Desiree DeNunzio is the gift guide editor for CNET's Commerce team. When she's not writing and editing, she's either hiking through the redwoods or curled up with a good book and a lazy dog.
Expertise Desiree has been a writer and editor for the past two decades, covering everything from top-selling Amazon deals to apparel, pets and home goods. Credentials
- Desiree's previous work has appeared in various print and online publications including Search Engine Land, PCWorld, Wired magazine and PBS MediaShift.
Natalia Lusinski Contributor
Natalia is a contributing writer for CNET. Her work can also be seen in places like Business Insider, Yahoo and Forbes. She spent several years living abroad, from goat-sitting in the Swiss Alps to staying with nuns at a monastery in Venice. Back in Los Angeles, she runs a popular pizza Meetup and is still on a quest to find her favorite slice.
Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement
Christmas gifts for the home under $100
Home
Hario Mizudashi cold brew coffee maker
Some people are cold-brew-coffee-all-the-time people, and if so, this coffee maker by Hario makes a great Christmas gift under $100. The Japanese design is not only sleek and elegant, but the device is also easy to use. After adding ground coffee to the mesh basket and filling the glass carafe up with water, just place it in the refrigerator and let it work its coffee-brewing magic -- the longer you leave it in, the stronger it'll be. Or, if you don't want it ice-cold, you can always brew it at room temperature.
DrawYourPortrait personalized pet pillow
They say dogs are a man's best friend, but so are these personalized pet pillows. Whether it's to liven up their office or home, if someone's not actually cuddling with their pet, they can do the next best thing -- cuddle with their likeness in pillow form. You can choose from eight different colorful backgrounds, from gray to mint to lavender, and all you have to do is upload a photo of the pet to Etsy seller DrawYourPortrait. I gifted this pillow to a family that I Chihuahua-sit for, and they loved it so much, I now get one for every pet owner I know. Prices vary, but a 14x14-inch pillowcase starts at $38, and a pillow and case combo starts at $51. For any pet lover, you can't beat this as a Christmas gift under $100.
Home
Good Morning 2025 Flower Calendar
I am obsessed with this tabletop flower calendar and have gotten one for everyone I know, from friends to neighbors to my landlady. It's the kind of gift to have on-hand in case you suddenly need one. A new flower is featured each month, whether it's a daisy, rose or tulip, among others, and one flower can be featured at once, or the bouquet can get larger with each passing month -- it's literally the gift that keeps on giving. It'll instantly brighten up someone's work space or home -- and the flowers will live on and on.
Toys & Tabletop Games
Crosley Voyager turntable
Sure, Spotify is great, but there's nothing quite like the retro feel of vinyl. This portable Bluetooth-compatible turntable hits all the right notes. They can play LPs and stream music wirelessly from any device. And while the sound isn't as top-notch as expensive models, it's hard to beat the cool retro aesthetic.
Compact swivel cheese and tapas board
This cheese and tapas board from Uncommon Goods is ideal for the foodie who likes to entertain. Their holiday charcuterie tray will look stunning, with collapsible extenders that include four ceramic serving bowls and three cheese knives. You can even get it personalized for an extra $10.
Small Appliances
SodaStream Terra
If you know someone who enjoys sparkling water, they'll love the convenience of churning out the fizzy stuff at home -- and it will save them money, too. The SodaStream Terra is our top pick for the best soda maker for most people. It's easy to use, and it has a slim design that doesn't take up too much counter space.
Smart Home
Amazon Smart Thermostat
Help someone in your life get the best climate control possible for their house with the Amazon Smart Thermostat. It has many features that pricier thermostats have, but for less, and is a CNET Editor's Choice award winner for the best overall and budget thermostat.
Christmas gifts for foodies under $100
Small Appliances
Ninja 4-quart air fryer
Yep, air fryers are still all the rage -- and for good reason. They're not only a time-saver when it comes to cooking, but they also minimize messes in the kitchen. The Ninja 4-quart model is our pick for the best air fryer overall (and we tested more than a dozen). Whether someone wants to make crispy chicken wings, dehydrate apple slices into healthy chips, or even impress their family with a homemade peach cobbler, they can -- all with the touch of a button.
Small kitchen appliances
Cuisinart Smart Stick immersion hand blender
This handy tool should be in every home chef's kitchen arsenal. It's useful for so many things, from making soups and salsa to whipping up curry. It's sturdy and simple to use, and cleanup is a breeze.
Misc
Caraway ceramic fry pan
Caraway's cookware has built a loyal following among home cooks who prefer nonstick surfaces. Unlike Teflon, this pan's nonstick ceramic coating is free of harmful chemicals. It's available in a range of stylish colors, including sage, navy and marigold. Any home cook would be proud to leave this pan out on display.
Home
Global classic 8-inch chef's knife
For people who love to cook, there's no such thing as too many knives, and a quality chef's knife is a must. Global's chef's knife is CNET's top pick for the best chef's knife. It's extremely sharp and can chop, slice, cut and mince practically anything with ease. This knife normally sells for around $125, so at less than $30, it's a steal.
Small kitchen appliances
Cuisinart stainless steel ice cream maker
Large-capacity ice cream makers require a ton of salt and ice, but not this model. It's so easy to whip up delicious ice cream and sorbet that you can make both on a regular basis -- yes, even in the winter.
Toasters
Dash mini waffle maker
These waffles are great for a brunch side dish or as a breakfast appetizer, and this is also CNET's pick when it comes to the best small waffle maker.
Emile Henry French ceramic artisan ruffled pie dish
This handcrafted vintage pie dish is perfect for the bakers in your life, with the ruffled edge producing a picture-perfect pie.
Smart Home
Chef'n Microgreens Grower
Spruce up your salads and soups with these homegrown microgreens. Plus, this is CNET's pick for thebest indoor smart gardens.
Christmas gifts for homebodies under $100
Atlas Tea Club
Who doesn’t love tea (especially when it’s paired with their favorite cookies or cake)? Getting the tea-lover in your life a tea subscription is not only a thoughtful gift, but also a unique one, since they’ll get to sample all types of teas. The Atlas Tea Club is our pick for the best tea club for teas from the Far East and you can choose from pure teas (like black, green, white and oolong), blended teas (flavored or herbal) or a variety. A subscription consists of two teas per month, around 30 cups, and tasting notes come with the teas, as well as a fun postcard from the featured country, such as India or Nepal. (And if they’re more of a coffee person, there’s an Atlas Coffee Club, too.)
Sophie faux fur throw blanket
A faux fur blanket is perfect for cozying up on the couch to watch a holiday movie, and this one is so soft that they'll want one for every room. It comes in 10 gorgeous colors, making it easy to mix and match with existing decor.
Ohom Ui self-heating mug set
If you know a coffee lover, this self-heating mug is a must-have. It keeps coffee, tea, cocoa and other warm beverages at an optimal drinking temperature all day long thanks to its charging pad. Bonus: They can also use the base to charge their phone.
These slippers made from suede and fluffy wool are a great gift for just about everyone. Your lucky giftee can wear them all winter to save their feet from ice-cold floors.
Christmas gifts for travelers under $100
Tech
Anker 523 Power Bank (PowerCore 10000 PD)
Traveling or not, it’s the worst when your phone battery goes out and you don’t have a power bank on you. Well, not anymore. This slim Anker portable charger has both a USB-C port and a USB one, and can not only recharge your iPhone or Android a couple of times, but can also give your other electronics a boost. CNET’s Geoffrey Morrison has traveled all over the world and swears by his Anker battery pack and this model also made our pick for the best portable chargers and power banks.
Mobile Accessories
Trtl travel pillow
Make someone's long flights easier with the Trtl pillow. It's cozy and comfortable, and it keeps them from nodding off on their neighbor's shoulder. It packs away into a travel pouch, making it easy to stuff into a carry-on or attach to the outside of a bag.
Security Cameras
Blink Mini
Whether you want to buy for someone who travels for work or pleasure, the Blink Mini can help keep their home secure. It monitors the inside of their home and allows users to see, hear and speak to anyone via live view and two-way audio.
Read our Blink Mini review.
Books make it hard to travel light, but Amazon's Kindle e-reader means your favorite traveler can bring as many as they'd like without the bulk. It's lightweight and easily slips into the side pocket of a carry-on. Bonus: It has a backlight so they can read even when the cabin crew turns off the overhead lights.
Read our Kindle (2022) review.
Christmas gifts for beauty lovers under $100
This cushiony sleep mask is perfect for the insomniacs in your life. In addition to blocking out light and having an adjustable strap so the mask actually stays on while they sleep, its exterior is also super soft since it’s made from mulberry silk. It’s also a hit among our wellness editors’ favorite sleep products. CNET’s Nasha Addarich Martinez says if she had to choose one item that’s helped her sleep better, it would be his sleep mask. Plus, the mask is unisex and comes in all kinds of colors, from sunset pink to midnight blue.
Osea Malibu bestsellers body care kit
This ultra-moisturizing kit is perfect for dry winter skin and makes every day feel like a spa day. The set comes with four of Osea's best-selling products: Undaria Algae Body Oil, Salts of the Earth Body Scrub, Anti-Aging Body Balm and Undaria Algae Body Butter, plus a handy travel bag.
Mark & Graham Concourse leather cosmetic case
A luxe cosmetics case is exactly what every beauty maven and skincare enthusiast needs. Mark & Graham's leather Concourse case comes in a tasteful cream color and has spacious interior pockets. The price is reasonable for the quality, and you can get it monogrammed for an extra $12.50.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Soft Glam eyeshadow palette
If you're unfamiliar with the Anastasia Beverly Hills brand but want a safe bet for any beauty-obsessed friend or family member, buy this palette. Its combination of matte and shimmer finishes means there are plenty of looks to experiment with.
Christmas gifts for fun + games under $100
Home
Haccah Store Complete Candle Making Kit
This candle-making kit is perfect for the DIY folks in your life. I bought this for a friend and loved using hers so much, I ended up buying myself one, too. It comes with everything they'll need, including a tiny electric stove, metal pouring pot, essential oils (in enchanting scents like orange, apple cinnamon and jasmine), dried flowers and little tins with boxes for gift-giving. The kit's perfect for doing with friends -- or for a soothing solo night of self-care.
Lego Insect Collection
Legos are a great gift for anyone who adores building -- not just kids. This collection of insects is fun to put together, and the designs are truly stunning. It includes a posable Chinese mantis, a Hercules beetle and a Blue Morpho butterfly. All are lovely and worthy of display on a shelf once they're done.
Misc
Pro-Spin portable ping pong
This portable ping-pong set is easy to put up -- and highly addictive. It comes with four paddles, six balls and a retractable net that clamps onto any table. For $10 less, you can get a two-player version, but it's nice to have four paddles on hand for guests. It works best if your giftee has a standard rectangular dining table.
Liberty Puzzles Christmas Wreath wooden jigsaw puzzle
If you know a puzzle fanatic, Liberty Puzzles' wooden jigsaw puzzles will blow them away. Each piece is intricately designed into its own unique shape (think snowflakes, birds and more). Once they've finished, they'll want to frame it.
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