2025 Gift Guide for Global Foodies, Nerds, and Travelers

If this year of tariffs has taught us anything, it is that Madonna was right: We really do live in a material world. But Foreign Policy’s staff hasn’t let new trade barriers hamper our holiday shopping ambitions. From Colombian coffee beans to Italian bags to Vietnamese-inspired perfume, our annual list of gift recommendations is as global as ever. It even includes ingredients to craft a cocktail with components from three different continents. Cheers to that!

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Noxgear Tracer2 LED Safety Vest ($79.95, currently on sale)

Need a little brightness in these dark times? I work for FP from the northlands of Seattle, where the winter sun sets just after 4 p.m.—assuming it’s even present. These short days, layered with an unrelenting news cycle, make leaving the grim glow of my computer screen to get outside before night falls a challenge.

Enter the Tracer2, a mood-boosting, accident-preventing vest from Noxgear, to light my way in the world. Little LED tubes snake over your shoulders and around your waist with glow stick-like color blends and multiple settings to make you visible but not blinding. The vest is USB-C rechargeable, waterproof, and adjustable to fit snugly with no bouncing on even the most puddle-jumping run.

Expect thankful waves from speeding bikers and drivers in the winter gloom. Some say democracy dies in darkness, but you don’t have to thanks to this vest.

—Lori Kelley, creative director

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D’Annam Perfume Discovery Set ($59)

Sometimes, when shopping for perfume, my goal is simply to buy something that makes me smell good. But other times, I want to smell something interesting that elicits a reaction.

That happened the first time I smelled d’Annam’s Pho Breakfast, which summons the fresh herbs, warm spice blend, and delicate umami of beef pho. It’s a provocative concept for a perfume, and honestly not one I’d want to wear, but it’s one I have not since forgotten.

D’Annam’s first collection, released in 2023, is described as a “sensory memoir of Vietnam.” That is apt, given smell’s deep neurological linkage with memory and emotion, but also because evocation is what the brand does best. With its second and third collections, d’Annam has set out to capture the scents of Japan and China.

There’s a sorcery at play throughout all three, particularly with the food-centric perfumes. D’Annam manages to capture the creaminess of condensed milk in Vietnamese Coffee, the chew of red bean paste and rice flour dough in Strawberry Mochi, and the crumble of a salted egg yolk in Mooncake. A discovery set is certain to delight someone nostalgic for these places—or someone daydreaming about visiting them.

—Megan DuBois, assistant editor

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De’Longhi Dinamica Plus Espresso Machine ($1,499.95, currently on sale)

Consider this an antidote to all the guilt-inducing articles about how much Americans spend on lattes. I am not here to make you feel bad about the $7 concoction you order from your preferred coffee shop. I am here to offer a cheaper alternative, albeit with an upfront investment.

I’ve been using the De’Longhi Dinamica Plus for more than 18 months. It’s very easy to use and mostly self-cleaning. It reliably churns out espressos, lattes, black coffee—whatever you like, really. The beans are freshly ground each time, and you can control the coffee’s strength, the amount of foam in your milk, and whether you prefer a flat white or a latte. You can also save your go-to drink with a one-touch button.

I’ve found that I can replicate what I would order at a coffee shop in about two minutes at home. And if you stock eco-friendly paper cups in your kitchen, you can re-create a grab-and-go experience when you’re rushing out to a meeting.

Now for the math. Let’s say, generously, your daily latte costs $5. You could pay off this machine in nine months if you live alone, six if you drink a lot of coffee, and far sooner if you include family members. And then you’re down to the costs of milk, beans, and sugar, which might leave you at the whims of the White House’s latest tariff policy, but that’s why you read this magazine to stay up to date.

—Ravi Agrawal, editor in chief

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Custom Golf Ball Stamp (starts at $19.70, currently on sale)

In the last year, I have reached that point in my 30s when one becomes obnoxiously golf-obsessed. (Phrasing it like that is my hopeful stab at self-awareness.) And as every golfer knows, you can never have enough golf stuff.

I am not very good, though, so I keep hitting into patches of tall grass littered with golf balls that other bad golfers have hit and given up on retrieving. This custom golf ball stamp was one of the best holiday gifts I received last year, and I liked it so much that I gave my dad—an even more obsessive golfer—one of his own a few months later.

I wish I could say the stamp has improved my handicap, but at least it looks cool, and I lose fewer golf balls now.

—Rishi Iyengar, staff writer

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Handshake Persian Digestif ($29.99)

There are a lot of great amaro liqueurs out there, each with their own nuanced constellation of flavors and botanical notes. At a certain point, I had to be honest with myself and admit I couldn’t tell the difference. They all taste delicious, and I usually make my selection based on aesthetics and narrative.

That’s why I think there’s no better amaro than Handshake, a Persian digestif made in Portland, Maine. I came across single-serving bottles of Handshake for sale in a Portland coffee shop when visiting my parents there a couple years ago. The delightful label and inexplicably nostalgic rubber cement seal were hard to resist. So was the story about an Iranian immigrant who moved to Portland and, after a decade or so in the craft brewing industry, decided to create a brand of bitters infused with flavors such as saffron, tea, sumac, and dried lime.

Handshake really leans into the Maine-Iran crossover possibilities: The website features recipes such as Peaks Island Iced Chai and Moules a la Handshake. I like using a dash in a Manhattan—making, I suppose, either a Portland or a Tehran.

—Nick Danforth, deputy editor

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Travelrest Nest Ultimate Memory Foam Travel Pillow ($39.95)

For a stretch of time this year, I was taking night trains regularly. You know the idea—leave a (European) city in the evening, wake up in a different (European) city the next. First impression: convenient and romantically nostalgic. Also: uncomfortable!

The discomfort isn’t so much a result of the train inevitably rocking through the night, which didn’t interfere with sleeping as much as I would have anticipated. (Perhaps it was similar to the effect that rocking a stroller has when trying to put a kid to sleep.) But the bedding that state-run train companies provide—in ways that, in retrospect, perhaps should not have been surprising—left plenty to be desired. Thin blankets, even thinner pillows.

That’s where this travel pillow came in. I had never bought one before, in part because the ones I’ve tried never seemed to be in quite the right shape and the material always liable to become uncomfortably warm. But the engineers at Travelrest solved those problems. Their pillow also seems to defy physics to fit it into a small pouch that can be stuffed into whatever bag you’re traveling with. I won’t take night trains anymore without it.

Here’s to hoping those engineers have turned their attention to perfecting an equally convenient travel blanket.

—Cameron Abadi, deputy editor

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Grupo Bondi Hielos Argentinos Ice Cube Tray ($12.13)

One of my favorite purchases of 2025 usually lives out of sight—but never out of mind. In April, I was perusing the gift shop at the Latin American Art Museum of Buenos Aires when I saw a bright blue ice cube tray in the shape of the Falkland Islands, or as you better call them in Argentina, las Islas Malvinas.

This silicone treasure has sat in my freezer ever since, transforming every cool beverage into a nerdy delight. The ice cubes are a great conversation starter when I have visitors, most of whom do not expect a lesson on Argentine politics after asking for a glass of water. As a poem on the package reads, “History is not the past / The water on our table / Is also sovereignty.”

For a pancontinental South American sipping experience, the Malvinas ice cubes pair well with Brazilian pineapple-mint tea, which my colleague Catherine Osborn served me on a sweltering day in Rio de Janeiro this year.

—Allison Meakem, associate editor

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Shutterfly Travel Photo Books ($24.98-$33.97, currently on sale)

Scrolling through your iPhone’s Photos app is fine and dandy, but it doesn’t offer you the trip down memory lane that a classic photo album provides. I’m talking taped-in receipts, scraps of ticket stubs, and a mention of that inside joke you developed with your friends while traipsing through Amsterdam.

If you’re anything like me (and being an FP subscriber, you likely are), I want to be able to look back on my travels and remember the wonderful food I tried, the ancient history I learned, and the unique customs I experienced. That’s why, since I went on my first international trip as a teenager (a mother-daughter jaunt through Italy), I’ve memorialized each adventure with a Shutterfly photo book.

For those too busy to design an album, Shutterfly offers an auto-create option. But I’ve always opted for customizing it to make sure those little shoutouts get included. Now I have a stack of bound memories to flip through when the weather is dreary, work is piling up, and I wish I were back on vacation.

—Alexandra Sharp, newsletter writer

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Broadsheet Coffee Roasters Selections ($14.95-$29)

People who order their coffee beans online are annoying fussbudgets. I’m one of them, to my horror. But hear me out.

A while ago, I spent a year in Cambridge, Massachusetts, living around the corner from a perfect little cafe called Broadsheet Coffee Roasters. Not fancy, but all the things you want in the morning: buttery croissants, interesting faces, and yes, good coffee.

I’m not in it for the caffeine; I actually don’t like the buzz that comes from a double espresso. I need it to taste good. And it did at Broadsheet, almost every morning that I lived in Cambridge. On my last day, I told the barista I would miss the coffee. But it turns out I didn’t have to. Broadsheet sells its beans online (though only to residents of the continental United States—for now).

I recommend the Headliner blend, mixed 50/50 with the Colombian E.A. Decaf. Fussbudget, like I said.

—Dan Ephron, executive editor

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Casio MS-80B Calculator ($9.64)

This gift is perfect for all the Luddites in your life. In a world where forces have coalesced to try to convince you that you’re falling behind if you’re not immediately and unquestioningly adopting the next big technological tool, stand your ground. Remember what’s important. And consider purchasing the best stocking stuffer I received last year: a basic $10 calculator.

If you don’t appreciate the sensory experience of using tactile buttons rather than a touchscreen, then I invite you to watch a few episodes of Star Trek and fix your attitude. Click-clacking on this thing may not fix you, but it will be satisfying in a way that’s impossible to replicate elsewhere.

—Syd Kuntz, deputy copy editor

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The Landmark Ancient Histories ($33.20-$199.95)

What I would get, if money were no object, is the complete, hardback collection of the Landmark series of ancient history books edited by Robert Strassler. (Do not get the paperbacks; they have no spine.)

These are five of the so-called great books of antiquity done right, with proper maps, proper translations, good footnotes, and wonderful presentation. You get Herodotus, Thucydides, Xenophon, Alexander, and Caesar in all their gore and glory. Reading them is like faking a summa cum laude degree in Classics.

The collection looks great on the shelf, so even if your gift goes unread for a while, it will still brighten a room—and it will before long brighten some young minds. Or even old ones, if the gift is well received.

—Keith Johnson, staff writer

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Personalized  Framed Vintage Stamp Collections ($134.87)

In September, I packed up my life and moved across the country to start my job at FP in Washington, D.C.—a big leap for someone who had spent her whole life in Southern California. My only other extended time away was a semester abroad at Trinity College Dublin.

Both places are important to my identity. My mom and her parents were born and raised in California; both sides of my dad’s family emigrated from Ireland. While in Dublin, I designed and got a tattoo to tie these two homes together: a pair of stamps, one for California, featuring a poppy and hummingbird, and one for Ireland displaying St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

I’ve always thought of stamps as tiny tributes to the places and people I hold close. So you can imagine my delight when I stumbled upon a pop-up at D.C.’s Eastern Market selling framed stamps from around the world. Local readers can find the tent at the flea market most weekend mornings; for everyone else, plenty of Etsy creators make customizable framed stamp art! It’s perfect to give loved ones a slice of home, or to remind them that you’re only a flight away.

—Maxine Davey, editorial fellow

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Nagawood 3-Tier Fruit Basket ($37.97)

One of the few constants when I moved from Beijing to Washington, D.C., was limited space in my apartment—and the art of packing as much as you can into it. To that end, I found this multilevel basket tremendously good value for the money, letting me keep the things I needed for cooking handy in a way that still looks elegant and uncluttered. It’s also both sturdy and very easy to put together, two qualities often missing from other products in its price range. An excellent gift for new students, New Yorkers, or anyone else living in tight quarters.

—James Palmer, deputy editor

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Piranske Soline Sea Salt ($2.20-$20.71)

The best gifts are, in my opinion, the little luxuries you wouldn’t ordinarily buy for yourself. For the global foodie in your life, that gift could be a special version of an everyday item: salt from Piran, Slovenia.

A sprinkle of this salt beautifully enhances the flavor of whatever food you add it to, in a way that ordinary table salt does not. Its unique taste owes to its mineral composition and the ancient methods still used to harvest sea salt along Slovenia’s Adriatic coast. (It’s a fascinating process to read up on, so if your giftee is a history buff, you’re really in business.)

There are many varieties of Piranska sol to choose from. A bag of the coarse crystals is perfect for topping off dishes, from roasted potatoes to chocolate chip cookies. Or you can grab the gift set of salts mixed with herbs, sprinkle it on some flaky baked fish, and imagine that you caught it from the Adriatic and not in the freezer aisle at Trader Joe’s. Especially in the winter months, everyone could use a Mediterranean escape.

—Maya Krainc, multimedia intern

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MZOO Luxury Sleep Eye Mask ($22.99, currently on sale)

I’m not exaggerating when I say that this silky-smooth sleep eye mask has permanently changed my sleep for the better. Unlike some other products that I’ve had the misfortune of using in the past, this mask doesn’t skimp on material or design. Instead, it’s fitted with pillowy cushions and blocks out any pesky light—crucial if you, like me, sleep in a room that gets jarringly bright in the morning. I’ve recommended the sleep mask to family and friends, and I love it so much that I now have a backup on hand.

—Christina Lu, staff writer

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Hape Scoot Around Ride on Wood Bike ($84.98)

If you have a little one to shop for this holiday season, this push-bike scooter makes for a fantastic gift. Suitable for ages 12 months and up, it’s great for tots who are just starting to move around on their own, allowing them to build confidence and independence. It’s exceptionally well made, with a sturdy wood frame that doesn’t feel cheap, and it’s easy to put together. I bought my godson one for his first birthday, and within just a few minutes of him sitting on it, he’d figured out how to push himself around and was soon zipping across the living room, giggling his head off. The smile on his face alone was well worth the price.

ROODO 3 Wheel Pet Stroller ($92.98, currently on sale)

Your energetic toddler may be satisfied by a bike, but what if you’ve got a less active dog or cat? This sturdy, foldable stroller enables you to take little Spike or Fluffy along on walks or jogs without having to worry about whether they can keep up—or if they’ll get stepped on or overwhelmed in crowded places. It has straps that you can clip to the pet’s collar or harness to keep them from jumping out, as well as mesh panels that let them see out whether they’re sitting up or lying down. It’s especially great for senior pets and pets with mobility issues—or, in my case, a Boston Terrier who simply prefers to be chauffeured around like a princess.

—Jennifer Williams, deputy editor

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Darn Tough socks ($18-$135)

In my experience, there is just one sort of sock worth finding in your stocking: Darn Tough socks. Knit from merino wool in Vermont, these socks are hearty, practical, and guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Over the years, I’ve been gifted roughly half a dozen pairs from my New England kinfolk. Despite the conditions I’ve put them through—summer work at a sawmill, hiking in muddy Maine, scorching West Texas heat, and freezing Chicago winters—they all still fit and feel brand new. I’ve worn them in all four seasons with work boots, sneakers, slippers, sandals, and dress shoes. They’ve always felt comfortable and never out of place.

Plus, they’re pretty stylish, so fellow jet-setters can fawn over your fall foliage in the TSA line and fellow hipsters can ogle the organic produce protruding from your Birkenstock clogs at the farmers market.

—Eli Wizevich, editorial fellow

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Ember Mug 2 ($119.99-$179.99)

I am easily distracted and have a tendency to let my morning coffee get cold as I begin to tackle the day’s agenda. For years, I’ve found myself reheating my cup of joe in the microwave (sometimes repeatedly) because of this predicament.

Getting an Ember mug has solved this problem. It keeps my coffee hot, even when I fill up the mug and forget about it for 30 minutes. A 10-ounce Ember mug keeps your drink hot for up to 90 minutes (the 14-ounce version lasts up to 80 minutes), and you can use the brand’s app to set your preferred temperature, among other features. It’s a truly magical item for coffee lovers—particularly those who tend to wander away from their desks, like me.

—John Haltiwanger, staff writer

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The Très Riches Heures of Jean, Duke of Berry: The Masterpiece of Medieval Illumination ($85, currently on sale)

A 5-pound tome may not be the most practical holiday gift, but at a time when medieval manuscripts are undergoing something of a renaissance (not least for their freewheeling illuminations), why not give the history buff in your life a striking new reproduction of one of the most beloved codices of the Middle Ages?

The recently restored Très Riches Heures of Jean, Duke of Berry—sometimes referred to as the Mona Lisa of manuscripts—was made by Flemish artists for the brother of King Charles V of France in the early 15th century. Italian author Umberto Eco once commented on the unusually luxurious book’s “extraordinary” illustrations, noting that “there should be a complete reproduction of the manuscript.” Enter this latest replica, which is sure to delight medievalists and bibliophiles of all stripes.

—Chloe Hadavas, senior editor

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Core Products Tri-Core Cervical Support Pillow ($63.71, currently on sale)

My gift recommendation this year is a fundamental one. This summer, after a couple of long-haul flights and many nights spent sleeping on hard-as-a-rock European hotel beds, I returned home to Brooklyn with a crick in my neck (an affliction that strikes too frequently now that I’m in my 30s). I tried heat, yoga, massage—and then I ordered this pillow. I woke up the morning after it arrived pain-free and with my range of motion restored.

The orthopedic design may take some getting used to for certain sleepers, but I’ve now successfully converted several friends and family—and now, perhaps, the tense desk worker or frequent traveler in your life. It’s a shame I can’t fit this pillow in my suitcase for my next trip, but now I’ll be happier than ever to get back to my own bed after time on the road.

—Audrey Wilson, managing editor

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Libro.fm subscription ($14.99-$23.99 a month)

Last year, my local independent bookstore partnered with Libro.fm to provide audiobook memberships. I’d had an Audible membership for years but was intrigued by the opportunity to support one of my favorite bookstores through my audiobook purchases, so I made the switch. It was seamless. Libro.fm has partnered with more than 4,000 bookstores worldwide; simply choose your own and buy audiobooks as you would normally—either à la carte or through monthly credits. You can also gift credit bundles.

If you’re not sure what to put next on your reading list, you can peruse our Books coverage and FP Weekend newsletters for reviews and excerpts of newly released books, including a recent roundup on climate fiction recommended by five novelists. I just used my monthly Libro.fm credit to get Samantha Harvey’s Orbital.

—Shannon Schweitzer, copy chief

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Kodak Step Instant Smartphone Photo Printer ($79.99)

My family started a new tradition this year: keeping a collaborative travel journal. It’s become a great way to slow down at the end of busy days and reflect with our son on all the little moments that make a trip memorable. We each pick a few photos to print and then add our own notes about the day: stunning views, unexpected discoveries, inside jokes, and even logistical hiccups (including a photo of me being wheeled through the airport after spraining my ankle on the last step out of our historic Stockholm Airbnb). Flipping back through the entries lets us relive our experiences long after we’ve returned home.

—Sara Stewart, art director

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Leuchtturm1917 Hardcover Notebook ($21.20-$25.93)

I typically take reporting notes using a cheap spiral flip notebook. Rushing to a recent interview, I found that I’d run out of such notebooks and grabbed a fancier diary from Leuchtturm1917 that I once bought on a whim but never used because it seemed too nice. I’ve carried it since then.

The Leuchtturm1917 hardcover notebook fits neatly into a suit pocket, and the bold (FP red) cover I chose means that I’m unlikely to leave it behind. It also has a small paper pocket in the back that I use to store business cards. And since it’s so nice, I try to take more legible, organized notes—rather than the scrawl of unfinished thoughts that I more often write down.

—Sam Skove, staff writer

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Checa Art print ($20-$210)

In my bedroom—on the wall across from my bed, so I can gaze at it all the time—I have a beautifully framed large print of a painting by Maria-Victoria Checa, a Washington, D.C.-area artist who paints lovely abstract and impressionist landscapes. Her creations are vivid, lively, and deeply textured.

The print I have is called Purple Range, and it’s of blue-purple mountains and a green valley in the foreground. The landscape is covered in a carpet of purple, orange, and pink posies. Looking at it makes me feel both alive and contented. I’m such a fan of Checa’s pieces that I’ve bought several more prints to give away at charity auctions and as housewarming gifts.

While my pockets aren’t deep enough (yet) to afford any of Checa’s originals, I plan to buy one someday—but maybe you can now. Her website has a range of paintings for sale, starting at $550. And her prints (framed or not framed) are well-priced for holiday giving. They are available in canvas, acid-free thick paper, and even aluminum.

—Rachel Oswald, staff writer

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Quince Italian Pebbled Leather Sling Bag ($74)

I should start with a confession: I’m a chronic overpacker. But not one to let that slow me down in transit. The best solution I’ve found is to keep my travel essentials handy in a stylish, durable belt bag.

You may remember them as “fanny packs,” but regardless of nomenclature, I promise that they are back in fashion. I can comfortably leave my belt bag on for my bicoastal flights or tuck it into the seatback pocket when I’m taking Amtrak. Quince’s sling bag is a great option, but if you’d like to support a small business, you can also get one from a Ukrainian leatherworker or an Argentine artisan on Etsy.

—Dana Sherne, executive producer, FP Live

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MegRhythm by Kao Gentle Steam Eye Mask ($11.49)

There may be no warm towel at takeoff for us plebeians anymore, but you can still add a touch of class to your economy cabin experience with these Japanese self-heating paper eye masks. Scented with citrus, chamomile, or (my personal favorite) lavender, MegRhythm by Kao’s masks magically heat up to around 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius) and stay there for 15 minutes or so. They’ll get you to sleep, or at the very least, get rid of a headache. They also feel extra-indulgent at altitude—which is why I whip out a couple on every long-haul flight.

Amazon now sells this made-in-Japan miracle product, but why not plan a trip to Tokyo as an excuse for acquiring a box? At least you know your return trip will be blissful.

—Amelia Lester, deputy editor

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The Rise of the Ultra Runners: A Journey to the Edge of Human Endurance, by Adharanand Finn ($27.95, currently on sale)

Adharanand Finn’s detailed account of ultra-marathons and the people who run them is one of the more motivating books I’ve read in recent years. For a certain type of person, little is more inspiring than following one underprepared man’s attempt to run 100-odd miles across six days through the Omani desert or to face down the soul-annihilating difficulty of ultra-running’s crown jewel, the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc.

Between these bookend races, Finn explores the rapidly expanding galaxy of ultra-running and its many mutations, crisscrossing the globe to attempt some of the world’s most famous ultras and interview some of the sport’s biggest names. For the adventurer in your life whose idea of a good time is unimaginable, self-inflicted suffering, look no further than this exceptional read.

—Drew Gorman, deputy copy editor

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Coup D’état bedroom slippers ($113)

I impulsively purchased a pair of Coup D’état bedroom slippers a few months ago because I couldn’t resist the novelty of packable slippers in a cute zip-up case. But as the weather has gotten colder, they have become an absolute staple in my daily routine. The minute I roll out of bed, these chic leather slippers put my day on warmer and more luxurious footing. I’ve also packed them on planes and trains for on-the-go comfort. And as a bonus, they come in FP red—with a very FP name!

—Rylie Munn, social media editor

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An FP Insider Gift Subscription and “Soft Power” Baseball Cap ($249)

The best gift of all for the independent thinker in your life is one year of Foreign Policy. For a limited time, an annual FP Insider gift subscription includes a limited-edition “Soft Power” hat (referencing the term coined in our pages in 1990). Plus: ad-free reading and behind-the-scenes dispatches from FP’s stable of geopolitical experts.

Want this hat for yourself? Join or upgrade to Insider to unlock VIP membership perks.

Products are independently selected by FP staff. FP earns an affiliate commission on anything purchased through links to Amazon.com on this page.