Who knows about kitchen essentials better than someone who owns their own line? Ellen Marie Bennett is the founder and chief brand officer of upscale cookware brand Hedley & Bennett, and shared her recommendations, including this chopping set. 

“In my opinion, the best thing to gift foodies or home chefs is a high-quality knife. We created a bundle of our newly launched, pro grade Chef’s Knife Set & Cutting Board with gifting in mind,” Bennett says. “The set comes with the only three knives you’ll really ever need (utility, chef, and bread) and our chef-inspired cutting board and slip-preventing silicone mat. I’m personally gifting the Shiso shade this year — it’s so festive.” 

“You can’t go wrong with a cookbook, but the trick is finding a unique one that feels like it’s full of love and impressive recipes. For something different, I recommend Let’s Eat by Dan Pelosi (aka GrossyPelosi), which has 101 of his most beloved Italian American comfort recipes, some of which have been passed down through his family.”

“This might sound a bit nerdy, but for someone who wants to spruce up their cabinets, I love these organizational containers from The Neat Method. They may seem simple and impersonal, but for someone who lives in their kitchen, a set of these stylish jars and baskets will instantly upgrade any pantry.”

“I love gifting (and receiving) a nice bottle of Mezcal. I personally opt for Yola Mezcal — it’s a female-founded brand and the bottle itself is absolutely gorgeous.”

Scrolling through influencers’ home tours is a pleasure many of us are guilty of indulging in, so when lifestyle content creator and DIYer Imani Keal offered her holiday picks, we couldn’t resist. Make their house a very chic home with Keal’s suggestions, including this seltzer maker we never knew we needed.

“I just got one of these for my kitchen, and I’m obsessed,” she says. “This small gadget feels super luxurious, doesn’t take up much counter space, and is a nice gift for someone who loves making cocktails (or mocktails) at home. For an additional cost, Aarke has a CO2 canister subscription, but this system is compatible with most cylinders available on the market. To take things a step further, I suggest gifting a few of the drink flavors as well. This is a beautiful gift for the fanciest people in your life.”

“At the start of a new year, people suddenly feel inclined to get their DIY on, but they lack the tools to do so. If you know someone like that, they need this 13-piece set. Character’s tool box has just about everything you need to do basic DIY projects, and the compact size and sleek design ensure it’s a match for someone who’s moving into a new apartment or just wants to make small changes and updates on their own.”

“My dad taught me to play Backgammon as a kid, and I’m a big fan of having games in the house for an interactive activity when friends come over — especially for holiday parties. This game can be neatly tucked away into the colorful box, and it also works well for giving a coffee table extra style.”

“For the maximalists who can’t help but make their rental feel like home, I designed this peel-and-stick wallpaper. It’s made by Otto Studio, a woman-owned Canadian brand, and the quality is amazing.”

This relaxing hobby requires a surprising amount of knowledge, and Jarema Osofsky, landscape designer and author of MOON GARDEN has become a voice of wisdom when it comes to all things gardening. And her book offers plenty: “Full of design advice, plant recommendations, and beautiful illustrations, my book MOON GARDEN guides readers in creating enchanting indoor and outdoor nighttime gardens. It features soothing rituals and meditations, encouraging readers to approach gardening as a grounding, spiritual practice. Give it to astrology lovers and gardeners of all levels.”

“This is my go-to trowel. It’s lightweight and great for transplanting both indoor and outdoor plants. Hand-forged in Holland and made of stainless steel, this feels like a luxury tool — it’s a real upgrade from your ordinary trowel and a lovely gift for anyone who otherwise might not treat themselves to it.”

“These reliable pruners can cut almost anything in the garden,” says Osofsky. “While they aren’t the most luxurious item, pruners are a requirement to keep plants looking fresh and full of life. They’re a tried and true treat for the plant person in your life. And with their lifetime guarantee, they’re a gift that keeps on giving.”

“I love this large hanging planter by Capra Designs not only for its beautiful shape and lots of color options, but also because its dimensions allow plants to grow and thrive in it. Made from resin, it’s surprisingly lightweight which is always a win if you’re hanging something from the ceiling. It’s on the higher end for a hanging planter, but worth it.” 

‘Tis the season of parties! But you can’t show up empty-handed, so we tapped Virginia Frischkorn — the founder and CEO of Partytrick, an online destination that makes party-planning easy — for tips. “I may be biased, but a Partytrick membership offers recipients services like having a party planner in their pocket for a fraction of the cost,” she says. “For those who enjoy hosting, Partytrick provides an end-to-end solution for entertaining that streamlines, saves time and money, and reduces the inevitable stress that many feel when hosting.”

“I don’t believe anyone can ever have enough olive oil, especially if they like to host,” says Frischkorn. “This set of high-end olive oils is better than anything you’d ever find at a regular grocery store, or purchase for themselves. The bold and buttery flavor pairing can make for a lively olive oil tasting, and add some richness to salads and cooked dishes. Plus, let’s be honest, the bottles are aesthetically pleasing on a shelf.”

“A box of truffles will always find a place in the home of someone who’s throwing an event — whether it’s for them to enjoy or for them to present as a small treat for their guests,” says Frischkorn. “La Maison du Chocolat holds a special place in my heart and this box of 40 milk and dark chocolates is a total classic you can’t go wrong with.” 

“Sending flowers to someone who loves to host is a no-brainer and Fresh Sends makes it easy and quick for last-minute gifting needs, as they ship next day shipping nearly anywhere. Their service is amazing, the flowers are stunning in quality, and their branding is cheerful, playful, and sure to bring delight to any recipient.”

Shopping for an athlete can be intimidating, but Danielle Burnett, fitness content creator and creator of #BigGirlsWhoRun, is here to put you at ease with her inclusive running recs. “It’s hard to find the right running shoe, but my legs miraculously never hurt when I run in my Hoka Cliftons,” she says. “They seem to be comfortable for everyone, so they’re great for experienced and novice runners.”

“I have small ears and am very familiar with headphones falling out mid-run — which can instantly ruin a workout. But a tangled wire isn’t pleasant, either. As an active person, I had a lot of ‘musts’ on my hunt for the right earbuds. Powerbeats stay in my ears for my entire workout; I never run without them.”

“In an ideal world, chafing wouldn’t exist — and this stick is the closest you’ll get to that dream,” says Burnett. “On days where long pants are not an option, an anti-chafing stick can be a lifesaver. Whether they work out a lot or not, anyone who ever wears shorts, skirts, or even tank tops will appreciate this tool that’ll prevent painful raw patches where their skin rubs together. The best part is they won’t have to tote it around with them — a few swipes last a long time, so it doesn’t need to be reapplied throughout runs or the day.”

“Runners know that there’s little worse than when you’re stuck pulling your pants up mid-run.I These leggings do not fall down. Ever. They stay up, don’t cause chafing, and help you run longer because they keep you comfortable.”

A book is one of the most sentimental items you can give someone, but the endless options make picking the right read a little daunting. That’s where Alicia Kroell, editor at publishing house Catapult Books, comes in with a recommendation that’ll blow book lovers away: “Ayana Mathis’s bestselling debut Twelve Tribes of Hattie drew comparisons to the work of Toni Morrison, Alice Walker, and Zora Neale Hurston. Ten years later, she published The Unsettled, a multi-generational novel about a young mother trying to start a new life in Philadelphia and the mother she left behind in their small town of Alabama. Told in beautiful and heartbreaking prose, The Unsettled will become an instant favorite for those who appreciate an emotional read.” 

“If you’re not sure what genre they like, opt for something that’ll please any reader or writer,” recommends Kroell. “Every editor I know is dying for the reMarkable. With no web browser or app notifications — or apps, for that matter — it’s the singular device that allows for distraction-free reading, writing, and note-taking.”

“The iconic literary magazine The Paris Review has started printing their gorgeous covers in large format, and I’m absolutely obsessed,” says Kroell. “This cover for issue no. 243, featuring Peter Doig’s Canal Painting, is the perfect addition to any avid reader’s kitchen.”

“Both funny and horrifying, Mona Awad’s Rouge tells the tale of a young woman drawn to an extravagant, cult-like spa in Southern California — the same spa her estranged mother patronized before her mysterious death. Awad is the literary queen of occult, and this novel delivers sharp insight into the culture of wellness.”

“Dog training can be expensive, but anyone can afford these online courses and follow along. Full transparency, these classes are taught by me, Jerri Scherff, CPDT-KA, and they range in price from from totally free to $20. It’s a great start for people who have dogs struggling with behavioral problems or who want to learn how to better work with their pup.”

“This is the most indestructible frisbee out there. It’s perfect for dogs that love to fetch and tug. I’ve had the same one for my American Bully for over six months, and I’ve only had to replace it once — when I learned it doesn’t float. It’s my favorite toy for under $20.”

“Ava is a bright and talented teenager who started her own line of pet treats. Her products get rave reviews from my dog, Enzo, and from so many others. You can get her treats for around $15, and you can find them at places like Target, so they’d be easy to pick up on your next grocery run.”

“I’m obsessed with this fanny pack, and it makes a great gift for everyone, dog owners or not,” Scherff says. “I always have a pouch with me that contains my dog’s food for training, and this one has space for so much more: My phone, poop bags, car keys, and chapstick all fit into this excellent new age waist pack.”