shopping for someone who shops for a living. For the loved ones of the RS Recommends staff, that’s a reality they know all too well. While our writers and editors spend each and every day scouring the internet for the best products on the market, there are some standouts that they didn’t find, but were gifted instead.
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From comfortable cashmere sweaters to professional-grade espresso machines and engraved signet rings, we compiled a list of the 18 best presents our shopping team has ever received. Take notes, and grab them all below.
U-Turn Audio Custom Orbit Turn Table
Alexis Mikulski Ruiz, Commerce Writer
$249.00+
Not only is this record player by U-Turn Audio one of the best gifts I have ever received, but it is also one of the most used items I own. Fully customizable, the brand allows you to choose the color of the base — they have over seven different options from blue to black — and whether or not you want to add a built-in preamp. Handmade and assembled in Woburn, Massachusetts, the sound quality is truly impeccable. It has a manual speed control and top-notch silicone belt, so whether it is your first record player or fifth, you’ll find that it’s an impressive piece of machinery. Plus, you can give them their favorite vinyl (I was gifted Marvin Gaye’s, “What’s Going On”) alongside this turntable for added brownie points. – A.M.R.
Bando Large 12-Month Annual Planner – Let Me Write That Down
Sage Anderson, Commerce Editor
$22.36 $31.95 30% off
There are two yearly gifting certainties in this world for me — 1) I will receive an enormous, festive tin of slightly stale cheddar cheese popcorn. 2) I will receive my annual 12-Month Planner. Yes, every Christmas since freshman year of college I have been bestowed one of these super-aesthetic planners from Ban.dō by my mom, full of lots and lots of extras that actually make me want to spend the time physically writing out my color-coded schedule instead of resorting to jotting down incoherent Notes app notes like “article draft due Friday?”. The artwork is always stunning, the notes pages feel like an adult coloring book, and every planner comes with an array of (only slightly girlboss-y) stickers. It helps me feel like I’m heralding in the new year in style, and that maybe, just maybe, this is the year I’ll get all my stuff together. – S.A.
Etsy Custom Shower Curtain
Oscar Hartzog, Senior Commerce Strategist
$19.20 $39.99 52% off
This past Christmas my friends pitched in for a custom shower curtain for me and my roommates. They sent a photo of the three of us to the creator and waited. It turned out much better than any of us expected. It still makes me laugh, and, if they hadn’t given it, we might still be using the same gross old shower curtain we had before. – O.H.
Fontana Forni Pizza Oven
Katie Ann Lehman, Account Manager
$2,198.00
The Fontana Forni Maestro 60 gas pizza oven is easily the best gift I’ve ever received. This beautifully designed, Italian-crafted oven transforms my backyard into an authentic pizzeria, serving up perfectly crispy, delicious pizzas in just minutes. Whether it’s a cozy pizza night with my family or hosting friends for an outdoor dinner, this oven elevates every occasion. It’s a show-stopping statement piece that never fails to spark conversations, and using it is just as fun as enjoying the pizzas it creates. – K.L.
Lululemon Textured Knit Crewneck Sweater
Tim Chan, Associate Vice-President of Commerce
$128.00
I’m not much of a yoga or gym person so I typically don’t gravitate towards lululemon’s apparel selection, but a few years ago, a friend bought me this Textured Knit Crewneck Sweater from lululemon, and I haven’t looked at the brand the same way since. The cotton blend sweater is like a jack of all trades for my wardrobe — it’s dressy enough to wear to the office but casual enough to layer on for a day on the slopes or hike. I always take it with me on the plane when traveling to, just in case it gets cold in the air. The material is warm and cozy but still breathable, and it can really take a beating without losing it shape or texture. Unlike some sweaters, which I have to be super precious about, this one can be tossed in the wash and come out like new. This is one of the best gifts I’ve ever received thanks to its wearability, versatility and style. I totally recommend it as a gift to give too. – T.C.
Ticketmaster Tickets
Jonathan Zavaleta, Commerce Writer
$30.00+
For the past couple years, the best gifts I’ve been given (and have been giving) have been tickets, whether for concerts, theater, or games. For one thing, I have enough stuff, and event tickets are the kind of thing you can enjoy with the person you’re giving them to, so it’s a win-win for everyone. – J.Z.
Mejuri Bold Round Signet Ring
John Lonsdale, Commerce Editor
$98.00
Last Christmas, my partner gave me one of the best gifts I’ve recently received: a custom engraved Mejuri Bold Round Signet Ring with my dogs initials on it. I wear it religiously and get compliments and questions about it constantly. It’s a small — yet thoughtful — holiday present idea that I can wear all year long. – J.L.
PrepWorks Collapsible Cupcake Carrier, Gray
Sage Anderson, Commerce Editor
$45.64
$45.99
I bake a lot, and if there’s one carrier I’ve trusted over the years to transport every cupcake, naked cake, and banana bread to the function, it’s the one I was gifted from Prepworks in senior year of high school (when I still had sweet, lofty dreams of making it big in culinary school). Compared to other carriers I used to use, these tiered cupcake trays are extra tall, letting me heap on tons of frosting without having to worry about it smooshing on top. Storage is also the name of the game here — the cupcake trays also fold up and nest inside the cake carrier, which itself collapses to ? its original height. It has served me well moving from tiny dorm rooms to just-as-tiny NYC apartments. – S.A.
Todd Snyder Cashmere Sweater
Oscar Hartzog, Senior Commerce Strategist
$448.00
My mom is a big fan of cashmere sweaters as Christmas presents, and I hope for another one every year. They’re usually nothing too fancy — my favorites have been a cable-knit from J. Crew and a simple crewneck from Nordstrom — but they always end up in my regular rotation. Right now I’m into this one from Todd Snyder, but you can also pick up this one from Quince if you’re shopping on a tighter budget. – O.H.
Nespresso Creatista Plus Espresso Machine by Breville
Katie Ann Lehman, Account Manager
$419.96 $598.45 30% off
$419.97 $599.95 30% off
I love my Nespresso Creatista Plus Espresso Machine by Breville more than anything. This sleek, high-end machine brings café-quality espresso right into my kitchen. With its easy-to-use features, I can create everything from rich, creamy cappuccinos to perfect espresso shots in no time. I love that it’s not a bulky machine, so it fits perfectly on my countertop without taking up too much space. Now, enjoying a high-quality espresso is as easy as pressing a button. – K.L.
Gucci Dionysus GG Super Mini Bag
Alexis Mikulski Ruiz, Commerce Writer
$1,100.00
$1,100.00
My Gucci Dionysus GG Super Mini Bag was the first designer purse I ever received, and let me tell you, I became a whole new woman. It’s small, but not too small (it can fit all of your essentials — phone, card holder, keys, lipstick) — is versatile enough to wear with any outfit, and boasts Gucci’s signature double G monogram on the front and back in a chic, repeating pattern. I was gifted this bag over five years ago, and it’s still the most used one in my collection. It will never go out of style. – A.M.R.
Apple AirPods Pro 2
Oscar Hartzog, Senior Commerce Strategist
$189.99 $249.00 24% off
$189.99 $249.99 24% off
My sister gave me AirPods Pros a few years ago when I was still using the regular AirPods. At first I was a little hurt — doesn’t she know me better? But then I started using them everyday, until they broke years later, and I realized that she does, in fact, know me very well. – O.H.
Our Adventure Book, Custom Photo Album
Alexis Mikulski Ruiz, Commerce Writer
$40.99 $81.98 50% off
One of my most treasured possessions, my husband gifted me this custom photo album back in 2019 after we started a series called “Ugly Selfies in Beautiful Places.” What is that, you may ask? Well, it’s where we would take the most unattractive photos of ourselves possible in stunning locations across the globe. It’s been a blast filling up this album over the course of the last few years (with pictures of us contorting our faces next to the Colosseum, Parthenon, beaches in Puerto Rico, you name it), and I know it’s something I will look back on forever. The large option — which is the one I have — comes with 80 blank pages of paper, the option to personalize your name and date on the front, and various icons to choose from for the wooden cover. – A.M.R.
Nikon D7500 Camera
Alexis Mikulski Ruiz, Commerce Writer
$899.99 $1,499.00 40% off
$884.99
Speaking of photo albums, I can’t think of a better thing to gift alongside a custom book than this Nikon D7500 camera (which is exactly what happened to me). Currently on sale for more than 40% off, this best-selling digital camera takes crystal clear photos, is lightweight and easy to hold, and if you’re a beginner like I was when I first received it, it’s super easy to use. A digital camera like this is truly the gift that keeps on giving because, holiday after holiday, you can get them new lenses, upgraded accessories, etc. – A.M.R.
GLDN Personalized Necklace
Katie Ann Lehman, Account Manager
$58.00
One of the most meaningful gifts I’ve ever gotten is a personalized necklace with my kids’ initials. This delicate, beautifully crafted piece is more than just jewelry—it’s a constant reminder of the love I hold for my children. The minimalist design makes it timeless and versatile, perfect for wearing every day or layering with other pieces. Every time I put it on, it adds a personal and sentimental touch to my look, making it a treasure I’ll cherish forever. – K.L.
Voluspa Cherry Gloss Large Jar Candle
Alexis Mikulski Ruiz, Commerce Writer
$38.00
$28.50 $38.00 25% off
My friend gifted me a Voluspa candle for the holidays one year (after he received counsel from his mother, an Orange County queen with impeccable taste), and it has become a permanent fixture in my household. And let’s get a few things straight: candles make a great gift — I don’t care what the haters say. They’re affordable, can double as home decor, and can be given to your coworker and favorite family member alike. You can’t go wrong. But you especially can’t go wrong with a candle from Voluspa. The brand is known for creating high-quality wax fragrances in detailed and intricate jars, and not only are they the most well-made candles I’ve ever used, but they also have a burn time of more than 100 hours, so you get your money’s worth. – A.M.R.
The Surfer's Journal
Oscar Hartzog, Senior Commerce Strategist
$84.00+
Buy Now on the surfer's journal
The Surfer’s Journal is a premium bimonthly surfing magazine that delivers some of the world’s best surf photography. It’s on the pricey side at $84 or $175 a year, depending on the plan, so it wasn’t something I though to buy. But after my gift year was over, I continued the subscription. – O.H.
Abercrombie & Fitch Diet Coke Vintage Sunday Crew
Alexis Mikulski Ruiz, Commerce Writer
$68.00 $80.00 15% off
Buy Now on abercrombie & Fitch
One Christmas, my mom gifted me a “new wardrobe.” Not only did she purchase a clothing rack to display the collection, but she also sewed me custom leopard print silk hangars and filled them with new tops, bottoms, and accessories from my favorite clothing store. What can I say? The woman is a genius when it comes to gifting. So, if you want to get someone multiple pieces of clothing at an affordable price, I recommend shopping at Abercrombie & Fitch. Ever since the brand went through their revamp a couple of years ago, they now have some of the most stylish options for work, play, and everything in between. Just look at this Diet Coke sweatshirt (which is on my list for this year); it’s perfect for anyone you know who treats the sugar-free soda not as a drink, but as a lifestyle. – A.M.R.
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