Do you have a coffee lover or two in your life? Want to get them a coffee related present for the holidays but unsure what to get them? Here’s a list of relatively inexpensive gifts that could help.  

The list is primarily composed of things I own/have, owned/tried and feel comfortable recommending. If a product isn’t listed, you can assume it’s because I have no experience with it rather than negative judgement on its quality or usefulness.

Brewing Equipment

French Press: Price Range from $20 to $35

A simple, small footprint multi-use product for brewing coffee or tea. This is great for people who enjoy both coffee and tea – all you need is water and coffee. It comes in multiple sizes, colors and styles. Note: for coffee, the last 2 or 3 sips of the brewed coffee can be a bit silty.

Recommended Brands:

1. Bodum Brazil French Press, currently on sale for $17
2.  Coffee Gator, currently $35.99

Note:  a grinder will be needed.  See miscellaneous section below.

Mocha Pot: Price Range from $20 to $55

A simple, small footprint product for brewing coffee (stronger than drip coffee but weaker than espresso). All you need is water and coffee, and it comes in multiple sizes and colors.

Recommended Brands:

1. Bialetti Moka Express (Multiple colors/sizes), currently on sale for $41.34
2. Bialetti Moka Express (Silver only, 3 cup/9cup), available for $23.95

Note:  a grinder will be needed.  See miscellaneous section below.

Pour Over: Price Range from $20 to $100

Pour over coffee is great for people who like rituals and learning new skills with which they can practice/hone over time. Pour over sets come in a wide variety of configurations and will require more components then the other brewing tools listed. They come in multiple sizes and colors.

Recommended Brands:

1. CHEMEX Pour Over Glass Coffeemaker, available  for $45.09
2. Bodum Pour Over Coffee Maker, currently on sale for $19.99

Note: A gooseneck kettle and grinder will be needed. See Miscellaneous section.

Hario V60 Pour Over Components

If there’s a special person in your life and you want to splurge on them, you can’t go wrong with the Hario V60 line of drippers, carafes and accessories. Unfortunately, it doesn’t come in kit form and will have to get all the needed items separately.

1. Hario Pour Over Starter Set with Dripper, available for $27.99
2. Glass Range Coffee Server (multiple sizes), available for $22.36
3. Drip Station, available for $25.99

Note: A gooseneck kettle and grinder will be needed. See Miscellaneous section.

Cold Brew, $20 to $30

A simple product for brewing cold brew coffee. It comes in multiple sizes and colors, but here’s something you should keep in mind, this is not a multi-use tool. Unlike the French press above, cold brewers cannot take hot water and therefore tea cannot be brewed.

Recommended Brand:

Hario Mizudashi Cold Brew Coffee Pot, currently on sale for $20.50.

Espresso Machines

Since this is a list of relatively inexpensive gift idea, espresso machines won’t be listed. Just a tip though, if you really want to get someone an espresso machine, a proper one will start at $400 to $500. Yes, there are cheaper machines available, however they have performance and longevity issues. I’m planning on writing a buyer’s guide for espresso machines, but don’t plan to publish it until after the new year.  Keep an eye out for it though!

Coffee, $15 to $25

Nothing makes a coffee aficionado happier than a bag of small batch, roasted coffee beans from a local shop. If the coffee lover in your life already has all the brewing equipment and accessories they need, than coffee beans would be the perfect gift. The listed shops ship nationwide.

Recommended Brands:

1. Qualia Coffee:  small variety of medium roast beans for pour over/french press.
2. Vigilante Coffee: small variety of coffee beans and roasts.
3. Caffè Amouri:  large variety of coffee beans, roasts and teas.
4. RAKO Coffee Roasters:  small variety of coffee beans and roasts.

Servingware, $15 to $25

In addition to coffee beans, you can’t go wrong with mugs and espresso glasses. The brands and styles listed below are some of my personal favorites!

Recommended Brands for Glass Cups:

1. Bormioli Rocco Oslo Cappuccino Glass Cups, four pieces for $16.99
2. Bormioli Rocco OSLO Glass Coffee Mug, four pieces for $18.99
3. De’Longhi Double Walled Thermo Espresso Glasses, two for $15.79
4. Bormioli Rocco Verdi Espresso Cup, four pieces currently on sale for $14.99

Porcelain Cups

If your gift recipient favors porcelain, there are many brands available each offering a wide variety of sizes, shapes  and colors. Personally, I like Target’s Threshold line of products.

Recommended Brands:

1. 3.4oz Porcelain Espresso Cup with Saucer White, $4 per cup
2. 13oz Square Coffee Mug, $3 per cup
3. 14oz Coffee Mug, $3 per cup

Miscellaneous 

Here are a couple of accessories and items that could be useful.

Coffee Filters, $10 to $25

If you’re getting someone a pour over kit or the gift receiver already has a pour over setup, disposable coffee filters would always be welcome.

Recommended Brands:

1. Hario Coffee Filters, 300 sheets currently on sale for $15.29
2. CHEMEX Classic Coffee Filters, 100 count for $18.99

Reusable Coffee Filters

Reusable coffee filters are a great option as well. They come in metal and cloth compositions. Unfortunately, I’ve never used one so I couldn’t recommend a brand/model so you guys will have to let us know what YOUR recommendations are below.

Coffee Bean Canisters, $20 to $30

These are great for storing and keeping whole bean coffee fresh. They come in various sizes so choose whatever your heart desires!  I highly recommend Coffee Gator premium coffee canisters – browse their collection here.

Grinders, $30 to $100

The best coffee (most of the time at least) starts with fresh whole coffee beans. Whole bean coffee will need to be ground before brewing, which leads us to grinders. The best brands/models aren’t cheap, however they can be used to grind spices as well as coffee, which is a definite plus!

Here’s something to keep in mind though, whether you choose the brands/models below or something else, keep in mind that the manual grinders have a bit of a learning curve so be patient.

Recommend Brands:

1. Hario Ceramic Coffee Mill, available for $38.50
2. Hario Ceramic Coffee Mill Skerton, currently on sale for $45
3. Capresso Infinity Conical Burr Grinder, available for $99.90
4. Capresso Cool Grind Coffee/Spice Grinder, available for $27.95

Alright everyone, that’s a wrap for today!  We hope you enjoyed Sung Shin’s, our resident coffee expert, post on coffee gift recommendations for the holiday season.  To see more of his work, check out our coffee tab and keep an eye out for more! Happy shopping!