You’re not getting away with it. You think you’re being subtle, but I see your eyes, darting to your second monitor during our update call. I know what tabs you’ve got open. Look, it’s okay: everyone does it. Cyber Monday is practically a national holiday at this point, am I right?

I’m not here to shame you: in fact, I’m here to help (if for no other reason than to get you back on task for CES prep). Caster specializes in anticipating client needs and meeting them before you ask, so we’ve solved your holiday shopping list for you.

That’s right: it’s time for Caster’s Favorite Things.

Every year, we exchange the items we discovered in the last 12 months. If you have hard-to-shop-for loved ones on your list, look no further. After all, we have excellent taste – and trust me, Kimberly Lancaster is way harder to impress than your picky niece.

For the Home Chef

The most important tool in your kitchen is a sharp knife: Alex Crabb tells us this Work Sharp E2 Sharpening System produces professional-quality results – no expertise required.

Lee Abraham recommends this dishwasher-safe, heat-resistant, non-porous cutting board. It’s as pretty as a wooden board, but far easier to clean and care for, with less risk of cross-contamination. Plus, it’s made from recycled paper (cool!)

Rachel Bradshaw (hey, that’s me!) put together a kit for meal preppers, including a set of 1-cup freezer cubes for storing big batches of meals and ingredients, a highly-accurate temperature probe for perfect results, and book of handwritten recipes to make best use of both. If you have a sibling who’s counting their macros, they’ll love this kit.

For the Wanna-Be Morning Person

A good cup of cold brew coffee is basically jet fuel. Adam Forziati loves this pitcher system, which comes with its own cleaning supplies. You can also use this set to make infused water, iced tea, or cocktails; your morning, your rules.

Didn’t get enough sleep? With these Patchology eye gels, the world will never know. Sarah Hales says they make you both look and feel wide awake, and I believe her – they literally have caffeine as an active ingredient.

For the Fashionista

Olivia Sellke says these single-strap Birkenstocks are a modern twist on a classic. They’re available in a wide range of cute colors, and waterproof for your family’s holiday cruise.

Nothing says “taste” like a perfect staple accessory. Sarah Hales says Emi Jay’s Big Effing Clip is the best hair clip she’s ever owned. Kaitlin Stallings can confirm, as she took this one home, fell in love with it, and had it promptly stolen by her equally chic best friend.

Make it Mini

Tiny things are 10X more adorable than their regular-sized counterparts: that’s just science. Kaitlin Stallings proved this thesis with the Le Creuset Mini Round Cocotte, a genuine piece of Le Creuset stoneware that’s perfectly sized for an individual soufflé (or, if you’re Alex Crabb, holding M&Ms on your holiday dessert board.)

Pete Girard brought pocket-sized magic in the form of the Solo Stove Mesa tabletop fire pit, a pint-sized smokeless firepit you can even use on an indoor countertop – though Pete  recommends keeping it packed up with some s’more supplies for whenever the adventuring spirit strikes.

Recovering from the Holidays

The holidays are wonderful, but let’s be honest: they’re tough on the body. Meghan Glickman has everything you need to rejuvenate: a premium Bala Pilates ball and a three-month subscription to her favorite on-demand Pilates studio.

Or you can let a smart device do all the hard work – Kimberly Lancaster swears by the Massage Therapy Concepts Verve Deluxe. If you’re dealing with post-holiday muscle aches, this is the perfect gift to yourself.

There you have it: Caster’s Favorite Things for 2026. Now, finish your shopping, and let’s get back to business.