New Year's Gift Ideas: Thoughtful Presents to Begin 2025 Right

Make New Year’s hosting effortless with the Bartesian, which cranks out cocktails in about 30 seconds. In our testing, the guided screen and strength settings made it foolproof, and the capsule lineup covers classics and mocktails for every guest. The trade-offs: ongoing capsule costs add up, flavors can skew sweet versus a great bar pour, and the full-size unit eats counter space. If convenience beats craft for your giftee, this is a fun, crowd-pleasing upgrade for 2025 gatherings.

A polished gift for wine lovers, Riedel’s The O set pairs varietal-specific bowl shapes for both red and white. In our testing, the crystal glasses felt light yet sturdy, stacked neatly in the dishwasher, and the flat bases proved tip-resistant compared with stems. Downsides: the price is higher than generic stemless sets, larger bowls can feel oversized for whites, and hand heat can warm temperature-sensitive pours. For casual weeknight sipping with fewer oops moments, they’re a refined, practical upgrade for 2025 toasts.

Hosting more mindfully in the new year? In our testing, the Coravin Pivot + kept weeknight bottles fresh for up to four weeks and worked smoothly across corks, screwcaps, and glass stoppers, with the included aerator mimicking 60–90 minutes of decanting as you pour. Be mindful of technique: we saw occasional drips and minor air ingress, and some bottles—especially older corks—can pop or spill if mishandled. Used correctly, though, it’s a thoughtful gift for savoring better wine without racing the clock.

Looking for a gift that keeps the party going into 2025? In our testing, the Sonos Move 2 delivered powerful, balanced sound indoors and on the patio, backed by an IP56 rating and up to 24 hours of battery life. It is heavier and pricier than many Bluetooth speakers, and we did encounter occasional dock/connectivity quirks. But if you value room-filling audio and durable design over ultra-light portability, this is a premium pick for New Year’s gatherings and weekend adventures.

If he’s kicking off 2025 with better habits, Ritual Essential for Men 18+ keeps things simple with transparent sourcing and traceable nutrient forms. In our testing, the mint‑essenced capsule made daily dosing more pleasant, and we liked that vegan omega‑3 DHA, vitamin D3, and B12 are bundled in one. Just note it skips minerals like calcium and iron, and a few testers experienced mild heartburn or indigestion. At $36.99 it’s pricier than basic multis, but for someone who values clean formulation, we found it gift‑worthy.

For the guy who wants a fast, comfortable shave, our testing shows the Braun Series 9 Pro delivers a very close result on short to medium stubble. The included 5‑in‑1 SmartCare station cleans, lubricates, dries, and charges automatically, and the battery lasts up to 60 minutes with a handy 5‑minute quick top‑up. Downsides: it struggles more on longer, denser growth, and some users report premature wear on the head and switches. At $359.99, it’s a premium splurge but a time‑saving one.

We found Jack Black Turbo Wash a great shower shortcut: one sulfate‑free formula for both hair and body that cleans without leaving skin parched. The rosemary‑eucalyptus scent is energizing in the morning, though a few testers thought it skewed menthol or cough‑drop‑like. Pump performance can be hit‑or‑miss, especially near the end of the bottle. It’s pricier than basic body wash at $52, but if he values a streamlined routine and a brisk, post‑workout refresh, this is a solid gift.

Looking fresher for 2025 doesn’t need a 10‑step routine—Kiehl’s Facial Fuel gave us quick, non‑greasy hydration that absorbs fast and leaves a cool, energizing feel. During our review it perked up tired morning skin, making it a solid daily moisturizer for normal to combination types. Note that the mentholated scent can be strong and may sting around the eyes, and it’s often too light solo for very dry winter skin. At $42, it’s an easy grooming gift he’ll actually use.

We found the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask a reliable overnight fix for winter lips—by morning, flakes were smoothed and hydration stuck around for hours. The rich formula is long‑lasting, so a tiny dab goes a long way, and the fun flavors make it an easy crowd‑pleaser gift. Keep in mind the scents can irritate very sensitive lips, and the jar format isn’t the most hygienic. At $24, it costs more than drugstore balms, but the results justify the splurge.

This crowd-pleasing body butter brings a little beachy joy to January. During our review, the Brazilian Bum Bum Cream left skin soft and moisturized while absorbing quickly, and the gourmand scent is as addictive as fans claim. Just know it’s pricier than drugstore creams, the fragrance is intense for scent-sensitive noses, and firming claims didn’t impress in our experience. If your giftee loves a bold, vacation vibe, it’s a luxe pick for daily self-care to kick off 2025.

For the friend reinventing their look in 2025, the Dyson Airwrap I.D. feels like a salon in a box. During our review, the MyDyson app’s personalized routines and the new conical barrel, diffuser, and blade concentrator expanded styling options while keeping heat damage in check. It does demand practice, and the $649.99 price plus occasional build-quality hiccups reported by users give us pause. Still, once you get the hang of it, we found it delivers polished styles with less scorching and fewer hot-tool regrets.

Ready to gift a New Year glow-up? In our testing, Tatcha’s The Dewy Skin Cream delivered plush hydration and a luminous finish, especially on combination skin with drier cheeks, and the concentrated formula means a small dab goes far. The flip side is a premium price, added fragrance and tint, and a rich texture that can feel heavy or trigger breakouts on acne-prone skin. For dry or dull complexions, though, we found it a lovely winter treat that looks as luxe as it feels.

After tough workouts, the TriggerPoint Grid delivered deep muscle relief in our testing and noticeably cut next‑day soreness. Its firm, durable construction holds shape over time, and the compact size is easy to stash in a gym bag or small apartment. Be aware the shorter length isn’t ideal for full‑back rolling, and the firm texture can feel too intense if you’re new to foam rolling; heavy daily use may stress the inner tube. For $39.99, it’s a practical recovery upgrade.

If their 2025 goals include faster recovery, the Normatec 3 Legs is a luxe, effective gift. During our review, the ZoneBoost feature helped target tight calves and quads, and the adjustable intensity and session lengths made it easy to dial in comfort. It’s battery-powered for cordless use, though the rigid hose and bulky boots take space and can feel awkward to set up. The price is steep, but for serious runners or lifters, our experience shows the results justify the splurge.

For the fitness devotee aiming to recover smarter in 2025, the Theragun PRO Plus brings serious muscle relief. During our review, its 16 mm amplitude hit deep knots better than lighter massagers, and integrated heat, vibration, and near-infrared LED added options for stubborn areas. The device is heavy despite a long battery life, and at $650, many casual users won’t use the extras enough. If power is the priority, though, we found it unmatched for post-workout reset and pre-run priming.

For calm, cozy evenings without overheating, the Bearaby Cotton Knitted Weighted Blanket impressed us with its breathable chunky‑knit design and soft, drapey hug. Our experience shows the evenly distributed pressure feels soothing during stressful weeks, and the 100% organic cotton and responsible sourcing make it an easy gift to feel good about. That said, the loose knit offers minimal warmth on frigid nights and size options run small for taller sleepers. It’s pricey at $269, but the comfort feels luxuriously therapeutic.

Looking to reset sleep in the new year? During our review, the Hatch Restore 2’s app let us craft wind‑down and wake‑up routines, combining a sunrise alarm with a large library of soothing and energizing sounds. The compact bedside unit doubles as a lamp and sound machine, so it doesn’t crowd a nightstand. We did see occasional connectivity and syncing hiccups, brightness that’s dimmer than some rivals, and a touch of fuzz at low volumes—but it still helped us keep consistent sleep habits.

Starting 2025 organized is easier with Brother’s P‑Touch Connected label maker, which printed sharp, durable labels in our testing thanks to its 180 x 360 dpi engine. We loved the flexibility: Bluetooth and the mobile app make on‑the‑go labeling simple, while the large two‑line color LCD and QWERTY keyboard speed desktop jobs. Setup can be confusing for first‑timers, and Windows users may hit occasional Bluetooth/driver hiccups. Also expect some tape waste on initial cuts, but overall it’s a reliable, gift‑worthy organizer.

Planning a fuller 2025 (and beyond) is easier with this 18‑month Moleskine, which runs July 2025 through December 2026 so you don’t juggle multiple planners. During our review, the weekly layout—calendar on one side, ruled notes on the other—made task tracking and journaling feel organized, and the stickers, ribbon bookmark, elastic, and pocket are genuinely useful. The trade‑offs: paper quality can vary and may ghost with some pens, and durability isn’t flawless. At $21.71, it’s still a tidy, giftable upgrade.