Curated Gift Guides from: Lenny Rachitsky, Peter Yang & More

By Sarah Andrabi

December 17, 2025

About this collection

Discover the ultimate collection of expert-curated gift guides for 2025. This collection brings together thoughtfully researched recommendations from leading voices like Lenny Rachitsky's tech gift guide, Peter Yang's "Behind the Craft" selections, and top publications including CNN, Condé Nast Traveler, Fast Company, Remodelista, and Creative Boom. ## What's Inside: **Tech & Gadgets:** High-quality products for tech enthusiasts and founders **Travel Essentials:** 50+ gifts for globetrotters and frequent travelers **Creative & Maker Gifts:** Unique kits and tools for designers, crafters, and artists **Subscription Services:** 52 best subscription boxes and services for every interest **Thoughtful Alternatives:** Anti-junk gift philosophy and sustainable options **Specialty Guides:** LEGO collections, stocking stuffers, and niche interests Perfect for anyone seeking non-obvious, high-quality gift ideas backed by expert research and real-world testing. Whether you're shopping for creatives, travelers, tech lovers, or looking for meaningful alternatives to generic gifts, this collection saves you hours of research.

Curated Sources

A Holiday Gift Guide: Treasures That Are Old, or Old at Heart | The New Yorker

The article presents a holiday gift guide focusing on secondhand or new items that emulate the quality and craftsmanship of earlier times. The author, Rachel Syme, discusses the growing popularity of buying used items, particularly among Gen Z consumers, driven by factors such as economic anxiety, climate concerns, and cultural nostalgia. The guide includes various gift ideas across categories like glassware, alarm clocks, quilts, fans, candy, candles, and writing accessories. Some highlights include celestial-motif tall glasses ($89), a Newgate alarm clock ($45), antique quilts, Napoli hand fans ($146), Guylian seashells ($35), Loewe tomato-leaves candle ($130), and TWSBI Eco fountain pens ($39). The article also suggests shopping at stores like Etsy, eBay, and specialty vintage shops for unique finds.

Key Takeaways

  • The guide emphasizes sustainable gifting through secondhand or high-quality, long-lasting items.
  • The trend towards vintage and secondhand shopping is driven by economic, environmental, and cultural factors.
  • The article showcases a diverse range of gift categories with a focus on craftsmanship and unique, nostalgic items.
  • Shopping at specialty stores like Etsy and eBay is recommended for finding vintage treasures.
  • The guide includes both affordable options and luxury items to cater to different budgets.

The 52 Best Subscription Gifts and Services in 2025

The best subscription gifts create something to look forward to each month, whether it's gourmet food, learning opportunities, or curated products. Top recommendations include Goldbelly for food, MasterClass for learning, and FabFitFun for beauty products. Other notable mentions are Book of the Month Club, Jeni's Pint Club, Atlas Coffee Club, and Chocolate of the Month Subscription. Subscriptions cater to various interests, including coffee, tea, snacks, wine, and even pets. Options like Scentbird and Vellabox offer fragrance and candle subscriptions. For the creatively inclined, Adults & Crafts and KiwiCo provide crafting and educational activities. Other unique gifts include Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for gamers and Nuuly for fashion enthusiasts.

Key Takeaways

  • Subscription gifts offer a recurring experience, creating anticipation and excitement.
  • Curated boxes and services cater to diverse interests, from food and learning to beauty and hobbies.
  • Many subscriptions offer personalization options, enhancing the gift-giving experience.
  • Some services, like Goldbelly and MasterClass, provide access to exclusive or high-end products.
  • Subscriptions can be tailored to the recipient's interests, making them thoughtful gifts.

The anti-junk gift guide - Fast Company

The article presents an alternative to traditional gift guides by promoting thoughtful and meaningful gift-giving practices. It suggests defining a personal gifting ethos, considering the recipient's preferences, and opting for non-material gifts such as experiences, heartfelt words, and charitable donations. The guide also recommends practical, high-quality items and consumables that are less likely to end up in landfills. The author emphasizes the importance of putting thought into gifts and avoiding obligatory or impersonal presents. By adopting this anti-junk gift guide approach, individuals can make gift-giving more significant and reduce waste.

Key Takeaways

  • Focusing on experiences and charitable donations can make gifts more meaningful and reduce waste.
  • Personalized and high-quality practical items are preferable to cheap, impersonal gifts.
  • Heartfelt words and letters can be a significant and cherished gift.
  • Consumable gifts like candles, essential oils, and gourmet food are appreciated and don't contribute to clutter.
  • Adopting a thoughtful gifting ethos can help reduce the environmental impact of holiday gift-giving.

The best Christmas gifts for creatives in 2025 | Creative Boom

Creative Boom's annual Christmas gift guide for 2025 is packed with thoughtful and unique gift ideas for creatives, including stocking fillers, gifts for designers, fashionistas, and foodies, as well as treats for the home and beauty enthusiasts. The guide features a wide range of products from independent brands, artists, and designers, showcasing the best in craft, imagination, and design. From practical items like the Huion Kamvas Pro 19 drawing screen and Brompton E-motiq T Line e-bike to fun and quirky gifts like Choc'Blocks and Paddles by Supersmash, there's something for every creative type. The guide also highlights the importance of sustainability and eco-friendliness in gift-giving, with many products made from recycled or upcycled materials.

Key Takeaways

  • The guide showcases a diverse range of gift ideas for creatives, from practical tools to fun and unique items.
  • Many of the featured products prioritize sustainability and eco-friendliness, reflecting a growing trend in the creative industry.
  • The guide highlights the importance of supporting independent brands, artists, and designers, and celebrating craft and imagination in gift-giving.
  • The products featured in the guide are carefully curated to appeal to different aspects of creative culture, from design and art to fashion and food.
  • The guide provides a valuable resource for those looking for inspiration when shopping for gifts for creatives.

24 best gifts for Lego lovers in 2025 | CNN Underscored

The article presents 24 Lego gift recommendations for 2025, curated by a Lego expert. It covers various categories including gifts for first-time builders, home decor, kids, adults, and collectors, as well as budget-friendly options under $40. Recommended sets include Lego Star Wars Imperial Star Destroyer, Lego Botanicals Hibiscus Flower, and Lego Ideas Polaroid OneStep SX-70. The guide provides detailed descriptions, prices, and purchasing links for each set, helping readers choose the perfect Lego gift based on the recipient's interests and preferences.

Key Takeaways

  • The guide offers a diverse range of Lego sets catering to different interests and age groups.
  • It includes both expensive, detailed models for collectors and affordable options under $40.
  • The recommendations are based on the author's personal experience and expertise as a lifelong Lego fan and professional reviewer.

50 Best Travel Gifts for Every Globetrotter on Your List (2025) | Condé Nast Traveler

Finding the perfect travel gift involves balancing thoughtfulness and practicality. Travelers value items that are both personal and useful for their journeys. This curated list includes 50 gift ideas ranging from clever gadgets and must-have beauty secrets to luxurious comfort items. Some highlights include Cadence Bestseller capsules for leakproof toiletry storage, Helight Red light therapy devices for jet lag relief, and Away's larger carry-on luggage for convenient travel. Other practical suggestions are Noshinku refillable hand sanitizers, Sleepy Ride airplane footrests for economy class comfort, and Merit Beauty's Five Minute Morning set for quick makeup routines. For tech-savvy travelers, recommendations include Bellroy Tech Kits for organizing accessories, Aozbz portable document scanners, and Ōura smart rings for health tracking. Luxurious options like Four Seasons velvet slippers and Lunya washable silk pajamas offer comfort and indulgence. The list also features versatile bags like Béis The Mini Weekender and Cuyana's System tote, along with innovative products such as Ember's heated travel mugs and Hatch Restore 3 alarm clocks for better sleep. These gifts cater to various traveler needs, from functionality and comfort to luxury and relaxation.

Key Takeaways

  • The article emphasizes the importance of balancing thoughtfulness and practicality when choosing travel gifts.
  • It highlights a range of gift options catering to different traveler needs, including luxury comfort items, practical accessories, and innovative tech gadgets.
  • The curated list includes products that enhance travel comfort, organization, and convenience, making it a valuable resource for gift-givers.

Holiday Gift Guide 2025: Stocking Stuffers for the Grownup Set - Remodelista

The Remodelista editors present a curated selection of gift ideas for adults, focusing on useful and beautiful items priced $30 or less. The guide includes a variety of products such as the Simple Waffle Slippers ($30), Mani Candleholder ($28), Slate Cotton Waffle Tea Towel ($18), Raazi Tea ($16), Japanese Cat Tape ($8-$14), East Fork Pottery's Bitty Bowls ($11.20), Camino Red Wine Vinegar ($25), and Handmade Steel Fish Clips ($2.99). These items are suitable as stocking stuffers or small gifts for adults, emphasizing practicality and aesthetic appeal.

Key Takeaways

  • The gift guide focuses on affordable, functional, and aesthetically pleasing items for adults.
  • Products are curated from various brands, including Hawkins NY, Humble Ceramics, Mungo, Raazi Tea, Wms & Co., East Fork Pottery, and Boston General Store.
  • The selection includes a mix of home decor, kitchen essentials, and unique accessories.

Holiday Gift Guide 2025: Next-Level Kits for Crafters and Makers - Remodelista

The Remodelista editors present their curated selection of 9 covetable crafting kits for crafters and makers, featuring unique projects that teach bygone skills from designers and makers they love. The kits include basket weaving, darning, block printing, broom making, indigo fabric painting, and candle making. Each kit is described in detail, highlighting its unique features and the skills it teaches. The guide also includes links to purchase the kits and prices.

Key Takeaways

  • The gift guide features 9 unique crafting kits that teach traditional skills like basket weaving and broom making.
  • The kits are curated from designers and makers that Remodelista loves, ensuring high-quality and unique projects.
  • The guide includes a range of price points, from $17 for a beeswax candle-making kit to $145 for a marigold dye and print kit.
  • The kits are perfect for crafters and makers looking to learn new skills or create handmade gifts.
  • The guide is part of Remodelista's holiday gift guide series, which includes other guides for different interests and hobbies.

Behind the Craft Holiday Gift Guide - by Peter Yang

Peter Yang shares 17 products that have genuinely improved his life, ranging from $10 to $3,000. The products are categorized into everyday essentials, family gifts, and health and fitness. Yang's research process involves searching for professional reviews on Wirecutter, user reviews on Reddit, and deep research using AI tools like Claude. Recommended products include YouTube Premium, Owala FreeSip water bottle, Baggu shopping bags, Shure MV7 USB microphone, Toto washlet bidet, TravelPro platinum elite carry-on luggage, Breville Barista Express, Aura digital picture frame, Shutterfly family calendar, LL Bean wicked good moccasins, Lululemon ABC pants, Magformers magnet toys, MZOO luxury sleep eye mask, FlipBelt zipper running belt, Currex RunPro insoles, Legion+ plant protein powder, and Tonal home gym. Yang emphasizes the practical benefits and personal experiences with each product.

Key Takeaways

  • The author uses a systematic research process involving professional reviews, user feedback, and AI-assisted deep research to identify valuable products.
  • The recommended products span various categories and price points, offering something for different needs and budgets.
  • Many of the products are highlighted for their practical benefits and how they've improved the author's daily life or solved specific problems.
  • The list includes both affordable options like the MZOO luxury sleep eye mask ($10) and significant investments like the Tonal home gym ($3,295).
  • The recommendations are based on personal experience and are presented in a way that emphasizes their impact on the author's life.

A holiday gift guide for tech people with taste 🤌

Lenny Rachitsky's fifth annual holiday gift guide features high-quality, non-obvious products for tech people with taste. The guide includes items for the home, parents and kids, gadget lovers, stressed founder friends or family members, and those who have cashed out their OpenAI stock. Recommendations range from handmade modern maple donut bowls and organic cotton sheets to tech gadgets like the Matic robot vacuum and Sony WH-1000XM5 noise-canceling wireless headphones. Other unique gifts include personalized items, art prints, and wellness products like Function Health memberships and Japanese Hot Spring Minerals bath salts.

Key Takeaways

  • The gift guide focuses on high-end and handmade products that are not commonly found.
  • Recommendations.
  • The guide is categorized into sections for different types of recipients, making it easy to find suitable gifts.
  • Some products are highlighted for their unique features, such as the Matic robot vacuum and Aranet CO2 monitor.
  • The guide includes a mix of practical and indulgent gifts, catering to different tastes and preferences.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How do the three curators' different approaches to transparency (Peter's research methodology disclosure, Lenny's 'no affiliate links' stance, Remodelista's aesthetic consistency) reflect different trust-building strategies, and which approach would resonate most with Liminary's target users?
  • What patterns emerge from the products that appear across multiple guides (e.g., quality over quantity, sustainable materials, screen-free alternatives), and how might these patterns inform Liminary's product positioning as a 'premium' information tool?
  • Peter Yang explicitly shares his AI research workflow (Claude for deep research), while Lenny offers AI tools in his subscription bundle—how are these creators thinking about AI as both a research tool and a product offering, and what does this suggest about how Liminary should position AI in its value proposition?
  • The guides emphasize 'taste' and curation as antidotes to information overload in product discovery—how does this parallel the problem Liminary solves for information recall, and could Liminary's 'curation' of a user's own knowledge become a key differentiator?
  • All three guides explicitly reject 'slop' or 'clutter' despite being in the business of recommending products—how do they resolve this tension, and how should Liminary think about helping users capture information without creating digital clutter?
  • The shift toward premium, sustainable products (organic sheets, microplastic-free salt, non-polyester toys) suggests consumers will pay more for health-conscious alternatives—does this premium positioning strategy apply to productivity tools like Liminary, and if so, what's the equivalent of 'organic' or 'sustainable' in the information space?
  • Peter Yang's research methodology combines professional reviews (Wirecutter), user reviews (Reddit), and AI synthesis (Claude)—could this three-source validation approach inform how Liminary generates and validates insights from user content?
  • The guides feature many 'screen-free' alternatives (Yoto player, Tonies, Koshi chimes) despite being created by tech people—what does this 'digital detox' trend suggest about how Liminary should think about notification strategies and user engagement without creating screen addiction?
  • Lenny's guide includes a 'stressed founder' category with meditation retreats and anti-anxiety notebooks—how might Liminary position itself not just as a productivity tool but as a stress-reduction tool that helps founders feel more in control of their information?
  • The emphasis on 'handcrafted' and 'artisanal' products in tech-forward gift guides suggests appreciation for human craftsmanship even in an AI age—should Liminary emphasize the 'handcrafted' nature of users' own notes and insights versus AI-generated summaries, and how might this affect product design?
  • All three curators have built audiences through consistent content creation (newsletters, podcasts, design publications)—what does their gift guide strategy reveal about how to monetize audience trust without affiliate links, and could Liminary explore similar trust-based monetization approaches?
  • The guides collectively recommend products ranging from $10 to $3,000+, suggesting different value tiers for different needs—how should Liminary think about pricing tiers and what 'premium' features would justify higher price points beyond just storage capacity?