Every freelancer or creative I know has a coffee routine, and if they don’t, they’re probably thinking about starting one. Coffee, communications, and freelancing all go hand in hand. It fuels the work, frames the rhythm, and sometimes, keeps us human.
So while this post might feel a little off-topic from my usual work, I think it’s right on point for the holidays. If you’re shopping for a coffee lover (or you are the coffee lover), this is my personal setup, tested daily, used across time zones, and often interrupted by kids.
Let’s get into it: here’s what I’d actually recommend for holiday coffee gifts this year.
This is the one for the coffee snob, or the reluctant one like me.
After living in Australia for 16 years, my expectations for coffee got… high. When we moved back to the U.S., the Moccamaster helped fill that gap.
It brews at the perfect temperature, it’s consistent, and the KBGT model comes with a thermal carafe, which is a game-changer if you’re brewing for two and want that second cup to still be hot.
✅ Handmade in the Netherlands
✅ Built to last
✅ Perfect for the coffee lover who’s outgrown their drip machine
I used the Baratza Encore for years (and still recommend it for a starter grinder), but the Fellow Ode Gen 2 was my Christmas upgrade last year, and it’s been worth every penny.
It’s:
Quieter than any grinder I’ve owned
Built for pour-over, French press, or drip
Beautiful on the counter
Designed for precision and ease
If someone on your list brews with a V60 or Moccamaster, this is the grinder to get.
👉 Check out the Fellow Ode Gen 2
If you want your gift to be next-level without breaking the bank, this is it.
The Maestri House Rechargeable Espresso Scale is a great entry point into precision coffee brewing, and one of those tools that once you start using, you wonder how you brewed without it. It’s compact, accurate, USB-C rechargeable, and includes a built-in timer for pour-over. I take it with me when I travel, and it lives on my counter the rest of the time.
✅ Accurate down to 0.1g
✅ Built-in timer
✅ Rechargeable (no batteries!)
✅ Small enough to fit under most brewers or pour-over stands
It’s an easy gift win that adds real value to someone’s daily brew—without needing to know exactly what machine or beans they use.
👉 Grab the Maestri House Scale on Amazon
If you’re giving gear, don’t forget the beans. A bag of stale grocery store coffee undoes all that nice equipment.
I gift Trade Coffee subscriptions often, especially to people who are just getting into better coffee. It’s fresh, fun, and helps them find roasters they wouldn’t otherwise know about.
Here’s what I love:
Beans are roasted after you order
You can choose blends or single origins
It ships quickly (even to Hawaii!)
Gifting options are easy to set up
Great stocking stuffer, even better long-term gift.
If you’re gifting someone great beans, pair it with a Fellow Atmos canister. Oxygen is the enemy of fresh coffee, and this thing literally vacuums it out. We use the 1.2L size (in matte black, of course).
✅ Looks great on the counter
✅ Keeps beans fresh longer
✅ Actually fun to use
I got my MIIR Travel Tumbler over 6 years ago now, and I now use it every single week.
It keeps coffee hot for hours (I’ve tested it, unintentionally), and it’s made by a cause-driven company I love supporting.
✅ Great for parents, freelancers, and anyone who forgets their mug
✅ Durable, stylish, and easy to clean
✅ Hot coffee that actually stays hot
If someone on your list loves coffee, or is starting to explore what good coffee can be, this gear makes a thoughtful, practical gift they’ll actually use.
And if that someone is you? Consider this permission to upgrade your own setup. You’ll be shocked how much better your mornings (and Zoom meetings) feel with a proper cup in hand.
Wishing you a joyful, well-caffeinated holiday season.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something through them, I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. It helps fuel the coffee, the testing, and the writing. Thanks for supporting the work.