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If anything’s gotten you through this year, beyond Squid Game and Emily Mariko’s salmon bowl recipe—it’s your loved ones. Of course you want to get them the perfect gift: something that speaks to their personality, and maybe even something personalized! Well, that just so happens to be a speciality of the Sidekick team. Behold, 60+ unique ideas for the Big Six: moms, dads, grandparents, partners, friends (siblings and cousins included), and coworkers (even your boss). Each list includes something ~*experiential*~, since, unlike in 2020, it’s safe to leave the house right now. Happy shopping.
The 2021
Holiday Gift Guide
This paid content was created with our sponsor, and does not necessarily reflect the opinions or point of view of Morning Brew.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but how about infinite pictures and videos? The new Mason smart frame from Aura is a stylish way to display all Mom’s favorite memories. Preload it with a festive video and all your smushy baby pics and then invite her friends and family—even oddball Uncle Joe—to upload more of their cheesy photos. Free, unlimited cloud storage awaits.
Aura | $189
Mason Smart Frame
Every time a holiday rolls around, mom says, “You don’t have to get me anything!” or “All I want is your love.” These thoughtful and creative gifts will make her glad that, for once, you didn’t do as you’re told.
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Moms
Dads
Grandparents
Partners
Siblings & Friends
Coworkers
Mama needs her beauty sleep. This mask blocks out sunlight and, unlike most masks, will stay put all night long. The fabric is lightweight, luxe, and naturally cooling, so she’ll settle right into those deep ZZZs.
Brooklinen | $26
Mulberry Silk Eyemask
Bring Napa Valley or Bordeaux to Mom. In this wine tasting experience, she’ll receive two, three, or even four mystery bottles of wine. Pick from white, red, or a combo, and she’ll easily find her new favorite vino—perhaps a 2020 Santa Barbara chardonnay or a 2018 Tuscan Chianti?
Argaux | $65+
Wine Tasting Kit
Have you ever seen a backgammon set this stylish for under $50? We don’t think so. French designer Christian Lacroix puts a spin on a classic board game that’s soon to be the star of any design-minded mom’s happy hour. Bonus: It folds easily for storage.
Christian Lacroix | $43
Backgammon Set
Any Maison Louis Marie scent will have Mom saying ooh la la. Each luxury perfume oil is crafted with unique floral fragrances, but No. 04 is a fan favorite. With hints of sandalwood, nutmeg, and cinnamon, this earthy roll-on perfume is long lasting, a little sexy, and comparable to (if not better than) Le Labo Santal.
Maison Louis Marie | $59
No. 04 Bois de Balincourt Perfume Oil
We’re gushing over this porcelain baking dish (and Mom will, too). Like all of Made In’s bakeware, this one is dishwasher safe, made in France, and features a hand-painted rim in your choice of navy or red. Its generous surface area and high walls ensure a perfectly golden-brown crust for her signature blueberry pie.
Made In | $79
Baking Dish
Call us old-fashioned, but personalized paper goods go a long way. This square, lined notepad keeps track of to-dos and priorities, and even includes space for Mom to practice gratitude. Customize it with her initials and fave colors, and she’ll think of you every time she crosses an item off her to-do list.
Etsy | $29
Outline Initial Notepad
There’s no sweeter gift (literally) than Brightland’s dynamic honey duo, featuring California Orange Blossom and Kauai Wildflower. Sourced from small, family-run farms in the US, this honey is 100% unfiltered.
Brightland | $42
The Couplet Honey Duo
The holy grail of cookbooks, The Essential New York Times Cookbook is back with brand-new recipes from Samin Nosrat and J. Kenji López-Alt. From a timeless Caesar salad to David Eyre’s Pancake, there’s a dish for everyone, even picky eaters.
Bookshop | $51
The Essential New York Times Cookbook
Warning: These butter-soft joggers will become Mom’s pants of choice for every family get together. They come in neutrals, a scattered stars pattern in collaboration with The Home Edit, and, why not, tie-dye. Plus, they’re flattering and don’t lose their shape after washing. Extra brownie points if you complete the look with a matching pullover.
Summersalt | $80
The Softest French Terry Jogger
The gift of a clean house, without all the time spent futzing with a clunky vacuum. The Roborock S4 Max allows you to customize cleanups by time, room, cleaning sequence, and cleaning power. It can clean for up to 150 minutes, reaching up to 250sqm in just one clean. Dust is stored in an easily-detached dustbin, so you don’t have to worry about emptying it every time you get the vacuum out. Practical, powerful—perfect for any parent.
Sponsored by Roborock | $429.99 (34% off starting 11/22)
S4 Max
Buy Now
Siblings + Friends
If all else fails, give him something he can smash (hey, it’s been a long year). Man Crates is, yes, a real company that sells all sorts of unique gift bundles, but our favorite is a gift card encased in two inches of pure concrete. The set includes goggles (safety first!) and a ball-peen hammer so he can demolish his way to $$$ from retailers like Advance Auto Parts, Home Depot, Amazon, and more.
Man Crates | $50+
Smash-and-Grab Gift Card
Par Three Putting Green
Dad will delight in this no-slip putting green with three practice cup cutouts and built-in sand traps. More than 10,000 reviewers on Amazon gave it a perfect five stars, and one says: “Since I've had this, I've been trying to use it about three times per week and I've already seen a drop in my average number of putts. I've also recently gotten my 7-year-old daughter into golf. We have putting contests...and she absolutely loves it.”
Putt-a-Bout | $33
The Chateau Laguiole Classic corkscrew, another recommendation from a Dad of the Brew, was created in 1993 by a master sommelier and is claimed by the French brand to be a favorite among sommeliers around the world. Jason Schulweis, head of brand partnerships at Morning Brew, agrees: “On the drinking front, this is my favorite accessory.”
Laguiole | $199
Classic Horn Corkscrew
Mezcal is trendy right now because it’s smoky. Now Dad can play mixologist with any of the liquors on the bar cart with the help of a cocktail smoker. All he’s gotta do is fill the glass per usual, place the handcarved smoker on top, add the included smoking chips to the mesh cup, and boom: fancy drinks are served.
Uncommon Goods | $100
Glass Topper Cocktail Smoker
Dads tend to hold a certain appreciation for fine machinery, and an effective shaver is no exception. The Braun Series 9 Pro is German craftsmanship at its deutsch-est, humming with new features like a ProLift trimmer that gently lifts and cuts the toughest hairs, and a 5-in-1 SmartCare Center that keeps the shaver charged, cleaned, lubricated, and dry. It’s also 100% waterproof, so it can be used with foam, gel, or even in the shower. The kind of gift that gets that slow, knowing nod of approval.
Sponsored by Braun | $329.99 with 10% discount MBREW
Series 9 Pro
You’d get him a Tesla if you could, but the waitlist is longer than the line at Starbucks (plus, $$$). He’ll get a kick out of a replica Tesla Supercharger station that also happens to fuel Androids or iPhones. Elon Musk would be proud.
Etsy | $19
Tesla iPhone Charger
If Dad retired recently and doesn’t know how to spend his newfound free time, or simply wants to reconnect with an old hobby, then get him signed up for MasterClass. The options there are just about endless—LeVar Burton teaches the power of storytelling, Chris Hadfield teaches space exploration, and Robert Reffkin teaches buying and selling real estate. There’s also an option to buy two year-long subscriptions if you want to join him.
MasterClass | starting at $180 annually
MasterClass
On Dad’s wishlist: a cordless meat thermometer, one with a screen he doesn’t have to squint at, and that will still work when he grills outside. Meater’s smart meat thermometer checks all the boxes. The accompanying app displays internal heat up to 212°F, ambient/external temps up to 527°F, and cook time remaining.
Meater | $99
Smart Meat Thermometer
All the furniture that’s finally scheduled for delivery after 10+ weeks of delays? It’s not going to assemble itself. This top-rated set, owned by Andrew Nusca, Morning Brew’s executive editor (and Dad to Leo), will keep pops from having to find the free hex wrench that came in the box...that he already recycled.
Tekton | $16
30-piece Hex Key Wrench Set
Dads get a bad rap for being difficult to shop for, but that’s not the case when you have this guide. Many of these ideas are enjoyed by Dads of the Brew, so you know they’re tried and true.
Two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning author Colson Whitehead (The Underground Railroad, The Nickel Boys) is back with his latest novel, Harlem Shuffle. The protagonist, Ray Carney, is a husband, father, and furniture-shop owner in 1960s Harlem who runs into a pack of crooks as they attempt to rob the upscale Hotel Theresa. Dad won’t be able to put it down: The Wall Street Journal says it “luxuriates in the seedy spaces of late night.” OoOoO.
Harlem Shuffle
When Dad makes the kids pancakes on Sunday morning, life is sweet. You’re going to blow his mind when he opens this set, which turns him into the Van Gogh of buttery batter thanks to nonstick templates that help him make colorful ice cream cones and friendly lions with ease. You’d frame them, but they taste too good.
Presto | $35
PanGogh Art Bottles and Griddle
No more, “Where did I put that charger again?!” This station from Satechi keeps up to five devices separated and their cords tangle-free with silicone dividers while they charge. It’s also compatible with both the newer USB-C and older USB-A chargers.
Satechi | $60
Dock5 Multi-Device Charging Station
The magic of the Roku Stick is real. Simply plug the stick into their TV and they’ll be able to watch everything from the latest Netflix documentary to their favorite trashy reality show. The remote features large buttons and can be operated with voice control for hands-free use.
Roku | $30
Roku Streaming Stick+
Get Grandma in on the Rich Mom Walk trend with a pair of weighted bangles that can be used on walks, while running errands, or during yoga and Pilates. The bangles are available in 15 colors and add one or two pounds of resistance that’ll help strengthen her wrists and ankles.
Bala | $42
Bala Bangles
Nip their back pain in the bud with a cushion that “feels like the perfect pillow” for your back, according to one online reviewer. It’s made from the same materials as Purple’s popular mattresses, and the cushion can be attached to virtually any kind of chair or used in the car (a nice comfort on long drives).
Purple | $35
The Purple Back Cushion
Grandparents are always down to host—you know how they get around the holidays. But with hosting comes post-holiday cleanup, something they could use a little help with from their favorite grandkid. Enter the Roborock S7. This little robot buddy can go from vacuuming carpets to mopping hardwood floors in a single session, all thanks to ultrasonic carpet recognition technology that needs zero user input—AKA the most intuitive tech they’ll have in the house. Plus, you know, Grandpa always hoped robots would exist in the future.
Sponsored by Roborock | $649.99 (30% off starting 11/22)
S7
Spicewalla has a seasoning set for every occasion, from grilling to baking. We love that each of the three seasonings in the Holiday Collection (pumpkin pie, apple pie, and mulling) can be used in any of Grandma’s legendary desserts for the season.
Spicewalla | $19+
Spicewalla
Keep family memories and special occasions close to their hearts with a high-quality photo book from Artifact Uprising. It’s completely customizable, allowing you to choose the book’s size, colors, cover cut-out shape, and length (up to 200 pages).
Artifact Uprising | $22+
Color Series Photo Book
They’ll enjoy their next big trip even more after brushing up on their language skills. Babbel’s 6+ month digital subscription is available in 14 languages and guides students of all ages through fun reading, writing, and speaking exercises tailored to their goals.
Babbel | $49+
Babbel Gift Subscription
With Horti’s monthly subscription, they’ll receive a new plant at their doorstep every month. The brand offers three plans (“new to planting,” “pet friendly,” and “Horti’s pick”) and four pot colors, so you can customize their new plant pals according to their preferences.
Horti | $22+
Horti Month to Month Plant Subscription
We all love our grandparents, but we don’t always know what to get them for the holidays. Any pick from this list of unique presents is sure to be a hit.
Give their morning coffee a major upgrade with a temperature-controlled mug that they can operate from their phone. The ceramic Ember Mug² offers 90 minutes of battery life with each full charge and has a temperature range of 120–145°F.
Ember | $100
Ember Mug
2
A safer alternative to candles, this stone diffuser will transform their home into a spa-like retreat. It’s available in eight earthy shades and features two spray settings, but the requisite essential oils kit is sold separately.
Vitruvi | $119
Vitruvi Stone Diffuser
Ember Mug²
Made of ceramic, this insulated bottle keeps a morning bev hot or cold while commuting or chasing the toddlers around the house. It holds up to 12 ounces (aka Tall) or 16 ounces (aka Grande) and comes in blush, cream, or charcoal options.
W&P | $30+
Porter Insulated Bottle
Help your coworker unplug from Slack with this mindful workbook. Over the course of 30 days, they’ll learn five different lettering styles, as well as how to practice gratitude and compassion. Each copy comes with a brush pen and a fine-liner pen to get started.
Etsy | $35
Daily Mindful Lettering Handbook
If the kitchen is their happy place, then a virtual cooking class is *chef’s kiss*. “Winter Gnocchi,” “Old-Fashioned Chocolate Fudge,” “Beef Bourguignon,” and “Cinnamon Rolls” are all course options. Each syllabus features a shopping list and detailed instructions, so they’ll be fully prepared for class. Plus ones are welcome, even the kiddos.
Sur La Table | $29+
Sur La Table Virtual Cooking Class
For your bold coworker who would rather wear their feelings, here’s a sweatshirt that says what we’ve all thought at least once or twice while scrolling through our inboxes.
Morning Brew Shop | $48
How About I Don't Circle Back Sweatshirt
Roborock | $359.99
A candle may seem like a boring gift, but not when it’s from Ranger Station. It comes in a reusable cocktail glass with a special recipe to enjoy once empty. This scent is a relaxing blend of oakmoss, amber, sage, black pepper, and jasmine—perfect for a productive WFH day or a Sunday afternoon spent reading a book by the fire.
Ranger Station | $36
Hinoki Rituals Candle
Sci-fi nerds and Sally Rooney stans alike will treasure a personalized bookmark. Made from recycled leather, this high-quality, minimalist marker comes in pastels, neons, and neutrals...and includes a monogram. Everyone in the company book club will be envious.
Etsy | $9+
Recycled Leather Bookmark
Sign ’em up for the latest coffee craze: Cometeer’s frozen coffee pucks. It’s java you melt, sourced from specialty roasters like Birch (New York), Counter Culture (Durham), and Red Bay (Oakland). The pods are 100% recyclable and feature blends with notes of black cherry, cocoa nibs, nutmeg and brown sugar, green apple, and cherry (not all together, though).
Comeeter | $48
Cometeer Coffee
Whether you’re buying a pressie for your boss, your work BFF, or the rando colleague you got for white elephant, you may want to consider these overachieving gifts that got high marks during their annual review.
Pssst...if you give your coworker a Levain cookie, they’ll spill all the office tea. This freshly baked 4-pack includes Chocolate Chip Walnut, Dark Chocolate Chocolate Chip (our fave), Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip, and Oatmeal Raisin. Double or triple the flavors with their 6- or 8-packs.
Levain Bakery | $27+
Levain Signature Cookie Assortment
Here’s a PTO-inspired gift: Baggu’s set of travel pouches. Choose from their funky patterns (they even have a Peanuts print!), which come in three different sizes to fit tees, toiletries, and everything in between.
Baggu | $34
3D Zip Set
Add a kick to every dish with this 3-pack of Sichuan spicy sauces. The 100% all-natural Chili Crisp is a bestseller, but the Zhong Sauce and Mala Spice Mix will add new dimensions of flavor to dinner.
Fly by Jing | $42
Triple Threat
We could all use a little extra R&R right now. Help your work bestie de-stress from the holiday craziness with 56 pages of abstract, geometric, and modern designs. Pair the book with these coloring markers so she can feel like Matisse.
Poketo | $22
Modernist Coloring Book
We could all use a little extra R&R right now. Help your work bestie de-stress from the holiday craziness with 84 pages of fun designs created by artists from around the world. Pair the book with these coloring markers so she can feel like an artiste.
Ban.do | $15
Sci-fi nerds and Sally Rooney stans alike will treasure a personalized bookmark. Made from recycled leather, this high-quality, minimalist marker comes in pastels, neons, and neutrals... and includes a monogram. Everyone in the company book club will be envious.
If you’re not ready for a kid or a dog or even a bunny, tending to a garden together could be a good test of compatibility. The kit includes three basil, three lettuce, and three tomato capsules—all organic and free from GMOs and pesticides. It’s also easy to use thanks to an automatic watering feature, pro-grow lights, and optimal oxygen and nutrients built into the root level. A gift like this is not only thoughtful, but also empowering: Growing greens from scratch will also make you feel like quite the accomplished pair.
Click and Grow | $230
The Smart Garden 9
OK, so it’s not the cutest gift on the list...but you’re not marrying these gifts, you’re just enjoying them. And this one will bring you and your partner lots of pleasure in the form of a good night’s sleep. Two fan-based speed options nix background noise and can also soothe babies and sensitive dogs. With a 101 night trial, what do you have to lose?
Marpac | $45
Dohm White Noise Machine
You don’t need us to tell you that you’ve spent a lot of quality time on your couch lately. Make 2022 the year you see the world again with an Airbnb gift card. Choose the brand’s Love Anywhere design for your S.O. and enter an amount between $25 and two-weeks-in-the-Maldives. The best part is, Airbnb promises the funds never expire (OK, maybe the beach is the best part).
Airbnb | $25+
Airbnb Gift Card
If puzzles got you two through the depths of the pandemic, then let us be clear: Don’t stop now. Jiggy puzzles look good even when they’re stored in their chic little clear jar. And the artists behind Jiggy’s “North Star: Winter 2021” collection have ensured your finished product will look pretty chic on your dining room table... or framed. (There’s a tube of glue included in the set.)
Jiggy | $49
Animal Kindgdom Puzzle
Ask any man what he holds more dearly: A clean shave, or a clean shave. Put German craftsmanship into the hands of your favorite gent with the Braun Series 9 Pro. This puppy takes on the toughest of beards, with features like the ProLift trimmer that can cut through 7-day scruff, Braun foils that easily shave below 0.05mm, and Autosense technology that adjusts the power based on beard density. It also comes with a 5-in-1 SmartCare Center that keeps the shaver charged, cleaned, lubricated, and dry. The gift of a clean shave—give it.
Before you loved each other, you loved your air fryer. The catch: Most models can’t handle more than a pound or two of Nuggs at a time. Cuisinart changes the game with this 3-in-1 appliance. Its nonstick interior can bake a crisp three pounds of chicken in just 10 minutes. Put a ring on it.
Cuisinart | $230
AirFryer Convection Toaster Oven
They can drive you crazy, but then you remember the holiday cards are already printed so you can’t ditch them yet. JK. For your significant other, these sometimes cheap, sometimes splurgy gifts are all things you may also receive the benefits of.
After a long morning shoveling the driveway, your partner will feel new and improved after 30 minutes with this thing. Choose between three modes (rotating and kneading, massage mode, or compression only) and five pressure levels—all with an easy-to-use remote control. And unlike your oven, this automatically shuts off after 30 minutes.
Belmint | $140
Deep-kneading Foot Massager With Heat
Once your relationship hits maturation, date nights can be consumed by wedding talk, or work issues, or the kids stuff. This deck of 100 conversation starters will unlock a deeper and renewed sense of connection with prompts like, “Have you ever received any awards?” and “Are you living your life purpose—or still searching?”
Our Moments | $19
Our Moments: Couples (100 Conversation Starters for Great Relationships)
What’s changed about your life during the pandemic? Maybe you have a kid (or two) in the house. Maybe you’re hellbent on traveling somewhere exotic in 2022. Either way, your S.O. will love Bose’s noise canceling headphones, which have more than 43,000 five-star reviews on Amazon. The 45 model debuted in September with two modes: Quiet for a full noise blackout and Aware for when you need to hear what’s going on in your environment.
Bose | $279
QuietComfort 45 Noise Cancelling Headphones
You’ve made your backyard your happy place, but it’s missing one thing: this sturdy nylon hammock. It measures 10-feet long by 6.5-feet wide, so you’ll have plenty of room to get comfy together. The 9-foot long tree straps make setup a breeze, too, and when you’re done, it folds into the size of an eggplant. And with the capacity to hold 500 pounds, you can even invite your dog.
Wise Owl | $24+
Double Hammock
Fact: Lube isn’t fun to buy at the grocery store. This bottle is as discreet as they come. It’s available online, it has subtle packaging that won’t stand out on your bedside, and it smells like...absolutely nothing. As for how to enjoy it, use your imagination.
Überlube | $28
Luxury Lube
If puzzles got you two through the depths of the pandemic, then let us be clear: Don’t stop now. Jiggy puzzles look good even when they’re stored in their chic little clear jar. And the artists behind Jiggy’s “North Star: Winter 2021” collection have ensured your finished product will look pretty chic on your dining room table...or framed. (There’s a tube of glue included in the set.)
Keep their feet nice and toasty this winter with a pair of cozy cotton socks that are thick enough for padding around the house. Choose from 17 colors like purple eggplant or flamingo pink.
Brother Vellies | $35
Cloud Socks
Who says adults can’t play with LEGOs?! This 878-piece bonsai kit is part of the iconic toy brand’s Botanical Collection and includes leaves that can be swapped from green to cherry blossom. Once completed, they can show off the one plant they’ll never kill.
LEGO | $40
LEGO Bonsai Tree Building Kit
Celebrate their favorite TV show or longtime hobby with one of Pop Chart’s frameworthy infographic prints—there are diagrams, maps, and famous faces galore. The brand’s current lineup includes houseplants, sneakers, and, obviously, Game of Thrones.
Pop Chart | $15+
Pop Chart Print
Add some excitement to their weeknights with a guided class on cooking, crafting, or cocktail-making from Uncommon Goods. Simply select a class you know they’ll love, and shortly before the scheduled time, the brand will send them a package with the supplies they’ll need. Current offerings include handmade pasta, macrame, and grapefruit cocktails.
Uncommon Goods | $20+
Uncommon Experience
Help them preserve memories the old-fashioned way, with a black-and-white film camera for standout pics they can also share on their IG feed. The camera is reloadable, features a flash, and is preloaded with 36 exposures.
Lomography | $19
Blak & White 400 ISO Simple Use Film Camera
Help them keep track of every novel coming on and off their bookshelf with a personal library kit. Between the official date stamp, checkout cards, and return date pockets, they’ll surely be more on top of things.
Knock Knock | $22
Personal Library Kit
Spice up their WFH wardrobe with a crewneck that will both become a new staple and get compliments on their next Zoom call. Thanks to its unique swirled design, each crew is truly one of a kind.
Morning Brew Shop | $58
Tie-dye Brew Crewneck
Take them from mixology apprentice to cocktail pro with the help of Haus’s flavorful aperitifs, which can be mixed with spirits, sodas, or enjoyed on the rocks. Each of the four, 200-milliliter bottles in the Sampler Kit offer refreshing flavors like ginger yuzu, grapefruit jalapeno, and spiced cherry.
Haus | $50
The Sampler Kit
Behind every great person is an even greater notebook. This hardcover pick will help them keep track of recipes, habits, notes, and more. Choose the paper (dot grid, ruled, or blank), size (pocket, plus, or flagship), and color (seven options). It’ll be their second favorite secret keeper—after you, of course.
Baronfig | $14+
Confidant Notebook
Upgrade their coffee-stained brick of a wallet with a sleek card holder crafted from luxe Italian leather. Pick from eight shades and get it monogrammed for a truly custom feel. BTW, Cuyana’s goods are LWG Gold certified, meaning the leather is tanned responsibly.
Cuyana | $75+
Zip Cardholder
You can’t get more customized than a candle with their actual birthday on it! Birthdate founder Ajay Mehta worked with a team of astrologers and perfumers to develop candles that feature unique scents, personality descriptions, and even astrology info (tarot card, ruling number, and ruling planet) for your BFF.
Birthdate Co. | $38
Birthdate Candle
For the sibling or cousin who’s more like your best friend and the friend who’s more like family, these are the gifts that’ll keep them relaxed, organized, and entertained throughout the year.
