Holiday Gift Guide: Shop Our Editors' 2024 Wish Lists
It's officially time to kick those jack-o-lanterns to the curb, which means holiday shopping season is quickly approaching! Our editors are sharing their personal wish lists across the tech, health & beauty, home, and fashion categories to give you some ideas on how to kickstart your gift-giving this year.
It’s hard to believe the holiday season is already here, but it is officially time to replace those jack-o-lanterns with your best turkey decor. Snowmen and reindeer decorations (or abominable snowmen, if you're like our editor Dana!) will quickly follow behind, which means we’re in a full sprint until the end of the year. Our editors are always hunting for good deals, and one of our favorite holiday hacks is starting your shopping early!
While it may be tempting to wait until Black Friday week, it’s been proven in recent years that Black Friday just ain’t what it used to be. We’re seeing major retailers beginning their sales earlier and earlier. By the time Black Friday rolls around, the cutest holiday-themed PJs and decor is often already sold out or picked over. If you see something you like at a good price, it’s not a bad idea to buy it now instead of waiting until the end of the month.
Since prices are changing rapidly during this season, we recommend utilizing our deal alert system! Simply set up an account with us and let us know which products or brands you’re looking for. You’ll receive an email as soon as we find a great price on what you’re looking for.
And just in case you need some holiday gift-giving inspo, our editors are sharing their personal wish lists for the holiday season! From tech to beauty to kitchen gadgets, these are the items our editors are setting their deal alerts for.
Mike's Wish List: Top Technology Picks
Mike is our resident tech guru, so it’s no surprise that his list is filled with the season’s coolest tech items. With this year’s latest Apple product launch, it’s no surprise that an iPhone and new Airpods are top on his list. But he’s also got a few fun items on his list that we know any tech-enthusiast would be stoked to receive! Check out Mike’s tech picks below:
AirPods 4
With the latest launch of the AirPod 4 this year, he’s decided it’s high time to update his headphones. The new Apple AirPods 4 have a higher battery life than previous models, giving wearers up to four hours of listening time on a single charge. They also offer new personalized spatial audio with dynamic head tracking and voice isolation technology. While he didn’t expect to find this new model on sale at all this year, we have already seen them drop from their full price of $129 to $119. If you can find any kind of discount on this model, he would consider that a great deal.
iPhone 16
Similarly, this holiday season is the perfect time to upgrade your phone to the latest and greatest iPhone 16 model. We have been seeing great deals on iPhones since they dropped in early September, but we anticipate that the deals will get better the closer we get to Black Friday. Recently, we saw Verizon offering new customers a free iPhone AND a free iPad with a qualifying trade-in. Mike recommends you set up a Brad’s Deals iPhone deal alert to stay up to date on all the greatest deals from Apple.
Arcade 1 Up Machine
On the top of Mike’s personal list is this 14-Game Arcade1Up Arcade Machine. This mini arcade cabinet is the full height of a normal arcade machine thanks to the included riser base, which gives it that authentic arcade feel. It's pre-installed with 14 games, including both classic and modern Pac-Man games. It also features a light-up marquee and comes with 100 bonus stickers. It’s usually $499, but if you can find it priced between $370-$399, we recommend you buy it.
LG 27" Class StanbyMe 1080p Portable Touchscreen Monitor
Mike has pretty much every tech gadget under the sun, but one he doesn’t have is this nifty LG 27-Inch Class StanbyMe 1080p-Portable Touch-Screen-Monitor. This monitor is on wheels, so it is easy to move from room to room. It can be moved to the kitchen to watch a cooking video or the garage for a quick how-to video while you work on the car. It can be positioned vertically or horizontally and has a three-hour battery life. This usually sells for $1,000 but we’ve seen it for as low as $897.
Ember Smart Mug 2
Mike’s true happiness can be found when coffee and tech intersect, which is why he has this Ember Smart Mug at the top of his holiday wish list. This mug is the ultimate gadget for coffee enthusiasts because it can keep your coffee at your preferred temperature (anywhere between 120°F - 145°F) for up to 80 minutes on a full charge. It has a smart LED light that indicates when your beverage has reached your ideal temperature. The Ember App controls all your preferred temperatures and customized presets. These retail for $150, but anywhere between $115 to $130 is considered a good deal. You can also find refurbished Ember mugs on Woot at a significant discount.
Dana's Picks: Top Trending Foodie Gadgets
Dana loves to shop for all things home-related. But there is no contest that her favorite room to shop for is the kitchen! Dana loves a new kitchen gadget, and this year she has quite a few on her wish list! Check our her foodie finds below:
Bartesian Premium Cocktail Machine
The Bartesian Premium Cocktail Machine has been on Dana’s radar since she first heard about it in 2019. But she thinks this may be the year that she finally adds it to her holiday wishlist. Through the use of single-use pods, this handy little gadget can craft over 50 classic cocktails in seconds. This machine rarely goes on sale. It’s normally priced at $499, but we’ve seen it for as low as $200! If you can find this from $200-$300, we recommend you purchase.
Casabrews Espresso Machine
Dana’s been in the market for a new espresso machine, and when she came across the rave reviews of the Casabrews Espresso Machine on TikTok, she knew that would be a must-add to her holiday wish list! This stylish little machine is priced at a reasonable $140. It has a 20-bar Italian pump, PID digital temperature control, and a built-in milk frother that allows you to make cafe-style espresso drinks at home. We don’t expect to see this one on sale, but recommend you check QVC for exclusive new customer coupons. You can often take $20 off your purchase with a coupon code when you sign up as a new customer.
Caraway Pans
Dana has also been eyeing these Caraway Pans to replace her current set of pots and pans. These pans are one of the sleekest looking sets available. They’re available in eight trendy colors so they can fit any decor style. But not only do they look great, they’ve received wonderful reviews online for their durability and ease of use. These pans are non-stick and oven-safe up to 550 degrees. A 12-piece set usually sells in the range of $355-$395.
Ninja SLUSHi
She will freely admit that she does not need another speciality appliance, but that doesn’t mean that will stop Dana from adding the Ninja SLUSHi to her wish list this year! This appliance can take any beverage and turn it into a restaurant-style slushie in a matter of minutes, with no freezing required. The Ninja SLUSHi is prone to selling out, and we usually see it for $249-$299. One of the best deals we’ve seen so far has come from Kohl’s. During a recent sale, they offered this machine for $300 plus $60 back in the form of Kohl’s Cash. It’s a good idea to set up a deal alert for this one so you’ll be the first to know when we find a low price!
The TikTok Viral Chicken Shredder
Not everything on Dana's wish list is a high-ticket item! One thing she's requesting is this Chicken Shredder she has seen everywhere on TikTok. This internet-famous kitchen gadget shreds cooked chicken breast in less than a minute. It's sold under different brands for $20-$30 at Amazon, but we recommend keeping your eye on the Suretivian brand. Dana wants this shredder in particular because it has a larger size (it measures 10" x 10"), is dishwasher-safe, and has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from hundreds of reviewers. It retails at $29.99, but we typically see it on sale for $15-$22.
Marisa's Picks: Top Fashion Gifts
Marisa’s favorite things to get and give during the holidays are fun, trendy, fashion items. Her list is filled with the trendiest styles that will refresh any wardrobe for the season. She’s happy to hear her beloved Birkenstock clogs (AKA potato shoes) are back on trend, so she’s added a pair of those to her wish list alongside trendy denim, two-piece sets, and accessories. Check out her wish list below:
A Deep Cherry-Red Toned Handbag
Deep Cherry Red is a trending handbag color for 2024, and Marisa is absolutely smitten with this winter-friendly shade! She loves this Italian Leather Quilted Convertible Crossbody Bag from Quince. Priced at just $115, this is a great dupe for similar quality handbags that sell for twice as much. The deep red of the pictured Merlot shade is very on trend, but the bag is also available in classic black and brown shades.
A Pair of Chunky Teardrop Earrings
Marisa adores the style of the popular Bottega Veneta Drop earrings, but there is no way she can justify the $1,350 price tag. These Ana Luisa Kira Earrings are the ideal 14K gold on brass dupe. These cost just $67.50 and come with free delivery.
Madewell Low-Slung Baggy Jeans
She is loving relaxed denim this season, so Marisa has been totally eyeing these Low-Slung Baggy Jeans from Madewell. They have the ultimate laid back aesthetic and the pictured Hamburg wash is the ideal medium blue. Get them for $138 at Madewell.
lululemon Scuba Oversized Half-Zip Hoodie
She loves her lululemon, but she has yet to actually purchase one of the internet-famous Scuba hoodies. This year, she's putting one at the top of her list! These rarely on sale, but we recently found one in the pictured shade for $99. They usually sell for $118. Our editors reccomend keeping your eyes on the "We Made Too Much Section" at lululemon to score a deal!
Birkenstock Clogs
Word on the street is that her beloved potato shoes are making a comeback, and Marisa couldn't be happier! This holiday season, she is planning on treating herself to a new pair of Birkenstock Clogs. These rarely go on sale, so be sure to set your deal alerts to be notified if we find a deal on a pair! Otherwise, they sell for around $145-$160 depending on the style.
Christina's Picks: Top Health & Fitness GIfts
Christina is our resident fitness enthusiast and she’s always on the hunt for the best deal in health and wellness. This year, her Christmas wish list is filled with items that will help her kick off her New Year’s resolution. Check out her wish list below:
Under the Desk Treadmill
Christina is always looking for ways that she can sneak in steps throughout her day, so she has been eyeing a walking pad treadmill for quite some time. This Under Desk Treadmill makes her list because we’ve seen it priced between $100-$120, which is a low price for these popular treadmills. This one has an average of 4.2 out of 5 stars from over 3,000 reviewers on Amazon.
Owala FreeSip Water Bottle
While she still loves her Stanley tumbler around the house, she will admit that it isn’t the easiest thing to take with her to the gym. That’s why she wants to add one of these uber-popular Owala FreeSip Water Bottles to her collection. It has a leakproof design that allows you to sip from a straw or swig from the spout opening. These usually sell for $27.99 in the 24-ounce size, but we’ve seen them for as low as $19.
lululemon Blissfeel 2 Running Shoes
Since she loves to stay on top of all the running shoe trends, Christina has been well aware of the rave reviews that the lululemon Blissfeel 2 Shoes have been getting since they released two years ago. She still has yet to get herself a pair, but this may just be her year! These shoes typically stay priced around $128, but we have seen them priced as low as $69 in select colors.
Mushroom Coffee
Christina is a sucker for trying all the latest health food trends. Mushroom coffee is the one she's currently interested in trying. This Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee has been recommended to her by a family member who claimed it helped him focus more than normal coffee would. This coffee is made with Lion’s Mane Extract, which is said to help promote cognitive function. She’s found the best price for this coffee is typically at Amazon. It ranges anywhere for $17-20 per bag.
A Weighted Vest
One of her favorite things to do for exercise is go rucking, which is essentially going for a long walk or hike with a weighted backpack. However, her current set up is to use household items to weigh down an old backpack which can get quite uncomfortable on long rucks. This year she's asking her husband for one of these Adjustable Weighted Vests. Prices for these vary by size and brand anywhere from $20-$100.
Julie's Picks: Top Beauty Gifts
Julie's holiday wish list is full of the season's best beauty picks. She lives for a great beauty deal, and she loves this time of year because it is the best time to score great prices on popular value sets for haircare and cosmetics. Checkout her picks below:
Dyson Airstrait Wet-to-Dry Straightener
This year, Julie is considering a splurge on this Dyson Airstrait Straightener. This handy tool can straighten hair from wet to dry through the use of air alone. It doesn’t use hot plates and will prevent heat damage to your hair. We haven’t seen this priced below $499 yet, but we expect to see some price drops as we head into holiday shopping season.
Glamnetic Press-On Nail Kit
For a quick salon-quality manicure in a pinch, Julie loves these Glamnetic press-on nails. At $15, they make the perfect stocking stuffer. You can choose from a variety of modern shapes and styles. They don't typically go on sale, but it is often possible to find a store coupon to stores like Ulta on discount to lower price.
Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm Set
This Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm Set is one of the most popular beauty gifts for the holiday season this year, and it's already selling out at most sites. A full-sized Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm is $24, but with this set you get four mini-sized lip balms in the Vanilla, Vanilla Beige, Iced Coffee, and Brown Sugar. Julie's teens have already asked for this one for Christmas, so she has already bought these because of the sellout risk. Get the set for $25 at Kohl's.
Julep Eyeshadow Stick
These Julep Eyeshadow Sticks are one of Julie's go-to products for quick makeup look. These eyeshadow sticks these are affordable alternatives to ones from Laura Mercier and Thrive Cosmetics that cost over $30. This year Julie is stocking up on a few extras to give away as gifts and stocking stuffers. These sell for around $18, but we have often seen them for around $10 on Amazon.
Sol de Janeiro Gift Sets
Last year, this Sol de Janerio Gift Sets were a huge hit and Julie expects them to be best seller again this year. Last year, Julie gifted her teen neice this Body Paradise Minis Set and she absolutely loved it! It usually sells for around $25-$36 at Sol De Janeiro.