This post is not sponsored. All opinions and recommendations are my own.
If you're stumped on what to get someone for Christmas, let the internet be your guide. There's online gift guides tailored to every type of recipient, from techies to fitness junkies to fashionistas. It's also good to think about what your loved ones truly need and what will bring them a lot of value. There's nothing better than a thoughtful gift that comes from your heart and that they can use for months or even years to come.
Here are some gift ideas for the coffee lover in your life, whether they're an espresso expert, a Keurig connaisseur, or a casual Starbucks visitor.
Gift card to their favorite local coffee shop
With local businesses needing support more than ever, this is my top gift recommendation for the latte lover in your life. Most coffee shops have gift cards or gift certificates available for purchase. (This is a good way to support shops because even if COVID-19 restrictions and precautions make it difficult to visit a location in-person at this very moment, the gift card can be saved for when it IS possible to visit, but the coffee shop still gets the monetary support now.) Up the cuteness of the gift by getting a mug or tumbler to go with it. (Some coffee shops even sell hoodies or t-shirts!) Many coffee shops also have online stores, so check the website if you're ordering for someone who lives in a different place and you can't visit the coffee shop yourself. Place the gift card in the mug, jazz it up with some confetti or tissue paper, and voila!
Mermaid Straws
If the coffee lover in your life consistently opts for drinks of the iced variety, a reusable straw is a must. They're good for the environment and they look cute, what's not to love? I've been using Mermaid Straws for years and I'm obsessed. They come in a variety of colors (I personally love the shiny purple ones - the classic "Mermaid" - but they also come in other chic shades like rose gold and black), sizes (regular or extra-long) and shapes (straight or curved). Each order also comes with a free cleaning brush.
I also recently learned that the site has a line of OOPS Straws, which are products that are still functional but discounted for some sort of cosmetic imperfection. These might not be the best for gifts, but these are a fun find if you're like me and you're a sucker for funky flawed things. (I love that stand at the grocery with discounted misshapen fruit! What can I say, I love my cute little oddly shaped apples or bumpy sweet potatoes).
Chamberlain Coffee
Am I older than the teen target demographic for Emma Chamberlain? Yes. Do I still watch her Youtube videos, listen to her podcast, and eye her products? Also yes. Chamberlain Coffee is a popular high-quality coffee line by influencer and Youtuber Emma Chamberlain most known for its cold brew coffee in which you steep a bag overnight. (Add almond milk and French vanilla creamer, to make it into the classic Chamberlain cold brew recipe.) You can also purchase ground coffee or whole beans.
Personally, I think the bundles would make great gifts. They include a mason jar, a reusable straw and a tote bag in addition to the coffee. Personally, I think the Careless Cat variety is adorable. Chamberlain Coffee would make a great gift for the Youtube-loving coffee drinker in your life, like a trendy teen or someone who's savvy on all things TikTok.
Skinny Syrups
Syrups are an absolute game-changer for homemade lattes. They are the best way to add vivid flavor to your coffee drink, and there are SO many varieties to choose from. One of my favorite brands is Skinny Syrups, which are sugar-free and zero calories. The seasonal trios (like this holiday set, which includes a cinnamon vanilla flavor - yum!) would make a great gift, as would this classic sampler for flavors that can last all year long. The brand also has convenient on-the-go syrup pouches which would make a perfectly sweet stocking suffer! You can order syrups online, or find them at stores like TJ Maxx.
Mr. Coffee Iced Coffee Maker
This appliance has been a hot item this year, although there are some mixed reviews (several users on the Target website said it either started leaking or smoking after the first use, so that's kind of yikes). But it seems like some others swear by it. It's about $30, which is pretty reasonable compared to other coffee machines. So if you know someone who always goes iced even when it's 30 degrees out and they're in the market for a new coffee machine, this could be worth trying.
Alfred x DedCool Lip Balm Trio
Alfred Coffee, a cool-kid spot for matcha and iced vanilla lattes, is totally on my coffee shop bucketlist. Even if the coffee lover in your life doesn't live in Los Angeles, they can still get an Alfred fix with these cute lip balms. This trio comes with the three flavors: coffee, matcha and oat milk. (You can also buy them individually, but at the time of this writing, those are sadly sold out.) The site also has gift boxes and a Vanilla Latte DIY Kit, which would be another fun way to bring some Alfred into someone's life.
Milk frother
In my opinion, a milk frother is the number one way to level up your home coffee game, for both hot and iced drinks. If you know a latte or cappuccino lover, this is an amazing gift for them (although it's a bit more of a splurge compared to other items on this list). There are several types, but I highly recommend the Aeroccino from Nespresso, which you can find on the brand's website, as well as Target and Amazon.
Coffee Over Cardio
Coffee Over Cardio is a cute brand I see all over Instagram. The playful, colorful packaging and uniquely flavored coffees (like Birthday Cake and Cinnamon Bun) would make a fun gift for any caffeine queens and kings you know to help them mix up their daily coffee routine. They sell both ground coffee and products in K-cup form, as well as creamers and apparel. The K-Pod Party Pack or the On the Rocks Cold Brew seem like major gift material. Throw in a coffee headband or statement mug and you've got an adorable little gift bundle.
I hope this gave you some nifty gift ideas that will bring joy to the coffee lover in your life! Happy shopping!