Please, Help Yourself!

Many of our favorite new products from this year would make fantastic gifts. Whether you purchase them for a loved one or put them in your own pile is up to you.

- By Krista Jones and Kevin Sintumuang

01 MÉTIER BACKGAMMON SET Métier's grained-leather set feels like the serious board you'd find in some wealthy backgammon enthusiast's game room, but it rolls up to fit in a backpack. The details such as hand-painted edging and magnets that act as anchors-make it elegant and whimsical all at once. The Game of Kings deserves no less. $950

02 DE'LONGHI LA SPECIALISTA ARTE ESPRESSO MACHINE Providing the creative freedom of a barista without the pressure of getting anyone's name right, this machine has eight grinder settings that let you dial in the exact flavor of the bean, and a steam wand allows you to expand your horizons past simple espresso while starting you on the road to latte-art greatness. $700