From the editor: The best gifts shouldn’t be practical

11:01 AM |

A letter from
the editor

MY FAVORITE HOLIDAY GIFTS FOR 2026

Lakrids by Bülow licorice Advent calendar

The Mahjong House Seaglass Travel Mahjong Set

I spend all year reviewing products. Here are the ones I'd actually gift to my friends and family.

Hi there,

I’ll let you in on a secret. As executive editor of Reviewed, I spend my days surrounded by products. I test them, I debate them, and I help our team figure out which ones actually deserve your money.

You’d think that by December I’d be sick of shopping. Nope. Holiday gift-hunting is my favorite sport.

I love the hunt for just the right present for each family member and friend: the cool, unique thing they’d never think to buy for themselves. What I don’t love? Shopping off a list. I’d much rather make lists that inspire other people, which is kind of my job.

Here’s the thing about gifts: They don’t have to be practical. In fact, they shouldn’t be.

A present is your chance to make someone smile, so go ahead and spread a little joy.

These are six items I’m excited to gift someone this season.

Lakrids by Bülow Advent Calendar

$69.99 at Lakrids by Bülow

On a vacation to Iceland, I fell hard for the black licorice and Scandinavian-style candy I tasted there. This calendar brings it all back, with 24 days of gourmet chocolate-coated licorice made in Denmark. And no, it’s not Twizzlers. Not even close.

The Mahjong House Seaglass Travel Mahjong Set

$375 at The Mahjong House

I recently learned to play mahjong, and I’m hooked. I own a full-size Mahjong House set, and it’s super high quality. It’s classy but fun, with beautifully etched tiles and soft mats. The travel version costs less and zips into its own bag, so you’re ready when downtime hits on a girls’ trip.

Compartés Treasures of the Orchard Chocolate Covered Fruit Gift Box

$74 at Compartés

This is my go-to host gift for holiday parties and dinners. It’s gorgeous to look at and absolutely delicious: plump sugared fruit like apricots, pears, pineapple, and oranges, dipped in dark or milk chocolate. It will blow your host away.

Officine Universelle Buly La Sizaine Universelle

$155 at Buly 1803

Last year in Paris, I bought this elegant box of six Eau Triple perfume vials at Buly 1803’s boutique in Galeries Lafayette Haussmann. It was for my sister, who is incredibly hard to buy for. The scents represent the perfume house’s collection, from minerally lichen to Maltese iris. Each vial is water-based, alcohol-free, and travel-sized.

Birdbuddy Nook

$99 at Birdbuddy

Sitting outside and listening to the birds overhead is one of my favorite summertime activities. I’ve tested dozens of smart bird feeders over the past five years. Birdbuddy was one of the first companies to put a camera on a feeder, and the Nook is one of the simplest yet most satisfying experiences out there. It has a high-quality camera for photos and video, plus AI bird identification. It’s also affordable, compact, and well-made, and it won’t bury you in notifications—which is rarer than you’d think.

Ororo Vanguard Unisex 5-Zone Bluetooth Heated Liner Vest

$199.99 at Ororo

I live in New England, and it gets cold here, whether you’re out walking the dog or just sitting at your desk working from home. This vest keeps you cozy, and you can control the heat from your phone. When you keep your house at 62°F as I do, a vest like this becomes a welcome wardrobe addition.

Ready to start making your lists? We’ve got a guide for everyone: shop all our gift guides here—and happy holidays.

Leigh Harrington

Executive Editor, Reviewed