6 unique gifts for the tastemaker in your life

We all have at least one person on our holiday gift list who’s tricky to buy for. They might be the person who has everything, the connoisseur with impeccable taste, or someone you’re paired with for Secret Santa that you might not know that well.  

Whichever bucket they fall into, Wine.com’s extensive gift list is a great go-to for fun, functional, and occasionally fancy gifts that make gifting the hard-to-buy-for not so hard at all.   

Brighten every drink 

Homewares are a great go-to for gift-giving because they can be as fun as they are functional. This set of four brightly colored tumblers from Riedel is the perfect example of that. The beautiful mismatched bases are an instant mood booster, while the innovative design makes them less susceptible to breakage and easy to put in the dishwasher.

Where cheese and Star Wars collide

Star Wars and cheese are two of the most universally loved things on the planet. If your giftee has a soft spot for both, this Death Star Cutting Board & Tools Set is the unexpected gift they’ll love. Once you’ve admired the detail on the Death Star graphic, open it up to find a split-level cutting board, recessed juice groove, and four cheese tools — in other words, everything you need to assemble a cheese board (minus the cheese of course). 

Gift basket for the gourmand

Who doesn’t love a basket full of fancy treats? The Connoisseur Gift Basket is full to the brim of treats from fine food companies. We love that it includes as many savory treats as it does sweet — from salami and crackers to almond cookies and dessert truffles, there’s something for every taste bud. 

A vacation in a basket

If your loved one deserves a vacation (who doesn’t!), the California Wine Tour Gift Basket is the next best thing. It features three wines — a Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir — from California’s wine country, along with a variety of delicious savory and sweet treats to pair with your glass. 

Festive sweets for the host

Gifting 'the host' in the family or friend group can be notoriously tricky. You want to find something that could be part of the celebrations but equally could be enjoyed after the guests are gone. This tower of festive treats is the answer. It includes two distinctive California wines, along with a selection of gourmet sweets, including chocolates, cookies, candies, and popcorn, all displayed in festive red and gold gift boxes. 

Three top-rated drops

Any wine rated 90 points and above is considered to be an outstanding drop. It’s the kind of wine that becomes your go-to for dinner parties and celebratory evenings. This trio of 90-point wines includes a prosecco, cabernet sauvignon, and a sauvignon blanc to appeal to every palate. It’s a great way to help a loved one discover their new go-to for the new year ahead.Remember, it really is the thought that counts in gift-giving. If you’re still stuck, browse the gift section — there’s so much more to explore, with options for every type of hard-to-buy-for person.

Please drink responsibly.