Gifting For The Obsessed – Julia Berolzheimer

Hey, it’s Thomas here! While brainstorming gift guides this year, I had a revelation: gifting for people with casual interests is one thing, but what about those whose hobbies have crossed over into full-blown obsessions? I’m talking about the folks who don’t just enjoy their passions — they live and breathe them. Luckily for you, I’m a man of many obsessions myself, and I’ve put together a gift guide that’s all about the niche items I’ve discovered and loved, plus a few things I’m eyeing for myself. Trust me, the obsessed people in your life may not even know some of these gems exist, but they’re sure to be thrilled.

Here’s the key to gifting the obsessed: you’ve got to be on a mission, and you might need to do a little sleuthing. Peek through their coffee corner, dig back through your DM history for clues, or try what my brother-in-law did — he asked me to borrow the exact product he was thinking of gifting, and when I responded, “Oh, I actually don’t have one of those,” he knew he was in the clear. Little detective work goes a long way!

From coffee to fitness, cooking and tech, I’ll be sharing my favorite products, must-have tools, and wishlist items for the most obsessed people in your life. Let’s dive in!

Coffee

For the coffee lover in your life, these gift ideas go beyond the basics. From advanced brewers and grinders to carefully curated subscriptions, these picks cater to the passionate coffee enthusiast who enjoys crafting the perfect cup.

Obsessed coffee fans typically have multiple brewing methods. This is my personal favorite. The Nextlevel Pulsar Brewer produces the best cup I’ve tried and is a must-have for anyone serious about their coffee.

I canceled all my other coffee subscriptions for this one. The Prodigal Coffee Subscription is absolutely worth it. Coffee aficionados will recognize Scott Rao, the founder, and his expertise shines through in every bag.

Want to elevate your coffee game? Use this ZeroWater filter or try a reverse osmosis filter, and pair it with Lotus Water Drops to create a custom water profile that perfectly matches the flavor of the coffee you’re aiming for.

I’m just waiting for the white version of this automatic big batch brewer to be released! The Fellow Aiden will be a game-changer for our household, with technology and batch sizes that make it both convenient and versatile. Julia’s going to love it, and I’ve already made room on the counter.

Instant coffee has come a long way. I keep a pack of these instant coffee sticks in my travel bag for flights or emergencies where a good cup is needed over a bad one. It’s so good, I even leave it for Julia when I’m out of town.

For the espresso lover on the go, the Picopresso is the ultimate portable espresso maker. I haven’t picked one up yet, but it’s perfect for anyone who needs their espresso fix while traveling.

Discovered this on my favorite coffee YouTube channel — the Blind Shaker outperforms other redistribution methods like WDT, making it a must-have tool for perfecting the shot.

This Bird Brewer is a beautifully designed, French press-like brewer that combines aesthetics with cool mechanics, ideal for anyone who loves a good-looking coffee setup.

Finally took the plunge on the Ember Mug after promoting it a lot during Amazon sales. It’s perfect for anyone who makes a cup and doesn’t immediately drink it — keeping the coffee at the perfect temperature.

This is the biggest investment on the list, but potentially the most unique. Every coffee enthusiast dreams of roasting their own beans, and the Kaffelogic Roaster lets them do just that. It’s even used by competition brewers for small batch perfection.

Most coffee lovers already have a method for preserving their beans, but the Airscape Coffee Canister is a top-tier option. I keep several on hand since I often buy different bags of whole beans at once.

Cooking

Gifting for a home chef? This selection of unique and high-quality kitchen tools and ingredients is sure to impress. Each item is chosen to elevate everyday cooking, whether it’s achieving the ideal temperature or adding complex flavors to dishes.

The Blackstone Griddle has a cult following among grill enthusiasts. Known for making amazing burgers, breakfasts, and more, this flat-top griddle is often a worthy addition or even a replacement for a traditional grill.

Ever wish for pizza night at home to taste like the real thing? The Gozney Pizza Oven offers precision and versatility that other outdoor setups just can’t match. It’s ideal for pizza and even handles steaks with ease — a pizza lover’s dream tool.

I try to avoid calling things “game changers,” but this Predictive Thermometer is truly one. Whether it’s a premium steak or a simple chicken breast, this thermometer guarantees perfect doneness every time. With eight temperature sensors and an app that forecasts when your food will be ready, it’s a must-have for anyone serious about cooking meat right.

Home cooks generate a lot of trimmings and waste, but the Mill Food Recycler turns that waste into small, odorless organic matter. It works like a trash can, letting you reduce food waste volume and environmental impact without any hassle.

Recommended by Kenji Alt Lopez, the Chef’s Press is a kitchen essential. Stackable and vented, these presses allow for better browning and moisture control, especially when batch-cooking on a grill or stovetop. Perfect for elevating grilled chicken or veggies.

Home chefs can never have too many pantry items, and Katz Agrodolce Vinegar is a fantastic addition. Known for its sweet and sour balance, this vinegar adds depth to salad dressings and roasted veggies — a recommendation straight from Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat.

A dedicated Spice Grinder is essential for any serious chef who knows the importance of fresh, whole spices. It’s perfect for creating custom blends and enhancing flavors by toasting spices before use.

After falling in love with Italian cured meats, I discovered Coro’s American Salami, and I’m obsessed. The Mole flavor is especially unique, combining meat with a hint of chocolate — even my daughter’s favorite!

Show your culinary knowledge by gifting MSG — a misunderstood ingredient that enhances umami in any dish. A fun, informed stocking stuffer for chefs ready to embrace flavor science.

Even the best home chefs deserve an easy night. The Spice House mixes are my go-to for meal prepping or when I want a quick, flavorful dinner without the fuss. A perfect gift for busy food lovers who value taste.

COOKBOOKS

• Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat – A cookbook that teaches the “why” of cooking. Samin Nosrat breaks down the fundamentals beautifully.
• The Food Lab – Kenji Alt Lopez’s guide to understanding the science behind cooking techniques for better control in the kitchen.
• Six Seasons – Joshua McFadden’s seasonal guide ensures you’re cooking with the freshest ingredients. I haven’t had a bad recipe yet.
• Flavor Equation – Nik Sharma’s book is a resourceful, scientific exploration of flavors.

The Looftlighter makes starting charcoal a breeze without the need for lighter fluid. A clean, quick, and effective tool for any grill master.

Let’s face it, we’re not always finishing that bottle in one sitting. The Repour Wine Saver is great for keeping wine fresh for a month, while the Coravin Wine System lets you enjoy a bottle over years without removing the cork. Ideal for wine lovers who savor every drop.

Health and Wellness

For those who prioritize health and wellness, these thoughtful gifts support a balanced, active lifestyle. From innovative recovery tools to fitness devices, each item is designed to help them achieve their wellness goals with precision.

Gifted to me by a friend, the Chirp Massage Wheel is a step up from foam rolling. Perfect for relieving tight muscles and activating groups before lifting.

Perfect for home or gym workouts, these adjustable dumbbells range from 5 to 80 pounds, making them incredibly versatile. Great for adding extra sets at home or building a complete workout routine with minimal space.

I have both the Roka eyeglasses and sunglasses, and they’re fantastic. With special nose and earpieces, they stay securely in place without sacrificing style — they look like regular glasses but perform at a whole new level.

While I don’t own it yet, the BeyondPower Voltra is a dream piece for serious strength training. Designed to connect to a squat rack, it’s the ultimate high-tech tool for maximizing performance.

This Walking Pad fits perfectly under a standing desk or bed, adding convenience to getting in those daily steps. With a compact design and incline option, it’s ideal for staying active while watching videos or listening to podcasts.

Cold plunging has become huge, and this Cold Plunge is the model I’m considering. It’s perfect for recovery, boosting circulation, and getting that post-plunge energy kick.

The Concept2 Rower is the gold standard in rowing machines, great for both zone 2 cardio and high-intensity intervals. I often pair it with Peloton rowing classes for a fantastic workout.

A challenging, full-body workout machine, the Assault Bike is my go-to for quick HIIT sessions. Its unique resistance adjusts to your effort, making it ideal for intense cardio bursts or warm-ups.

• Foot Splay: Foot Splay is great for improving foot alignment and comfort.
• Neuroball: The Neuroball provides targeted foot massage, enhancing circulation and recovery.

The BioMax Series offers red and near-infrared light therapy to boost skin health, muscle recovery, and overall wellness. With high-power LEDs and a modular design, it’s a fantastic at-home option for light therapy enthusiasts.

Eight Sleep’s Pod 4 optimizes sleep with personalized temperature control and even auto-adjusts for snoring. With customizable settings for each side, it’s a smart gift for anyone serious about improving their rest.

Function Health provides robust health testing multiple times a year, allowing users to track health markers over time. It has a waitlist, but if given as a gift, the recipient can skip the queue.

After extensive research, I chose the Oladance Over-Ear Headphones for workouts. With 50+ hours of battery life, they’re perfect for hassle-free listening during exercise, without constantly needing to recharge.

Miscellaneous Tech

These unique tech gadgets and tools are perfect for those hard-to-shop-for people with niche interests. Ranging from golf swing analyzers to high-quality label makers, these gifts add convenience and enjoyment to their favorite hobbies.

Hackmotion Golf Swing Analyzer is a dream for golfers of any skill level. As someone who only plays occasionally, I was tempted to order it myself. This device provides real-time feedback on your swing, potentially making golf more enjoyable and consistent.

Recommended by a friend with enviable organization skills, this LabelMaker is perfect for home and office. Simple to use, it’s a practical gift for anyone looking to add a touch of order to their daily life.

Another recommendation from the same friend, this Pressure Washer is a must-have for homeowners. It’s powerful, versatile, and might even inspire me to upgrade my own setup.

The Level Lock is a sleek, versatile smart lock that can be retrofitted onto nearly any existing door hardware. Ideal for anyone interested in smart home technology without sacrificing style.

Perfect for kids or travelers, this Bluetooth Headphone Transmitter allows you to connect Bluetooth headphones to devices without Bluetooth. Great for in-flight movies or sharing audio with friends.

I don’t own one myself, but a friend raves about this 3D Printer. It’s a professional-grade device, ideal for anyone eager to start creating 3D prints right out of the box.

For creators who want to use their phone’s best camera for selfies, the iSelfie 3 attaches to your phone to enable high-quality, rear-camera videos. I’m excited to test it myself once it arrives.

This iPhone and Watch Charger is a compact, efficient solution for anyone charging multiple devices like an iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods. Great for simplifying the bedside or desk setup.

The Samsung T9 is our go-to external hard drive. It’s reliable, compact, and even connects to newer iPhone models, making it perfect for those who need extra storage on the go.

With so many aspiring content creators, the Sony ZVe1 is a fantastic gift for those wanting professional video quality. It pairs with existing Sony lenses, making it an excellent upgrade for any Sony user.

For the adventurer or remote worker, Starlink provides incredibly fast and reliable internet from virtually anywhere on the planet. An essential for those who need connectivity while on the move.