I'm grateful to have uncles who have been supportive father figures in my life, especially the two who helped me navigate New York when I moved to the city. I will be showing them some extra love this holiday season in the form of thoughtful gifts that speak to their favorite hobbies, fall under their everyday essentials, or express what I like about them.
I bet you'll find something for the uncle who's had a positive influence on you, too. Do they like drinking whiskey? Try giving them their own barrel ($85 and up). Are they adventurous cooks? Theuy'll love this Anthony Bourdain-approved Senegal Cookbook ($25). Scroll on for more unique ideas that will bring a smile to their face and make you the favorite niece or nephew.
Made from ingredients like ginger, turmeric, and rosemary, this Herb-Infused Avocado Oil Gift Set ($24) belongs to their pantry. It'll make for some pretty tasty at-home dinners.
I bet they'll love this Beer-Infused BBQ Sauce ($35), which will give their meat a hoppy punch. It's infused with craft beer, so we're really curious about the taste.
Bring on the fun! This Beeropoly Game ($38) will give them and their friends a reason to have their favorite beer while exchanging laughs. Order it early so it's here before the holidays.
If they've got a knack for making their own everything in the kitchen, they'll appreciate growing their own herbs with this Herb Garden Kit ($27, originally 30). Even if they live in a small space, they can just use one window to create their urban oasis.
What makes a more soothing gift than this Fine Acrylic Art ($33 and up)? It will be their favorite thing to stare at, and set the tone for each day as they admire it every morning.
This Brick Touch Speaker ($35) is one of the most useful gifts you can give. They'll be reminded to stay hydrated while listening to music or their favorite podcast.
They'll be excited to try this Bourbon Infused Coffee ($20), which are made from 100% Arabica beans. Don't you wonder how it tastes too?
Support their coffee-drinking habit with this Single-Serve Coffee Machine ($40, originally $56). It's easy to use and small enough to carry on road trips.
Help them unwind (but not really) with this not-so-easy New York Times Custom Front Page Puzzle ($50). Give them a distraction to labor over, trust me they'll enjoy the challenge.
Give them an Urban Map Glass ($18 each) that represents their home state, and make them smile. It will transport them to some hopefully heartwarming memories.
If they like dark liquor, they'll probably be into this Whiskey and Rum Making Kit ($25 - $75). They can anything from scotch whiskey, spiced rum or a bourbon.
This odorless Living Composter ($199) will allow them to turn their food scraps (including onion peelings, grain foods, and tea bags) into fertilizer. The composter can process more than two pounds of food a week, so if they cook often, they'll get plenty of use out of it.
Bring some organic influences to their kitchen accessories with this stylish Acacia Wood Cheese Board ($36). We love the soft curves and elongated handle, making it stand out.
This Pierre Thiam Cookbook ($90) makes an excellent gift for adventurous cooks. Since buying it after watching Anthony Bourdain's episode in Senegal, my husband and I have adopted a few recipes into our repertoire, and they have easily been our favorites.
They can quickly clean up after a long day with this Hard Day's Work Kit ($49). It includes charcoal soap, a shampoo bar, hand and body cream, creamy pomade, a moisturizing lip balm, and a bath soak.
This Beer Sleeping Bag ($16) will come in handy on his next road trip. It will allow them to take their love of beer anywhere.
This high-tech HomeSoap Household Sanitizer ($200) will keep all their small essentials clean. From the cell phone that they probably leave anywhere to the keys that may have been hanging everywhere, the device will do away with bacteria.
They'll have no problem reaching for the next happy hour drink with this handy Kalalou Liquor Cabinet ($130). It takes up little space, yet can store a few of his go-to bottles.
Make them smile with this Personalized Uncle Coffee Mug ($18). If they're also a tech geek, they'll appreciate it even more.
Whether they drink coffee or tea, keep their drinks toasty for longer with this cute yet useful USB Cup Heater ($13). It also comes in a stunning pink and purple butterfly pattern.
No more worrying about frayed wires or having enough charging cables. Get them this Tozo W1 Thin Wireless Charger ($10, originally $20) for a seamless charging experience. From their bedside table or desk to their entryway, this wireless charger will make their life easier. It comes in a variety of sleek colors as well like gold, silver, space gray, rose gold, and more.
If they're always bringing their computer or reading to their bed, gifting this incredibly useful Kikkerland Design Bedside Caddy ($23) will seriously help their sleep routine. Once they have it, they'll wonder how they lived without it.