Let’s be honest: Dads are some of the hardest people to shop for. Whether it’s the “I don’t want anything” dad, the “just buy me socks” dad, or the “already ordered it myself” dad (the audacity), finding a thoughtful, budget-friendly gift can feel impossible. One year, my dad asked for a handheld leaf blower and my sisters and I immediately bought it. It’s still his favorite gift ever—and yes, that one made the list.

These picks work great for Father’s Day, but even if you missed it, there’s always a birthday, anniversary, or last-minute celebration around the corner. I see new gifts hit my inbox and our office storeroom basically every day, and some of my favorite recs came straight from Dana Avidan Cohn, Director of Editorial Content at Macy’s. She helps people find the right gift all day long, and told me: “The secret to selecting the perfect gift is to really shop by their interests and personality. What will they actually use, enjoy, travel with? The best gifts always feel personal and practical.”

Read More >>

Let’s be honest: dads are objectively some of the hardest people to shop for. Whether it’s the “I don’t want anything” dad, the “just buy me socks” dad, or the “already ordered it myself” dad (the audacity), landing on a thoughtful, actually appreciated gift can feel impossible. One year my dad asked for a handheld leaf blower that my sisters and I promptly bought and I think that’s still his favorite gift ever. And yes, that's on here.

For this guide, I had to outsource—asked friends, combed through Reddit threads, and consulted my own father (an avid golfer and outdoor work enthusiast). The takeaway? Most dads either already have the gear for their main hobby, or what they want is way out of budget (why are all their hobbies so expensive?).

Read More >>

After talking to more than 30 moms of all ages (shoutout to my mom’s friends, my friends’ moms, neighbors, coworkers, grandmothers, our F52 community), I got a pretty clear answer. While there were definitely some cute product recs, the overwhelming #1 request?

Just not having to think so much.

Read More >>

It’s graduation season (again!)—here’s what college grads actually want.

It’s that time of year when graduation invites start rolling in and your weekends fill up with ceremonies, parties, and post-grad send-offs. And with that comes the inevitable question: What do you get a college graduate? Especially if you haven’t seen them since they were 10, or have no clue what someone in their early twenties even needs these days.

Read More >>

It’s graduation season once again, which means the hunt for high school graduation gifts is officially on.

With invites piling up and parties filling your weekends, you might be wondering what kind of gift feels thoughtful but not over-the-top, especially if you haven’t seen the grad since they were, like, 10. Whether you’re shopping for a niece, neighbor, or your best friend’s kid, we’ve rounded up some of the best high school graduation gifts that are actually useful. Think: dorm-ready essentials, small luxuries, and smart picks they won’t already get five of.

Read More >>

After chatting with more than 50 women — my family, friends, coworkers, and even our test kitchen team — it became crystal clear: cozy gifts never miss. Whether she’s a queen of lounging, a serial reader, or just loves a good cup of tea under a blanket, these gifts are all about making her feel extra loved. I've seen this stuff in person and compiled the input of a lot of moms. Trust us: these are the things she actually wants.

We’re talking buttery-soft house socks, dreamy candles, cozy loungewear, and little luxuries she might not splurge on herself.

Read More >>

If your mom loves setting a beautiful table, throwing backyard parties, or just always has a bottle of wine ready to go, this gift guide's for her. I polled more than 50 women—friends, family, coworkers (and even the Food52 test kitchen!)—about what they’d genuinely love for Mother's Day. If she's the type who always has a good cheese plate, fresh flowers, and an Aperol spritz ready, you can’t go wrong with these picks.

Expect pretty platters, fancy salts, candles that smell like a garden party, and a few can’t-miss extras she’ll actually use (and brag about).

Read More >>

This Mother’s Day, I asked more than 50 women in my life — family, friends, coworkers, even our test kitchen team — what they actually want as gifts. And turns out, it’s not always another candle (though those are still welcome).

If your mom, grandma, or mother figure lights up at a fancy olive oil or sees cookbooks as treasure maps, this list is for her. I rounded up some of the best gifts for moms who love to cook — from splurge-worthy tools to sweet experiences you can share together.

Read More >>

Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and if your mom spends most of spring and summer digging, pruning, planting, or admiring her flower beds, you’re in the right place. We rounded up the best gardening gifts for moms, from practical tools like watering wands and plant markers to thoughtful extras like gardener’s hand cream and a fresh tomato leaf candle. Whether she’s a veggie-grower, wildflower fanatic, or more of a tomato-in-a-container kind of gardener, this list has something she’ll use—and love.

To curate this list, I went straight to the source: my mom and my aunt. Both of them have serious planting experience. I grew up trailing behind my mom in the garden center at Home Depot and Lowe’s, not knowing what anything was, but totally enchanted by the colors and vines.

Read More >>

In The Green Scene, there's no such thing as a silly question about cannabis. What's the difference between THC and CBD? How the heck do I make edibles at home? What home design advice can dispensaries teach me? Kick back—we have the answers.

Editor's note: This piece was updated in April, 2025

Read More >>