Our Favorite Stocking Stuffers

Oh my god, this controller is so tiny. It measures just under 3 inches by 1 inch. It's so cute! It's available in eight different candy colors, including two different transparent versions—purple and teal—that remind me of the Nintendo 64 controllers of my youth. The Atom is compatible with Nintendo Switch, PC, macOS, iOS, and Android devices. The best part is that it does actually work. I used it to play Stardew Valley and Bastion on my iPhone. It's important to note that those tiny buttons work well, but they're very small. My thumbs sometimes pressed up on the D-pad instead of left. I wouldn't necessarily want to complete a Skull Cavern run using the Atom. But for simple or retro-style gameplay, it's an excellent and very affordable portable controller that looks cute on a keychain to boot. It's got 10 hours of battery life and charges via USB-C.

Sometimes giving a loved one money feels a little … lackluster. It's a great gift to receive but it's difficult to give it in a fun way. The Bilz Gift Card Puzzle makes it easy. The little reusable plastic envelope holds a gift card, and it's unlocked via a maze. Guide the tiny metal ball through the plastic tunnels to unlock your prize. Solving it tested my patience. All I heard in my head was the voice of my mother, telling me to be smarter than the gift card holder. But I did solve it in the end, and it felt like a triumph. I earned that gift card. The best part is the gift holders are reusable so you can prank your loved ones again and again. The company also makes a maze for cash, and the solutions are available online if you find yourself stumped. (Don't ask how I know this.)

Bubble makes some of the best skin care out there, especially for teens. This set of six minis is great for testing the products out or for more travel-friendly versions of existing favorites. It includes a cleanser, two serums, an eye cream, a moisturizer, and an overnight mask. That's basically everything you need for a full routine, morning and night. Bubble makes other holiday sets that are stocking-sized, too. I like everything I've tried from the brand (and so do the youngsters in my life).

It may be more practical than exciting, but this braided multi-cable is perfect for slipping on a keyring to ensure that your giftee is never caught without the cable they need to charge their phone and other gadgets. One of the best USB-C cables, it also covers USB-A, Lightning, and MicroUSB, and can deliver up to 100 watts or transfer data. —Simon Hill

GIR stands for “Get It Right,” and I think this product is an excellent example. A five-pack comes with five foldable straws, two silicone carrying cases, and a squeegee for cleaning. My straws' design reminds me of Funfetti cake, but there are loads of different color schemes available. As someone with cold sensitivity, I greatly prefer using straws, but I also love sea turtles (and sometimes restaurants don't have straws at all). I managed to cram two straws in my travel case and have used them every chance I get since. The silicone is soft enough that you don't run the risk of injury, but still sturdy enough for sipping. Check out more of our favorite reusable products for additional ideas.

I audibly gasped when I unboxed these handwarmers. They're truly stunning and the handmade, artisan quality shows in every stitch. They're 100 percent wool, so they're ultra-warm, but your hands will remain dextrous thanks to the free use of your fingers. I feel like a Hallmark movie character when I wear them. If this motif isn't your favorite, there are tons of other gorgeous designs to choose from.

This sexual wellness kit from Foria includes Melts with CBD, which are suppositories that deliver 50 milligrams of broad-spectrum CBD as well as lubrication upon melting. You’ll also get little vials of Arousal Oil with CBD, which stimulates erogenous zones, and Sex Oil, which is a soothing, luxurious lube. All of them feature CBD and natural organic ingredients like coconut oil or cocoa butter, with no synthetic additives or fragrances. I found them to be smooth and pleasant with no noticeable effects other than excellent lubrication. And no, unlike some of the brand’s past products, these won’t get you high.

This would be great for one person with a habit of losing lip balms, or you could split it up among a few chapped-lip loved ones. Jack Black lip balms are thick and rich and great. I find them to be immediately soothing on chapped lips, and they also help prevent the irritation from getting worse. The “natural mint” flavors are pleasant, and the unflavored one doesn't have a noticeable scent or taste.

Anyone with a penchant for design or midcentury-modern flair would appreciate these stunning playing cards. The brown-toned color scheme makes this the most unique-looking deck of playing cards I’ve ever played with. The designs for each card are completely unique and unlike anything I've seen before. This deck is based on The Little Toy, a building kit from 1952. Other designs are available, all of them very cool—but dare I say, not as cool as this one.

The men in my life have had success with a few different designs from The Tie Bar, but none have made us “ooh” and “aah” like this one. There are a few different designs and products in the Camp Wandawega collection, all inspired by cabins, the forest, and sitting around a fire with your pals. This tie is made of Italian silk and comes in perfectly giftable packaging. The quality is there—it feels hefty and luxurious, and I appreciate the detail in the pattern on both the front and the back. It looks striking without being overly busy.

Have you ever seen anything more delightful in your life? I very highly doubt it. These tiny handmade stoneware vegetables (plus yuzu) have so many cute and special details. The little shiitake mushroom cap has a matte finish, the yuzu has little divots, and the cucumber has two tiny end pieces that I could imagine chopping off if I were the size of Thumbelina. They make excellent chopstick rests and I never want to take them off my table. The affordable price tag is the icing on the vegetable.

These press-on nails will give you the quickest manicure of your life, and they're available in a ton of cool styles, including holiday themes. They only take a few minutes to put on, and there are plenty of included sizes so every nail will have the perfect fit. They've lasted me two weeks. Pro tip: Slightly file the inside of the artificial nail before gluing for better adhesion.

Our furry friends need stocking stuffers too. Get them Maev's Supplement Bars or Bone Broth Topper, both of which my dog thoroughly enjoyed. The latter is a cube of frozen bone broth that you toss into their food so that it melts delicious goodness into their dinner. Maev makes a lot of claims with its Supplement Bars—I got the Skin & Coat one, which supposedly helps create a shinier and softer coat with reduced shedding. I can't vouch for these claims as I haven't seen any drastic improvements like that in my limited time with these treats, but the most important thing is my dog goes crazy for them, and I like that there are very, very few ingredients with no weird names I can't pronounce.—Julian Chokkattu