My boyfriend is, affectionately, a coffee snob. He buys his beans from a restaurant down the street (not coffee shop, mind you, a restaurant whose coffee he prefers), grinds them every morning and uses a French press to create the best coffee I’ve ever had. I’ve become a convert, and now an evangelist. For anyone who likes coffee, the ultimate luxury gift is a French press, bean grinder and, to personalize things, a custom-blended mix from Deans Beans, makers of fair trade, organic coffee. (My bf’s restaurant gets their custom blend from Dean’s.) The gourmand thing really does make a difference; press pots and freshly ground beans preserve the coffee’s essential oils, creating a stronger, more flavorful brew, and ordering vacuum-packed bags online means the beans aren’t exposed to air, which can dry them out. — Sarah Harrison (French press $19.95, Bodum; Bean grinder $89.95, Bodum)