11 Big-Ticket Gifts for the Biggest Taste Gods in Your Life

Shopping for the holidays is notoriously tricky, no matter who’s on your list. (There’s a reason guides like this one abound every December.) So allow me to clue you in on a little secret: the subtle art of gift giving comes down to one straightforward mission—make the recipient, no matter who it is, feel special.

How special, though, depends on your relationship with the person on the receiving end of your generosity. So take a moment to really think about it. Gifts that reference a shared moment, evoke a creative spark, or promise some degree of utility are always safe bets—bonus points if they drive a little sentimental value, too. When all else fails, though, my motto is: try your best and to hell with the rest.

So in that spirit, I turned to Mr Porter, the one place you can usually rely on to do the hard work for you. Whether you’re shopping for a close friend, a loved one, a colleague you barely know, or yourself, the British e-comm operation has you covered. Here’s where I’d start.