Most of us in the Northern Hemisphere spend the holidays indoors, but you can only watch so many TikToks about cute cats and cooking hacks before the need for something a little more substantive kicks in. Choosing the right game or movie to gift is tough, though, especially if you don’t have an exact read on what your friends and family like. And if you choose poorly, remember that you might also be on the hook to play or watch it with them.
That’s why, this year, we made it our mission to find gifts that appeal to people with diverse interests across a wide price range. If you know an aspiring Dungeon Master or a Wes Anderson devotee, the latest D&D starter set and Criterion’s lavish box set are great options to consider. We also have plenty of video game recs — from GOTY contender Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 to the notoriously brutal Silksong — along with a raft of suggestions when it comes to TVs, tabletop books, party-friendly board games, vinyl, and other pieces of hardware.
Photographer, photo editor: Amelia Holowaty Krales
Art director and designer: Cath Virginia
Creative director: Kristen Radtke
