From $15 to $200, these are the gifts our editors would actually give (and receive).
True, true, it’s only October, but hear me out: Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days is actually a great opportunity to knock out some holiday shopping early. Personally, I’d much rather check a few gifts off my list now than face that “hurry up and purchase” pressure that hits around Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
I like to start with host gifts, so I already have a few good options on hand before the holiday party invites start rolling in. Next are those occasional “I’m not sure what to buy this person” gifts, as Editor Danielle DeAngelis so perfectly put it.
And because I happen to work among a talented group of creatives who know a good find when they see one, I went straight to them for inspiration: What would you actually give someone? And what would you be genuinely excited to unwrap yourself?
Their answers delivered. Read on for 13 editor-picked gifts worth shopping during Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days.
Effie’s Homemade Biscuits Gift Box
$35 $28 at Amazon
I’ve always been a cheese-and-crackers person, but Effie’s biscuits are in a category of their own. I love them so much, in fact, that I’ve been known to hide them from my family. They don’t look particularly flashy, but the warm, nutty flavor always seems to catch guests by surprise—and they’re one of the few crackers I serve that reliably earn unsolicited praise. That’s why this gift box has become my go-to when I need to drop-ship a gift. It includes several boxes of biscuits, an assortment of preserves and a wooden knife, so there’s enough here to make it feel like a proper present without me having to assemble one myself.
Algae Cooking Club Roasted Garlic Oil, 12.7 Ounces
$29 $25 at Amazon
“Giving good quality oil is one of my favorite gifts to give,” says DeAngelis. “It’s my favorite ‘I’m not sure what to buy this person’ gift.” She’s gifted a couple of different olive oils, but this garlic-infused algae oil is one of her favorites because she uses it religiously—from roasting veggies to making garlic bread on pasta night—thanks to its high smoke point.
Bialetti Venus Induction Coffee Maker, 6 cups
$70 $44 at Amazon
For the coffee drinker who typically brews just a cup or two at a time, a smaller moka pot makes a thoughtful gift. “I have hinted—to put it mildly—to basically everyone I know that I’m ready to move into the moka pot stage of my life,” says Editor Leah Goggins. “It would make it easier for me to make just a couple of mugs on a Sunday morning.” Her pick is this classic Bialetti stovetop coffee maker, which earns bonus points for its good looks. “It’s a gorgeous model that I’d be happy to leave on the stovetop even when it’s not in use.”
Brightland The Artist Series Infused Olive Oils
$160 $128 at Amazon
Another one of DeAngelis’ favorite oils to gift is this Brightland Olive Oil set. “Because who doesn’t love olive oil?” she says. This set includes four different types of olive oil: Ardor Chili Olive Oil, Rosette Garlic Olive Oil, Lucid Lemon Olive Oil and Arise Basil Olive Oil. It’s another gift that you could give as a full set or break up and gift individually.
AdHoc Yuna Tea Glass with Infuser
$30 $25 at Amazon
Writer Grace Cooper is already a fan of this brand’s tea glasses and recommends this handled version as a gift for the tea lover in your life. Made with borosilicate glass and a stainless steel tea infuser, the setup keeps plastic out of the brewing process. The lid helps hold in heat while your tea steeps, then cleverly doubles as a trivet for the infuser once you’re ready to sip. It’s one of those simple, thoughtful upgrades that can make a daily cup of tea feel a little more special.
Brooks Glycerin Max 2 Running Shoe
$200 $150 at Amazon
Also for the active folks in your life, DeAngelis recommends these Brooks running shoes. “I have to give a shoutout to my beloved Brooks Glycerin Max 2—the best sneaker!” She appreciates how stylish they are, especially for a shoe with max cushioning, and they’re also her go-to for anytime she knows she’ll be on her feet for an extended period.
Bialetti Mini Express Lichtenstein: Moka Set
$65 at Amazon
Or, for the friend or family member who likes a little more flair with their morning coffee, Cooper has her eye on this 2-cup stovetop Bialetti coffee maker. “I do not need another coffee maker, but I’m in love with this design, so maybe I do,” she said. And it’s easy to see why. It comes in four designs, each with eye-catching cups that sit right on the plate and warm the mugs while the coffee percolates. It’s the kind of gift someone might not buy for themselves.
Marsh Hen Mill Carolina Gold Rice Middlins
$18 at Amazon
I love to give and receive ingredients that I rarely buy for myself, and that includes these Marsh Hen Mill middlins—some of my favorite cold-weather staples,” says Goggins. “Middlins are rice grits, and they are truly the most comforting of comfort foods. I fell in love with middlins after having them at Helen, an excellent Birmingham restaurant, and now I always reach for them when I make a roast chicken with greens. Pair them with peas and pepper sauce for a deliciously Southern meal.” Goggins also recommends Marsh Hen Mill’s 2-pack of grits: Jimmy Red Grits and Sea Island Blue.
Aesop Reverence Aromatique Exfoliating Hand Soap
$47 at Amazon
Everyone loves a luxurious hand soap, right? This brand is one that I discovered around the holidays last year and immediately fell in love with. The scent is balanced and not too fragrant, but it’s the addition of finely milled pumice for a gentle exfoliation that won me over immediately. Put it next to your kitchen sink and treat yourself daily or place a bottle in your guest bath so visitors can enjoy it, too. ›
La Tourangelle Infused Oils, Set of 3
$37 at Amazon
For the person who likes a little more flavor, Cooper recommends this trio of mini infused olive oils. “I’ve been eyeing these mini bottles for stocking stuffers—basil, garlic, white truffle—incredible,” she said. The petite bottles are especially giftable: Keep the trio together for a ready-made gift or split up the set to knock out three stocking stuffers at once.
Stanley Stay-Hot French Press
$90 at Amazon
“I’m no camper, but I reach for my Stanley French press any time I’m making coffee for more than two people,” says Goggins. The mesh filter is sturdy, which makes it easier to clean and always keeps coffee grounds out of your coffee mug. “And unlike other French presses I’ve known and loved, this one is exceptionally good at keeping coffee hot all morning long—which means it’s a very cozy companion for cooler mornings on the back porch.”
Free Spirits Zero Proof Bourbon Alternative
$35 at Amazon
“This brand offers a really good collection of zero-proof spirits,” says Writer Dillon Evans. “The bourbon has an especially strong flavor—I took a shot, and it tasted and felt like real, alcoholic liquor.” He also pointed out that a little goes a long way, so this 750-milliliter bottle should last a while.
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