After a few in-office chats with our resident meat-thermometer expert, Noah, I landed on the Typhur InstaProbe, which is 30% off right now. It delivers fast, consistent readings—less than a second to get an accurate temperature—and my neat-freak (said lovingly) boyfriend will appreciate the built-in magnet that lets him store it on the fridge next to his knives instead of losing it in a drawer. —Olivia Tarantino, senior commerce editor
Cookbook starter pack
Start Here: Instructions for Becoming a Better Cook, Sohla El-Waylly
Ottolenghi Simple: A Cookbook
Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking
I’m also getting him a few classic cookbooks for kitchen newbies. Sohla El-Waylly’s Start Here, Samin Nosrat’s Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat, and Yotam Ottolenghi’s Simple. —OT
Tumbler for kids (and also iced lattes)
Owala Kids Plastic Tumbler with Spill Resistant Flexible Straw
I recently came across a TikTok that recommended using this kids’ Owala tumbler for iced lattes and I was instantly sold. I’ve been on the hunt for the ideal iced matcha cup for some time and never would have thought the answer was lying in the kids’ section of my favorite water bottle brand. This cup has a straw (a non-negotiable for me), is spill-proof, comes in cute colors, and is 20% off its already low price for Black Friday. —Alaina Chou, commerce writer
Composter for the kitchen
I’m not sure I’ve wanted any item as badly as I want the Mill food recycler since I put a Felicity doll on my list for Santa in 1998. New York City mandated curbside compost earlier this year, and while that’s great news for the environment, it’s bad news for my kitchen. I don’t have a ton of counter space for my food scraps to begin with, and even the best countertop compost bins eventually get smelly due to the layer of watery food sludge that pools at the bottom.
The Mill promises to alleviate all those issues: It’s a freestanding bin that churns food debris into what my colleague describes as a “loamy mix that looks like soil and smells faintly sweet and earthy.” And for Black Friday, the admittedly expensive appliance is $300 off—meaning, this is the best time to invest in one. —AS
Padded tote for work and gym (and general life)
Calpak
Luka Mini Tote in Chocolate
I’d been eyeing this do-it-all tote for a long time (how cute is the puffy exterior!) and finally pulled the trigger while it was on sale for Black Friday. Thanks to its zippered top and many pockets, including one that fits my 13-inch MacBook Air and two easy-to-access exterior storage spots for my phone, it’s become a strong contender for my go-to everyday work bag. The padded straps are just the right length for slinging over my shoulder, making the bag comfy to carry even when it’s packed full of work necessities, gym clothes, or my grocery—or wine store—run. —AS
A beloved restaurant’s cookbook
The Barbuto Cookbook: California-Italian Cooking from the Beloved West Village Restaurant
I’ve been eyeing this cookbook, hailing from Barbuto, a restaurant I (and countless other people) love in the West Village, as a gift ahead of this holiday season. And in case you were wondering, the recipe for their iconic roast chicken is included. —Li Goldstein, associate newsletter editor
Chic recycled-glass drinkware
East Fork
Ripple Recycled Glassware, Tall
I happened to be in North Carolina a few weeks ago and got to see a lot of the non-pottery pieces that East Fork sells up close and personal at their flagship store and absolutely loved the glassware they had. The asymmetric, textured Rippled collection is going to be a fun change of pace for someone I’ve heard comment on the boring, cheap feeling they have about their current glass situation. —NK
A high-quality everything pan
All-Clad
D3 Everyday Ragu Pan, 5.5 Quart
A friend on my list this year recently talked about how much they need a reliable do-everything pan for one-pot meals that isn’t too bulky. There are a few unconventional pan shapes out there that are surprisingly versatile, one of them being this ragu pan from All-Clad. The dimensions make it great for pastas, soups, rice dishes. —WD
The solution to an editor’s smoke detector issue
A few months ago, my Revlon brush hair dryer mysteriously started setting off my smoke detector, and I’ve been without a hair dryer since. I decided it’s high time I make the switch to a tool that won’t singe my ends to oblivion. —LG
Beautiful throne for baked goods
Important Black Friday tip: Small online retailers that rarely have sales often make an exception for Black Friday. The Six Bells is one of those stores, which has an inventory of really unique interior decor and homeware items evocative of American folk art and traditional country design. This rattan cake stand will be for my friend who is always baking at home and is always threatening to “run away to the woods to build a commune.” —WD
Fruity and challenging stocking stuffer
Another stocking stuffer on my list are these monochromatic “flat fruit” puzzles by LePuzz. Inspired by Springbok’s iconic “Flat Banana,” these mini, 81-piece circular puzzles strike the right balance between challenging and fun. I think they are an ideal secondary activity while watching a movie in post holiday malaise. —WD
Gift cards? On sale?
Even people who love cooking the most could use a little break from preparing dinner after all the time and energy they put into Thanksgiving, so I’ll be stocking up on gift cards from DoorDash, which are discounted right now. (This is especially great news because gift cards are usually exempt from sales.)
I also just learned that you can buy from stores like Sephora, Best Buy, Petco, and Home Depot via DoorDash (seriously, who knew?!)—and during Black Friday you can take advantage of sales on products from these retailers too. —AS
Find more great Black Friday deals
