When your job is trawling the internet to find the perfect gift for every type of person, you develop a pretty robust wish list of your own. So we asked our writers and editors to share what they’d like to receive this holiday season. Our picks range from the practical (a new suitcase for an upcoming trip and an upgraded travel mug) to the high fashion (a limited-edition pair of Sambas and a Pierrot-esque collar) — but it seems that a lot of us would be happy with a nice, cozy sweater. After all, the classics are a classic for a reason. Check out all of our picks below, and if you still need more inspiration for your own wish list, take a look at our list of every single gift guide we’ve written this holiday season.
Ailbhe Malone, senior editor
I have a reputation as a hard-to-buy-for, which I think is unfair. Really, I tend to buy the things I want, rather than wait for a gift. However, this year, what I’d really and truly like is a pair of new slippers. I bought my current pair of moccasins at the Queen Victoria Market in Melbourne five years ago and they’re on their last legs. Here’s what I like about them: sheepskin interior, firm sole, and stylish enough that I don’t feel embarrassed running out to the curb with the trash while wearing them. The LL Bean Wicked Good Camp Moccasins seem like a good match.
Kelsie Schrader, managing editor
I’m going to Italy in April, and while what I’d really love to be gifted is the ability to go back in time and learn to confidently drive manual so I don’t have to pay hundreds more for an automatic car rental, I’d also like to upgrade my luggage. We’ll be hopping from city to city frequently, so I’d like a nice, lightweight carry-on that will roll easily over Europe’s cobblestoned streets. Rachael Griffiths has sold me on Away’s carry-on luggage. She uses it in Europe, so I know it’s sized right, and she explicitly said it can handle London’s choppy cobblestoned streets without damage. (Watch this video if you want to be convinced in 60 seconds.)
Jen Trolio, senior editor
I am hopelessly devoted to my Ember coffee mug, which I use daily, but it’s a little smaller than I’d like and tough to take in the car. Ergo: I am wishing for this recently released tumbler version that holds 16 ounces, will fit in a cupholder, and comes with two different lids.
Sam Daly, deals editor
I’m not immune to the wiles of Jellycat’s plushies, particularly the frogs — I spotted this bag charm in public recently and fell in love — but I wouldn’t be opposed to a sun or moon from the brand’s Amusable collection.
Kat Gillespie, writer
I think about this cushion every day and am of the strong opinion that someone should buy it for me! There is also one in the shape of a foot that, no offense, I am completely revolted by the idea of. Just being specific here so that Santa doesn’t mess up.
This woolly sweater is extremely expensive and would also have to be imported from Ireland. As a counterpoint, it has a walrus on it that is really, really funny and cute.
Dominique Pariso, writer
I had a few sweaters in mind for this year (a Shaggy Dog pullover, a Snap cardigan), but I settled on Babaà. I love the way they hang off the body just so, and this dark-brown shade is a perfect neutral for me. While this list is supposed to be things we’re hoping to get, when Babaà’s 30 percent sitewide sale hit during Black Friday, I may have bought the cardigan using my mom’s credit card and shipped it to my parents’ house to be wrapped and put under the tree. Some things can’t be left up to chance.
[Editor’s note: Babaà lists prices in euros, so the price shown here is an approximate conversion to U.S. dollars.]
Jeremy Rellosa, writer
I’ve long been a fan of Alex Mill’s durable, versatile pants, but I have yet to try any of the brand’s tops. I’ve wanted to change up my sweater collection (the majority of them are crewnecks), and I thought this rollneck made from soft yak and merino wool would complement a wide range of my winter outfits.
Last year, I bought one of illustrator Kristina Micotti’s tiger blankets to display on my couch, and I’ve been eyeing this newly released dragon blanket with a similar design. I love the color combinations and can envision it on my couch next to the tiger blanket … I might have to buy this for myself!
Kitty Guo, writer
My makeup routine has always skewed more on the natural, dewy side, so I never felt the need for makeup brushes. My fingers have always been more than enough for blending out my skin tint or sheering out a wash of color on my eyelids. Lately, however, I’ve been getting more experimental with eye shadow and contouring, and I’ve had to make do with a set of brushes I got years ago from an old Colourpop x My Little Pony collection. I’d love to upgrade my tools with this set of professional-quality Sigma brushes, which includes 12 different brushes that cover pretty much every type of makeup application you can think of.
Arielle Avila, writer
I’m slowly but surely replacing the cheaply made purchases of my early- and mid-20s with long-lasting, higher-quality things. I’ve had my eye on Staud’s Tommy bag for a while now and would be so happy if it replaced my faux leather, going-out baguette bag that I bought for $20. (Nothing says growing up like a little dance-floor-inspired handbag.)
Tembe Denton-Hurst, writer
I have a thing for the Wales Bonner x Adidas collabs, and when I saw the latest iteration — a collection of Sambas — I immediately added them to my wish list. I’ve been waffling between the animal print and the maroon and blue, but in my wildest dreams, my fiancée (saying this loudly in case she reads this) buys me both.
Ambar Pardilla, writer
The Bode clown costumes did a number on me — I’ve been wanting to dress as a pining Pierrot for a while now. So I was delighted to see this fantastical (and ridiculous) collar while window-shopping through La Veste’s site. It’s made of a dotted Swiss tulle and trimmed with a velvet ribbon — and there’s an exuberance about the thing that I really like. I imagine showing it off over the plainest, boringest T-shirt.
[Editor’s note: La Veste lists price in euros, so the price shown here is an approximate conversion to U.S. dollars.]
Liza Corsillo, senior writer
This fall I found myself obsessed with finding the perfect wool peacoat. I love the classic vintage ones you can get at Army-Navy stores but, to fulfill my hopes of being a cute mom, I wanted to find something a bit more feminine and elevated. After a lengthy online search and hopes of finding a good one on sale for Black Friday — I very nearly bought one from Madewell but got nervous about potentially drowning in the oversize shoulders — I finally landed on this drop-waist double-breasted coat from Parisian brand Sezane. It’s the exact balance of classic and cute I have been looking for, and after trying it on briefly a few weeks ago, I am officially in love.
Lauren Ro, writer
I’ve been on a monthslong search for a pendant necklace that’s neither religious nor astrological — it’s a very difficult thing to source, I learned, especially in the sub-$500 price range. At first I was only looking at 14-karat gold, but when I opened up my search to include sterling silver, I found the perfect one at Sophie Buhai. It’s as simple as they come: a plain, ¾-inch-diameter circle hung on a 16-inch chain that would go with just about everything. I also like this style that’s got an interesting antique-y detail, but I think I prefer a silver chain over a satin cord.
Winnie Yang, senior editor
I saw a friend recently whose skin looked really good, and when I noted it, she told me she’d been using one of those LED masks. I asked Crystal Martin, our staff expert on these devices, which was the one to get, and she said that Currentbody’s gave her the best results and using it every day for a while really did change her skin. She also was pretty convincing about getting the Lightstim wand, which is also on my wish list now.
Maxine Builder, editor
Every holiday season, I make a wish list, and this is the second year in a row that I’ve put the Oura ring on there. I’m truly desperate to track my sleep, in a way that my family seemingly does not quite understand.
The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
