13 Hard-to-Shop-for Editors on the Best Gifts They’ve Ever Received

My friends and family are always so happy to have me, a shopping editor, in their lives. I am their oracle of Delphi for beauty things, of course, but for online shopping in general. There is a downside to this, however, and it’s one I hear repeated often: I am impossible to shop for. 

It got me thinking—what are the gifts that have impressed the supposedly ungiftable? To answer this I spoke to a (baker’s) dozen of my colleagues who also happen to be experts in the shopping field. They each gave me the singular gift they’ve received that they remain impressed by, and I’m sharing that tidbit of insider knowledge with you. 

13 Shopping Editors’s Favorite Gifts

• Keurig K-Supreme K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker, $100 (Originally $179); amazon.com
• Epson EpiqVision Flex CO-W01 Portable Projector, $300 (Originally $370); bestbuy.com
• Swarovski Bella Crystal Earrings Collection, $51; amazon.com
• Coach Willow Tote Bag, $350; coach.com
• Emmys Paintbrushes Hand-Painted Custom Pet Portrait Ornament, $43; etsy.com
• Summer Fridays Jet Lag Hydrating Face Mask, $49; amazon.com
• Barnes & Noble Nook GlowLight 4, $150; barnesandnoble.com
• Bose QuietComfort Bluetooth Headphones, $229 (Originally $349); amazon.com
• Bombas Women’s Solids Half Calf Sock Four-Pack, $53 (Originally $56); bombas.com
• Catbird Dollhouse Gold Locket, $198; catbirdnyc.com
• Sandro Yza Bag, $425; nordstrom.com
• Vitruvi Stone Essential Oil Diffuser, $88 with coupon (Originally $125); amazon.com
• Allen Sports Deluxe Two-Bike Trunk Mount Rack, $44 (Originally $60); amazon.com

Keurig K-Supreme K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker

I consider my Keurig K-Supreme one of the best gifts I’ve ever gotten because I’m an avid coffee drinker but it’s also hard for me to part with things. I was holding on to my old Keurig even though it was well past its prime. My husband, knowing that I would never replace it myself, decided to gift me with this newer, better upgrade. It does everything I need it to do. With one push of a button, I get a perfectly brewed cup of coffee every morning. On the days when I feel like I need a pick-me-up, I opt for an iced latte, which this Keurig makes in a matter of seconds. — Cher Checchio, Beauty Copy Editor

Epson EpiqVision Flex CO-W01 Portable Projector

I really dislike when TVs dictate the layout of living rooms. Why should the feng shui of my house be dictated by a giant black rectangle? So my setup is a ceiling-mounted retractable screen and a projector. For a long time the latter was a dinky $80 thing I bought on Amazon, but I was paying the price elsewhere—I couldn’t watch TV during the daytime and the quality started out mediocre and depreciated very quickly. 

I am a movie person (I have Criterion, Shudder, Mubi—the works) and complained about it often, so my siblings got me this Epson projector. The brand’s projectors are the cream of the crop, but they also tend to be thousands of dollars. The EpoqVision is its budget model but it does not feel like it. The quality is unbelievably crisp—when I rewatched some movies, it felt like seeing them for the first time. It also connects easily to whatever home operating system you use (for me thats a Roku Soundbar). I got it a few years ago and it’s the gift I have gotten the most mileage out of. — Tamim Alnuweiri, Senior Commerce Beauty Writer

Swarovski Bella Crystal Earrings Collection

This was an anniversary gift from an ex-boyfriend, and I actually threw out the pair he gave me in a fit of post-breakup rage. But after having worn them daily for over a year, I realized that I genuinely liked the earrings; they were sparkly and chic yet practical and understated, pulling together any and every outfit. I finally repurchased the pair myself—perhaps that statement of independence is the best gift of all. — Zarah Kavarana, Associate Editorial Director

Coach Willow Tote Bag

I don’t usually keep a wishlist or tell people what I’d like for the holidays, but two years ago, I actually put in a request: I needed a versatile bag that I could use at work, while running errands, and everything in between. Luckily, my husband understood the assignment and got me the Coach Willow Tote Bag. It’s practical for everyday use and is roomy enough to hold my laptop, a book, phone, wallet, water bottle, and more. I also love that it’s sleek, but not too stuffy, so it pairs well with everything from loungewear to a shift dress. — Alyssa Morin, Senior Commerce Editor

Emmys Paintbrushes Hand-Painted Custom Pet Portrait Ornament

My friend gave me this a few years ago through our yearly Secret Santa gift exchange and has become my most cherished Christmas ornament. (JSYK: Pet parents always appreciate pet-related gifts!) This was an especially thoughtful gift as it was a hand-painted portrait of my rescue dog Cleo—I think especially as you get older, you really appreciate thoughtful gifts that were gifted with specifically you in mind.  — Erika Reals, Senior Commerce Editor

Summer Fridays Jet Lag Hydrating Face Mask

Since the holidays coincide with dry skin season, I always make it a note to ask for this Summer Fridays mask. It’s thick, rich, and one of the only moisturizers I’ve found that actually quenches my dehydrated skin. As the name suggests, it’s also great for refreshing your skin while traveling. I’ve received this mask several times for the holidays, and every time it ends up being my most-used present. There’s nothing more practical than a gift that you actually use every day. — Isabel Bekele, Commerce Writer

Barnes & Noble Nook GlowLight 4

I am an avid reader—on my commute, before bed, lounging Sunday afternoons—it’s one of my favorite ways to spend my free time. I hate reading from screens and paper books are heavy—and the cost of the hobby adds up quickly. My Nook saves space in my apartment and money (E-books are generally much cheaper than paper books). I have a book on me always and this makes it so sleek and convenient to carry. I can load it up for long trips, plus the e-reader keeps my latest spicy romance inconspicuous to the general public. This is absolutely my most-used gift ever. I found myself reading more than ever when I switched to this glare-free e-reader. — Shannon Bauer, Associate Editorial Director

Bose QuietComfort Bluetooth Headphones

I used to make fun of my boyfriend for having such an expensive pair of Bose noise-cancelling headphones, until he bought me my own pair. These headphones have changed my life. As someone with undiagnosed misophonia, they have made work and travel so much easier—I can shut out all the annoying sounds of life. Now I can’t imagine life without these headphones. — Kelly Chiello, Photo Director

Bombas Women’s Solids Half Calf Sock Four-Pack

My favorite gifts tend to be the most practical—ones I can actually use everyday. Well, it doesn’t get more practical than socks, and ever since I was gifted Bombas socks for Christmas a few years ago, I’ve been obsessed with them. They’re incredibly comfy and have become my go-tos for the fall and winter. The brand’s lineup changes seasonally, and right now I’m obsessed with these half-calf socks that are thick, durable, and stylish. — Christina Butan, Senior Commerce Editor

Catbird Dollhouse Gold Locket

It felt really special when my parents gifted me this very thoughtful item. It’s an item I’ve wanted forever but probably wouldn’t buy myself, and also personalized with an engraved with a beautiful cursive “I.” 

I don’t tend to switch out my jewelry often, so I love that it’s a high-quality piece I can wear daily, including in the shower, and never take off. It matches the rest of my gold accessories and has an understated look, which is exactly my style. Even though it’s not actually a vintage piece, it has that same old-school aesthetic I love, and, per the brand, they made it in a family-owned studio that’s been operated since the 19th century! — Irene Richardson, Commerce Writer

Sandro Yza Bag

My boyfriend gave this to me Christmas last year, so not only do I love it for its design, I’m also incredibly impressed by his taste in bags (thus the reason for its top spot on my favorite gifts list). I love that this bag is roomy enough to store a phone, wallet, keys, lip gloss, and more, while also being compact and dainty enough to wear to formal occasions. It has all of the beloved characteristics of a designer bag 10 times its price—it’s sleek, luxe-looking, and made with high-quality materials. — Christina Oehler, Senior Commerce Editor

Vitruvi Stone Essential Oil Diffuser

My twin sister knew I’d been yearning for a Vitruvi diffuser since the second I saw it—and granted my wish a few holiday seasons ago. A go-to for Gwenyth Paltrow, Sarah Jessica Parker, and more taste-makers, this design-forward essential oil-diffuser is among the prettiest items on my nightstand. (Of the countless diffusers I’ve tried, it’s unrivaled in all respects.) Water, plus a few drops of oil, scents the surrounding air via a gentle, mesmerizing mist. In addition to pretty, this diffuser is functional: It offers a timer feature, for one, which allows me to drift off to sleep without shutting it off. Plus, the base emits a soft glow that’s perfect to use as a nightlight. I’m convinced my bedroom would prove significantly less cozy—and stylish—without this gorgeous gadget. — Sophie Wirt, Commerce Writer

Allen Sports Deluxe Two-Bike Trunk Mount Rack

Biking is a mini hobby but not enough to take up my personality.  I have a friend that also rides but doesn’t live close to me, so going for a bike ride together would be impossible since I have a little toy car that barely fits four people in it. So I was pleasantly surprised when I was gifted this bike mount—I thought it was an extremely unique gift and something I would’ve never thought of buying myself. — Jaclyn Mastropasqua, Associate Production Director