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A coffee scale is a must for serious coffee drinkers, according to Selina Ullrich, the director of coffee at East One Coffee. It is “essential to achieving consistent success with your brewing,” she says. Both she and Bettencourt told us this Acaia scale is their favorite, as it’s nice to look at when not in use and incredibly functional when it is. “Its minimalist simplicity also has a lot of hidden functionality,” Bettencourt explains. “Useful features include a timer, dual timer, weight displays, and even Bluetooth capabilities (for obsessives who like to keep track of their brews on their smartphone through the brand’s accompanying app).” Ullrich adds that on top of being precise, this scale is “durable and water- and heat-proof if you use the rubber mat it comes with.” It’s a bit pricey, but she promises “it is a fantastic tool for anyone trying to progress as a home coffee brewer.”
While Elbourne agrees the Acaia Pearl is both a worthy scale and gift, he told us he knows many folks who swear by this slightly smaller one, which “costs a fraction of the price” and comes from a coffee-minded company. The only noticeable difference between the two, he says, is this scale “doesn’t count quite as fast, so you’ll have to stop slightly sooner if you’re aiming for a super-exact number.”
Even cheaper is the Escali Primo, a scale so reliable that we named it our best-overall pick. The design is simple, the buttons are intuitive to use, and it will last a very long time. Best of all, you can choose from nine colors to coordinate with your recipient’s kitchen.
“Aeropress fans are fanatics and always experimenting with different ways to play with their brews,” Elbourne says. For the Aeropress user in your life, Williams recommends this nifty attachment that ingeniously converts any Aeropress into a pressurized coffee maker that can pull an espresso shot. “It means the user is able to have an espresso shot on the go,” Williams says.
Coffee-loving Strategist contributor Dinah Lenney wrote about her obsession with coffee spoons a couple of years ago. The best of the best, she concludes, is this set of two egg-shaped spoons. Beyond the pretty metallic color options, she praises their weight and heft, noting that the bend of the handle was satisfying to hold, just slightly curved to accommodate her thumb.
Before coffee beans reach consumers, they go through a testing process called “cupping,” where they’re sipped from special spoons for quality control. Serious coffee drinkers such as Vonie like to practice cupping at home as they perfect their brews and grinds, and if you’re shopping for someone who cups or wants to start cupping, she recommends gifting them a cupping spoon from Umeko Motoyoshi’s Umeshiso. “These spoons are staples throughout the entire coffee world, and come in various sizes and colors to suit your personality and cupping style,” Vonie explains. Her favorite is the Little Dipper in goth black.
For an affordable but still thoughtful gift, Cary Wong, a member of the Partners Coffee Education Team, recommends this brew stick, which you can use both to agitate the grounds in a pour-over and measure in or out grounds if you’re off by a gram or two. “Plus, it’s nice-looking and well packaged,” he says. He notes that Kruve makes a lot of cool coffee gear in general that is worth browsing.
“If you are someone who finds themselves buying pre-ground coffee, then this coffee-storage canister is a relatively inexpensive way to store it well,” Bomford says. The seal is supertight so the canister is resistant to temperature changes, and the bottom part of the lid moves down as you make your way through your grounds, keeping out oxygen and light and therefore ensuring a fresher cup.
Battery-operated handheld frothers, which pretty much all have a small flat whisk at the end of a long handle that whirs quickly when you press a button, tend to be weaker than their electric (and much more expensive) counterparts. That’s why Mody and McCarthy were amazed by the performance of the NanoFoamer when they tried it a few months ago. It produces a texture surprisingly close to café-quality foam, a consistency they previously thought would be difficult to achieve without the force of a steam wand. “It kind of blew my mind, honestly,” McCarthy says.
This is one of Fellow’s newer products — a sieve that removes micro-size dust from your ground coffee. “It’s a great way to up your coffee-making game at home,” says Wong. “It results in a much better consistency, a cleaner cup, and more flavorful coffee. Plus, it’s affordable and easy to clean. You just have to rinse it out.”
Bomford says the difference between brewing with tap versus filtered water will be “eye-opening for anyone.” These mineral supplements are a super-accessible way to achieve that — you just drop one packet into a gallon of water, use that to brew your coffee, and you’ll immediately notice a better-tasting cup. It makes sense, given that water is the primary ingredient in both coffee and espresso. “These are a great place to start if you don’t want to change your equipment but you just want to improve your coffee today,” he says.
For some coffee-related literature, barista turned coffee educator Erica Jackson recommends gifting a subscription to the quarterly magazine Coffee People. She says it’s a great way to keep up with the latest and greatest debates and developments in the industry. According to Jackson, its editor, Kat Melheim, “founded the magazine to expand our perception of the humans who produce, brew, and serve coffee daily.” Reading it, she adds, will “take coffee lovers beyond their daily routine and into the collective creative genius of the global industry.”
“This book is all the rage in the coffee world right now,” says Mody. By Edward F. Fischer, an anthropologist at University of Vanderbilt, it explores Guatemala’s relationship to the coffee industry, in particular in connection to Mayan communities and German immigrants. It takes a historical lens to start and then moves through to today, all outlined by different waves of the coffee movement there.
Mitchell Kass, the founder and creative director of trend-forecasting agency Trend Council, thinks this “smart” mug from Ember would be a hit with “anyone who hates drinking lukewarm coffee.” (This is especially true if they don’t own a microwave.) It comes with a saucer that doubles as a charging dock and can be programmed to maintain your preferred drink temperature, making it a unique and high-tech gift for pretty much any coffee aficionado. Strategist senior editor Jen Trolio is another fan, but notes that she relies on her 14-ounce size (as opposed to the ten-ounce one shown here) — so take note if your recipient likes a bigger mug.
This is the mug Wong uses at home — and he loves it. Even though it’s made from porcelain, the material is mixed with potter’s clay, resulting in a textured surface. “That makes it so nice to hold,” says Wong. “Plus, it absorbs heat, so it keeps your coffee warm.”
For a ceramic option, try these handcrafted mugs from Masienda, which are a pleasure to drink from. They have a smooth, thick rim; a sturdy base; and a handle that’s satisfying to hold. Just like with its masa, the company sources these earth-tone beauties from Mexico.
These handblown glass mugs are a favorite of Bomford, who owns several sets himself, because they feel much more expensive than they are. “One of the main appeals of a good cocktail would have to be the nice glassware,” he says. “Likewise, coffee just tastes better when it is served in an elegant glass. It’s not just about the way it looks, but about how your drink opens up, how you get your nose into it.”
These cappuccino cups, designed for professional baristas, first became popular about two decades ago when “third-wave coffee was still just a few main companies, like Stumptown and Intelligentsia,” says Mody. “But I’ve started using them after a long hiatus.” He loves the feel, with the handle at the perfect height, as well as the thickness of the walls, which provides great heat retention. “It gives you the feeling of being in an Italian café,” he says, “one of those where you stand at the bar and drink an espresso shot and walk away. I think they’d be great as a simple, classic choice to add to someone’s mug collection.”
We named this tumbler the best overall travel mug after talking to a bunch of experts. “It’s super-sleek and retains heat and cold really well,” says Allie Caran, the product manager at Barista Valet in New York City. Morrison explains that the double-walled interior is responsible for the temperature hold. “It’s stainless steel, so it washes really easily,” he says, “and doesn’t hold on to any flavors.”
Gifts for HerThe KeepCup also came up multiple times among our experts. It’s made of glass, so it’s easy to clean, and it has an ecofriendly cork ring so you can comfortably hold it while on the go.
Runners can be picky about their gear — and rightly so. Your friend’s favorite energy gel might make you feel sick, and your tried-and-true sneakers could leave another runner with shin splints. That lands runners firmly in the “hard to shop for” category, but it is still possible to find gifts for the runners in your life that they’re sure to love. (We didn’t include any running shoes on this list, because we think the best kicks are dependent on fit and feel and trying them out in person. And, of course, we’ve got a guide on how to choose the right ones for yourself.)
Drawing on our favorites, plus the input of avid runners, coaches, Strategist staffers, and other experts, we’ve compiled the best gifts for all runners — whether they’re tackling their first miles or collecting medals. To help you shop, we’ve sorted all our gift ideas by price range.
Between work, other hobbies, and spending time with family, busy runners squeeze in their runs either early in the morning or late at night — often when it’s dark outside. These clip-on lights can help them stay safe and visible to cars and others.
Strategist junior writer and former Division I distance runner Brenley Goertzen prefers this Cyclops-looking beanie with a removable light over a traditional headlamp because it’s “less conspicuous, very lightweight, and much more secure,” she writes. It’s kept Goertzen warm and visible on below-zero runs, but she also uses the beanie as a nighttime reading light.
Death Cab for Cutie’s Ben Gibbard keeps this “spiky pain ball” in his bag at all times and uses it for breaking up tight muscles after long runs. “It is not a pleasant device,” he writes, “but if I could get one that was made of metal, I probably would.”
Author Shalane Flanagan is a four-time Olympian and winner of the 2017 New York City Marathon. Together with runner and nutrition coach Elyse Kopecky, she has written a collection of tasty recipes (like the popular superhero muffins) specifically for runners.
Author Shalane Flanagan is a four-time Olympian and winner of the 2017 New York City Marathon. Together with runner and nutrition coach Elyse Kopecky, she has written a collection of tasty recipes (like the popular superhero muffins) specifically for runners.
Runners in need of some mental fortitude will find it in the pages of sports journalist Alex Hutchinson’s book, Endure. Hutchinson shadows elite athletes pushing the limits of human endurance, discovering that breaking barriers is as much of a psychological challenge as a physical one. Roche says it’s “a must-read for any runner looking to understand how their brain interacts with performance.”
While it’s not going to teach you how to structure an interval workout or what to eat before a marathon, Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami’s meditative memoir on long-distance running is a love letter to the sport that will resonate with any runner. “This is a book that truly can inspire someone to lace up and take this journey on their own,” says David Siik, the co-founder and creative director of Precision Run.
A runner who’s sidelined by injury may have more time to read, and Rebound, recommended by Running Ruminations blogger Erin Mink Garvey, will teach them how to develop the confidence, focus, and resilience to return to the sport even stronger than before. “A lot of books in running lit right now are talking about mental strength and resilience during workouts and races,” says Garvey, “but very few talk about how to develop that skill when you’re injured and on the mend.”
Buffs have long been a favorite among runners for many purposes. Because they’re made from breathable, quick-drying material that doesn’t get soggy, they’re useful for staying warm in the winter or wicking away sweat in the summer. Professional endurance runner Susie Chan says a Buff is “great for many things, from keeping your hair out of your face to a sweatband on your wrist.”
When you’re running outside for several hours each week, you’re going to get a lot of sun exposure, but runners often neglect to wear sunscreen, thinking they’ll either sweat it off or it’ll run into their eyes. Jennifer Stein, a dermatologist at NYU Langone Health, says “a stick is a good way to get a sunscreen that doesn’t run as much.” Treat the runners in your life to this high-SPF, water-resistant sunscreen stick (a favorite of dermatologist Marnie Nussbaum) to keep their skin looking just as good as their form.
New York features editor Katy Schneider uses this slim waist pack from Nike to turn errands into an aerobic workout. “My weird stop-and-go style of running makes carrying a credit card while I jog necessary,” she says. “And my Nike fanny pack is the object that makes that possible.”
A wet cotton sock rubbing against the foot can cause painful blisters that may stop new runners in their tracks, which is why experienced runners know to invest in moisture-wicking socks made from synthetics or wool. Merino wool is an all-natural fabric that keeps you dry and regulates temperature whether it’s hot or cold out. Strategist contributor Steven John likes this pair because, he says, “along with all the compression and support you’d expect from a good running sock, they feature a specifically anatomical design tailored to each foot.”
Do reliable socks one better with a fun print, as on this pair from Stance. David Roche, the coach and founder of the SWAP running team and co-author of The Happy Runner, says this is “so key for wanting to get out the door each day.”
If you’ve got a long-distance runner in your life, consider gifting them a pack of these gels from Maurten, the Swedish company famous for its carbohydrate-heavy hydrogel drink mix that Eliud Kipchoge uses to fuel his marathon races. These have a sweet, Jell-O–like texture, are easy on the stomach, and aren’t syrupy or thick like other gels.
YouNeedThisGift.com is the #1 website to find the best gifts on the internet! Instead of aimlessly searching for interesting gifts, we find them for you! Now you can find new, unique gifts each week.
In talking to authors about the best audiobooks, many said that having a book read to you means you are more likely to actually finish it because you can listen while doing other things, like the dishes, walking the dog, gardening, or driving. If Dad’s many duties are getting between him and the latest Jack Reacher thriller or Obama memoir, a subscription to Audible’s audiobook library could be just the thing.
Spending hours debating the meaning of the series finale might not be your idea of a good time, but dads who think of Paulie and Silvio as close friends will appreciate this cheeky reference to one of Tony’s business ventures.
Invented by a German optometrist to teach his children numbers and colors, Dutch Blitz is described as a kind of “very energetic solitaire.” Strategist contributor Lauren Guidry writes that the game threatened to tear her family apart. “I’ll persuade my husband to play a few hands between meetings as we both work from home and are slugging through the day,” she says, and calls the dopamine hit from a quick game “euphoric.”
“It’s a funny invention, no?” says pastry chef Jacques Torres of these exfoliating gloves. “Call me lazy, but these make things so much more efficient.”
According to Strategist tech writer Jordan McMahon, MagSafe is one of the iPhone’s best, most underutilized features. This magnetized wallet can attach right to his phone and has a stand that allows him to scroll in portrait mode hands-free.
We recommended this cooperative party game for a reader’s “neurosurgeon son who is into Magic: The Gathering,” but it would also be great for dads who get too heated when they don’t have enough sheep to build a settlement.
“Turn it on, put your feet on it while you’re working, and it’ll warm them up,” is how Sarah Cooper, the comedian best known for her dad-favorite viral impressions of Donald Trump, describes this heated footrest. “It’s the best gift I’ve ever given myself.”
An insulated growler is the perfect thing for him to fill with his favorite grisette or DIPA — and keep it cold for hours.
“The world of whiskey is littered with glassware,” says Jason Julier of whiskey website Malt Review. He mentions these tulip-shaped glasses as a favorite: “They provide solid performance and a robust, practical design.”
He can take on new pyrotechnic cooking experiments outside with this book of recipes from chef Francis Mallmann, who specializes in cooking over a live fire.
This lightweight portable charger will keep his phone charged on the go — and it makes a great gift, according to Megababe founder Katie Sturino.
If his fingers are too big to text on a small phone screen, this nifty Bluetooth keyboard will turn his iPhone in to a tiny typewriter. “Weighing just seven ounces, it folds up into a slim nondescript rectangle that can easily slide into a tote bag,” says Strategist writer Katherine Gillespie.
‘Soul of a Nation: Art in the Age of Black Power,' edited by Mark Godfrey and Zoé Whitley Very Good Deal
Soul of a Nation: Art in the Age of Black Power chronicles work created by Black artists from 1963 to 1983. That 20-year period defines the civil-rights movement, and thus lots of art at that time dealt with race, politics, and what it meant to be Black in America. This would look nice sitting out on a coffee table and makes for good reading material, too.
One of our 100 most-stood-behind products ever, this affordable white-noise machine has helped New York Magazine deputy editor Alexis Swerdloff get to sleep for no less than eight years (and in three apartments) and counting.
Singer Jake Shears suggests this roast straight from New Orleans’s iconic Café du Monde. (If Dad’s the type to go through several bags of beans in a month, you might consider a coffee subscription instead.)
As Strategist contributor Chris Schalkx explains, the Qubii “has a USB plug on one side and a USB socket on the other, plus a slot for a MicroSD memory card. To back up my photos, all I had to do was sandwich the Qubii between my iPhone’s wall-outlet adapter and power cord and plug it into my phone.” (Note that the model shown doesn’t come with a MicroSD card, but you can spring for Qubiis that do if you’re willing to spend a little bit more than $50.)
Many men swear by safety razors and say they provide a smoother and less irritating shave. The Merkur 34C is our best-in-class safety razor; the expert barbers we spoke to praised its reliable engineering and ease of use.
If he’s killed a windowsill basil plant, it’s not his fault: “The roots of herbs are somewhat simplistic,” says Sera Rogue, the owner of the Brooklyn gardening company Red Fern. “They require daily watering.” The AeroGarden is our best-in-class hydroponic smart garden and will provide a constant supply of basil he can harvest straight from the kitchen counter.
Shop holiday gift setIf your dad is the type to spend 15 minutes in a panic trying to find his keys before leaving the house, we suggest the Tile bluetooth tracker, which is about the size of a nickel and can stick to all his valuables.
Baristas have a lot of opinions about best way to brew a cup of coffee, but all agree that freshly ground beans are better. If Dad’s still buying his pre-ground — or if he’s still using a grinder he bought ten years ago — this relatively affordable grinder would make for a just-fancy-enough upgrade, according to Paul Schlader, the head roaster at New York City’s Birch Coffee. It has 12 grind-size settings for different brewing methods along with a “cup selector” dial.
In our gift guide for beer lovers, Andrew Burman of Other Half Brewing Co. recommended this rapid cooler from Cooper. “Having a rapid cooler for beer, wine, or Champagne is key, especially for last-minute gatherings,” Burman says. Dad will never have to clean up another exploded beer in the freezer again.
This made-in-America aluminum lawn chair is a classic. The UV-resistant webbing seat has a bit of stretch, so it’s comfortable to sit in for hours.
If he’s all but given up on using tiny bits of string, the expert-recommended Waterpik may finally be the thing that gets him to stick to a regular flossing habit.
Whether he’s a certified Italophile or simply loves to cook, this precisely calibrated pasta machine from an Italian company that’s been around since the 1930s is a classic and comes recommended by a pasta pro.
After sticking this Tom Colicchio–approved, “perfect meat every time” thermometer in his T-bone, he can monitor its temperature from his phone up to 165 feet away.
After sticking this Tom Colicchio–approved, “perfect meat every time” thermometer in his T-bone, he can monitor its temperature from his phone up to 165 feet away.
The latest Fitbit is an activity tracker, step counter, heart-rate monitor, and much more. It has various goal-oriented exercise modes for activities like running, swimming, cycling, and yoga and also offers sleep analysis.
A Twitch-streamer-approved microphone will set him apart from the other tinny-sounding podcasters — and it plugs into a USB port, so it doesn’t require advanced tech skills to set up.
This stylish radio is just that — a radio. It does AM/FM and nothing else. But as dad will tell you, that’s the point.
This utility cart will help him schlep his stuff across the sand, and it turns into a comfortable beach lounger.
The Philips Norelco 7700 is our best-in-class electric razor. “Norelco definitely leads the way with its electric rotary razors,” says Patrick Butler, senior director of creative and technical at Floyd’s 99 Barbershop.
There’s always something dashing about whipping out a nice umbrella. After testing 37 of them, we declared Davek’s wind-resistant, comfortable-to-hold, stylish-looking, fast-drying model as one of our absolute favorites.
Chiropractor David Perna of Back & Body Medical told us the Hypervolt is “used a lot by therapists, masseuses, chiropractors, and athletes alike,” adding that it is “also great for personal use to massage sore muscles” because he can hold it so the head hits the exact spot that’s bothering him.
If throwing away perfectly good food is his worst nightmare, consider this vacuum sealer that does more than just replace Tupperware — you can use it to ferment vegetables, cure meat, sous-vide, and more. Anthony Accardi, co-owner of Brooklyn’s Transmitter Brewing, says, “You can marinate something for ten minutes instead of overnight and get the same amount of flavor. I cure pastrami, bacon, and ham in it.”
“If you want to see a grown chef cry, gift them an Ooni,” Strategist food and dining writer Emma Wartzman writes. If he’s been fiddling with his pizza setup, he’ll appreciate this outdoor oven, which can get as hot as 950 degrees Fahrenheit.