If you think about coffee table books as beautiful reference material, you immediately get the two most important requirements of a good one: It must be visually stunning and immensely informative about its subject. These qualities are also what makes them such a perfect and valued Christmas gift idea. They allow the receiver to become even more expert at a chosen hobby or interest and, when they’re not enjoying it themselves, leave it out as tabletop decor that doubles as a way to showcase and share their love with visitors.
We’ve gathered the best coffee table books on the market right now spanning a large range of categories — including home design, fashion, food, travel, pop culture, sports, music, history, and more. You could get through your whole list with this round-up alone! As a treat for being such a thoughtful and efficient shopper, pick up one or two of these gorgeous tomes for yourself — believe us, you will find a bunch you would be overjoyed to find under the tree.
1
best for history buffs
Wolfgang Wild and Jordan Lloyd
‘History as They Saw It: Iconic Moments from the Past in Color’
2
best hostess gift
Tia Keenan and Noah Fecks
‘The Art of the Cheese Plate: Pairings, Recipes, Style, Attitude’
3
best for art lovers
Andre Saraiva
‘André Saraiva: Graffiti Life’
4
best for your travel buddy
Lonely Planet
The Travel Book: A Journey Through Every Country in the World
5
best for royals followers
Robin Muir and Josephine Ross
The Crown in Vogue
6
best for soccer fanatics
Robin Muir and Josephine Ross
Men In Blazers Present Gods of Soccer: The Pantheon of the 100 Greatest Soccer Players (According to Us)
7
best for all the women in your life
Ashley Longshore and Diane von Fürstenberg
‘Roar!: A Collection of Mighty Women’
8
best for home design buffs
Architectural Digest
Architectural Digest at 100: A Century of Style
9
best for dog lovers
Traer Scott
Finding Home: Shelter Dogs and Their Stories
10
best for outdoor adventurers
Christopher Cauble
Yellowstone: A Land of Wild and Wonder
11
best for your bestie with wanderlust
Gray Malin
Gray Malin: The Essential Collection
12
best for cat owners
Rojiman & Umatan
Cat-Hair Hats For Cats: Craft Fetching Headwear For Your Feline Friends
13
best for your favorite scrapbooker or vision boarder
Maria Rivans
Extraordinary Things to Cut Out and Collage
14
best for vinyl devotees
Michael Ochs
1000 Record Covers
15
best for photography enthusiasts
Annie Leibovitz
Annie Leibovitz: Wonderland
16
best for anyone into coastal chic style
Nina Freudenberger, Heather Summerville, and Brittany Ambridge
Surf Shack: Laid-Back Living by the Water
17
best for LEGO lovers
Brian Lyles and Jason Lyles
The LEGO Neighborhood Book: Build Your Own LEGO Town!
18
best for the family’s head chef
Joanna Gaines
Magnolia Table
19
best for would-be world travelers
National Geographic
Destinations of a Lifetime: 225 of the World’s Most Amazing Places
20
best for car nuts
DK
‘Classic Car: The Definitive Visual History’
21
best for Old School Hollywood admirers
Oscar Abolafia
Icons
22
best for budding home chefs
Alison Roman
Dining In
23
best for… anyone!
Bruce Velick
Joy!: Photographs of Life’s Happiest Moments
24
best for design gurus
Gloria Koenig
Eames
25
best for sneakerheads
Simon Wood
Sneaker Freaker. The Ultimate Sneaker Book
26
best for creative types
Leatrice Eiseman and Keith Recker
Pantone: The 20th Century in Color
27
best for the loved one all about mindfulness
John Burns
Kinfolk Travel
28
best for animal lovers
Tim Flach and Richard O. Prum
Birds
29
best for New York-ophiles
Assouline
‘New York By New York’
30
best for the person who thinks organizing is fun
Shira Gill
Minimalista
31
best for quote enthusiasts
Christina Scotch
I Feel That
32
best for Star Wars superfans
Paul Duncan
‘The Star Wars Archives’
33
best for coffee connoisseurs
James Hoffmann
The World Atlas of Coffee: From Beans to Brewing — Coffees Explored, Explained and Enjoyed
34
best for your fanciest friends and family
Assouline
Hamptons Private
35
best for classic film buffs
Taschen
Through a Different Lens: Stanley Kubrick Photographs
36
best for beer aficianados
Tim Webb and Stephen Beaumont
World Atlas of Beer: The Essential Guide to the Beers of the World
37
best for the beauty mavens on your list
Tracey Cunningham
True Color: The Essential Hair Color Handbook
38
best for admirers of tattoo art
Frederic Claquin
1000 Tattoos: The Most Creative New Designs from the World’s Leading and Up-And-Coming Tattoo Artists
39
best for astrology followers
Louise Edington
The Complete Guide to Astrology: Understanding Yourself, Your Signs, and Your Birth Chart
40
best for art lovers
Taschen
Andy Warhol. Polaroids 1958-1987
41
best for baseball fans
Graphic Image
Ballparks, Past and Present
Ysolt Usigan
Ysolt Usigan is a lifestyle writer and editor with 15+ years of experience working in digital media.
