91 Carefully Selected, Unusually Special Gifts Under $200
Including a stately toucan, sleeping socks, and a crystal brooch.

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Each year, in order to create the Strategist’s annual print “Gift Issue” (subscribehere!), we set out to find the newest, grooviest, most surprising and delightful things that you (very likely) won’t find on the zillions of other gift guides out there in the universe.
In This Issue
Here’s how the process works: Each Strategist writer on staff submits and makes a case for the items that came out this year that they think would make for an excellent gift. Meanwhile, a smaller group of editors devote hours to just poking around and perusing our favorite shops (online and IRL), polling our coolest friends, going down numerous shopping rabbit holes that take us to Polish boutiques and Eastern Maine farmstands. And then we begin to argue. Is that button-down really that special? There’s something a little too 2023 about that cutting board. How do we really feel about tomatoes these days? We create “boards” so we can examine each item up close, then continue to whittle down till we have the perfect assemblage.
And there you have it! We’ve divided the 297 gifts that made the cut into three categories —under $50, $50 to $199, and$200 and up. Below, you’ll find our favorite slightly splurgy gifts. And if you haven’t found what you’re looking for, peruse themanyother gift guides the staff of the Strategist has made for youhere.
Blobby Ashtray

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Designer’s Monograph

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Over 800 images of Alexander Girard’s interiors.
Rechargeable Mini-Hozuki

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Snow Peak’s popular camping light now has a USB-C port for car charging.
Polish Candleholder

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A peacockesque centerpiece for the table.
Foot-Long Grinder

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LEGO Pet

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Almost-actual-cat-size building set with adjustable ears, paws, and tail.
Cooling Clay Jug

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Made by a Spanish family in the pottery business since the 18th century. The white clay naturally keeps water cool.
Handblown Coupe

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In a slightly smoky yellow hue from Bollenglass, which makes reproductions of historical styles from the 16th and 17th centuries.
Sensitive Shearing

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Manscaped’s upgraded pubic-hair trimmer now features foil and trimmer heads.
Mexico City Scent

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Beauty brand Nopalera’s first foray into perfume; formulated from Mexican cactus oil.
Bean-Shaped Mitts

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Kidneyesque, courtesy of Laila and Nadia Gohar.
Bow Bolster

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Also available in pink from the LoveShackFancy x Pottery Barn Teen collection.
Fauvist Tablecloth

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From New York textile line Inner Child.
Exquisite Knife

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The blade is made with VG10 stainless steel, which is known for being corrosion resistant and especially easy to sharpen.
Eyelash-Saving Mask

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A silk sleep mask with built-in eyecups to keep lashes from being squished.
Satin Dachshund

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This Mini Rodini bag has an adjustable crossbody strap.
Stately Bird Napkins

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Each set of six contains a pheasant, duck, partridge, wood pigeon, woodcock, and quail.
Plywood Toddler Chair

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Designer Charlie Crane uses scraps from the popular Levo rocker to make this surprisingly affordable beech lounge chair.
Zebra-Stripe Serving Set

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Made of plexiglass by a German company that originally produced tortoiseshell combs.
Peter Hujar’s Pictures

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The late great portrait photographer’s only monograph is back in print.
Resin Rose

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Handmade in Brooklyn in small batches; comes with a nail to hang it on the wall.
Beading Briefcase

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This Super Smalls kit has over 630 gems plus stretchy string.
Swim Hat

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Made of water-friendly nylon by New York–based hat-and-accessories line Clyde.
T-shirt Hat

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This hat, which can be untied and worn in a number of ways, debuted at Dauan Jacari’s first runway show this year.
Mary Merch

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Cole Escola on the front, “Oh, Mary!” on the back.
Supremely Soft Boxers

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From Baserange’s newly launched men’s collection; made of Portuguese cotton.
Gelatin Lighter

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A new line from Edie Parker. The top comes off to reveal an ashtray.
Fish Carafe

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By Alessandra Baldereschi, a flameworked piece for Ichendorf Milano.
Their Own Moo Deng

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A symbolic hippo adoption from WWF comes with this plushie.
Mohair Scarf

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It’s huge at five and a half feet long.
Wool Scarf

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A portion of each scarf purchase is donated to local AIDS organizations.
Toucan to Scale

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An almost-16-inch-tall replica made by Andalusian artisans.
BBM Nostalgia

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If they miss the tactile feel of a hardware keyboard, they’ll love typing messages with Clicks’ retro keyboard case.
Wassaic Whiskey

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The latest batch of single malt from Tenmile Distillery upstate.
Adult Solo Cup

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Rentrayage’s recycled-glass pieces are designed to look like plastic party cups.
Opera-Night Shoes

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Elegant satin slippers from Taiwan.
“It” Hairbrush

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A pocket-size version of the French boar-bristle brush that some are calling the new Mason Pearson.
Peach Liqueur

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Made from heirloom peaches harvested in the Rhône Valley in July; pairs well with bubbly.
Classical Mug

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Inspired by Greek and Roman myths; cast in porcelain by Marcie McGoldrick.
Hot Rod

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The newest fishing rod from Ugly Stik, available in ultralight-to-medium-heavy strength.
Show-off Socks

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Maria La Rosa’s flower-adorned knee-high socks are made with a silky merino wool.
Fancy Didion

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The Folio Society makes beautifully packaged editions of classics.
Extra Closet

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Yamazaki’s storage ladder in forest green, made in collaboration with the Strategist.
Poodle Plushie

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Her name is Hyacinth, and she comes with a brush.
Upstairs Wand

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Therabody’s latest very portable skin-care device features cold and heated therapy.
Downstairs Wand

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A teeny-tiny Magic Wand vibrator with plenty of power.
PowerpuffBaby-G

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Wear it on your wrist or use the Tamagotchi-esque case to hang it from a backpack.
Soundless Sleep

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An unobtrusive design and cushy wing tips make these earbuds comfortable to sleep in — even on your side.
Black Rodeo Book

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Ivan McClellan photographed contemporary Black rodeo culture from Texas to Compton.
Blueberry Burberry

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This tea-towel set includes one adorned with a recipe for the very British dessert Eton mess as well as a more understated blue-and-white-striped cloth.
Supermodel Scarf

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Nineties Naomi Campbell photographed by Ellen von Unwerth, printed on a silk twill scarf for the V&A’s gift shop.
Crystal Spider

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John Derian’s by-the-cash-register brooches are handcrafted and also come in the shape of a horse, snake, or crab.
Skin-Slugging System

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This three-step skin-care routine from Futurewise is vegan (meaning no snails) and deeply hydrating.
Wee Matching Set

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Barbie x Kartell

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Five doll-size renditions of the brand’s most famous chairs — each in Barbie’s favorite shade.
Girlish Evening Bag

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Sewn from deadstock fabric sourced in Cambodia and Thailand.
Roll-Top Camp Table

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It folds easily, and the top is made of easy-to-clean aluminum.
Mossy Bathrobe

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A first for Autumn Sonata in its signature Portuguese terrycloth.
Collapsible Clutch

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A trapezoidal creation from sustainable Japanese textile brand Mate Mono.
Velvet-Soled Slippers

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A French pair that can be personalized with a name or date.
Marni Plate

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Part of a 120-piece collaboration with Serax emblazoned with the daintiest watercolor-inspired florals.
Hexagonal Plate

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Hand-painted from Egyptian line Malaika.
OG Eye-Shadow Palette

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The Urban Decay palette that launched a million smoky-eye tutorials and YouTube channels is back.
Rihanna’s Final Frontier

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Fenty does hair care now.
Eau de Tween Boy

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Colognes from the ’90s (like this one from Jean Paul Gaultier) are suddenly super-popular among the Gen Alpha set.
Softest Button-up

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A worn-in-feeling shirt with added stretch for comfort.
Magenta Mandoline

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Extremely sharp in a shocking color.
Reversible Puffer

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Kiddos can wear radishes on Mondays and pasta on Tuesdays with this Rachel Antonoff x Little Spoon puffer that has cat ears on the hood.
Eau de Sabrina

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The singer’s latest foray into (a cherry-and-chocolate scented) perfume.
Wintertime FiveFingers

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Vibram’s newest model, the V-Lynx, is meant for wetter and colder climates.
Baby Balance Bike

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Peaceful Peppa

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Soft light emanates from this Peppa Pig nightlight, made by Amsterdam design studio Mr Maria.
Sleeping Socks

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Apparently sleeping in cashmere socks lowers the body temperature.
Souped-up Casio

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The WS-B1000 has the ability to track steps.
1972 Cookbook

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Trippy masterpiece by Moroccan surrealist Ahmed Yacoubi, available in paperback for the first time.
Korean Body Pillow

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A collaboration between streetwear brand Ojos and TikTok-famous bedding company Gata.
Trompe L’oeil Trash Can

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A faux-cane bin from British brand Pentreath & Hall.
Underrated Olive Oil

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Bottles from the oft-overlooked Portuguese oil-producing regions of Alentejo and Trás-os-Montes.
Mint Mist

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With notes of basil, bergamot, and lemon from Astier de Villatte.
Extremely Compact Tote

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A nylon bag that folds down to just three and a half inches wide and clips onto a key chain.
Big-Enough Makeup Bag

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With fold-down sides and 18 wall pockets, Parallelle’s travel makeup bag will end their rummaging for good.
Cool-Girl Bloomers

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All summer, the LES was crawling with girls in their Charlie Beads bloomers.
Sailor Moon Boxed Set

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Includes volumes one to six and 16 art cards packaged in a holographic metallic box.
Eye Candy

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Creamy, shimmery eye crayons from Euphoria makeup artist Donni Davy’s line.
Elegant Cycling Jersey

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Finally, a kit that doesn’t make you look like a Power Ranger.
Built-in Backgammon

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This towel from G. McGee makes it easy to play a round by the water.
Spotted Sled

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The Nice Fleet specializes in tasteful inflatables.
Ovoid Candle

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Even after it burns, this candle — found at cool downtown home shop Bomi — keeps its egg shape.
Matisse’s Snail Swatch

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A collaboration with Tate.
24 Steamed Buns

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A sampler pack from Taiwanese restaurant Din Tai Fung, including pork, vegan, and chocolate buns.
Bungee Button-down

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Designer Nena Hansen reworks vintage into plus-size pieces like this bungee-cord cutout shirt.
The Strategistis designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read abouthere. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.





