Luxury Gift Guide: What We're Shopping for This Holiday Season

The season of holiday gifting — and shopping — is upon us. And if you're making a list, checking it twice, and scouting the best luxury gifts for the 2021 season, we've got plenty of suggestions. From tech gifts travelers will love (think: the latest Leica camera and a truly out-of-this-world telescope) to couture investment pieces that are built to last (peacoats, handbags, and leather boots — the trifecta), we've found the 33 best luxury gifts to buy this season. After a challenging holiday season last year, the celebrations in 2021 promise to be that much bigger and brighter, and what better to celebrate than with the perfect gift for each of your loved ones?

A Brother Veilles boot is a wardrobe essential this year for high-fashion shoppers keeping up with the must-own brands. And these leather ivory boots are nothing short of iconic, not to mention perhaps the most in-demand footwear trend of the last few months.

To buy: $795, brotherveilles.com

From independent cocktail house Death & Co., known for their outposts in LA, NYC, and Denver, Welcome Home is a luxe-yet-accessible mixology book that encourages the reader to bring elevated cocktails into their at-home routine. It's not only the perfect book for the craft cocktail lover in your life, it makes for extremely sleek decor — you might have noticed the Death & Co. cocktail books displayed in Trulia staging photos. Bring that energy into your home this holiday season.

To buy: $34, amazon.com

Google's latest in the Pixel series has what's probably the world's best smartphone camera, with built-in astrophotography and high-end effects that can make anyone's travel shots look fit for the cover of Travel + Leisure. The battery actually lasts all day, and wireless charging ensures this device is always travel-ready. Google's built-in assistant helps translate foreign words and phrases, another plus for anyone finally getting back to overseas travel in 2022.

To buy: From $899, google.com

Bridgewater Chocolate, a favorite among celebrities and chocolate fanatics alike (there's more crossover there than you'd think), is a Connecticut-based chocolatier creating absolutely gorgeous arrangements. Perfect to trot out at a family gathering, bring as a gift to a holiday party, or give to your favorite chocoholic.

To buy: $212, bridgewaterchocolate.com

Holiday gifting is a great time to give a wardrobe staple or an investment piece the receiver will have for years to come. This coat is exactly that — a piece your loved one will get great wear out of. It comes in multiple colors, but the camel is classic.

To buy: $695, vince.com

This bicolor jacquard bag is the enviable tote of the season, from the gold Balmain emblem to the perfectly soft fabric that holds its shape beautifully. The leather accents give the entire piece even more fashion gravitas — and it can be carried over-the-shoulder, in hand, or crossbody.

To buy: $1,550, balmain.com

In a year where restaurants still very much need our support, why not shop for your favorite kitchenware at a local restaurant (or one you're excited to get back to). The Inn at Little Washington, home to a three-Michelin-star restaurant, is selling its eclectic line of kitchen accoutrements this year, like this luxe teapot.

To buy: $175, theinnatlittlewashington.com

This wool, cashmere cardigan is the perfect holiday gift because they'll wear it all season long. Extra credit for those who write "THIS is an Alaïa" in the card, à la Cher Horowitz.

To buy: $1,990, net-a-porter.com

Four Seasons has a phenomenal home line — aptly named Four Seasons At Home — for the hotel and home decor lover in your life. If you're keen on giving the gift of hygge (who isn't, really?), you can't go wrong with this buttery soft cashmere throw.

To buy: $949, fourseasons.com

There is no luxury travel gift more classic than these Louis Vuitton city guides. The 15-guide set features gorgeous colors and illustrations of Sydney, Berlin, Los Angeles, and other global fashion destinations.

To buy: $740, louisvuitton.com

Holiday jewelry, anyone? The chain-chokers are extremely on trend these days and work for any gender, whether it's worn with a turtleneck sweater or a low v-neck dress. The G Link is delicate while still making a (fashion) statement.

To buy: $620, givenchy.com

Is there anything more holiday-chic than a pair of red velvet shoes? We think not. These Tom Ford sandals, embellished with a gold padlock and a gold heel, are the perfect occasion shoes to give in December. The made-in-Italy flats pair perfectly with a black cocktail dress or pant suit.

To buy: $1,150, net-a-porter.com

Diptyque's holiday candles hone in on three perfect December scents: pine tree, snowflake, and holiday pastry. The designs are gorgeous on each of the three candles, with real gold flecks covering the glass exteriors.

To buy: $126, diptyqueparis.com

For the golf lover in your life — who perhaps has a trip to a sunny golf resort in their future — a Vessel bag is a perfect choice. The built-to-last bag made of tour-grade synthetic leather comes with strategic pockets and a rotator stand.

To buy: $395, vesselbags.com

Halfdays is the 'it girl' outerwear of ski season. Their sets — like the Aston jacket and the Alessandra pant in their new spritz color — look incredible on the slopes, as does their fitted Carson bib. Choose the bib in olive and pair it with a black underlayer as a chic outfit for the ski girl in your life.

To buy: $295, halfdays.com

Hermès staples go well beyond scarves. Their twillies are in high demand, as are their cashmere scarves. But Hermès does luxury men's accessories extremely well, too. Get the gentleman in your life an exceptional, silk Hermès tie — for him to save for a special occasion.

To buy: $205, hermes.com

This isn't just a timeless accessory — it's an heirloom piece. The crown is set in diamonds, the bracelet is Milanese mesh, and the grey-tinted mother-of-pearl face is perfectly sophisticated.

To buy: $5,300, dior.com

If diamonds are a girl's best friend, then the recipient of these is destined to be BFFs with these earrings. Subtle rose gold points, offset by clusters of diamonds, make for an absolutely stunning presentation. She'll never want to take them off.

To buy: $6,900, tiffany.com

These Brunello Cucinelli gloves are as sleek and luxurious as they are soft and warm. The shearling-lined leather gloves would go perfectly with the Vince coat on our luxury shopping list, if you're looking to curate a full-on winter outfit for someone special.

To buy: $1,395, neimanmarcus.com

Tom Dixon glassware and kitchen accoutrements are classique, much like this stone serve board. If you give it as a gift the night before you host company, it'll make the perfect palette for your artistic charcuterie board.

To buy: $110, tomdixon.com

Spoilers: men like cashmere, too. Vince has rolled out some gorgeous cashmere sweaters for the season, and we're fans of this zip-up, which can be worn over a t-shirt or a collared shirt.

To buy: $525, nordstrom.com

Looking for a stocking stuffer? It doesn't get any better — or more luxe — than Valmont Cosmetics. Their primary pomade is the perfect winter cream, going on thick but seeping in right away to soothe skin and leave it looking revived and youthful.

To buy: $275, lamaisonvalmont.com

Whether you're visiting friends or relatives who just moved into a new home, or you're just looking to round out your collection after buying a wine fridge mid-lockdown, a Riedel decanter is a classic. You can't go wrong with this brand — it's what the vino pros swear by.

To buy: $525, williams-sonoma.com

A set of caviar isn't so much a gift under a tree as it is a perfect kick-off to a holiday celebration. Surprise your group with it, or order the caviar gift set ahead of time. With the spread from Fulton Fish Market, everything you need — blinis, creme fraîche — is right in the box.

To buy: $400, fultonfishmarket.com 

Why not take the Christmas jammies tradition and kick it up a notch? These Olivia von Halle PJs on Net-a-Porter are lovely silk satin, with mother-of-pearl buttons and beautiful, alluring flowers.

To buy: $560, net-a-porter.com

Who says the bottle of expensive liquor you give out around the holidays has to be aged scotch? Clase Azul, a Mexico-based tequila company, offers limited-edition bottles that most in-the-know tequila drinkers can't wait to get their hands on. And their Clase Azul Gold is still available through select purveyors.

To buy: $681, caskers.com

Doyle Collection recently launched a shop where fans of the brand can shop their china and glassware, among other fixtures of the five-star hotels. These sidecar coupe glasses — which fall somewhere between a coupe and a Nick and Nora — are embellished with a gold rim, perfect for the cocktail enthusiast in your life.

To buy: €50, doylecollection.com

Ray-Ban Wayfarers are already iconic, but these ones have quite the upgrade. They're Ray-Ban's first generation of smart sunglasses, Ray-Ban "Stories," allowing you to capture and create content with your "wearable tech" — perfect for the on-the-go traveler and creative.

To buy: $329, rayban.com

Rudsak has a nearly unbeatable collection of new coats this season, but the standout is this gorgeous houndstooth down jacket, which brings haute couture to the slopes. The fitted, down jacket is belted to accentuate your figure, and the hood and collar are both dramatic and functional.

To buy: $645, rudsak.com

Leica's M10 Digital Rangefinder packs an adventurous and high-resolution punch into a beautiful, compact, and well-crafted frame. In addition to the black chrome camera, this package comes with corel photo software and a flex tripod, among other accessories. Overall, Leica's M10 is trusted by some of the best travel photographers, and there's no better stamp of approval in our books.

To buy: $8,225, amazon.com

Cuyana is a favorite amongst travelers thanks to its super-functional and long-lasting bags, made with beautiful Italian leather. Their classic tote, made at a woman-owned factory in Turkey, is simple and sleek — the perfect bag to bring to the office every day as we return to work.

To buy: $195, cuyana.com

For the aspiring astronaut and the tech enthusiast, Vaonis Telescopes are the way to go, touted on their website as the "most advanced astronomical instrument ever developed." Start with the Hyperia telescope, which uses direct drive motorization and has a sturdy, 165-pound titanium body.

To buy: vaonis.com