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Around the holidays, you’ll catch me frequently sipping seasonal favorites, like creamy eggnog or a warm mug of peppermint hot cocoa with the tiny marshmallows. But coffee lovers? Nothing can come between them and a cup of classic joe—not even the seasonal menu at Starbucks. They’ll take their coffee plain, thank you very much, whether it be iced, light and sweet, or bold and black.
If that sounds like the home barista in your life, then now’s the perfect time to fill their hypothetical (and literal) cups with the best coffee-themed gift ideas of 2024. Whether they’re a coffee aficionado who makes each pot like they’re in a chemistry class, or they’re a casual coffee sipper who cannot go a morning without a jolt of java, these gifts for coffee lovers will warm their hearts (and their mugs).
If words cannot express how much the caffeine drinker in your life means to you, give them a gift they’ll love all year round, like a super-sleek electric kettle (my fav: the Fellow Stagg EKG Kettle) or a smart digital milk frother (see: the Subminimal Nanofoamer V2). Need more inspo? Scroll to shop the best gifts for coffee lovers—and dabblers—this holiday season.
Coffee makers
Best splurges
If you’re looking to treat the caffeine aficionado in your life this holiday, look no further than De’Longhi’s exquisite espresso and coffee maker. It’s equipped with a professional burr grinder and 13 different settings so that you can customize your cup exactly to your liking. If you’re craving a cappuccino or latte, heat up some milk with the built-in frother that gives you cloud-like foam in an instant. Once you find a recipe you like, program the machine to “remember” it so that you can make it with the push of a button the next go-round. It’s a statement piece no at-home barista should be without, and well worth the price.
This espresso machine is ideal for beginners and intermediates bent on perfecting the art of espresso. Its touchscreen control center allows users to select from a list of five pre-programmed coffee recipes or customize their brew settings to their liking. Users can adjust their coffee strength, temperature, and milk texture and have the option to create and save up to eight personalized coffees. The machine also has a built-in grinder with burr blades, steam wand, and all the tools needed to make a cafe-worthy cup of coffee.
Best mid-priced options
Nic Maloney, a barista at the Great Harvest Bread Company & Cafe in Burlington, Vermont, previously told Well+Good that the Moccamaster makes a great gift for coffee lovers. (He even had it on his wedding registry.) “The KGBV Select Coffee Brewer from Moccamaster is a great option for your everyday drip coffee,” said Maloney. Because of its super precise temperature control, the Moccamaster is not only consistent, but reliable. “It’s everything you need and nothing you don’t,” he said.
Breville’s Precision Brewer gives you barista-worthy drip coffee at home without completely breaking the bank. The machine lets you choose whether you want to make a standard 12-cup carafe, a Specialty Coffee Association Gold Cup, an extra-strong pot, iced coffee, cold brew, or a completely customized brew. The digital screen and stainless steel interface give it a modern and sleek feeling that differentiates itself from other coffee makers.
Best single-serve
The convenience of a single-serve coffee maker meets the quality of a drip or pour-over machine in Cuisinart’s single-serve coffee maker. Engineered with multiple options, it makes 6-, 8-, 10- and 12-ounce cups with the press of a button using your favorite brand of coffee pod (like these biodegradable ones from Coffee House Express). When done, it’ll automatically eject the capsule to be recycled. Great for coffee lovers who are on the go and want a palatable cup in a pinch.
A Moka pot is a convenient and tried-and-true way to make espresso. This option from JoyJolt makes six shots of espresso—or two large cups of coffee—and it’s compatible with gas, electric, ceramic, and induction cooktops. Since it’s lightweight and compact, it’s also an ideal choice for the occasional camping adventure. Plus, it’s small enough to store in small spaces when not in use.
Similar to the Moka pot, this nifty little stovetop option pours out two servings of espresso simultaneously, making it a great gift for couples, or someone in your life who always asks for a doppio shot. With three lovely primary colors to choose from, this espresso maker is sure to bring a little brightness to your morning.
Best pour-over
How pretty is this pour-over coffee set?! It’s simple to use, too: Pop in a #2 conical filter (sold separately), scoop in your grounds, pour over boiling water, and enjoy your cup. It’s that easy. With a ceramic inlay, it’s super simple to clean, too.
Coffee accessories
Coffee accessories
An electric kettle that doubles as a piece of art makes a thoughtful gift for any caffeine lover, whether coffee or tea. David Palazuelos, coffee and operations advisor at Velty, a decaffeinated instant coffee company, recommends Fellow’s gorgeous option, which he owns and uses to whip up his daily brew.
“This kettle offers an aesthetically pleasing design with lots of precision for your morning pour,” he says. “Whether you are making a pour-over, a French press, or dissolving your blends of Velty, this kettle provides you the utility and practicality for your everyday brewing by allowing you to adjust to [the] desired temperature.”
If your giftee takes their coffee with milk, they might appreciate this milk frother. It has four modes—hot foam, cold foam, hot chocolate, and heated milk with no foam—to elevate their favorite homemade beverages. Plus, the spout allows users to pour the liquid straight into their mugs. Just use the buttons to toggle between the different modes and let it do the work, then pop it in the dishwasher to make cleanup quick and easy.
Good coffee starts with fresh beans—the gift that keeps on giving. Enter, the Airscape stainless steel canister, strategically engineered to keep beans (or other nuts and goodies) airtight. Each canister comes with the brand’s unique plunger lid that locks out air and humidity, preserving all the freshness and flavor. The stainless steel also extends the body and flavor, preventing them from getting any weird taste or odors while sitting. The bold brushed hues don’t hurt either, adding a pop of color to the kitchen counter or coffee cart.
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Do you need a cute stocking stuffer or a White Elephant gift? Velty’s CEO and founder, Sharon Taylor, recommends this stunning mug from Mademoiselle, which is simultaneously minimalist and maximalist. “The big handle makes for an easy grip, but honestly, we’re all about the aesthetics and how bold and fun this mug is,” she says. Get it in cream or eye-catching blue.
Takeya’s nifty cold-brew maker is a favorite among Well+Good editors for its simplicity, effectiveness, and price point. Rather than spending big bucks on a morning cold brew, your giftee can spoon in their favorite grounds into the filter core. After letting it sit in water overnight, they’ll have a batch of delicious cold brew to enjoy when they wake up. Talk about convenience.
This colorful cupping spoon comes with the recommendation of Jiyoon Han, co-founder of Bean & Bean Coffee Roasters. “This is what we use in professional coffee cuppings to taste and evaluate coffee,” she says. Owned by Umeko Motoyoshi, a certified Q coffee grader and founder of the Umeshiso “gay spoon emporium,” these spoons are the perfect accessory every at-home coffee cart should have. The brand also donates to several community and mutual aid-based organizations monthly, so your proceeds can go to a good cause this holiday.
Gifts for taking coffee to go
Gifts for taking coffee to go
Beloved by W+G editors, this Aeropress travel kit lets you enjoy a hot cup of coffee wherever you roam. Each kit contains one of the OG Aeropresses, plus a travel mug, a scoop, a stirrer, and a carrying case. It’s great for hikers, backpackers, and travelers who need a lightweight way to make their morning cup of joe on the go.
Are you on the hunt for caffeinated stocking stuffers? Don’t miss Stojo’s collapsible travel mug for coffee, tea, oatmeal, or soup. Its silicone shape keeps beverages hot or cold without leaking or spilling into cup holders. When it’s empty, collapse it and throw it into a purse or backpack before tossing it into the dishwasher. Plus, it comes in a rainbow of colors, so you can find one to match your coffee lover’s personality perfectly.
Stanley’s hardy pour-over set is an outdoor barista’s dream. Its stainless steel design makes it durable and easy to throw in packs (no worrying about breaking anything as you walk or overland around a bouncy trail). It also comes with a stainless-steel filter, so there’s no worrying about packing along paper or ceramic options. It has everything you need to bring the cafe-worthy coffee to the campground, which is a gift for coffee lovers that keeps on giving.
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For more serious coffee devotees who want their grounds to go, gift Vssl’s hand coffee grinder. Its “flip and clip” lever attaches to backpacks and carabiners when not in use. Once folks are ready to sip, they can unclip the grinder and use the extendable crank to grind down their beans, fine or coarse. It takes 60 seconds to get 20 grams of perfectly ground beans, and it takes up virtually no space in a trail bag.
You’ll see Ember’s Smart Mug all over gift guides this season, for good reason. Its internal heater keeps coffee hot and drinkable for up to an hour and thirty minutes, which means no more cold coffee. It’s an especially great gift for slow sippers who want to savor every sip of their java. It doesn’t hurt that it comes in multiple color options, like cherry red, white, and black.
Brentwood’s travel mug will keep coffee warm while your giftee is on the go. The 16-ounce stainless steel mug plugs into your car’s USB port or lighter socket to keep the liquid inside it hot. Plus, it’s double wall vacuum-sealed to maintain their drink temperature for hours. It also has a snap-on lid to prevent spills and a handle for easy sipping.
Gifts for caffeine aficionados
Gifts for caffeine aficionados
Subminimal’s NanoFoamer is one of Palazuelos’ favorite coffee tools. “This frother can create amazing texture without a steam wand, which is the dream for a home barista,” he says. “It is user-friendly and it comes with an access code for a Latte Art Master Class.” The 23 minute in-depth video features everything you need to know to create your own latte art, from basic foam to hearts.
Many professionals swear by Burr grinders for getting the most body, flavor, and aroma out of beans. If you have someone on your shopping list who’s picky about their cup of joe, Han recommends this serious gadget by Baratza. “It’s a great first automatic grinder purchase,” says Han. “It consistently grinds for all brew methods, even espresso and French press.”
French-press lovers can brew in style with this beautiful press from Frieling. It’s made from brushed stainless steel, so it can withstand piping hot boiling water to give you a delicious cup of coffee or tea each time. Plus, the double-walled design keeps your coffee hotter for four times as long as a traditional glass French press.
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Java geniuses can get a beautiful brew with this coffee scale by Williams Sonoma. The biggest complaint with digital scales is that they’re not sensitive enough, but this dual platform weighs in 0.01 gram increments on its smaller side, so you can use its responsive weighing technology to get accurate readings about your grounds in the blink of an eye. It doesn’t hurt that it doubles as a regular scale for all your other kitchen needs.
*Actual* coffee + coffee subscriptions
*Actual* coffee + coffee subscriptions
Coffee infused with mushrooms?! Yep—you read that right. Four Sigmatic just launched its new Focus Organic Coffee Latte that requires no fancy frothers or machines—just a cup of hot water and a quick stir. In addition to organic coffee beans, each bag contains a blend of functional mushrooms for added focus and clarity, coconut milk powder for creaminess, and organic monk fruit for sweetness. Oh, and it has half the caffeine as your average cup of coffee.
Subscriptions start at $60.
Trade is the coffee subscription club that should be on everyone’s list. Starting at just $60 for three bags, Trade will send curated bags from the country’s top roasters directly to their door, perfectly roasted so they’re fresh and ready to go once they get there. Subscribers can also change their taste profiles or delivery preferences at any time.
A delicious cup of coffee that’s made for people with sensitive guts, according to the brand, Velty’s “uncaffeinated” coffee makes decaf coffee that’s designed to be equal parts delicious and gentler on your tummy. From an intensive sourcing and roasting process combined with an infusion of prebiotics and antioxidants, this instant coffee is made for those in your life who want a little less caffeine, but a morning beverage that’s still as special.
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Subscriptions start at $14.
Coffee and tea brand Blk & Bold makes another fabulous subscription gift. Recipients can pick the coffee (or tea!) they want delivered and send it straight to their door at their desired cadence. Profits go to a good cause, as the brand pledges 5 percent of its proceeds to youth-focused organizations nationwide.
This gift bundle by Bean & Bean Coffee Roasters features all honey-processed coffee on farms led by female coffee producers. Thanks to that honey infusion, they’re lightly sweetened and so good that your giftees will never want to drink anything else.
Cometeer’s gift box doubles as a tasting experience and science experiment. The brand makes premiere flash-frozen coffee, frozen at peak freshness to preserve top body and flavor. When plopped into a cup of hot water, it instantly dissolves into a coffee-shop-worthy cup. Each gift box includes 32 pre-packaged capsules—plenty of cups for your friend or family member to get their caffeine fix.
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I love Grounds & Hounds’ coffee—it’s flavorful, offers a lot of variety, and every bag helps a pup in need (20 percent of proceeds save at-risk dogs). The best way to try out Grounds & Hounds is its Coffee Club subscription service. All you have to do is choose the type of coffee you want (whole, ground, or single-serve pod), choose a few different flavors (the price of the box will depend on how many flavors you choose), and fill out how many bags you want a month. You can start and stop your subscription at any time. Also, the merch is excellent IMO, like this Only You Can Prevent Bad Coffee sweatshirt ($45).