the strategist holiday catalogue

105 Carefully Selected, Unusually Special Gifts Under $200

Including a Dickensian nightgown, some Wall Street–inspired bedding, and three bonnets.

Photo: Joe Lingeman
Photo: Joe Lingeman
Photo: Joe Lingeman

To find the more than 100 gifts you’re about to encounter, we did not merely scan our favorite websites for new products or even just select some of the nicest things we’ve written about on The Strategist over the past year. We did those things, then dug deeper. A team of dedicated editors worked for months, falling down dozens of rabbit holes, to find gifts (most of which are new this year) you likely won’t find recommended anywhere else.

Among other nutty tactics, we scanned every single account that a particularly stylish Danish e-commerce site follows on Instagram (then shopped those stylish Danish sites), slunk around on the “Buy It for Life” sub-Reddit, and crept through various shops to sniff their new perfumes and glad-hand their pot holders. Then we started whittling things down and debating among ourselves. Would anyone really pay $430 for that scarf? (No.) Is that pair of pants too specific or just specific enough? (The latter.) The result is a range of gifts for really and truly everyone, from hand-knit balaclavas for a good cause to mycological knife rests as well as a tote bag designed to slip securely over suitcase handles.

Don’t miss all of the Strategist’s holiday gift coverage right here. You can also see our picks for gifts under $50 and gifts over $200.

Comprehensive Cleaning Set

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

A “deluxe” version of the Melissa & Doug classic that comes with a sweeper-mop and a lint brush.

Fashion Dickey

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

A neck warmer made from deadstock fleece.

Travel Tote

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendros

An enormous market-style bag with Velcro closure and a side pocket that slides over suitcase handles.

[Editor’s note: This bag is currently out of stock, but we’ll keep an eye out and update this story when it’s back in stock.]

Upcycled Collar

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendros

Irish designer Aisling Duffy makes all her clothes and accessories from reused (and dyed) fabrics.

Modular Toy Tent

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

A reissue of the Eames Construction Toy from 1951.

Stackable Tray

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

Created for Anthropologie by beloved British designer Matilda Goad.

Waterless Diffuser

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

Nebulizing technology lets it emit essential oils without heat or water.

Glass Face Gloss

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

Byredo’s new liquid lipstick, worn by Emily Ratajkowski at Nensi Dojaka’s spring-summer ’23 show to super-shiny effect.

Flexy Fins

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendros

Made in eight sizes from premium Malaysian rubber.

Checkered Satchel

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

Makié—known for its sweet children’s clothes—recently released these perfectly simple linen bags

Nick Cave Cheesecake

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

An unlikely collaboration by the artist and Chicago cheesecake factory Eli’s.

Sherpa Suit

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendros

Colorful, cozy baby one-piece.

Unseen Egglestons

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendros

Nearly 100 Kodachromes of the American South accompanied by fiction by Rachel Kushner.

Even Funkier Kombucha

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendros

This four-pack of Unified Ferments’ offerings includes Snow Chrysanthemum, which has notes of star fruit, shaved asparagus, and bee pollen and tastes uncannily like orange wine.

Handsy Scarf

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

Per the brand, it can be worn as a belt or top but is “overall very useless”!

Chunky Hat

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

From Amsterdam’s Eleph, hand-knit in 100 percent wool.

Chard Scarf

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

Silk and double sided.

Small-Batch Armagnac

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

It’s aged 17 years, then finished in Jamaican-rum barrels.

UGG Guard

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

To protect against the possibility of damp sheepskin.

Self-Watering Planter

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

Its “subirrigation system” takes care of your philodendron for you.

Orange Towel

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

Made by a Copenhagen-based studio out of highly absorbent terry cotton.

Smiley Book

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

The debut monograph from French graphic designer and illustrator Jean Jullien.

Trompe l’Oeil Manhattan

Photo: Joe Lingeman

Maison Balzac’s Manhattan glass has a built-in cherry.

Adult Sled

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendros

With a steering wheel and 250-pound capacity.

2,000 Yards of Yarn

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

The Baltimore-based Neighborhood Fiber Co. works mostly with rich-to-the-touch organic merino.

Insulated Polo

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

From women’s hiking line Hikerkind.

Inside-Outside Boots

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendros

These wool slippers transform into proper boots with attachable rubber guards. Only 80 are made a week.

Pleated Toaster

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

Part of Alessi’s new Plissé line (also available: a milk frother, a blender, a teakettle, and an electric citrus squeezer).

Purple-Basil Perfume

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

Hermès’ newest fragrance comes in the classic orange box with the addition of a green ribbon.

Clothbound Book of Flowers

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendros

Paintings of flowers from over 50 artists with text by Hilton Als.

Sandy Timex

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

Designed by Nigel Cabourn and water resistant up to 164 feet.

Cashmere Kerchief

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

From the U.K. cashmere experts at Johnstons of Elgin.

Magnetic Charging Station

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

Your iPhone charges up top, your AirPods on the base.

Plastic Garden

Lego Succulents
$40
$40
Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

In 771 pieces, new from the LEGO Botanical Collection.

Do-Good Balaclava

Photo: Joe Lingeman

A portion of profits go to Sky High Farm, which grows fresh food exclusively for donation.

Young Nebbiolo

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

Good to drink immediately or to cellar.

Quilted Wallabee

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

With a draw-cord closure to keep feet even warmer.

Biography of Bling

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

A visual history of jewelry from Run-DMC, Tupac, and Jay-Z to Migos and Cardi B.

Imperfect Rings

$135
Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

Can also be set with brown quartz, London-blue sapphire, or yellow quartz.

Etruscan Pitcher

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

Part of Menu’s new Tradition Reimagined collection.

Dickensian Nightgown

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

Genderless nightshirts with mother-of-pearl buttons from Buenos Aires.

Beverly Nguyen’s Knives

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendros

The stylist and owner of Beverly’s worked with Material Kitchen on this sage set.

Best Men’s Tee

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

L.A.-based studio Lady White’s extra-structured, extra-thick cotton shirts are now available in bright green.

Ceramic Daisy

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendros

It comes in three or five inches and is meant to hang on the wall.

Pickleball Bag

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendros

Made of heavyweight duck canvas, it holds two paddles with room for balls, water, and more; can be monogrammed.

Taiwanese Rice Cooker

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendros

An essential appliance that’s newly (and only) available in the U.S. from Yun Hai.

On-the-Spot Xbox

$100
Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

It turns your phone into a gaming console.

Tomato Perfume

Photo: Joe Lingeman

The first scent from Echo Park’s Cactus Store, which otherwise sells rare plants.

Rice Chest

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendros

Made from sawara cypress, it’s meant to control humidity levels, optimizing the texture and flavor.

New Rancho Gordo

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

Founded by sisters, Primary Beans sources from farms with harvest information on every bag.

Post-Run Slides

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

Hoka’s incredibly comfortable massaging slipper now comes in forest green.

Danish Button-down

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

Rising menswear brand Another Aspect aims to make poplin shirts everyday wearable.

Very British PJs

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

A collaboration between Cath Kidston and The Great British Bake Off.  

Wall Street Duvet

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

From Swedish bed linen–maker Magniberg; meant to look like classic work shirts.

Objet Massager

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

Made by ceramicist Rachel Saunders with three spheres to effectively ease knots.

Undroppable Phone Case

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

It can stand at three different angles.

Paper Peonies

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

Artist Susan Beech cuts and shapes them by hand.

Rain Bonnet

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendros

It offers full coverage at the neck and is made of packable pink polyester.

Balmoral Bonnet

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendros

Quilted for extra warmth and inspired by the late queen’s country looks.

Latex Bonnet

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

Also available in black.

Bull’s-eye Bowl

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendros

It has a shallow dip that is useful for serving both pasta and salads.

Sunny Carafe

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

Designed after the traditional pitchers of the Tonalá and Tlaquepaque regions in Mexico.

Gridopolis

Gridopolis
$40
$40

Essentially 3-D chess.

Small-Batch Body Oil

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

Tata Harper made only 1,350 bottles from a hand-grown crop of hyperpotent calendula.

Milanese Candle

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendros

Modeled in orange wax after the Torre Velasca skyscraper.

Swedish Gloves

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

Mitts from 86-year-old glove-maker Hestra are curved for the warmest fit.

Ruffled Collar

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

Now dogs, too, can step out in a Gauntlett Cheng look.

Oddball Florida

$50
Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

A24’s 547-page travel guide includes the best place to participate in coleslaw wrestling as well as a look at the country’s largest nudist colony.


Milanese Mary Janes

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

The outer soles are made from old bicycle wires and the inner sole from recycled cotton rags.

Patchwork Dress

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

Made from vintage textiles and deadstock fabric sourced from New York cutting rooms.

Miranda July’s Perfume

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendros

It smells like ballet shoes fresh out of the box.

Biodegradable Nail Polish

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendros

The latest colors from Harry Styles’s unisex beauty line.

Made-to-Order Moisturizer

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

From haute perfumery Cultus Artem and made with shiitake mushroom and knotted sea kelp.

Cashmere Eye Mask

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

The Amsterdam-based brand also makes cashmere balaclavas, cashmere tube tops, and cashmere totes.

Diet Coke Necklace

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

This Éliou chain is inspired by pull tabs.

New J.Crew

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

Single-pleated Brendon Babenzien–era corduroy pants.

Furry Sleeping Bag

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

It unrolls into a full Labradoodle.

Alex Katz Compendium

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

A look at 80 years of the artist’s work on the occasion of his Guggenheim retrospective.

Mycological Knife Rests

Photo: Joe Lingeman/JOE LINGEMAN

Hand-painted champignons and chanterelles from La Galine.

Intentionally Ratty Tee

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendros

Designed with faux moth-eaten holes for strategically placed ventilation.

Spice Spoon

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

From kitchenware company Diaspora Co., meant for blooming spices or frying eggs.


Knobbly Jug

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

For storing water, wine, or flowers.

Cobble Hill Table Linen

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

A four-piece set of napkins and place mats from Audrey Gelman’s Brooklyn “country” shop, the Six Bells.

Kubrick Companion

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

400 loose-leaf pages devoted to The Shining plus a Room 237 key-fob replica.

Gilbert and George’s Daytime Scent

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendros

From Penhaligon’s, inspired by the smell of a Savile Row workshop.

3-in-1 Wall Charger

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

More versatile (yet considerably smaller) than a MacBook brick.

5-Pocket Pants

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

Made by Meals, a unisex workwear brand oft worn by Lil Dicky and Post Malone.

Serpentine Belt

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

Cowhide and gold; made by Parisian sibling brand Herbert Frère Soeur.

Pettibon People

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendros

Over 100 surfers from a series the artist has worked on since 1985.

Kehinde Wiley Dinnerware

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

The newest in the artist’s long-standing plate series, this features a detail from his 2008 painting Mame Ngagne. 

Pup Puffer

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

Adjustable for a customized fit.

[Editor’s note: This jacket is currently sold out, but you can sign up for restock notifications on the product page.]

Bejeweled Boom Box

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendros

It also has Bluetooth connectivity.

14-Hook Darning Loom

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

A replica of the 80-year-old Speedweve darning machine that made weaving over and under threads quicker and easier.

Cantilevered Toolbox

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendros

Made by Japanese company Toyo from a single sheet of steel.

Crystal Ball

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

Magic Mixies’ Magical Misting Ball responds to specific wand movements with mist and sounds.

Inclusive FIFA

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

After nearly 30 years, the leading soccer video game now has women’s club teams.

Bluey’s Dollhouse

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

Based on the extremely popular Australian kids’ show, it has a moving dance floor and over 50 different sounds.

Oyster Bottle Opener

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendros

Cast in bronze by Mau-House with a polished antique finish.

Morris the Reversible Fish

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

He’s meant to be turned inside out, revealing startlingly realistic innards.

Tortilla Starter Kit

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

From the company that has brought better masa to restaurants like Gjusta, this includes two bags of its Heirloom Corn Masa Harina and a highly effective press

Dog Backpack

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

Adjustable straps go around the belly.

Koi Napkins

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendros

Sister by Studio Ashby created these with Fine Cell Work, a nonprofit that makes products in British prisons.

Japanese Mini-Fleece

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

Outdoors brand Danton’s popular collarless jackets, now in kids’ sizes.

[Editor’s note: This jacket is currently sold out, but we’ll keep an eye on the situation and update this post when it’s back in stock.]

Cocoa Slides

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendros

To wear with woolly socks all winter.

Intentional Perfume

Photo: Courtesy of the Vendors

Each oil is chosen with a specific purpose in mind, like golden neroli for balance and cyan nori for joy.

The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.

105 Carefully Selected, Unusually Special Gifts Under $200