The 25 Best Gifts We Tested in 2024, Including Apple AirTags and Celeb-Worn Hoka Sneakers

Mar. 15, 2025

In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleBest Christmas Gifts We Tested in 2024Best Gifts Under $25Best Gifts for FriendsBest Gifts for MenGifts for WomenBest Gifts for TeensBest Gifts for KidsWhy Trust PEOPLE?What Is PEOPLE Tested?

In This ArticleView All

View All

In This Article

Best Christmas Gifts We Tested in 2024

Best Gifts Under $25

Best Gifts for Friends

Best Gifts for Men

Gifts for Women

Best Gifts for Teens

Best Gifts for Kids

Why Trust PEOPLE?

What Is PEOPLE Tested?

Photo:People

People

As someone with a reputation for the best gifts among my friends and family, I have a discerning eye for thoughtful andniche gift ideas. It really comes down to asking: “What will mean the most to someone at this time in their life?”

Our team tested over a thousand products this year, and I’ve personally tested a few hundred skincare products, shoes, home décor, and pet items that would make the absolute best Christmas gifts for anyone on your list, whether you choose to go practical or sentimental. I’ve also compiled excellent options forgifts under $25andgifts under $50.

Ahead, our top recommendations for the best gifts we’ve actually tested — keeping in mind the men, women, teens, and kids in your life.

Apple AirTagPHOTO: People / Tamara Staples$29$24 at Amazon$24 at Walmart$29 at Walgreens

Apple AirTag

PHOTO: People / Tamara Staples

$29$24 at Amazon$24 at Walmart$29 at Walgreens

The Apple AirTag won our favor in two separate tests:luggage trackersanddog GPS trackers. It can be submerged in water, is lightweight and easy to set up, and shows accurate results to find your precious cargo (whether wheeled luggage or furry pup).

Amazon Basics 500-Watt Ceramic Small Space Personal Mini HeaterPHOTO: People / Rachel Marek$16 at Amazon

Amazon Basics 500-Watt Ceramic Small Space Personal Mini Heater

PHOTO: People / Rachel Marek

$16 at Amazon

Whether you know a college student living in an icy dorm or apartment dwellers up north, this compact space heater is one ofthe best we tested. It’s lightweight and portable for yearly moves, and it shuts off if tipped over — an ideal safety feature for communal living spaces.

Cacala 100% Organic Cotton Pestemal Turkish Bath TowelPHOTO: People / Henry Wortock$25$23 at Amazon$44 at WalmartView on Cacala.com

Cacala 100% Organic Cotton Pestemal Turkish Bath Towel

PHOTO: People / Henry Wortock

$25$23 at Amazon$44 at WalmartView on Cacala.com

If you know someone with a beach getaway on the horizon, consider gifting thisTurkish beach towel. Between the discounted price, almost 40 hues to choose from, and the lightweight design that absorbs water and dries quickly, this towel is a must.

Bronax Pillow SlippersPHOTO: People / Madison Yauger$36$24 at Amazon

Bronax Pillow Slippers

PHOTO: People / Madison Yauger

$36$24 at Amazon

These unisex slides are the easiest slip-on-and-go shoes for letting the dog out, bopping around your house, or even running errands. I personally appreciate the comfortable platform cushioning, durable and machine-washable material, and color variety.

Homecourt Tray SetPHOTO: People / Erin JohnsonView on Homecourt.co

Homecourt Tray Set

PHOTO: People / Erin Johnson

View on Homecourt.co

For fans of fragrance, this minimalist tray set fromCourteney Cox’s Homecourt lineis bright in scent — like fresh roses. This dish soap left my dishes sparkling clean and smelling incredible, and the hand wash and hand cream delivered soft, smooth hands.

Medical King Heated BlanketPHOTO: People / Dera Burreson$52$35 at Amazon$50 at Walmart

Medical King Heated Blanket

PHOTO: People / Dera Burreson

$52$35 at Amazon$50 at Walmart

When temperatures dip, there’s no better gift than a cozy blanket, and this electric blanket provides extra warmth for those who are always cold. Whenwe tested this blanket, we liked the heat range options and the backlit screen you can easily adjust in the dark.

Gabriel-Glas StandArt Crystal Wine Glasses SetPHOTO: People / Russell Kilgore$68 at Amazon$68 at Wine.comView on Mygabrielglas.com

Gabriel-Glas StandArt Crystal Wine Glasses Set

PHOTO: People / Russell Kilgore

$68 at Amazon$68 at Wine.comView on Mygabrielglas.com

Wine glassesare a pretty safe bet as far as Christmas gifts go — and these are the best we’ve tried. Though they have a sleek shell, the glass proved fairly durable. Plus, they have a classic silhouette that makes for a delicate sip.

Calpak Packing Cubes 5-piece SetPHOTO: People/Jessica Juliao$68 at NordstromView on Calpaktravel.com$68 at The Container Store

Calpak Packing Cubes 5-piece Set

PHOTO: People/Jessica Juliao

$68 at NordstromView on Calpaktravel.com$68 at The Container Store

We’ve tried 23 of thebest packing cubes, and the Calpak set’s design impressed us the most. It comes with five cubes that have mesh panels to see inside and a water-resistant pouch for damp clothes or toiletries.

YETI Rambler TumblerPHOTO: People / Madison Yauger$50 at AmazonView on Yeti.comView on Westmarine.com

YETI Rambler Tumbler

$50 at AmazonView on Yeti.comView on Westmarine.com

Whether at an office meeting, on the golf course, or watching their favorite football team play, the men in your life will appreciate their drink staying hot or cold (respectively). ThisYeti tumbleris a proven editor favorite — and you can get it personalized for a custom touch.

Wisdom Panel Essential Dog DNA Collection KitPHOTO: People / Cheyann Neades$105$85 at Amazon$100 at ChewyView on Wisdompanel.com

Wisdom Panel Essential Dog DNA Collection Kit

PHOTO: People / Cheyann Neades

$105$85 at Amazon$100 at ChewyView on Wisdompanel.com

Do you know a dad who’s completely smitten with the dog theydidn’twant? (You may be entitled to compensation via saying ‘I told you so.’) Let the dog dad in your life exploretheir pup’s DNA historywith this test kit, which we found simple to use, with thorough results to boot.

Ryobi P21801 One+ 280 CFM 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Jet Fan BlowerPHOTO: People / Rachel MarekView on Ryobitools.com

Ryobi P21801 One+ 280 CFM 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Jet Fan Blower

View on Ryobitools.com

Save your man time and energy with this cordlesselectric leaf blower. In our test, it demonstrated easy setup and powerful airflow for quick leaf removal (30 seconds for dry leaves). And the sleek cordless design is portable and simple to maneuver around a yard.

Hoka Men’s Bondi 8PHOTO: People / Boris Kharlamenko$179 at Amazon$99 at Nordstrom$102 at Zappos

Hoka Men’s Bondi 8

PHOTO: People / Boris Kharlamenko

$179 at Amazon$99 at Nordstrom$102 at Zappos

Renais GinPHOTO: People / Alyssa BrasciaView on Totalwine.comView on Renais.com

Renais Gin

PHOTO: People / Alyssa Brascia

View on Totalwine.comView on Renais.com

If you know an aspiring mixologist, consider gifting a bottle of Renais Gin, acelebrity-owned alcohol brandcompliments ofEmma Watson and her brother, Alex. Our staff writer discovered this small-batch gin in a cocktail-making class and loves bold flavors of lemon peel, coriander, acacia honey, and rock salt.

Keurig K-Brew + Chill Coffee MakerPHOTO: People / Dera Burreson$200 at Amazon$200 at TargetView on Keurig.com

Keurig K-Brew + Chill Coffee Maker

$200 at Amazon$200 at TargetView on Keurig.com

If America runs on Dunkin, then moms run on Keurigs. Give your mom a boost in the morning with a delicious cup of joe via our favoriteKeurig coffee machine. With options for hot or cold coffee and especially strong brews, this machine can make any cup needed to take on the day.

Amazon Kindle PaperwhitePHOTO: People / Jennifer Maldonado$160 at Amazon$160 at Target$160 at Best Buy

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite

PHOTO: People / Jennifer Maldonado

$160 at Amazon$160 at Target$160 at Best Buy

One of our editorsachieved her reading goals thanks to her Amazon Kindlethis year — and convinced me to get one, too! The paperwhite has a large, crisp display, is slim and compact for commutes or travel, and is waterproof for risk-free pool-side reading.

Reef Cushion Vista HigherPHOTO: People / Anna KniefView on Reef.com

Reef Cushion Vista Higher

PHOTO: People / Anna Knief

View on Reef.com

Therabody Sleep MaskPHOTO: People / Joy Kim$99$79 at AmazonView on Therabody.com$99$79 at Best Buy

Therabody Sleep Mask

PHOTO: People / Joy Kim

$99$79 at AmazonView on Therabody.com$99$79 at Best Buy

Give the gift of relaxation and good sleep withthis proven Therabody Sleep Mask. Not only does it block out light and lightly vibrate against the wearer’s face, it stays in place all night. Plus, the fabric portion is machine washable should everyone in your house want to try the mask!

Shark FlexStyle Air Styling and Drying SystemPHOTO: People / Tamara Staples$329 at Amazon$290$210 at Walmart$300 at Ulta

Shark FlexStyle Air Styling and Drying System

$329 at Amazon$290$210 at Walmart$300 at Ulta

Hot air brusheshave revolutionized hair styling, taking what used to be an hour blow-drying process and condensing it to 20 minutes or less. Of all the tools we’ve tried, the Shark stands out for its versatile attachments and heat settings, as well as delivering a damage-free blowout.

Chillhouse Chill Tips Oprah Bundle Press-On Nails KitPHOTO: People / Alyssa Brascia$48 at Amazon

Chillhouse Chill Tips Oprah Bundle Press-On Nails Kit

$48 at Amazon

Our shopping writerhas worn Oprah’s favorite press-on nailsfor years and appreciates the design and shape variety, as well as the easy application and longevity of the nails. Plus, these nail boxes are a good size for stocking stuffers.

Pickled Stamps “From the Library of” Book EmbosserPHOTO: People / Madison Yauger$20 at Amazon$20 at Etsy

Pickled Stamps “From the Library of” Book Embosser

$20 at Amazon$20 at Etsy

If you havea bookworm at home, consider this personalized book stamp. Not only will it help your reader keep track of their books (should friends use their collection as a checkout library), it’s also absolutely adorable. I have used mine for years and make it a sport to stamp all of my books.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra HeadphonesPHOTO: Bose$429$349 at Amazon$429$349 at Walmart$429$329 at Walmart

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones

PHOTO: Bose

$429$349 at Amazon$429$349 at Walmart$429$329 at Walmart

Teens don’t neednoise-canceling headphonesto tune out their parents — they do it naturally. However, you might as well invest in the best pair we tested so they can listen to their favorite music, podcasts, and more without forcing the rest of the household to hear them, too.

Madden NYC Platform Lug Sole LoafersPHOTO: People / Ali Faccenda$59$37 at AmazonView on Walmart

Madden NYC Platform Lug Sole Loafers

PHOTO: People / Ali Faccenda

$59$37 at AmazonView on Walmart

Bluey Cook with Chef Kitchen PlaysetPHOTO: People / Joy Kim$80 at Amazon

Bluey Cook with Chef Kitchen Playset

$80 at Amazon

When buyinggifts for kids, their age plays a big part in the selection process. We love this kitchen playset for toddlers. It features popular cartoon character, Bluey, as well as lots of interactive pieces, lights, and sounds to encourage motor-skill development.

Moose Pickleball Blast The Pickle Smackdown GamePHOTO: People / Joy Kim$15 at Amazon

Moose Pickleball Blast The Pickle Smackdown Game

$15 at Amazon

Want to get the whole family intothe pickleball craze? This pickleball blast game is a good start. Ideal for ages 6 and up, it’s a fun and competitive game that offers the opportunity to learn good sportsmanship. Plus, the instructions are easy to follow for kids.

Hasbro Monopoly Go! Board GamePHOTO: People / Joy Kim$20$12 at Amazon$12 at Target$19$14 at Walmart

Hasbro Monopoly Go! Board Game

$20$12 at Amazon$12 at Target$19$14 at Walmart

It’s a classic for a reason, and whenwe tested the best toys, this Monopoly game proved a winner. This strategy game is ideal for kids age 8 and older, and is built for travel with a durable case and compact board sizes.

Madison Yaugeris a PEOPLE shopping editor whose top love language is giving gifts. What better way to show someone you know them well and are thinking of them? She’s a go-to for gift ideas among her friends and family and tends to look for unique inspo via the depths of Uncommon Goods, Etsy, and more artisan-sourced outlets.

Our Shopping ExpertsLaura Gurfeinis PEOPLE’s shopping director. She prides herself on being a good gift-giver and hopes that none of her friends and family read about their presents online before they’ve actually received them.Erin Johnsonis an associate shopping director at PEOPLE who can’t wait to gift her parents a new Keurig (even if they insist their old one works just fine).Shalwah Evansis a senior shopping editor at PEOPLE. She loves giving people things they really want but won’t buy for themselves. One of her favorite things to gift is a bag filled with an assortment of goodies, from beauty products to champagne to festive baubles.Kayla Kittsis a PEOPLE shopping editor whose love language is gift-giving. The holiday season brings her the most joy since she can pamper her family and friends with unique and meaningful gifts she has been curating for months.Alyssa Brasciais a PEOPLE shopping writer who spends all season with her head stuck in the Ssense sale section while simultaneously searching for the best beauty products for her loved ones (she’s currently trying to get her dad and brother into skincare).Cai Crameris a PEOPLE shopping writer who loves giving personalized, thoughtful gifts to everyone in her life and is the go-to person to call when her friends need help online shopping.Genevieve Cepedais a PEOPLE shopping writer who loves giving gifts that elevate everyday life, like a luxurious money clip, a labor-saving robot vacuum, or a great-smelling hand cream.

Our Shopping Experts

Laura Gurfeinis PEOPLE’s shopping director. She prides herself on being a good gift-giver and hopes that none of her friends and family read about their presents online before they’ve actually received them.Erin Johnsonis an associate shopping director at PEOPLE who can’t wait to gift her parents a new Keurig (even if they insist their old one works just fine).Shalwah Evansis a senior shopping editor at PEOPLE. She loves giving people things they really want but won’t buy for themselves. One of her favorite things to gift is a bag filled with an assortment of goodies, from beauty products to champagne to festive baubles.Kayla Kittsis a PEOPLE shopping editor whose love language is gift-giving. The holiday season brings her the most joy since she can pamper her family and friends with unique and meaningful gifts she has been curating for months.Alyssa Brasciais a PEOPLE shopping writer who spends all season with her head stuck in the Ssense sale section while simultaneously searching for the best beauty products for her loved ones (she’s currently trying to get her dad and brother into skincare).Cai Crameris a PEOPLE shopping writer who loves giving personalized, thoughtful gifts to everyone in her life and is the go-to person to call when her friends need help online shopping.Genevieve Cepedais a PEOPLE shopping writer who loves giving gifts that elevate everyday life, like a luxurious money clip, a labor-saving robot vacuum, or a great-smelling hand cream.

We created thePEOPLE Tested seal of approvalto help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.

In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.

source: people.com