The best type of gift for the holiday season is one that checks two boxes: It relates to something they like, and it’s something they’ll actually use. If you’re shopping for a coffee enthusiast who makes and drinks a cup of joe every morning, this is a pretty easy checklist — something coffee-related will more than do the trick. But what if you yourself aren’t a coffee enthusiast? How do you find something that can please a coffee snob?
Before you get overwhelmed choosing between different coffee beans and tools you’re not familiar with, take a deep breath. We called in the experts for this one: former United States Barista Champions Morgan Eckroth and Laila Ghambari lended their advice about gifts coffee lovers will actually want and use.
Below, check out their recommendations for coffee-themed gifts that are sure to become a part of your recipient’s caffeine routine.
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If you're doubting your ability to pick out something useful for the java enthusiast in your life, know that not all coffee-related gifts need to be tools. Morgan Eckroth, a barista, content creator and the 2022 U.S. Barista Champion, suggests coffee literature like "The World Atlas of Coffee" by James Hoffmann as one outside-the-box idea.
The book includes information about and stunning photographs of places where coffee is grown around the world and how it's processed and consumed. It's a nice piece of coffee table decor in addition to some genuinely interesting reading for coffee nerds.
"I'm all about thinking about products that are adjacent to coffee brewing for gifts," Eckroth says. "Coffee books, a nice thermos, a new mug, coffee storage... these are usually the purchases that are harder for folks to justify and make for fantastic gifts!"
Speaking of coffee storage, Eckroth also recommends this canister by Airscape, a Planetary Design brand. The canister has a plunger lid and two-way valve to keep out air, which can extend the coffee's shelf life and preserve its flavor. You can get medium (64 ounces) and small (34 ounces) sizes at AmazonAmazon, or medium sizes at Williams-Sonoma or Crate & Barrel.
Both Eckroth and Laila Ghambari, a coffee business consultant and 2014 U.S. Barista Champion, recommended these Third Wave Water mineral packets, which can make for great stocking stuffers.
Eckroth calls this a "coffee-nerd type of gift," but adds that they're affordable and often not thought of. "These mineral packets are mixed with distilled water and are crafted specifically for coffee; they're fantastic if you live in an area that has particularly soft or hard tap water. Of note, there are several different packet types for different roast levels and brewing methods." We've linked the medium and light roast profiles below, but Third Wave Water makes options for dark roast, espresso, cold brew and more.
"With coffee being 99% water, it's a simple way to make a significant improvement to your brew," says Ghambari, who called the packets her go-to under-$20 coffee-related gift.
If you're unsure about trying your luck at choosing specific coffee or tools that your recipient will like or want, you can never go wrong with a nice, affordable mug. This mug, one of Ghambari's picks, has a 12-ounce capacity and comes in four simple but fun patterns, including this checkerboard. The handle is large and rounded to make the mug easy to hold, and the mug is also microwave- and dishwasher-safe.
Promising review: "Every year my friends do a mug exchange for Christmas. This year I got this mug for the exchange and this was the IT MUG! Everyone wanted it and that says everything" — WP
How fun is this set of two drinking glasses Ghambari included on her list of gifts for coffee lovers? Complete with two straws and a cleaning brush, any iced coffee (or matcha, or tea) drinker could get some serious use out of these bad boys. In addition to their funky design, the glasses are made of lead-free, BPA-free, dishwasher-safe glass and have a capacity of 14 ounces.
Promising review: "These are on my favorites list for top purchases I’ve made this year. These cups are so cute and make every drink look so much better. I love how easy they are to rinse and the quality is definitely solid. Ive dropped my glass a few times and it did not affect the cup at all! So cute on a bar cart too!" — Presley nix
Another pick of Ghambari's, this Zulay milk frother is reviewer-beloved and great for making lattes, cappuccino and other coffee drinks at home. It can froth milk in seconds, and can be cleaned just as quickly (just run the whisk part under hot water and turn it on). Included with the frother is a stand for easy storage. The frother comes in a bunch of colors and is made of stainless steel.
Promising review: "Frothing is at full force here, yet compact. Just the right amount of power for my home. Built to last, doesn’t compromise coffee taste, but it enhances it. Great product, would gift to someone else." — Quincy Davies
"I think a grinder is a good move when going for high-ticket items," says Ghambari, who calls herself a "practical" gifter. "[I] want to give them something that will have the greatest positive impact on their daily coffee."
In previous HuffPost coverage, the Baratza Encore burr-style coffee grinder got a lot of love from baristas for its durability and ability to create even-sized grounds, and it's one of Ghambari's picks, too. This is a nice entry-level option for folks who don't own a grinder yet, with a simple on-off switch and 40 grind settings — so whether your giftee prefers French press coffee or espresso, they can find something to like.
Promising review: "Nothing else has changed, but this grinder, and my coffee tastes palpably better. I know nothing about coffee or grinds, but for whatever reason, with this grinder, my brew, whether drip or espresso, is a level up. It’s a nice little machine, with a small footprint, quiet, no skills required, except to shift the grind size with the brewing method. This was a gift which I’m enjoying every day." — Diane A. Baker
It stands to reason that one of the best gifts for a coffee enthusiast is... well, coffee. "Usually I'll seek out more rare or interesting coffees that they might not have tried before," says Eckroth. "Similarly, I'll often gift coffees from roasters that they likely have never tried before."
While Eckroth didn't name a specific brand, we like this medium roast whole bean coffee from Flamingo Estate. Roasted fresh weekly, the beans are grown in Colombia and Guatemala by coffee farmers that are paid a verified living wage. It has a nuanced flavor profile that reviewers say is balanced and not too acidic. (Just note the coffee tin pictured here is not included — the beans come in a paper pouch — but you can buy it separately if you're into the aesthetic.)
Promising review: "This has a nice, mild flavor. It’s had a consistent, good flavor in my stovetop bialetti. Bought a third bag - I don’t want to run out!" — Kari S.
Both Eckroth and Ghambari agree that the best way to buy and learn about coffee involves talking to baristas or roasters in your local community for their tailored advice. But if you want a tried-and-true option that still lets you support a small business and may take less time on your end, you can shop from small businesses online.
Bones Coffee Company's coffee is a big hit on Amazon, for example, with a 4.4-star average rating across more than 18,400 reviews. You can choose between ground or whole beans, as well as decaf or caffeinated and a wide, wide range of styles (some are even holiday-themed).
Promising review: "This is a super gift for those who love specialty coffee. I have purchased this coffee for a gift and also drink it myself. Never disappoints. The packaging is quite special as well. Ships fast and a reasonable price." — Movement Magic
If the person you're shopping for has an espresso machine, getting a knockbox will make the cleanup process so much easier. This one by Dreamfarm, which is HuffPost editor-recommended, has a shock-absorbing steel bar with a rubber sleeve for banging used grounds into it without making a ton of noise or mess. It can fit right on the drip tray of most espresso machines, and is even dishwasher-safe.
Promising review: "I purchased this knock box years ago and it has been a quiet, steady, reliable partner in the kitchen ever since. Very sturdy - it is still in tip top shape, easy to clean and does the job well. It is rare to buy something these days that you know will last - but this an exception. Well worth the money." — Moshi Mom