Connor's Holiday Gift Guide 2024
For People Who Care about Giving Good Gifts
Welcome back to my Substack! I'm Connor, a veteran crypto builder turned entrepreneur, currently splitting my time between my startup Know Your Worth and writing my book The Friendship Pipeline. While I'm planning a full newsletter revamp for 2025, today I'm diving into one of my favorite topics: the art of gift giving.
Christmas is my absolute favorite holiday, and I spend an almost embarrassing amount of time each year poring over gift guides. This year, I decided to switch roles from consumer to creator.
Quick disclaimer: I'm just a random guy on the internet sharing what I genuinely love. All Amazon links are affiliate links (which means I get a small commission if you buy something), but no brands have paid me or sent me free samples. I'll be clear about which items I've personally used versus those I know through trusted recommendations.
But before we jump into specific gifts, let's talk about what makes a truly great gift. (If you're just here for the product links, feel free to skip ahead!)
The Theory of Gift Giving
What Makes a Good Gift (For Adults)
First, a caveat: this advice is specifically for adults. Kids operate by different gift-giving rules entirely, which I won’t get into here.
The underlying principle behind all good gift-giving is proof-of-care. Does your gift make the recipient feel seen, or does it scream "I put in zero effort because I don’t actually care about you?” That's the fundamental difference between a good gift and a forgettable — or even relationship damaging — one.
But there's a secret to elevating a gift from good to unforgettable: demonstration of deep knowledge. Show them you've really been listening, to their wishlist, yes, but more importantly to their casual mentions, their daily frustrations, their small joys. The holy grail is finding something they didn't even know they wanted but instantly love.
This is why giving something unexpected can be even more powerful than fulfilling a wishlist item. The perfect gift is often something the recipient wouldn't buy for themselves, maybe because they don't know it exists, or because they can't justify the splurge, or because it feels too indulgent. That's where you come in.
Here are five strategies I use to find those perfect gifts:
1. Up-level something they love
Look for the everyday items they use constantly, the things that are part of their daily rituals. Maybe it's their kitchen knives, their workout gear, or their bedtime reading. Don't just get them more of the same; find the premium version they'd never splurge on themselves. If they're using the same cheap chef's knife they've had since college but you notice they cook almost every night, imagine their delight at unwrapping a beautiful Wüsthof or Japanese santoku. The key is choosing something they'll actually use, not something so precious it'll sit in a drawer. You want to enhance an experience they already love, not create pressure around using a fancy gift.
2. Make a problem in their life go away
The best gifts often solve problems people don't even realize they have. Listen for those small frustrations they mention in passing: "I can never find my keys," "my phone's always dying when I travel," "I wish I had more counter space." The real magic happens when you solve a problem they've just been living with. If they're always losing their keys or bag, an AirTag or Tile turns a daily frustration into a 30-second fix. If they constantly complain about how cold the house is after a bath, a towel warmer could transform their evening routine. Better yet if you can solve a problem they've just accepted as unchangeable, the kind where they'd say "oh wow, I didn't even know this existed!"
3. Find a way to add a touch of luxury to their everyday experience
The sweet spot here is finding something that elevates an everyday experience without being so precious they'll "save it for a special occasion." Think: upgrading their everyday olive oil to a small bottle of something spectacular, or replacing their basic hand soap with something that makes washing hands feel like a spa moment. The key is choosing consumable luxuries they'll actually use. Avoid anything that might sit on a shelf waiting for that "perfect moment" that never comes.
4. Create a totem of your relationship
This goes way beyond framed photos. Think about inside jokes, shared experiences, or pivotal moments in your friendship. Maybe it's a custom illustration of that ridiculous thing that happened on your road trip, or a beautifully bound collection of your years of text message screenshots. The more specific to your relationship, the better. Generic "best friend" merchandise never hits the same as something that could only be meaningful to the two of you. For best results, try to find something that can fit into their everyday life. Every time they see or use it, they’ll think of you.
5. Trigger their very specific sense of humor
Skip the generic funny gifts — a witty graphic tee is not the play. Instead, look for something that would only be funny to them because of their specific interests or experiences. One of the best gifts I’ve ever given was a set of tiny hands for my little sister. She’s the kind of person who thinks any moment can be made better with a touch of comic absurdism, so they worked perfectly and created many classic family photos. A good rule of thumb for a humor gift is that you wouldn’t give the same gift to anyone else because the sense of humor wouldn’t quite match up.
A Note on Wish Lists
The strategies above work best when you have freedom to surprise. But here's the thing about wish lists, their importance varies by relationship. If there's an unspoken expectation that wish list items are future gifts (looking at you, spouses and close family), definitely honor that. Breaking that contract can damage trust. But if the list is more of a suggestion, these alternative approaches often create more memorable moments. The key is knowing your audience and your relationship dynamics.
What to Get For Someone You Don’t Know Well
Sometimes you need to buy a gift for someone you barely know. Maybe it's your brother's new girlfriend, or that white elephant exchange at work. You can't rely on deep knowledge of their interests, but that doesn't mean you have to default to generic gifts.
When you don't know someone well, gift-giving becomes less about proving how well you know the other person and more about demonstrating good taste and judgment. The goal shifts from "this is perfect for you specifically" to "this is genuinely interesting and worth having."
Here's what I look for:
Something unique enough that they probably won't get it twice
An item that's higher quality than what most people would buy for themselves
Things that are broadly useful but still feel special
Items that spark curiosity or conversation
Consumables that feel luxurious but won't create clutter
The key is finding that sweet spot between "too generic" and "too specific." A fancy olive oil from a small producer is way better than a grocery store brand, but maybe not the ultra-spicy variety unless you know they love heat. A beautifully made notebook beats a generic one from Target, but skip the one with soccer jokes unless you know they like sports.
And remember, even if you don't know them well, you can still show that you put in effort. The simple act of choosing something thoughtful and well-made communicates respect for the recipient and the gift-giving occasion.
What Not to Give
Just as important as knowing what makes a great gift is understanding what makes a terrible one. Here are the major categories of gifts to avoid:
Generic, Could-Be-From-Anyone Gifts
We've all received them — the vanilla-scented candle from someone who clearly grabbed it from the holiday display at the front of the store. The random Amazon gift card in a generic holiday envelope. The box of chocolates that's been regifted at least twice. These gifts don't just fail the proof-of-care test, they actively show a lack of effort. If your gift could have been bought by anyone for anyone, it's probably not going to make the recipient feel seen. If you’re going to give me a Starbucks gift card, just don’t bother. I don’t even drink coffee.
Gifts That Come With Homework
Be very careful with gifts that require significant effort from the recipient. That 1000-piece LEGO set might seem cool, but if they didn't specifically ask for it, you're essentially giving them a weekend-long project they didn't sign up for. The same goes for complicated gadgets that need hours of setup or craft kits that demand immediate attention. And the worst part? If they don't have the time or energy to start their new project, you've just added to their junk pile.
There's one big exception to this rule: if someone has explicitly mentioned wanting to get into a hobby, a thoughtfully chosen starter kit can be perfect. The key word here is "explicitly." They need to have actually expressed interest, not just you thinking they'd enjoy it.
Space-Invading Gifts
Before buying any large gift, ask yourself: "Does this person have room for this?" That bread maker might be amazing, but in a tiny apartment kitchen, it could be more burden than blessing. New kitchen appliances, bulky exercise equipment, large artwork, these all demand precious real estate in someone's home. Unless you're absolutely certain they have the space and want the item, stick to things that don't require furniture tetris.
The "Actually For Me" Gift
This one's subtle but dangerous. It happens when you pick a gift that's more aligned with your interests than theirs. The classic version is buying something you want and pretending it's for them, like getting your partner a fancy coffee machine when you're the coffee enthusiast and they drink tea. But there's an even sneakier version: trying to get someone into your interests through gifts. Maybe you love rock climbing and think your partner would love it too if they just tried it. Unless they've explicitly expressed interest, that new climbing harness is more about your wishes than theirs. Sure, sometimes sharing interests works out great, but gift-giving isn't the time to try converting people to your hobbies.
Remember, a gift should make someone's life better, not more complicated. When in doubt, refer back to the proof-of-care principle. Would this gift make them feel seen, or just burdened?
The Recommendations
For the Movie Lover
The Criterion Collection
For the physical media lover in your life, you can't go wrong with a movie from the Criterion Collection. If you're not familiar, the Criterion Collection publishes important films from global cinema at the highest technical quality. In its library, any dart you throw is likely to find one of the world's greatest and most interesting movies. Each edition is a movie lover's treasure trove, rife with audio commentaries, accompanying interviews or documentaries, and even some reading material. Not to mention, the physical presentation itself is a delight. These aren't just movies. They're time capsules that preserve the context and conversation around important films.
Let me highlight two recent additions that would make excellent gifts. First, Ishiro Honda's Godzilla (1954). While most people know Godzilla as a campy monster movie franchise, the original is a haunting meditation on nuclear war. The Japanese filmmakers, less than a decade removed from Hiroshima, created something far more powerful than a mere creature feature. Plus there's a character with a really cool eye patch and some of the greatest theme music of all time. It's the perfect gift for someone who enjoys modern spectacle movies but isn’t afraid of black and white.
My second pick is the recent collection Jackie Chan: Emergence of a Superstar. This set captures Chan at his most raw and experimental, collecting six of his early Hong Kong films. While I've yet to see any of the films in the collection, I've never met a Jackie Chan movie I didn't enjoy. His unique blend of kung fu and slapstick humor creates pure cinema magic. He's basically a modern-day Buster Keaton with martial arts skills. This set looks perfect for both longtime fans and those just discovering Chan's pre-Hollywood work.
Pro tip: If your intended recipient has a Letterboxd account, check their watchlist. There's something extra special about giving someone a film they've been wanting to see but haven't pulled the trigger on yet.
LG C-Series OLED
Now, if you're looking to splurge and get the greatest gift your partner can imagine, an LG C-Series OLED is currently the best TV on the market. A few years ago, I bought the C1 and I can easily say it's been one of the best purchases I've ever made. Unless I'm going to a Dolby or IMAX screening, my TV looks better than most movie theaters. The perfect blacks and infinite contrast ratio aren't just marketing speak, they transform everyday viewing into an experience. If you can appreciate things like black levels, this panel will ruin you with delight. Fair warning: once someone experiences true OLED blacks, there's no going back to regular LED TVs. I’ve had three different friends come over for a movie night and go out and buy one of these TVs the next day.
The current model is the C4, but feel free to deal hunt and pick up a previous year’s model. There’s not a ton of variance from year to year and my 2021 panel still looks amazing.
For the Reader
Stripe Press Books
If you know someone who works in tech and loves beautiful books, Stripe Press should be your first stop. Like the Criterion Collection, every book in their library is highly curated and of top quality. They both reprint classic works and commission new books from the greatest working tech and economic writers. The attention to physical detail is extraordinary — from paper quality to typography to binding. These aren't just books; they're artifacts worthy of display.
My first pick is Richard Hamming's The Art of Doing Science and Engineering. Hamming was one of the greatest scientists of the 20th century, making pivotal contributions to both the Manhattan Project and the dawn of modern computing. Although originally published in 1997, his words feel startlingly relevant today, part history lesson in computing, part manifesto for doing meaningful work. It's the kind of book that makes you want to build something important.
Fair warning: this isn't light reading! While not impenetrable, the book contains real equations and mathematical concepts. You don't need to understand 100% of the math (I certainly didn't), but it might be intimidating for someone who breaks out in hives at the sight of calculus. Best gifted to the curious engineer or scientist in your life who isn't afraid to wrestle with big ideas.
My second recommendation is the newly published Boom: Bubbles and the End of Stagnation by Byrne Hobart and Tobias Huber. I'm still working my way through it, but it's a fascinating examination of how economic bubbles, typically seen as purely destructive, can actually drive technological progress. The authors draw surprising connections between the Manhattan Project, Apollo Program, and the recent Cryptocurrency boom. It's perfect for the person who’s interested in the history of technology and what it takes to build the future.
On the Edge
If you're looking for a book that perfectly captures the chaotic energy of the last few years, Nate Silver's latest is it. While it's ostensibly an exploration of different types of risk-takers, it's really two books in one: first, a fascinating deep dive into the world of professional gambling, and second, an expansive recap of everything that happened on Twitter the last two years.
The gambling section is surprisingly gripping. As someone who's never placed a single bet in a casino, I was shocked by how much I learned about the psychology and mathematics behind poker, sports betting, and even slot machines. There are characters, there’s drama, and some really interesting business models!
As someone who is "very online," I loved seeing all the characters from my Twitter timeline appear in print from the Sam Bankman-Fried drama to the AI doomer discourse to the intellectual and sexual adventures of sex researcher/pornstar Aella. If you've got someone in your life who wants to understand what the extremely online crowd has been up to, this is their gateway in. Think of it as anthropology for the internet age.
For the Self Care Enthusiast
Korean Sunscreen
If I had to pick one thing on this list to deeply recommend, it would be this. I am very particular about sunscreen. American brands feel sticky and gross. There's nothing I hate more than that greasy layer sitting on my skin all day. Unfortunately, the FDA has only approved one UV-blocking ingredient, so American brands are stuck with it. The rest of the world, though? They've approved many other alternative formulations.
My sunscreen revelation happened by accident. While traveling in Korea, I forgot to pack sunscreen and stopped into an Olive Young (think Korean Sephora). I picked up a random bottle and was blown away — it felt like applying a light moisturizer, not that typical sunscreen goop. I immediately became that person buying multiple different brands to test.
Here's my current rotation:
Soonjung Director’s for daily facial application
Shingmulnara for full body
Madagascar Centella waterproof for swim days
You can order these directly from Olive Young Global, and they ship to the US.
Pro tip: while you're there, check out their other skincare products. If you need inspiration, search "Olive Young haul" on TikTok. Tons of people document their hauls.
A Fragrance Sampler
Over the last couple years, I've gradually started exploring the world of fragrances. Like many guys, I'd occasionally receive a bottle as a gift, but I never knew what to do with it beyond "spray and pray." The turning point came when I bought a large sample kit that let me compare different scents back to back. Once I started reading about the components, seasonal recommendations, and time of day suggestions, everything clicked. It turns out there's actual logic to why certain scents work better in winter versus summer, or day versus night.
For the male soon-to-be fragrance enthusiast in your life, I'd recommend this $27 starter kit from The Perfumed Court. It showcases a range of classic masculine notes, everything from lavender to leather to tobacco. It's basically a guided tour through what's possible in men's fragrances. Trust me, it's way better than blindly buying another bottle of whatever's popular this year.
For women's fragrances, they offer this curated sample pack, or you can build your own selection from their list of best feminines.
Pro tip: To make your gift more special, look up each fragrance on Fragrantica and create a little guide noting the key scent components and best times to wear each one. It turns a simple sample set into a personal fragrance journey.
For something more cutting edge, writer Sasha Chapin and TikToker Scout Dixon West just launched their indie fragrance collaboration. I've been seeing rave reviews across my timeline and have my own sample kit on the way.
If you want to skip the samples and go straight for a guaranteed hit, my personal holy grail is Au Coeur du Desert by Tauer. When I reach for it, I feel unstoppable.
For the Fashion Conscious
Thursday Leather Goods
As my age has crept over 30, my taste has "refined," which is really just code for "I've become obsessed with quality leather goods." When it comes to finding affordable, high-quality full grain leather (that's the good stuff), Thursday hits a sweet spot of price and style that's hard to beat.
My Thursday journey started with their Captain boots, a gateway drug if there ever was one. Those boots were so good that I've since added black Chelseas, white sneakers, and recently pulled the trigger on a suede jacket. While they're primarily known for their boots (seriously, the Captain is a no-brainer for anyone looking to upgrade their footwear game), they've expanded into all sorts of leather goods: dress shoes, jackets, bags, and belts.
They offer both men's and women's styles, and everything I've handled from them has that satisfying "this will age beautifully" feel. You can buy directly from Thursday, but they also sell on Amazon if you need that Prime shipping speed and easier returns.
For the Traveler
A Stocked Cable Bag
The best investment I've made in my travel life is a dedicated cable kit. Not because I'm particularly organized (I'm not), but because it completely eliminates that last minute panic of "did I remember to pack my chargers?"
Here's the trick: get a cable bag that lives permanently in your travel backpack and never comes out for home use. When it's time to hit the road, you know with absolute certainty that all your charging needs are covered. No more frantically unplugging things around the house or paying airport markup for a basic cable.
While any decent organizer will work (I have this one from Amazon), the real gift is stocking it with a complete cable loadout. Here's my essential kit:
USB-C to USB-C cable (for laptops and newer phones)
USB-C to USB-A cable (for connecting to older devices)
iPhone lightning cable (because Apple gonna Apple)
International adapters (The EU adapters are most useful for me, but pick based on where your recipient likes to travel)
USB-A and USB-C wall adapters (because hotel rooms never have enough outlets)
Smart watch charger (Nothing worse than my Garmin watch dying mid trip)
For the Foodie
Condiments
One of the easiest gifts to give a food adventurous person is a new set of condiments they haven’t tried before. You could easily source something local from a farmers market or even find something more international at higher end grocery store chains.
My recommendation for people of non-Asian descent would be some common condiments from Korean and Chinese cuisine. I LOVE ssamjang. It’s a lightly spicy fermented pepper paste that can go on everything savory. I add it to eggs, rice, steak, you name it. You can find versions on Amazon, but many grocery stores carry much cheaper versions in their Asian section.
Chili crisp is another great way to spice up a dish. You can use it anywhere you’d use hot sauce. I enjoy both the Fly by Jing version and Momofuku’s. One of my favorite little instant dishes is a bowl of Momofuku noodles with a fried egg and a heaping spoon of chili crisp.
High End Ingredients
If you haven't noticed by now, I'm a huge advocate for consumable gifts. They're perfect for those tricky gift situations, like the new person who joined your friend group or your partner’s cool aunt. The key is finding things that are fun and interesting, but don’t feel so special that you feel like you have to save them for a special occasion.
For the charcuterie enthusiast in your life, let me point you toward Murray's Cheese Club subscription. I gifted this to my parents a few years ago, and it was a massive hit. Every month, they'd get a curated selection of interesting cheeses, turning their regular wine nights into full-on tasting events.
While I could list dozens of specialty food recommendations, I'll actually point you to two fantastic resources instead. First, check out the Serious Eats food gift guide, they really know their stuff and test everything thoroughly. Second, look at Robin Sloan's guide, which is full of small-batch, artisanal finds that feel truly special.
My Favorite Cookbooks
While you can find this year's trendy cookbooks on every other gift guide, I want to highlight two timeless volumes that have earned permanent spots in my kitchen. These aren't new releases, but they're the kind of books that create lifelong cooks.
Meathead by Meathead Goldwyn
Yes, it's written by a guy named Meathead. Yes, that should be enough to convince you. This is the definitive barbecue bible, and I'm reaching for it every couple of weeks. As an avid meat smoker, I've used this book for everything from weekend pulled pork to my Thanksgiving turkey, and it hasn't steered me wrong once. Half cookbook, half science textbook, it's packed with tested techniques and recipes backed by actual experiments. The rubs are perfect, the temperature guides are spot-on, and the troubleshooting sections have saved many a cookout. If your recipient has even a passing interest in grilling or smoking meat, this book will transform their backyard game.
Flour Water Salt Yeast by Ken Forkish
After baking roughly 500 loaves of bread (yes, really), I can confidently say this is the book for anyone serious about bread making. Instead of trying to cover every possible bread variation, Forkish focuses on mastering one style: hearty, rustic loaves with crackling crusts and open crumb. The genius is in the progression: you start with simple same-day recipes and gradually work your way up to complex sourdoughs. Each recipe builds on the last, creating actual skill development rather than just a collection of recipes.
Fair warning: This isn't your book for brioche or cinnamon buns. But if you want to master the art of crusty, artisanal bread? This is your blueprint. I've made almost every recipe in the book, and they all work. Help the baker in your life master this style of bread.
Both of these books make especially good gifts because they're as much about technique as recipes. They don't just tell you what to do — they teach you how to think about cooking.
Ice Cream Maker
Yes, I know I warned you about project gifts and space-consuming appliances, but hear me out — for the right person, an ice cream maker is pure kitchen magic. I'm talking about that friend who gets excited about trying new recipes, who loves to experiment, who lights up at the chance to make something from scratch.
The game-changing revelation for me was discovering how simple great ice cream can be. My first attempt was a pistachio ice cream that blew away anything I'd ever had from a store or parlor. If you can handle making a basic custard (about ten minutes of active work), you're already most of the way to ice cream nirvana.
Let’s talk machines. There are three main categories:
Traditional churners with compressors
Traditional churners without compressors
The Ninja Creami
Traditional churners work by slowly freezing your ice cream while stirring it, creating that classic smooth texture. They come in two varieties: ones with compressors (plug and play) and ones without (requires pre-freezing the bowl for 24 hours). The compressor models are bigger and pricier, but they eliminate the advance planning. For serious ice cream crafting, I use and recommend this top-of-the-line model. The better your machine, the silkier your ice cream. If you’re on a budget but have a KitchenAid stand mixer, the ice cream attachment is a space saving, convenient option.
Then there's the trendy newcomer: the Ninja Creami. Instead of churning, it freezes your base solid and uses ultra-fine blades to shave it into creamy perfection. While I haven't tried it myself, I've seen food influencers do amazing things with it. Its superpower is turning almost anything frozen into ice cream: protein shakes, coffee, you name it. You're not bound by traditional ice cream chemistry, which opens up tons of creative possibilities.
My Favorite Gift Guides
Before I go, I’ll leave you with a few of my favorite gift guides from around the internet.
This is always my first stop for artisanal food recommendations. Sloan has an incredible eye for small-batch producers, especially in the Bay Area. His writing makes every item feel like a discovery, and he has a particular talent for finding products that tell a story. Plus, as one of my favorite fiction authors, his taste for whimsical novels is infectious.
Kottke.org’s Holiday Gift Guide
Jason Kottke has been curating the internet's most interesting content for over 20 years, and his gift guide reflects that curatorial expertise. What makes his guide special is how he aggregates and filters other notable gift guides from around the web. It's like a meta-guide, saving you hours of browsing while surfacing the most unique finds.
Serious Eats
I particularly love their two distinct guides:
Their Food Gift Guide is perfect for finding vetted, tested specialty ingredients and tools. These folks are obsessive about quality and it shows.
Their Kitchen Guide is my go-to for serious home chef recommendations. If you're shopping for someone who's serious about cooking, this is your blueprint.
What sets these guides apart is that they're all written by people who deeply care about their respective domains. They're not just listing products, they're sharing their enthusiasm and expertise.
Thanks for making it this far! If you’d like some personalized help putting together your gift list this year, feel free to reply to this email or reach out on Twitter! Happy gifting and happy holidays! See you in January!
-Connor