The Wirecutter Show: “What Our Experts Are Giving This Year (Encore)”

Date: December 24, 2025
Hosts: Christine Cyr Clisset, Caira Blackwell, Rosie Guerin
Podcast: The New York Times’ Wirecutter Show

Episode Overview

This special encore episode gathers a dozen+ of Wirecutter’s discerning staff, who each share their favorite tried-and-tested product discoveries from the past year—items they’ve purchased, tested, or reported on, and now love enough to recommend as holiday gifts. From kitchen gadgets and quirky accessories to outdoor essentials and heartwarming gems, the episode is a rapid-fire celebration of practical, delightful, and sometimes splurgy picks. The tone is personal, enthusiastic, and infused with the Wirecutter team’s signature rigor and real-life experience.

Key Discussion Points & Recommendations

1. The Challenge of Gift-Giving

(03:00) Host Roundtable

• Gift-giving can be stressful, especially as Wirecutter employees, since people expect thoughtful, perfectly chosen presents.
• Finding something meaningful gets harder as it feels like everyone already has everything they want.
• The episode aims to make gifting easier with unique, staff-tested picks.

“Even if you are inspired throughout the year and jot things down, by the end, there are always like four or five people you’re like, shoot, what about them?”
— Christine Cyr Clisset (03:40)

2. Wirecutter Staff Picks: Segment 1

Yummi Taper Candles

Annemarie Conti, Deputy Editor (07:10)

• Not previously a “candle person,” Annemarie embraced these for her family meals.
• Affordable, clean-burning, durable; brings warmth to even the simplest family dinners.
• Notable Quote:

  “You can totally eat Cheerios by candlelight. And frankly, you should.”
  — Annemarie Conti (08:13)

Company Store Company Cotton Voile Quilt

Jackie Reeve, Senior Staff Writer, Bedding (08:35)

• Bought after repeatedly gravitating to it during testing—became a comfort during post-surgery recovery.
• Washes well, lightweight, comforting in many senses.
• Notable Quote:

  “There is something about a quilt that just makes me feel well taken care of, like it's all going to be okay.”
  — Jackie Reeve (09:25)

Norse Foundry Gemstone Dice

James, Staff Writer, Games & Hobbies (10:20)

• Gifted D&D dice crafted from precious stones as wedding party gifts.
• “Gorgeous,” satisfyingly hefty, makes gaming sessions special.

Swatch Flik Flak Watch for Kids

Amy Kravitz, Editor, Baby and Kid Team (11:15)

• Simple analog watch, helping her five-year-old learn to tell time.
• Affordable, nostalgic (“very similar to the Swatch I had as a kid”), considered special by her daughter.

Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter

Trey French, Staff Writer, Outdoor Gear (12:15)

• Ultra-portable and essential for frequent hikers.
• “A no brainer” for anyone who spends time on trails—lightweight, always in his pack.

Sangean WR-15 Tabletop Radio

Brent Butterworth, Staff Writer, Audio (13:02)

• Replaced smart speakers with this classic radio to avoid repetitive internet ads.
• Manual tuning knob, vintage meets modern, auxiliary input for streaming—“Fantastic day-to-day audio system.”
• Notable Quote:

  “It’s a perfect blend of vintage and modern tech... for a day-to-day audio listening system, it’s just fantastic.”
  — Brent Butterworth (14:04)

TWP Next Morning Shirt

Jennifer Hunter, Senior Style Editor (15:05)

• Luxuriously cut $400 button-up; practical features like sleeve-cuff buttons that never slip.
• Justifies the splurge as an “investment piece” for fellow shirt aficionados.
• Notable Quote:

  “If you’re buying for somebody like me who likes to get one beautiful splurgy thing and then wear it forever, this is a great contender.”
  — Jennifer Hunter (16:10)

Amazon Echo Dot for Kids

John Chase, Smart Home Editor (16:45)

• Reluctant at first, but found the Echo Dot gives his son musical autonomy without screen time.
• Immensely useful for alarms, music exploration, even intercom functionality between rooms.

Bird Buddy Smart Bird Feeder

Rachel Saracola, Senior Writer (18:03)

• Combines bird feeder, camera, and app—alerts when birds arrive, identifies species, connects to a birder community.
• "Like having your own private nature channel."
• Tip: Get the solar panel option for convenience.
• Notable Quote:

  “It really is a great gift for birdwatchers of all ages and anyone just looking for a fun new hobby.”
  — Rachel Saracola (19:11)

OXO Bench Scraper

Katherine Kast, Senior Editor (20:00)

• “You don’t know you need it until you try it”—for scooping veggies, scraping pastry, and even cleaning baby food.
• Affordable ($15), durable, crowd-pleasing stocking stuffer.

3. Wirecutter Staff Picks: Segment 2

Cosori Air Fryer Toaster Oven

Tom Dunn, Senior Staff Writer (23:05)

• Became the family’s everyday oven after their standard oven broke.
• Cooks and toasts more evenly than their old model; versatile and a game-changer.

Oh My! Hair Chalk

Ellen Lee, Senior Staff Writer, Baby & Kid (24:12)

• Vibrant hair color for kids; easy to clamp on and washes right out.
• Inspired by kids’ “K-pop demon hunter” obsessions.

Inflatable Air Wedge

Liam, Home Improvement Writer (25:00)

• Small, affordable tool for lifting furniture/appliances a few inches for cleaning or moving.
• Looks like a “blood pressure cuff”; makes maintenance tasks much easier.
• Notable Quote:

  “It’s not the kind of thing I use every day or even every week, but just having the thing makes me a little more likely to follow through on certain projects... I’m really happy that I have it.”
  — Liam (25:45)

Prada Lip Balm

Nicola, Senior Style Writer (27:00)

• A $50 splurge, but "a little extra is what makes it so fun to pull out."
• Beautiful packaging makes it feel like a special gift; recommends buying direct from Prada for the experience.

Ototo Garlica Garlic Crusher

Kaitlyn Wells, Home Office & Productivity Writer (29:00)

• Accessible garlic crusher for users with reduced hand strength or dexterity; playful Dracula design.
• Restores her ability to prep garlic despite neuropathy.
• Notable Quote:

  “This is definitely a kitchen gadget to grab if you want to add a little whimsy to your space or just need something simple and effective to use.”
  — Kaitlyn Wells (30:01)

Spyderco Triangle Sharpmaker

Mel Plout, Pets Writer (31:12)

• Knife sharpener from the “pocket knives” guide, but works for every knife type.
• Easy to use, dramatically improves the sharpness of any kitchen or utility knife.
• Notable Quote:

  “Everything’s different now when you’re not fighting with a tomato in your kitchen knife. Anyway, that’s it. Sharpen your knives. Use a Spyderco. It’s pretty awesome.”
  — Mel Plout (32:02)

Thermopro Temp Spike Plus Wireless Meat Thermometer

Kathleen Squires, Staff Writer, Kitchen (33:05)

• Lets you monitor meat remotely from up to 600 feet: reduces stress, multitask while cooking.
• Accurate and easy to use; removes guesswork from grilling/roasting.
• Notable Quote:

  “The best part is I’ll never ever have to fret about under or overcooked meat again.”
  — Kathleen Squires (34:05)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “You can totally eat Cheerios by candlelight. And frankly, you should.”
  — Annemarie Conti (08:13)

• “There is something about a quilt that just makes me feel well taken care of, like it's all going to be okay.”
  — Jackie Reeve (09:25)

• “It’s a perfect blend of vintage and modern tech... for a day-to-day audio listening system, it’s just fantastic.”
  — Brent Butterworth (14:04)

• “If you’re buying for somebody like me who likes to get one beautiful splurgy thing and then wear it forever, this is a great contender.”
  — Jennifer Hunter (16:10)

• “Like having your own private nature channel.”
  — Rachel Saracola (18:45)

• “Everything’s different now when you’re not fighting with a tomato in your kitchen knife.”
  — Mel Plout (32:02)

• “The best part is I’ll never ever have to fret about under or overcooked meat again.”
  — Kathleen Squires (34:05)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 02:50 – 05:30: Host roundtable on gifting pressure
• 07:10 – 21:00: Rapid-fire staff picks Part 1 (candles, quilts, dice, kids’ watches, etc.)
• 23:05 – 34:30: Staff picks Part 2 (toaster oven, hair chalk, air wedge, luxury lip balm, kitchen gadgets, etc.)

Final Thoughts

The Wirecutter Show’s holiday picks episode delivers practical, quirky, and heartfelt gifting recommendations, thoroughly tested and personally endorsed by Wirecutter journalists. Whether you’re hunting for the perfect present for a home cook, style maven, outdoors enthusiast, or a gadget-loving kid, you’ll find inspired options and plenty of honest, memorable testimonials.

For full product links, check the episode’s show notes.