A vacuum insulated stainless steel water bottle people swear by
A powerful external battery
A media streamer that can turn a basic TV into a smart one
Fire TV Stick 4K, Alexa-Enabled Voice Remote, $34.99 (originally $49.99)
The all-new Fire TV Stick has a new Wi-Fi antenna design optimized for 4K Ultra-HD streaming and more storage for apps and games. Essentially, though, it's still your standard media streaming stick, and can convert a basic TV into a smart one that can stream Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu and more. It's Alexa-enabled, too, so you can control it by voice — turning the volume up on your sound bar and dimming the lights simultaneously.
Anthony Bourdain's best-selling culinary and travel memoir
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A popular reusable shopping bag in a fun print
An all-new Echo Dot
3rd Generation Echo Dot, $29.99 (originally $49.99)
The all-new Echo Dot is a great gift for expert or amateur tech users. It has thousands of skills, but doesn't require much interference once it's set up. Alexa can control smart lights, outlets, TVs, and more to make life more seamless, and she can tell you the forecast, find and check recipes, and play music or set alarms and timers.
$25 hidden gem headphones that sound far better than their price suggests
A gift box of gourmet coffee and chocolate pairings
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A candle that pays homage to their favorite place on earth
Homesick Candles, available at Amazon, $29.95
This is a great gift for pretty much anyone. Gift them a candle customized to smell like their beloved hometown, college town, or favorite getaway to show that you know them and want to bring their most loved spots a little closer to home.
A portable and waterproof speaker
A cast iron skillet with almost 10,000 five-star reviews
Lodge 10.25-Inch Cast Iron Skillet, $14.88
This 10.25 cast iron skillet has nearly 10,000 five-star reviews, and Lodge has been making cast iron cookware since 1896, so they've learned a thing or two about what makes a great kitchen tool.
One of the best-selling fiction books of 2018
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Majestic Pure Himalayan Salt Block with Stainless Steel Holder, $44.98 (originally $89)
A salt block is the multitasking tool more and more kitchens are adopting. They're a stable crystal structure, which means they can hold a temperature very well. It can be chilled to use as a serving platter for sushi, or heated over a grill or stovetop to cook veggies infused with flavor. Himalayan salt is more nuanced than table salt, and the amount of saltiness imparted varies with the type of food (moist foods absorb more salt, fatty foods repel it, etc.). It's also long-lasting and naturally antibacterial.
A famous hot sauce made from peppers grown in over 30 community gardens in the Bronx
Small Axe Peppers Variety 3-Pack, $31.99
This all-natural, tangy hot sauce is best known for its part in the popular Youtube series "Hot Ones." It's made from Serrano peppers grown in over 30 community gardens throughout the Bronx.
A universal USB wall charger that fits four devices
An Atlas Obscura calendar full of daily photos and tidbits about the world's strangest and coolest places or festivals
Atlas Obscura Color Page-A-Day Desk 2019 Calendar, $20.99
The Atlas Obscura calendar is a fun, novel way to infuse each day with an anchor of appreciation and wonder for the world. There are hundreds of photos that celebrate the world's strangest and coolest places, festivals, and foods. Travelers and life-long learners are particularly good candidates for this one.
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A charging case that protects and charges wireless devices on the go
A milk frother so they can make their favorite coffee or hot chocolate drinks from home
A soap bar that's a great life hack for tough stains
The Laundress Wash & Stain Bar, $6
This may qualify as more of a stocking stuffer due to its miniature size, but it's a great gift in any form. This is another early Insider Picks favorite because it's relatively cheap and works exceptionally well. The Laundress Wash & Stain Bar is one of the only things that can bring white clothes back from the brink of donation piles, as we've attested in our roundup of the best things we bought on Amazon under $25.
The best travel pillow we've found
Trtl Travel Pillow, $29.99
We know it sounds gimmicky, but these travel pillows from Trtl really do make a difference, which is why we've voted them the best travel pillows you can buy. It won't make the frequent traveler feel like they're in bed at home, but it will offer a better, more restful sleep on the move.
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Wemo Mini Smart WiFi-Enabled Plug, $24.99
These plugs turn your devices into smart tech. They help your giftee control their lights and appliances from a free app on their phone, or by voice using Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit.
A highly rated pump with universal wine stoppers to keep open bottles fresh for longer
The Original Vacu Vin Wine Saver with Two Vacuum Stoppers, $15.47
This hyper-popular pump and universal wine stopper set keeps open bottles of wine from prolonged exposure to the air, which is what causes the breakdown of its character and taste. This version makes a "click" sound when the user has managed to create an airtight seal, and has almost 3,000 five-star reviews.
A keychain that finds their keys for them
Tile Pro with Replaceable Battery, $34.93
Never let them lose their keys again. This new Tile keychain pairs with their smartphone so they'll always be able to locate them. Conversely, you can press the Tile button to locate your phone if it's lost, even if it's on silent mode.
A photo book from one of the most renowned wildlife photographers
"Polar Obsession" by Paul Nicklen, $45.94
Paul Nicklen is an acclaimed Canadian photographer, film-maker, and marine biologist known especially for his work in and deep understanding of the Arctic. He's a frequent contributor to National Geographic and has won the BBC Wildlife Photographer award of the year as well as the prestigious World Press Photo award for photojournalism.
Nicklen's photos reflect a reverence for creatures in isolated or endangered environments, and "Polar Obsession" is an incredible homage.