Gift Edit 2024

21 Cheery Finds That’ll Instantly Add So Much Joy to Your Space

Written by

Nikol SlatinskaCommerce Shopping Writer at Apartment Therapy
Nikol SlatinskaCommerce Shopping Writer at Apartment Therapy
I write home shopping content for Apartment Therapy. My job entails product testing and reviewing, as well as writing serviceable shopping guides for furniture and home decor. I received my undergraduate journalism degree at the University of Missouri and wrote for local publications in my college town.
updated Nov 22, 2024
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
Overhead shot of someone handing over a gift wrapped in silver and blue wrapping paper, and tied in a silver bow, over a light wood surface.  On the light wood surface theres an assortment of other wrapped gifts and gift bags.
Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe ; Prop Stylist: Tom Hoerup

This feature is part of Apartment Therapy's Gift Edit, our editor-curated collection of gift ideas. Need more inspiration? Check out all our guides here.

The best kind of gift-giving is the spontaneous kind. Whether I’m traveling and see a jar of artisanal honey that I know would cheer up a cousin back home, or I stop into a random boutique here in NYC and decide to buy a pair of dangly handmade earrings for a friend, fun surprises like that probably make me just as happy as my giftees. With the holidays around the corner, gift shopping doesn’t feel quite as spontaneous, but it can still be exciting. 

My colleagues and I here at AT love to look for ideas that fall outside the usual tech gadget or bodycare set. There’s nothing wrong with items like that, but as you’ll see when you peruse the picks below, there are so many more colorful, unexpected things you could give that are guaranteed to bring smiles to your loved ones’ faces. We’re talking a tea infuser shaped like a tulip, a smart alarm clock in a beautiful hue, and more. The best part is, most of these have been tested by us, so we can personally attest that each one will, indeed, bring joy to your giftee’s day-to-day life. Of course, you’ll probably want a couple of them for yourself, so stock up! After all, you deserve joy, too.

1 / 21
Ban.do
$38.95

Commerce SEO editor Sarah has been loving this positively adorable cherry carafe. “It’s a great way to remind yourself to stay hydrated and makes the ultimate piece of decor,” she says. “Who doesn’t love a good two-in-one?” Of course, the carafe comes with a matching drinking glass that stacks on top for convenience and has a little leaf adorning its side.

2 / 21
Rifle Paper Co.
$5.40
was $18.00

A spare notebook comes in handy at the most random moments, so giving one as a gift is never a bad idea. Rifle Paper Co. is deputy commerce editor Alicia’s go-to store for all things stationery. “As a writer, I've always loved high-quality and colorful paper products, and my favorite place to get them is Rifle Paper Co.” There, you’ll find charming floral-print picks like this notebook set, which comes with three slim journals that are great for taking on the go.

3 / 21
Hatch
$139.99
was $169.99

Multiple people on our team are longtime fans of the Hatch Restore alarm clock, so you can imagine our excitement when it was released in this gorgeous, limited-edition sage-green hue. “What I love most is that I don’t have to worry about a blaring alarm that jolts me awake first thing in the morning,” commerce editor Britt says of her Restore. “There are plenty of sounds to choose from, and it turns out that an upbeat video game-esque tune does the trick without me getting up on the wrong side of the bed.” Executive commerce director Mark also say this alarm clock helps him achieve a better sleep, adding, “I love that this device’s entire function is to create a calm and relaxing environment, and this new color only adds to it.”

4 / 21
Pottery Barn
$40.00

“The moment I saw these heart-shaped mugs at Pottery Barn, I knew I had to have a set,” Britt says of this darling bundle. “What I loved most was that the mugs themselves form a heart instead of only mug interior like many others. They’re also 12 ounces, so they’re pretty sizable, too! Whenever I want a good pick-me-up in the morning (or any time of day), I reach for one of these over any of the other mugs in my large collection.”

5 / 21
Recess
$29.99

Recess makes flavorful sparkling water beverages that are great for any occasion whether you’re throwing a house party or unwinding after a long day. “Having a Recess Mood at 8:30 p.m. has become my go-to relaxation routine,” Alicia says. “For me, it produces the same effect a glass of wine would have — but without the hangover or affected sleep. I feel my body relax, and (usually) my mind stops racing. I was never a fan of seltzers or sparkling waters, but Recess Mood tastes refreshing but not too sweet. I’ve also put several friends onto it!”

6 / 21
Goldilocks
$100.00

Most Dutch ovens are beautiful, though none make quite as big a statement as this one from Goldilocks, which was made in collaboration with printmaker Anastasia Inciardi. “This Dutch oven put the biggest smile on my face when I took it out of the box,” says Mark. “The buttery yellow and bright red are so cheery that the very sight of it brings me joy — it's like a work of art.” He adds that his friends all say the pot looks like a rare vintage find. Be sure to grab the limited-edition Dutch oven while it’s still in stock.

7 / 21
Printworks
$59.00

Your giftee probably has hundreds of photos in their camera roll, but there will always be something special about having tangible versions to flip through. A lovely gift idea would be to print some out and hand them over inside a pretty photo album like this one. “One of my newest goals is to finally get my collection of family photos in order,” Sarah says. “That being said, I’m not the biggest fan of traditional photo albums. However, these gorgeous albums from Printworks are just the ticket. They feature vintage Vanity Fair covers and look like interesting coffee books when styled. Obsessed!”

8 / 21
Amazon
$149.99

If you have a friend who works from home, they’ll get a kick out of this slim soundbar, which is designed to sit neatly under a computer monitor. Sarah says it completes her own WFH setup, noting, “I no longer have to blast my laptop speakers when using my monitor setup, and music sounds great through this speaker.” Plus, it adds so much light and color to the workspace, too!

9 / 21
Otherland
$40.00

Skip the Target candles and gift one of Otherland’s specially crafted scents, instead. Not only is each one unique and intoxicating, but the candles also last long. “It takes forever to burn out, and I’ve adored every scent I’ve tried,” Alicia says of the brand. “The packaging is also beautiful. Over the past three years, I’ve gifted Otherland candles to my mom, my sister, and my best friend.” This Boudoir Rouge scent features notes of cherry, violet, and vintage lipstick for a concoction worthy of sitting on a femme fatale’s vanity.

10 / 21
Great Jones
$30.00
was $45.00

Great Jones’ bakeware is not only functional, but it’s also so pretty, you might feel hesitant to ruin its vibrant facade. (Trust us, you won’t.) “When I saw Great Jones’s colorful cookware for the first time, I was truly wowed,” Alicia says. “It never occurred to me that you could have a bright blue muffin pan if you wanted one, so naturally, I had to get one immediately. I’ve had this pan for over a year, and it still looks like I just pulled it out of the box. It brings me joy every time I use it.”

11 / 21
Pottery Barn
$129.00
was $179.00

A blanket is not a novel gift, but a quality faux fur throw is certainly more exciting to receive than your basic fleece or microfiber blanket. Alicia recommends this Pottery Barn throw, which comes in two sizes and 12 colors. “I’ve tested quite a few throw blankets (at least eight) since I’ve worked at Apartment Therapy, and this faux fur throw from Pottery Barn is still my all-time favorite,” she says. “Knowing that after a long day of work I get to come home and curl up with it (and a book) gives me something to look forward to.”

12 / 21
Amazon
$16.95

We’ve written about OTOTO a few times on our sister site, The Kitchn. Our staffers are fans of the brand’s quirky kitchen gadgets, including this unique tea diffuser, which is just one of the diffusers Britt owns. “I have one shaped like a tulip, a dinosaur, and a piranha plant that I use regularly — and that only scratches the surface of what’s available,” she says. “If you’re looking for a fun way to steep your tea, make OTOTO your first stop!”

13 / 21
Uncommon Goods
$38.00

Know anyone who likes crafting? If so, we think they’ll like this embroidery kit from Uncommon Goods. Embroidery naturally helps relieve stress, but this kit is even better for helping them unwind because both of its available patterns emphasize the importance of taking care of oneself. Plus, your giftee can display the beautiful motif when the final result is done.

14 / 21
Lafeeca
$125.00
was $139.99

You can find electric kettles at any price point, but few are as sleek as the Lafeeca DJ kettle, which has a turntable user interface. “I’ve been wanting a gooseneck tea kettle for some time but hesitated about adding another appliance to my countertop,” Mark says. “This, however, was worth it. It’s surprisingly compact, doesn’t eat up space, and makes me smile whenever I walk into my kitchen. Who knew boiling water could be so much fun?”

15 / 21
Amazon
$16.69

Sometimes, impulse buys make for the proudest purchases. That was certainly the case for Britt when she purchased one of these super cute bunny-shaped cell phone stands. “I have no regrets!” she says. “I keep this stand on my desk to give my phone a nice perch that just so happens to look adorable, too. Plus, because it’s so light, I can move it around the house to wherever I’m comfortable.” The stand is sure to come in handy when your giftee gets on FaceTime; with this, they won’t have to hold their phone in their hand for the duration of the call.

16 / 21
POPFLEX
$95.00

The Sloane tote from POPFLEX is the perfect everyday bag, whether its recipient needs a new tote for work, the gym, or weekend errands. Britt has one in the Cloud design, which was sold out for a while but has since been restocked. “Though I usually use it as an everyday on-the-go bag, it’s also made to take with you to the gym because it has a hidden yoga mat compartment,” she says. “There are even compartments to hold your laptop or tablet, as well as anything else you'll need on your travels.”

17 / 21
Poketo
$19.60
was $28.00

Cool glassware is sure to delight anyone who likes to stay on top of home trends. We’re partial to these wavy glasses, which come in three pastel colors and are sold individually or in sets of two. “I love double-walled glassware in general, but these wavy glasses from Poketo are the best,” Britt says. “Each one offers a fun pop of color for your beverages and will definitely stand out wherever you keep your drinkware.” Grab two different colors to mix and match, or get your giftee a matching set.

18 / 21
Pottery Barn
$39.50

Snoopy is the ultimate symbol of all things cozy, so it’s fitting that he would be the perfect adornment for this pair of cozy slippers. This is a gift you can give to just about anyone and be certain that they’ll use it every day. The slippers have a fuzzy inner lining that’ll help your loved one stay warm, and their simple white design will match any loungewear ensemble.

19 / 21
West Elm
$45.00

You might think a shower curtain is a weird gift idea, but when it’s as cute as this pick from West Elm’s collaboration with RHODE, it makes perfect sense. Senior style editor Blair credits it with transforming the entire look of her bathroom. In her review, she says, “After a lifetime of being a plain, all-white shower curtain person, I’m officially on the fun, patterned bathroom decor bandwagon, thanks to the RHODE Thistle Shower Curtain — which is also perfect for distracting from the fact that my bathroom’s absolutely impossible to keep clean.” The curtain stuns with its marigold motif and snazzy ruffles. Plus, it’s machine-washable!

20 / 21
Target
$15.00

In case you were wondering, the mushroom home decor trend has not died, and it looks like it won’t be going anywhere soon. I mean, how can it fall out of favor when there are so many fun finds, like this pillow? Part of the John Derian collection for Target, the novelty pillow boasts an eye-catching blue cap that’s studded with beads. Plus, its exterior is made from velvet cotton, which feels at once soft and luxurious.

21 / 21
Uncommon Goods
$68.00

Who doesn’t love a good personalized gift, especially when it’s as cute as this floral robe? Artist Juliet Meeks created 12 watercolor floral designs, each one showcasing a flower for every month, so you can select your loved one’s birth month and delight them with this loungey home essential.