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, $39.99
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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Fire 7 Tablet, $49.99
Amazon's Fire tablets are a relatively great deal for a tablet if you're not looking for anything super high-performance driven or luxe. For the average user, they're a good fit. It's Alexa-enabled, so you can ask for quick access to music and entertainment or messages and calling, and it has up to seven hours of battery life.
You can shop the latest versions for a bit more money here.
A popular reusable shopping bag in a fun print
An all-new Echo Dot
3rd Generation Echo Dot, $49.99
The newest Echo Dot is a great gift for expert or amateur tech users. It has thousands of skills, but doesn't require much 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. For $60, you can pre-order one with a built-in clock now, too.
One of the year's most noteworthy books
"On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous: A Novel" by Ocean Vuong, $18.60
Ocean Vuong is an American poet, and "On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous" is his much-anticipated debut novel. Published in 2019, it's a letter from a son to a mother who cannot read that delves into family history, addiction, violence, trauma, and compassion and tenderness. If they're a bookworm looking for the next bittersweet American classic, you may want to start here.
An electric bottle opener
next slide will load in 15 secondsSkip AdSkip AdHighly rated in-ear earbuds
Panasonic ErgoFit In-Ear Earbud Headphones, from $8.83
Whether for everyday use, the gym, as a backup, or just for travel when Bluetooth headphones won't connect to the in-flight entertainment, there are ample uses for really solid in-ear buds with a stereo plug. This pair has an extended cord, three sets of ear pads for the perfect fit, and is "Amazon's Choice" with over 38,000 five-star reviews.
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
The cult-favorite clay mask that took over the internet
A cast iron skillet with almost 10,000 five-star reviews
Lodge 10.25-Inch Cast Iron Skillet, $13.25
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.
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A famous hot sauce made from peppers grown in over 30 community gardens in the Bronx
Small Axe Peppers Variety 3-Pack, $31.95
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 salt plank for cooking
Himalayan Salt Plate and Holder Set, $38.68
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 universal USB wall charger that fits four devices
next slide will load in 15 secondsSkip AdSkip AdAn Atlas Obscura calendar full of daily photos and tidbits about the world's strangest and coolest places or festivals
Atlas Obscura Page-A-Day 2020 Calendar, $14.99
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.
A delicious gift basket of caramel, chocolate, and crunchy gourmet treats
A hair turban that will cut drying time in half
Aquis Original Microfiber Hair Turban, from $20
Aquis' cult-favorite hair towels have inspired a slew of rave reviews online, including one from our own team of product reviewers.
The towels are made from a proprietary fabric called Aquitex that's composed of ultra-fine fibers (finer than silk) that work to reduce the amount of friction the hair experiences while in its weakest state. It also prevents hygral fatigue — the stretching and swelling of wet hair that makes it vulnerable to frizz and damage — by cutting the hair's drying time by 50%.
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
PowerLix Milk Frother, $9.97
A milk frother is an unexpectedly convenient tool to have around the house, and it can make an otherwise normal cup of coffee or hot chocolate closer to what you'd buy at the cafe. With it, they can make lattes, cappuccinos, and frothy coffees every morning for less.
next slide will load in 15 secondsSkip AdSkip AdA soap bar that's a great life hack for tough stains
The Laundress Wash & Stain Bar, $5.67
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.
Alexa-enabled smart plugs
Wemo Mini Smart WiFi-Enabled Plug, $24.49
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, $11.89
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.
next slide will load in 15 secondsSkip AdSkip AdA keychain that finds their keys for them
Tile Pro with Replaceable Battery, $23.16
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, $36.69
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.