Buzz
As a self-proclaimed coffee connoisseur, I’ve long been diving deep into intricate brewing methods and sneering at office coffee pots, long before my move to the ever-evolving Brooklyn. There, the standards for brewing hot, brown liquid have become almost a sacred tradition. (Not literally, but it’s a fun stereotype!) Naturally, over time, I’ve amassed a collection of essential coffee tools to fuel my caffeine addiction—from an electric kettle to a burr grinder. This leaves my loved ones, who are contractually obligated to gift me coffee-related presents, in a bit of a bind. I’ve turned coffee obsession into a core part of my identity, but I’m quite selective about what I drink or use for brewing. They need to understand that there’s still plenty of coffee-related gear I’d love to have—the nice-to-haves that I’d never splurge on myself. So, I’ve put together this gift guide as a big, not-so-subtle hint. Hopefully, it helps you too.
A personalized mug
The coffee enthusiast in your life likely already owns an abundance of mugs, perhaps even too many. This is why it's best not to choose the 'perfect' mug based on what you assume to be their taste in design or pop culture references (big shout-out to the well-meaning friend who once gifted me a Yoda mug that should’ve been a hit—I love Star Wars! I love coffee!—but I just couldn’t bear looking at it). Instead, consider getting them a custom mug tailored to an inside joke or something deeply personal to them. The key here is that, even if the design isn’t their favorite, they’ll appreciate it because it holds sentimental value. Any aesthetic flaws are easily overlooked. Take, for example, the mug you see above. Normally, I wouldn’t go for such a simple design, but it was a Secret Santa gift from Claire Lower, the former Mytour food editor. She decided to print a random quote from my son that I had shared on Instagram: "I would probably be dead right now if I was a snail. You too. Everyone." (He has a valid point, right?). It’s become priceless to me, and I use it all the time.
*Or at least a sense of guilt or obligation, which is often all I can summon these days. (But truly, I adore Claire’s mug.)
Custom mugs from VistaPrint starting at $7.97
An extravagantly fancy pour-over coffee maker
Your coffee-obsessed friend likely has a preferred brewing method and already owns the necessary tools to get the job done. But what if their gear could be a little more refined? That's where you come in. Consider the beautiful coffee dripper above, created by the founder of Trunk Coffee in Japan. This set, which the company sent me for review, comes at a price of around $80, and includes a ceramic dripper, a wooden tray to maintain heat during brewing, and a “sensory cup.” These pieces do the same job as the $7 plastic coffee dripper I already use, but they’re far more elegant. I’d be thrilled to receive them as a gift. You can order one directly from Japan, or find a less expensive alternative on Amazon. (If your recipient prefers another brewing style, you’ll also find luxurious French presses and brewing pots available.)
Origami coffee dripper $25
A premium ice cube tray designed for iced coffee
During the summer, iced coffee is basically my water, which means I need a dependable method to produce ice in large quantities. Standard plastic ice cube trays from the dollar store get the job done, but they’re prone to cracking with frequent use, and they’re definitely not gift-worthy. Instead, treat them to a couple of W&P Design’s Everyday Ice Trays ($16 each), the silicone trays that Bon Appétit has praised as “the best ice cube tray I have ever used.” Sure, they’re a bit more expensive, but every time they grab an ice cube, you’ll be remembered with appreciation.
W&P Everyday silicone ice cube tray $16
Suggested items:
Here are some more essential additions to any home coffee bar:
EspressoWorks All-In-One Espresso Machine with Milk Frother $219.99
OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder $80
Bodum 27-ounce gooseneck kettle $33
Hario V60 paper cone coffee filters $7.60
Double-walled insulated glasses for keeping your iced coffee chilled
While you're getting ice cube trays, why not add a pair of double-walled insulated drinking glasses ($30) to the mix? These will help them keep their cold brew cold without worrying about condensation dripping everywhere. (You can also use them for hot beverages, but who drinks hot coffee out of a large glass?)
Double-walled insulated drinking glasses $30
A digital scale for precise brewing
I’m such a coffee aficionado that I’ve taken up the charming yet somewhat impractical pour-over brewing method simply because I find it enjoyable. But even I don’t own a digital scale to weigh my beans for the perfect water-to-grind ratio. Someone should probably get me one. (I’d recommend this affordable model, which costs $23 on Amazon and measures down to a tenth of a gram, making it perfect for crafting a precise pour-over.)
Digital scale $23
A stylish coffee filter holder
At the moment, I keep my coffee filters in the crinkly plastic bags they came in. My life would definitely be elevated if they were kept in this chic gold and glass box ($24 on Amazon), which I would proudly display on my coffee counter. (In fact, one of the main reasons I recently upgraded from an apartment to a house was to have a kitchen spacious enough for a dedicated coffee station.)
Gold glass coffee filter holder $20.99
A premium coffee scoop
Here I’ve been using the same old cheap scoop that came with my $7 coffee dripper, even though I could have been using a designer coffee scoop. Dinah Lenny from The Strategist tested a bunch of them and declared the elegant Apace Living coffee scoop (two for $14) to be “the Rolls Royce of coffee scoops.” Only the best, folks.
Apace Living coffee scoop $14 for 2
Stylish airtight jars for storing beans
I can’t believe I still don’t have any elegant airtight containers ($35 for this vented model from Fellow, highly recommended by The Spruce) to store my coffee. Don’t any of my friends or family know me at all? Don’t they care?
Fellow Atmos vacuum coffee canister $35
A sleek brewing stick
A scoop works fine, but what if your coffee enthusiast only needs a few extra grams to perfect their cup? Their only hope is that someone gifts them one of these stainless steel brewing sticks ($37). Please, save them from those slightly off measurements!
Kruve stainless steel brew stick $37
A coffee subscription service
This might seem like an obvious choice—subscription boxes are everywhere—but I can't help but mention it because I would be thrilled if someone gifted me a monthly coffee subscription. There are many options, but I personally recommend the tiered services from Trade Coffee, which offers a diverse selection of roasts from small-batch roasters, shipped to you just days after roasting. Your recipient can customize their subscription based on a flavor profile or take a leap of faith with one of the suggested options.
Trade coffee subscription starting at $100
