Gift ideas by interest

What’s in each guide

Building sets for adults: The best building set for an adult matches something they already love (cars, ships, books, space or art) and ends up as a display piece. Small sets around $25 to $40 make great stocking stuffers; 1,000 to 3,000-piece sets are a satisfying weekend project. These are JMBricklayer sets, which work like classic interlocking bricks but aren’t LEGO-brand. Below are 18 ideas from about $22 to $280.

Gifts for painters: The best gift for a painter is a better version of a tool they use every session, and brushes matter most. Watercolorists love a round that holds lots of paint and keeps a sharp point; oil and acrylic painters love sturdy long-handled sets for the easel. Accessories like a brush case, a travel water bowl or an art book are safe if you don’t know their medium. Below are 18 ideas from about $15 to $220.

Gifts for trivia lovers: Trivia lovers want more facts to share, so the best gifts are new trivia games, books full of surprising science and history, and infographic prints they can quote from. A trivia deck is a great gift under $25; a fact-packed print or Atlas Obscura feels more special. Below are 17 ideas from about $9 to $45.

Gifts for home bakers: The best gift for a home baker is a better version of a tool they use every week: a scale, a cookie scoop, a good rolling pin or a beautiful pan. Holiday bakers love Nordic Ware pans and cookie presses, and a classic baking book is a safe pick. Below are 17 ideas from about $12 to $125, grouped by budget. Bread and sourdough bakers have their own guide.

Gifts for book lovers: The safest gift for a book lover is a gift card to a bookshop, because readers have strong opinions and long lists. To give something they’ll see every day, make reading nicer (a good book light, a reading journal) or decorate their shelves with a book nook. If you do give a book, a beautiful edition of a favorite rarely misses. Below are 16 ideas from about $15 to $160.

Gifts for coffee lovers: The best gift for a coffee lover depends on how they brew. For most people the biggest upgrade is a burr grinder, then a gooseneck kettle for pour-over. Beans are a great gift if you choose a crowd-pleaser or a rare lot they wouldn’t buy themselves. Below are 18 ideas from about $20 to $599, grouped by budget.

Gifts for gamers: The safest gift for a gamer works on any platform: a comfortable headset, a desk mat, good lighting, a game-history book or a nostalgic display piece. If you know their platform, a gift card is always welcome. Tabletop players love anything for their game night. Below are 16 ideas from about $16 to $75, grouped by budget.

Gifts for hikers: The best gifts for hikers are light, durable and used on every trip: merino socks, a headlamp, an insulated bottle or a national parks pass. For the hiker who owns all the gear, a great trail memoir or a tree-identification print celebrates the hobby without adding weight to their pack. Below are 16 ideas from about $17 to $150.

Gifts for people who love to cook: The best gift for someone who loves to cook upgrades a tool they use every night: a sharp knife, a pan that holds heat or a thermometer that tells the truth. Cookbooks and a good kitchen print are safe picks when you don’t know their kitchen. Below are 17 ideas from about $10 to $230, grouped by budget.

Gifts for plant lovers: The best gift for a plant lover helps the plants they already have: better light, a nicer pot, a moisture meter or a good care book. Buying them a plant is a gamble, because collectors have strong opinions. Botanical prints and brick plants are lovely for plant lovers with no room left on the windowsill. Below are 16 ideas from about $15 to $90.

Gifts for runners: The best gifts for runners fix a small annoyance they face on every run: a bouncing phone, blisters, dark mornings or sore legs. Running belts, merino socks, a headlamp and a foam roller are safe for almost anyone. A great running book suits the runner who already owns the gear. Below are 14 ideas from about $15 to $300.

Gifts for sourdough bakers: The best gift for a sourdough baker matches where they are. Beginners need a live starter, a scale and a good book. Weekly bakers love a proofing basket, a lame and a clay baker for better crust. Serious bakers appreciate a proofer or a starter home that keeps temperatures steady. Below are 18 ideas from about $10 to $250.

Gifts for vinyl lovers: Record collectors usually know exactly which albums they want, so the safest gifts care for and show off the collection: a cleaning kit, a wooden crate, a display shelf or fresh sleeves. A great music book or a retro record-player model suits the collector who has everything, and powered speakers are a big upgrade. Below are 15 ideas from about $15 to $200.

Self-care gifts for someone who needs a break: A good self-care gift gives someone permission to slow down: a soft robe, a calming tea, a heated neck wrap or a comforting book. Choose unscented options when you’re not sure about fragrance. For a friend going through a hard time, add a note with a plan to see them. Below are 16 ideas from about $12 to $70.