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As professional product reviewers, gift-giving feels like a niche, highly enjoyable Olympic event. It's also made us even more appreciative of the great gifts we've been gifted over the years. Game recognizes game.
I asked my colleagues what the best gifts they ever received were — all of which you can find below. Our standouts range from a thoughtful custom print of the lyrics from the first dance at a wedding to the practical and cool — like the Apple Watch and a robot vacuum.
If you're looking for inspiration this year, we hope you'll find some here from our loved ones. You can also browse the best gifts we think we've ever given here and find gift guides for everyone on your list here.
The 22 best gifts we've ever received:
A set of light-up wall panels that flow with the music in a room
Nanoleaf Light Panels | Rhythm Edition, available on Amazon, $449.99
I've always appreciated well-designed setups with colorful lights. My friend (who is also very much into RGB lights and strip lights) knew this and gifted me these light panels as a housewarming gift when I moved. Nanoleaf can set up schedules throughout the day so I can work under sunlight tones or productive static color modes during the day, or swap it to a dimming sunset before bed. Even better, this specific version has a rhythm module that recognizes ambient audio so I can have a rainbow of lights reacting to my music.
The light panels can be designed to your preference so you could have a straight line or make it angular, and you can always get another kit if you want to extend the design. — Tiffany Chang, Strategic Partnership Manager
A necklace that celebrates special locations
Map Jewelry, available on Talia Sari, from $159
For my birthday, I got this necklace that I wear nearly every day. I get compliments almost every time I put it on, even from people who don't realize it's actually a map of my favorite places in my college town of Madison, Wisconsin. Talia Sari makes jewelry that is customizable to show any street view you can find on Google Maps. While mine has personal significance to me, anyone can create a unique piece, including location, material, and jewelry type. — Lily Oberstein, Associate Growth Editor
A unique cheese board
Recycled Wine Bottle Platter with Spreader, available on UncommonGoods, $24
I love all things cheese, and this past Christmas, my friend had a few of us over and gave us surprise gifts. My partner and I got this truly unique-looking cheese board made from a recycled wine bottle. It encourages me to actually put my little cheeses on a nice setting instead of eating them straight from the package like some fromage fiend. — Julia Pugachevsky, Hobbies, Books, and Gifts Editor
A Portlandia-inspired cookbook
"The Portlandia Cookbook: Cook Like A Local", available on Amazon, $16.19
After initially bonding over Sleater-Kinney, the Riot grrrl movement at large, and both having a copy of Carrie Brownstein's memoir, "Hunger Makes Me A Modern Girl" naturally, my partner Alex and I would both share a love for the greatest television show of all time, "Portlandia." Since we were only dating for a short period of time, I thought they picked out a gift that was the perfect amount of cute and thoughtful for a new person in your life. — Elena Matarazzo, Associate Story Producer
An instant camera
Fujifilm Instax 11, available on Amazon, $74
My mom got me the Instax Mini a few years ago and it is still one of my favorite possessions. There's basically no learning curve so you can start taking cool, vintage-looking polaroids right away. Every time I look through my old polaroid photos I'm brought back to each moment in a lovely way that doesn't happen when I'm looking through my camera roll. Bonus points if you throw in a photo album and extra film. — Elisabeth Chambry, Strategic Partnerships Manager
A custom print of song lyrics
A custom print of song lyrics, available on Minted, from $198
Coincidentally, my husband and I shopped at Minted separately for our first wedding anniversary gifts without telling each other. While I had our vows printed and framed, he had the song lyrics for our first dance printed and framed. It's a thoughtful reminder of a special moment and I can hear the song in my head every time I look over at the framed lyrics. — Jada Wong, Senior Editor
A meaningful book by Joan Didion
"The Year of Magical Thinking" by Joan Didion, available on Amazon, Target, and Barnes & Noble, from $11.71
My sister almost always gifts me books and, because she's a voracious reader, they're typically the best ones I read all year. Sort of like a personalized Book of the Month membership.
The titles I've enjoyed most include "Pachinko," "A Little Life," and, my all-time favorite, "The Year of Magical Thinking." It's written in the aftermath of Didion unexpectedly losing her partner of 40 years, John Dunne, and is an unusually secular look at grief. It may not seem like the kind of thing you'd gift, but, here it is — maybe the best thing I've ever received. In this title, Didion is surgically honest and explorative. It's intimate, original, and unforgettable, and it gave me newfound gratefulness for my relationships. — Mara Leighton, Senior Reporter
A customizable mp3 player filled with personal songs
Customizable and Portable MP3 Player, available on Amazon, $29.99
I've been with my partner for almost five years, and so many gifts have been shared with one another. My partner is a musician and we also have a band together. This year for my birthday, he really outdid himself with a customizable mp3 player filled with songs he'd written for me, ones we've written together, and our favorites over the years. As you can guess, I was a sobbing mess and consider it the most thoughtful gift I've ever received. — Maiya Pascouche, Associate Story Producer
A useful kitchen tool
Microplane, available on Amazon, $21.99
I cook a lot — like multiple times a day, even in non-quarantine times — so kitchen items are always my favorite and most-used gifts. My partner got me a really nice Microplane grater a few years ago, and it's probably one of the best things I've ever been gifted (as far as utility goes). I had a pretty crappy zester before this, but having a nice one that works for zesting or grating citrus, hard cheeses, and nutmeg has made all the difference in the kitchen. — Sally Kaplan, Executive Editor
A necklace with a piece of the iconic Glinda dress from “Wicked” in it
The Glinda Bubble Necklace from Scenery Bags, available on Scenery, $55
I'm a huge theater fan and "Wicked" is one of my all-time favorite shows, so getting this necklace from my best friend was one of the highlights of last Christmas for me. The round necklace is a small glass "bubble" filled with shimmery, light blue fabric swatches from the iconic bubble dress that Glinda wears in the opening number of "Wicked." Each necklace comes with a certificate of authenticity as well. It's such a unique gift with a theatrical twist, perfect for anyone who's ever dreamed of wearing that bubble dress. — Angela Tricarico, Streaming Editorial Fellow
A bamboo bath tray for spa time at home
Oobest Bathtub Tray, available on Amazon, $23.99
I take my baths very seriously, as they are my favorite way to relax and unwind after a particularly stressful day. But my bath accessories were getting a little out of control, to the point where I was balancing a wine glass, a book, a candle, and either my phone or a tablet for entertainment on the top of my toilet. Not exactly spa-like. So when my boyfriend surprised me with this bamboo tray as an early Christmas present, I couldn't wait to try it out.
It has a slot to hold my wine glass securely, as well as a rest for my phone — although I'm a little nervous about keeping it above the water like that. The center rest has an adjustable base stopper, so it can accommodate any size book, tablet, or magazine with ease. And the adjustable sides mean it can fit almost any bathtub length, so it can move with you, too. Talk about a bath upgrade. — Maria Del Russo, Former Editor
A membership to a local pilates studio
eGift Card, available on Club Pilates, from $10
My dad recently gifted me a few months of membership to a Pilates studio. I love the classes, but it's also absolutely a splurge. Exercise is so good for us; it makes us happy, it can help build our self-confidence, and it can teach us the vital lesson that progress often requires some failure. Pilates also serves as meditative "me" time, too. It's one of the best gifts anyone could give me, and it shows my dad listened and understood how important it is to me. How sweet, to be given a luxury that you can't afford as often as you'd like to. — Mara Leighton, Senior Reporter
A great pair of headphones
Apple AirPods, available on Target, $99.99
I received my Apple AirPods as a gift nearly two years ago and they're still one of my most used items. They're not the absolute best-sounding headphones that money can buy, but considering the size, secure in-ear fit, and price, I don't have any complaints. I love that they're small enough to put in my pocket, so I bring them everywhere I wouldn't want to carry big over-the-ear headphones. They're great for listening to music, podcasts, and hands-free calls.
Now that Apple is no longer including wired headphones with its latest iPhone models, AirPods are one of the most useful gifts you can give. — Amir Ismael, Reporter
A crowdfunded Apple Watch
Apple Watch Series 6 44mm GPS, available on Target, $329.99
There is nothing I hate more than wasting money — except my friends and family wasting money buying me gifts. As a bonafide early adopter, I know what I want, and what I want is usually on the more "premium" end of things. So it's impossible to ask for things — especially a gift that costs upwards of $400. So in lieu of cheaper (see: unwanted) alternatives, I've generally stuck to more affordable requests.
This year, though, I opted to use PayPal Pools to crowdfund my extravagant gift. Over a dozen of my friends and family members contributed to the fund that allowed me to pick up my Apple Watch and put me back on track to a healthier, more active lifestyle. Plus, I'm excited to try out the Fitness+ when it comes out. — Tercius Bufete, Deals Editor
An encyclopedic cookbook for baking enthusiasts
"Cook's Illustrated Baking Book" from America's Test Kitchen, available on Amazon, $22.98
My favorite part of baking is the opportunity to dive into solvable mysteries, like why you should put a dash of salt in your hot chocolate or why you shouldn't line an angel food cake tin. This recipe book is really a baking encyclopedia, with explanations of testing processes and tips for each recipe on every page. I loved this gift because the giver knew it would keep my fire going. So far, my favorite recipes are the perfect chocolate chip cookies and the rosemary focaccia. — Lily Alig, Junior Reporter
A wine bottle stopper and aerator
Haley's Corker, available on Amazon, $10.99
I got this tiny little corker as a part of a larger, wine-themed gift, and five years later I'm still using it regularly. I drink my wine at a leisurely pace, which means I'm constantly storing half-full bottles in the fridge. This corker keeps the bottle air-tight and secure, so the wine inside stays fresher for longer.
But it's not just a fancy stopper. Haley's Corker is also an aerator, which helps to open up a glass of wine, showcasing the flavors. I swear, this little stopper has made $10 bottles of wine taste incredible — and you'll be able to taste the difference the second you use it. It's now my favorite hostess gift to give, and I recently restocked my own stash, too. — Maria Del Russo, Former Editor
A decorative Moroccan leather pouf
Moroccan leather pouf ottoman, available on Amazon, $129
A few years ago, I offhandedly told my partner I wanted one of these ottomans for our living room. They ended up surprising me with it months later as a gift on Christmas, and I'll never forget it. We still have the ottoman, and we use it all the time as extra seating, a footrest, and decor.
Note that this one comes stuffed with a cushion, but you can just get the cover and stuff it yourself to save a little money. — Sally Kaplan, Executive Editor
An ultra-durable pair of slippers
Glerup slippers, available on Backcountry, $134.95
Felt has this amazing quality of molding to your feet in the same way that cork does over time, but with the grace of Ugg-like shearling wool. Made with 100% natural wool, these slippers are about as toasty as they get, and come with either rubber or leather soles. The rubber soles are extra grippy, and should you find yourself out-of-doors in them in any case scenario, they'll survive. — Owen Burke, Senior Reporter
A personalized joint birthstone necklace
Personalized Classic 2 Birthstone Necklace in 14k Gold, available on Haverhill, $375
My sister gave me this necklace with her birthstone and mine on the morning of her wedding as a thank you for being her maid of honor and friend. It means the world to me, and I've worn it every day since. It's special to me that every time I look in the mirror — even just to wash my face — I see this and think of my sister. — Mara Leighton, Senior Reporter
A robot vacuum that reduces chore time
BoostIQ RoboVac 11S, available on Amazon, $139.99
This has been one of the most useful gifts I've been given. Instead of hovering over the floors and vacuuming, I can let it run on its own and go do something else — it just gives me so much time back. You have to remember to elevate cords though, otherwise, it'll get stuck. — Jada Wong, Senior Editor
A dessert cookbook for bakers of all levels
"Dessert Person" by Claire Saffitz, available on Target, $21.11
Claire Saffitz, formerly of Bon Appetit Gourmet Makes fame, released her new cookbook "Dessert Person", and I was so eager to buy it that my partner had to relent and give me my Christmas present two months early — she had already pre-ordered it for me. What I love about this book is that it's arranged in order of difficulty, so you can start at the beginning of any section — it's broken down by cookies, cakes, savory bakes, etc. — and find accessible recipes. As you get more adept in the kitchen, you can graduate to harder bakes. And Saffitz has recently launched a companion YouTube series where she bakes through recipes from the book, which is great if you're a visual learner. — Jen Gushue, Associate Guides Editor
A food scale that takes the guesswork out of baking
Escali Primo P115C Precision Kitchen Food Scale, available on Amazon, $24.95
I was one of the many people whose love of baking caught fire during the pandemic, and as I delved more deeply into the science of cakes, cookies, and bread, I discovered how important it is to weigh your ingredients. My partner decided she was tired of hearing me rant about how imprecise measuring flour by volume really is, so she bought me this Escali Primo Kitchen Scale. It provides a quick accurate weight by the gram, ounce, or pound, and it's given me the ability to follow and execute more complex recipes as my baking skills improve. — Jen Gushue, Associate Guides Editor
Mara Leighton Senior Digital Culture Reporter Mara Leighton is a senior digital culture reporter. If you want to get in touch, please send an email to mleighton@businessinsider.com, or send a DM on twitter to @maraleighton. Read more Read lessncG1vNJzZmivp6x7o8HSoqWeq6Oeu7S1w56pZ5ufonyowcidnKxnl56ztb%2BOm5ysrF2qwKay1KVkoKGWqcBusdWeqWaqlZiyqsLEnQ%3D%3D