Things I own and love that you should gift to someone

I have been posting these to Facebook during the holiday buying seasons, but given how bad Facebook's search feature is, I thought it might make sense to collect these here for posterity.

2024

• A mini-USB fan for the kitchen when cutting onions (easily found for less than $10). Yes, I know, you can put onions in the freezer or wear ski goggles, but I think this is easier. 
• USB data blocker (aka "USB condom", less than $10) to protect your stuff from malware on public USB chargers. This is a relatively unlikely risk (see Krebs on Security for the background), but for those times when you don't have any alternatives but to use airport/hotel/random USB charging ports, this is cheap insurance. You can even get one that converts older USB-A to modern USB-C.
• Cabinet door pot lid holder ($12): now you can store your pot lids on the inside of your cabinet doors, getting you more space inside the cabinets!

2023

• Haflinger GZ Grizzly clogs ($110 on sale; $155 list): My go-to in-the-house slipper choice for over a decade, these are like a felt-lined, better-looking Birkenstock, with a cork footbed that conforms to your foot over time. Warm, but never sweaty. Expensive, but they last me 3 years of daily use. Lesson: don't skimp on things you use every day. 
• A fancy, hand-blown wine glass: The Zalto Universal glass ($78) is the one that you see all over Instagram, but I like the Grassl Liberté ($68) and the Glasvin Prestige ($47) even better. Yes, these are all expensive, but drinking wine from any of these makes the wine an occasion, not just a beverage. I'm not arguing that these make wine taste better -- just that they make any machine-made glass seem primitive and crass by comparison. (These are dishwasher ONLY, as you will break them if you wash by hand, so keep that in mind.)
• A nice kitchen apron: I really like mine from Hedley & Bennett ($85; cross back is more comfy, but a bit harder to put on). Also love the Death & Co floral one I got for J from Tilit ($98).

2022

• Dried slab apricots from ApricotKing ($50 minimum order to ship): There is one standout variety when it comes to dried apricots -- the California Blenheim. Sadly, inferior, cheaper Turkish apricots have driven this superior domestic variety out of most markets. ApricotKing is where to get the real deal. Don't believe me? Get some and do a side-by-side comparison. Really. 
• Cocoa Runners monthly craft chocolate subscription box (~$40/mo. depending on the exchange rate): Cocoa Runners is a UK-based company dedicated to "bean to bar" craft chocolates that offers a four-bar monthly subscription box that features different craft producers from around the world.  You can choose dark chocolate only, milk chocolate only, both, or 100% only (the dark and 100% options are vegan).
• JoeVeo Temperfect mug ($49): this travel mug brings boiling hot beverages quickly down to drinking temperature and then holds them at that temperature for hours. It does NOT have a watertight lid (so no tossing in a bag), and it's not cheap, but now I don't burn myself or feel the need to rush my morning tea before it gets cold. Also not dishwasher safe, but easy to disassemble to clean. I backed this on Kickstarter years ago, and this mug has been great for me since 2018.
• Sony LinkBuds Open ($178): This one is a **very** specialized recommendation. These are wireless Bluetooth earbuds; not the cheapest, not the best sounding, not the most comfortable, not the most well-featured. But IF YOU WANT TO HEAR YOUR SURROUNDINGS, they are without peer. While seemingly every other mfr. is leaning into active noise cancellation (ANC) with a "transparency mode" for hearing the outside world, Sony put a big hole in the middle to let in all the outside sounds. As someone who lives in the city, I don't want to be insulated when I'm walking the dog or going for a run. I want to know when cars and bikes are nearby, and when a person is approaching. If that's you, too, then I recommend  LinkBuds. (As with all ear things, fit is very individual, so buy with an option to return. Also, I've updated this with the latest model, improved from 2022. And also consider the Meta RayBan smart glasses as another alternative for truly "transparent" ambient sounds while listening.)

2021

• 100% merino wool base layer shirt, $100-120. There's nothing in my wardrobe I wear more regularly, in both long and short sleeves, than these. My go-to brands are IceBreaker (for long-sleeve) and Outlier (for short-sleeve). Yes, they are spendy, but they last, can be machine washed and tumble dried, resist odor, and warm without being too warm.
• Dyson cordless vacuum, $350-650. Our Dyson cordless vac is definitely among the best pandemic purchases we've made. Yes, it's not as good on the specs as the traditional plug-in vac. Yes, they're expensive. But we probably use it about 10x as often as we did the plug-in vac, and that makes all the difference. (And check the Dyson outlet for discounted refurbed units, that's where we got ours.)
• The Expanse book series, $110. It's finally complete, this 9 volume space opera. It's SO GOOD. It may be hard to find anyone who needs to read these who hasn't already read them. But if you know one of them, please, please, get them started...
• Zapit bug zapper, $29 for two: A necessary implement in our house, where fruit flies are a scourge for much of the year. The ZAP when a fly meets its maker is so satisfying. 
• THX Onyx USB C dongle DAC, $199. If you know someone who spends a lot of time listening to music from their Android phone or Macbook via wired headphones (I know, who does that anymore, in this age of Airpods!), this will improve their lives. Yes, at $199 ($150 on sale), it's spendy, but it makes a real difference on both my Pixel 4a and M1 Macbook Air (yes, even if you're just listening to regular, lossy Spotify).

2019

• Mono Filio 0.6 liter teapot, $110: yes, it's spendy. But I've had mine for 18 years. It's the perfect size (not too big) and design, allowing the loose tea leaves to freely circulate during steeping, but also easy to clean after by tapping it into the compost when done. Steel and glass, no plastic. Amazing how hard it is to find a teapot that ticks all these boxes. 
• iRobot Braava Jet 240 mopping robot, $199: I love this thing. Because I hate mopping. Great for small kitchens and bathrooms, assuming no carpets.
• Stance socks, $12-20/pr: Yes, socks seems so pedestrian for gifting. But not Stance socks. Not to get all Marie Kondo on you, but I am delighted by having something besides black and white to choose between.
• Sur La Table Flex-Core silicone jar scraper, $13: My single favorite kitchen purchase of the past year. I reach for it all the time. So many jars in need of scraping. Honey. Mayo. Jam. Hummus. Etc, etc. And this is a one-piece item (no handle-pulling-off nonsense), dishwasher safe, heat resistant to 600 degrees.  

2017

• Zojirushi SM-KHE36XA Stainless Steel Travel Mug, 12-Ounce, $21: This is my ultimate travel thermos. Leak proof, easy to operate with one hand, comes apart easily for cleaning, keeps things hot for a loooong time, fits auto cup holders. As of this update, mine has been going strong for four years.
• Sennheiser HD650 headphones, $320 (or, even better, the MassDrop x Sennheiser 6XX, which is the same headphone, but priced at $220). An audiophile classic, and now a stone bargain from MassDrop. I've owned these for 15 years. I've moved on to better (and much more expensive) headphones, but these remain a gateway drug for quality, open-back headphones. Note: Because these are open-back, those around you can hear what you hear, and vice-versa, so these are not for airplane/subway/open office use. You probably also should have an amp of some kind (like the relatively inexpensive Audioquest Dragonfly DAC/amp). 
• ThermoWorks Thermapen instant-read kitchen thermometer, $99: as a home cook, I can't imagine cooking without a good, instant-read thermometer. The Thermapen is the gold standard, and I've been using one for 15+ years without complaint. The "classic" version (lacks waterproofness, auto-rotating display, and backlight, but just as good at being a thermometer) can be had for $79. 
• How to Listen to and Appreciate Great Music, $60 via Audible: 48 lectures about the history of western music. These are the foundation of my appreciation of classical music. Robert Greenberg is a great lecturer, and I promise that this is at least as good as the podcasts you're listening to.
• Delta Faucet 2-Spray shower head, $20: If you are suffering with a crappy old shower head that leaks, or doesn't give you enough water, or is too damn complicated, and you don't need a bunch of complex nonsense, consider this $20 one. It just works. 

2015

• Logitech K811 Easy-Switch Bluetooth Keyboard, $63. All these little cut-the-cord TV boxen (Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, etc) have an Achilles Heel -- no keyboard! So when you have to type in a HBO Now password or a search query, it's a drag. Yes, I know that voice recognition is getting better, but I still use this keyboard frequently. Bonus: it can pair with up to 3 different devices, so you can use one for all the boxen around your TV. (UPDATE: lots has changed in 10 years, see the Wirecutter for recommended current models.)
• Mina Stone, Cooking for Artists, $27. This is the most useful cookbook I've encountered in years that is not a Cooks Illustrated publication. Simple, rustic, beautiful, Greek-influenced cooking that is realistic for the home kitchen and doesn't rely on obscure ingredients or unrealistic techniques.
• Nick and Nora cocktail glasses, $40 for 6. These really do make every cocktail an occasion. Just make sure the recipient likes cocktails.

2014

• Nuance Wine Finer, $23: Cooks Illustrated picked this wine aerator back in 2009 after testing a bunch. Whatever you think about wine aeration, this is handy to have around for red wine, as it also acts as a filter for bits of cork and sediment and eliminates drip (tho, if you just want drip control, the Drop Stop Pour Disk is cheaper and works just as well). I use it a lot more than my decanters.
• Westone Custom-fit Concert Earplugs, $150. An expensive, but amazing, alternative to the $12 Etymotic earplugs **everyone** should have (see #8 below). These require a trip to the audiologist to get custom molds made of your ear canal. But if you are a regular concert-goer or musician, they are fantastic. The 9 db filter makes it sound like you're not wearing earplugs at all, but cuts the volume enough that you don't have to worry that you're damaging your hearing. I wish I'd made the investment 20 years ago. 
• GOgroove SMARTmini AUX Bluetooth Audio Receiver Car Kit, $25. **If** your car has an "aux" jack for the stereo, **and** lacks bluetooth, **and** you want to add bluetooth (so you can play Spotify from your phone through your car stereo wirelessly), then this is pretty tidy. In particular, if you own a 2010 Honda Fit like I do, it's a well-nigh perfect addition -- compact, not a tempting target for theft, and works well. :-)
• Riedel Magnum Overture wine glasses, $7 each at Amazon ($56 for set of 8), great everyday glass, with a short stem so they fit in the dishwasher (yes, the dishwasher).

2013

• Etymotic Ety-Plugs earplugs, $12. These attenuate evenly across the audio spectrum, so they don't leave you with the "underwater" sound that regular earplugs do. Buy for every person you know who attends concerts. Remember, your hearing will never be as good as it is right now. (UPDATE: in the years since I posted this, there has been a bunch of new market entrants into the "musician's earplug" market. See the Wirecutter's choices for the latest.)
• Cook's Illustrated Cookbook.  I've relied on Best Recipes and the Cook's Bible for years, and this is the latest version of those compendiums. Not a substitute for the detailed articles in the magazine, but a great (and reliable) source for cooking all kinds of basics. 
• Logitech Easy-Switch Bluetooth Keyboard. Ability to switch pairing on the fly with up to three devices turns out to be very useful around the house -- iPad one minute, Apple TV the next! 
• Brother HL-2270DW black & white laser printer ($110). For someone who still likes to print things out to read them (me!), this is cheap, fast, reliable, does two-sided printing, connects through WiFi (works great from MacBook thru Airport Extreme, YMMV depending on your network). [UPDATE: see The Wirecutter's article on best cheap printers for the latest recommendations, which still includes the Brother as runner up as of 2014.]
• a subscription to Cooks Illustrated magazine. I can't imagine how I would have learned anything reliable about cooking without it. And no, the online subscription is not a substitute for reading the complete articles on paper. Completely essential.  Completely. Essential.
• All-Clad 12" Fry Pan with cover. Yes, it's $140. But it is worth it, as confirmed by repeated tests by Cooks Illustrated, America's Test Kitchen, and The Sweet Home. One fry pan to rule them all that should last a decade or more of ordinary use. Along with a Le Creuset dutch oven, one of the two absolutely indispensable stove-top items I own. 
• Drop Stop Pour Disk. Makes pouring wine much more pleasant, and these are cheap ($5) and re-usable.
• The Art of the Shim: Low-Alcohol Cocktails to Keep You Level. Yes, the author is a friend of mine, but the cocktails and the concept are both great! Amazing photography and finish, too.