What Do You Buy a Picky Guy?

Under$25

Extracted from a real Japanese hot spring.

These hand-harvested salt flakes are actually smoked with real hardwood, not just coated in liquid smoke flavor. Opening it for the first time made my kitchen smell like a campfire.

This warming blend of mild chiles and spices was co-developed with Daniel Humm of Eleven Madison Park.

This pair of specialty snippers will ensure he gets the cleanest, most fragrant burns from the $100 candles that are about to invade his home.

A friend brought me these instant matcha latte packets from Seoul, andI was thrilledto discover they’re also available here.

Easier than busting out the milligram scale and more authentic.

I first came across this over a decade ago in a front-of-the-aisle display at Tokyo’s Tokyu Hands department store. It’s the best 1,600 yen I’ve ever spent.

These casino-quality playing cards feel like normal ones but are much more durable because they’re cut from plastic. Great for camping or beach and pool use.

Sir James Dyson’s pencil of choice.

The smaller version of Dyson’s preferred notebook.

[Editor’s note: Depending on your location, this notebook may arrive after after Christmas via Amazon. Order by December 18th with expedited shipping to receive it by December 24th through Leuchtturm.]

Aerates wine more efficiently and thoroughly than a crystal decanter at a fraction of the cost. Perfect for the aspiring sommelier in your life.

My wife put this in my stocking last year, and it quickly became our go-to cooking spatula for almost everything except fish.

I’ve purchased nine jars of Big Spoon Roasters’ small-batch nut butter sinceMelissa Kingtold me about it, and they’ve all been bangers. This holiday-only flavor tastes the way an ornately decorated Tudor-style gingerbread house looks.

Under$50

If he has the NYT Games app on his phone, he would like having this on his bookshelf.

It’s not often that I’m wowed by a new gadget these days, but this cup with a built-in scale got me. It works so well that it immediately felt like something I’d been using for years.

These will tide him over until next June.

Kincos are built tough enough to work in, which also makes them great for skiing or simply walking around town. They’re warmer than gloves and relatively waterproof once the included wax is rubbed in.

A signal-blocking bag for times when “Do Not Disturb” is still too disturbing. This one has a magnetic closure, whereas cheaper options use noisy Velcro.

Exquisitely shot on medium-format film using only natural light, the images in this book give us an honest peek into how some of America’s most influential designers and craftspeople live and work.

[Editor’s note: Depending on your location, these gloves may arrive after after Christmas.]

The warmest hat I’ve ever worn. Get the L/XL; the S/M fits more like a child’s hat.

Tieguanyin is an oolong tea where each leaf gets rolled into a tight little ball after drying to preserve its flavor. This gift box contains 36 vacuum-sealed portions that stay fresh until opened.

I like watching the leaves unfurl as they brew.

This extremely comfortable headlamp gains an hour of run time with just eight minutes of charging.

A legendary backpacking tent design resized for a cat or Chihuahua.

[Editor’s note: REI holiday shipping timelines can be foundhere.]

Strategist associate editor Jeremy Rellosa’s best friend gave him a pair of these Japanese socks for his birthday, and he loves how they look and feel. The variety and quantity of colors and patterns mean they go with almost any outfit he’s trying on.

Under$100

This water-bottle-sized, USB-C rechargeable tire inflator couldn’t be easier to use. He’ll never be stuck searching for a gas station when the tire indicator light turns on again.

The British royal family’s coniferous bath oil of choice,according to Sykes.

[Editor’s note: Depending on your location, this may arrive after Christmas.]

One of the best backpacking pillows out there, wrapped in a layer of natural goose down for better insulation and a cozier feel.

[Editor’s note: REI holiday shipping timelines can be foundhere.]

Glass dogs are the new obnoxiously large ice cube.

A large, high-quality print of a meaningful photo is one of the best gifts to receive. But giving an unframed print is like assigning them homework. Framebridge handles everything and puts it in a gift-wrapped box for under $100.

Forget Veuve. Forget Moët. This is the good stuff.

Not a day has gone by that I haven’t thought of this new scent from Perfumer H, inspired by the paintings of the Dutch masters, since I learned of its existence.

Extra seating that looks nice and stows easily. Fold it up for more support, or lay it flat for room to stretch. Also works as a meditation cushion.

Under$200

Forget the frighteningly yellow fruitcake from Target. This is the real thing, prepared in Sicily according to a centuries-old recipe, yielding a fluffy texture that’s closer to cotton candy than cake.

[Editor’s note: Goldbelly recommends ordering as early as possible, but check their site for specific shipping details.]

In many hobbyist scenes, “endgame” describes the ultimate version of the thing to buy in a given category. This is an endgame flashlight. It’s about the size and shape of a folded pocketknife; yet it shines as bright as a car headlight. There’s also a UV mode and a green laser pointer that my cats love. Unlike the previous version, this one offers USB-C charging in addition to the handy magnetic dock.

I like the blue color, but Lorde prefers the one that’sfull rainbow.

[Editor’s note: Depending on your location, this bottle may arrive after Christmas via Amazon.]

My wife bought me this a few winters back and then did most of the building herself. I guess I could always deconstruct it and build it back up as a convertible, but I’m more of a hardtop man.

It’s the only monocular I’ve found that’s small enough to be truly pocketable.

Everyone has been asking me about this bag since I got it at the end of September. It’s charmingly outdoorsy without being too technical, and its adjustable straps are long enough for both backpack and shoulder bag use.

I somehow missed that my favorite camping chair maker also sells tables now. They’re just as sturdy and well-designed as the brand’s chairs.

[Editor’s note: Order by 9 a.m. PT on December 18 for delivery by December 25th.]

It’s not quite as soft as thecashmere triangle scarf of my dreams, but it’s pretty close. Designed and made in Scotland.

Read more:I Can’t Go Anywhere Without People Complimenting My Scarf

He’s earned an upgrade to one that’sguaranteed for life. Even if he does lose it, Davek offers 50 percent off a replacement.

This isn’t the best LED lantern, but it has the best vibes. Its dimmer switch is the smoothest knob I’ve ever turned, and the hue warms as it dims, just like a gas lamp.

Le Labo’s wick trimmer and snuffer set doesn’t look the same as every other unbranded one on Amazon.

It’ll revolve for as long as the flame beneath it is lit.

Tom Cruise famously mails one of these Bundt cakes to each of his friends for the holidays. You can’t gift his friendship, but you can gift his cake.

Over$200

This briefcase-sized gas grill runs off mini propane tanks from the hardware store and has a built-in ignitor. I used it on my stoop throughout lockdown and in the park since.

Just like the half-frame film cameras it’s modeled after, this tiny point-and-shoot has physical controls and shoots portrait photos by default. It also comes with all of Fujifilm’s best-in-class film emulation algorithms.

I’ve used a lot of pocketknives over the years, andthis one is the best. It can be laser-sharpened at the factory for just the cost of shipping any time it needs a refresher. It’s alsofully customizableif you order directly from Benchmade.

Since I got this as a gift, it’s become my most-used speaker. The charging cradle lives in the kitchen, and I carry it outside anytime I’m gardening or hosting on the side porch.

This watch’s finish quality is on par with a similarly priced Tissot or Seiko; yet it tracks heart rate, breathing, blood oxygen, and can even perform an ECG. It lacks built-in GPS but can still track location while paired with your phone. Best of all, at 39 millimeters wide, it’s suitable for smaller wrists like my own.

In a world where teens are rocking $500 AirPods Max, it takes an $800 price tag to stand out. Even if the Px8 S2’s performance (which is pretty good) doesn’t entirely justify its premium price, its exceptional build quality does — the Nappa-leather ear pads will match the upholstery in his ride.

It’s definitely the most-used present I’ve ever received. I’ve put it through the wash more times than I care to admit over the years, but it still smells of new leather.

Though it costs almost twice as much as a Yeti, this Norwegian-made cooler is half the size and volume of a similarly capacious offering from the brand — and performs just as well. The Bundle version comes with ice packs.

[Editor’s note: Order by 9 a.m. PT on December 18 for delivery by December 25th.]

I’ve long been a fan of Sea to Summit’s ultralight sleeping pads, so I’m not shocked that its car-camping pad is even more comfortable. In fact, it’s more supportive than any sofa bed I’ve tried.

[Editor’s note: Order by 9 a.m. PT on December 18 for delivery by December 25.]

Solo Stove popularized thesmokeless fire pit, but the Breeo Y Series is the better design. Its extendable legs and superior heat retention get you closer to the warmth, and the adjustable grill is exceptionally well-made and fun to use. This bundle includes both, plus a carrying case.

[Editor’s note: Depending on your location, this fire pit may arrive after Christmas via Amazon.]

The brightestportable projectorwith the longest battery life. It’s also weatherproof and has powerful built-in speakers.

This is the best-looking new TV of the year, according to apanel of expert judges.