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After years in the workforce, the transition into retirement is usually one filled with joy and also a bit of uncertainty—many retirees wonder what to do with all of this newfound free time. With that in mind, we’ve gathered our favorite retirement gifts to facilitate adventure, travel, and curiosity so that the person you love makes the most of this new chapter and has fun along the way.

Alvarez Regent Series RU22C ($90 at the time of publication)

Now that they’ve got the time to actually hone in on a hobby, a music-minded retiree might delight in a ukulele: They’re relatively inexpensive and largely considered one of the easiest instruments to learn. While testing several with a panel of students and instructors, we determined the Alvarez Regent Series RU22C is best for new learners. It produces a clear, full sound, feels comfortable to hold, and looks far more expensive than it really is thanks to careful workmanship and smoothly finished frets.

MasterClass subscription (from $180 per year at the time of publication)

For retirees hungry for a new skill to master, a subscription to MasterClass gives them access to dozens of virtual courses taught by experts in their fields—everything from Indian cooking with Madhur Jaffrey to ballet with Misty Copeland. Billy Collins’s poetry course is a favorite of associate staff writer Ellen Airhart, and I’m a fan of Yotam Ottolenghi’s Middle Eastern cooking class. If you’re lucky, your recipient may even share what they learn throughout the course. (Ottolenghi’s garlic confit is delicious and packs up nicely to go!)

Challenger Bread Pan ($300 at the time of publication)

One of our favorite tools for baking enthusiasts is the Challenger Bread Pan. Unlike a Dutch oven, which is a multipurpose tool often used by bakers, the Challenger was designed specifically with baking in mind and is sure to be a hit for any bread maker looking to up their game. The pan has thicker iron than most Dutch ovens, so it’s better at absorbing and retaining heat, and its rectangular shape (rather than circular) can accommodate more complex-shaped loaves, such as batards, demi baguettes, and boules. Wirecutter editor Ben Keough said, “If you’re hunting for a gift that will impress a bread-obsessed friend—the Challenger delivers.”

Droll Yankees 18-inch Onyx Clever Clean and Fill Mixed Seed Bird Feeder (about $55 at the time of publication)

What gardener wouldn’t like some winged company? Help your giftee bring on the birds with the best-built bird feeder we’ve tested, the Droll Yankees Onyx. It’s able to hold many different feed types (like cracked corn and sunflower seeds) to help your retiree target which species they’d like visiting. And the tough metal components are secure enough that if the feeder ends up being more frequented by squirrels, it still won’t break (though it has a lifetime guarantee, just in case).

Jeni’s Top Sellers Collection (about $60 at the time of publication)

If the person you’re buying for insists they don’t want a gift, but you still want to mark the occasion, a delivery of gourmet ice cream is a great compromise. One of our favorite edible arrangements, this five-pint set from the hyper-popular Ohio-based creamery, Jeni’s, includes some of its most popular flavors, like Salty Caramel and Brown Butter Almond Brittle. Shipping isn’t cheap (from about $15 to $20 depending on where you send it), but the joy this gift brings justifies the cost.

Atlas Coffee Club ($60 for three-month gift subscription at the time of publication)

Whether your recently retired friend is feeling lost without the office Keurig or just bored of their usual bean routine, a subscription to a coffee delivery service will make a fine treat for them. One of our favorites, Atlas Coffee Club will expose them to beans they’d likely not encounter at the grocery store, sourcing from farms across the globe. Each delivery also comes with a postcard featuring interesting tidbits about that country’s coffee industry, so your retiree can learn as they brew.

National Parks & Federal Recreational Lands pass ($80 for a lifetime senior membership, $20 for an annual senior membership)

If your loved one has always dreamed of seeing the Grand Canyon or has long waited to watch a geyser erupt at Yellowstone, give them a National Parks & Federal Recreational Lands pass. With it, they can access each of America’s 420 national parks and bring up to three guests with them. And though they may not be up for backpacking the Pacific Crest Trail like Cheryl Strayed in Wild, most parks have accessibility considerations in place, so your loved one can find something that’s just right for their capability. Take it a step further and help your retiree download the free National Park Service app, one of our favorite apps to help get the most out of a park trip, when you present them with their pass. That way they’ll be ready for their trip with interactive maps, self-guided tours, lists of amenities, and more.

The Criterion Channel ($100 per year at the time of publication)

The movie lover on your list deserves to be watching films worthy of their newfound free time. A subscription to the Criterion Channel gives them access to many of the most lauded titles ever made, spanning over 100 years of filmmaking history—with far more variety than they’d ever hope to see on Netflix or Hulu. The channel also curates its content with flair, offering groupings of films organized by guests like Guillermo del Toro and Mira Nair and creative themes like “bad vacations” and “glorious food.”

Qilebi Watering Can ($17 at the time of publication)

If your recently retired loved-one has a green thumb, give them a pretty vessel for watering. The Qilebi Watering Can is one of our favorites from testing. With a half-gallon capacity and removable pouring spout, it works for both indoor plants and outdoor gardens. The watering can has a simple design that’s cute yet unfussy should your loved one choose to put it on display, and it comes in five cool colors, including mint and pastel pink.

Apple iPad (9th generation) ($430 for 256 GB at the time of publication)

If your retiree forfeited their computer with the job, they may be in need of a new device for browsing emails and late-night shopping. We’ve been testing tablets for years, and we believe the Apple iPad is still the best one out there. The 9th-generation iPad offers an unbeatable selection of apps, stellar hardware quality, long battery life, and unrivaled customer support. And though it’s not the most up-to-date tablet model available, its marriage of price and performance makes it ideal for the retiree who doesn’t need the increased storage or slightly better camera of the more expensive models.

Philips SmartSleep Wake-Up Light HF3520 ($170 at the time of publication)

Without early morning meetings to rush off to, your retiree might relish a more relaxing wake-up. The Philips SmartSleep is our favorite sunrise alarm clock, and it mimics the real thing. To awaken your recipient gently, the light gradually grows in intensity from a muted red glow to the bright white brilliance of a summer day. If they need a little more commotion to rouse them, they can also select between an FM radio station or five mellow sounds, such as tweeting birds or lapping waves.

Cuisinart Frozen Yogurt–Ice Cream & Sorbet Maker (ICE-21P1) (about $65 at the time of publication)

If your retired friend likes experimenting in the kitchen—or they’ve simply got a sweet tooth—an at-home ice cream maker makes an excellent gift. Of the seven models we’ve tested, the Cuisinart ICE-21P1 is our favorite. It makes consistently smooth and delicious ice cream, and the process is simple and straightforward: Just attach the frozen insert into the base, pour in the ingredients, and press start. It makes a smooth soft-serve consistency ice cream in about 20 minutes—pop in the freezer for a traditional scoop. Soon your retiree will be enjoying their frozen treat (and hopefully sharing it with you).

L.L.Bean Women’s Wicked Good Moccasins ($80 at the time of publication)

L.L.Bean Men’s Wicked Good Moccasins ($80 at the time of publication)

A pair of slippers is a thoughtful and useful gift for someone who is going to spend more time at home. Wirecutter has spent years testing over three-dozen models, but none have been able to beat out the L.L. Bean Wicked Good Moccasins, which are available in men’s and women’s sizing and six color options. Made with suede shearling, they feel warm but not sweat-inducing, their tight stitching keeps them from tearing, and their rubber bottoms are durable enough for quick jaunts outside. And in the unlikely event they don’t hold up? They are backed by a one-year guarantee.

Cuisinart WMR-CA Round Classic ($30 at the time of publication)

Leisurely breakfasts at home are a definite benefit of leaving the daily grind. Help your loved one make their meal more gourmet with the Cuisinart WMR-CA Round Classic, one of the best waffle irons out of the 30 we’ve tested since 2014. The Cuisinart makes especially thin and crispy waffles but doesn’t take up too much space in the kitchen (it’s just a bit over 10 inches across). It only makes one waffle at a time, but if your retiree lives solo, or they and their partner don’t have big appetites, this is the ideal model. Pair it with a nice bottle of maple syrup for an even more generous gesture.

Pelikan Classic M205 Fountain Pen (from $135 at the time of publication)

A nice fountain pen might be less practical than a ball point, but it’s far more enjoyable to wield. Head of photography and video Michael Hession has been building a fountain pen collection for about 5 years, and he recommends the handsome Pelikan M205 for journaling, sketching, and note-taking. “The feel is perfect,” he said. “It’s smooth with a hint of scratchy feedback—a good thing in my book.”

Amtrak gift card (price varies)

For short trips between cities or long journeys across the country, an Amtrak gift card enables your favorite retiree to enjoy an adventure they might not have been able to make time for while working. Flying or driving may get them to their destination sooner, but traveling via train offers the opportunity to experience the whole breadth of space between origin and destination. On the Coast Starlight, which moves between Portland, Oregon and Los Angeles, they can feast their eyes on waterfalls, forests, and the glittering Pacific shoreline. East coasters might try the Adirondack, which will whip them through charming towns and gorgeous mountain ranges between New York City and Montreal.

The House of Staunton The Champion Series Chess Set, Box, & Board Combination (from $230 at the time of publication)

Whether your loved one has studied chess for years or just hopes to get into it because their grandkid is trying to learn, give them a beautiful, classic chess board. Senior brand writer Breydon Sheldon plays on the Champion Series Chess Set made by The House of Staunton, a trusted company that provides equipment for the US Chess Championship and other big tournaments. Breydon reports that each hand-carved wooden piece comes perfectly weighted and with a soft base pad for easy placement. It’s a beautiful item to look at on display, and it also stores nicely thanks to its included slide-top box.

Restoration Hardware Luxury Plush Long Robe ($150 at the time of publication)

For plodding around in the morning with no rush to put on real clothes, nothing says “I am my own boss!” better than a cozy robe. Of all 36 models that we tried on during testing, the Restoration Hardware robe stood out as the most sumptuous of all. Its thick, smooth pile has the same texture as a stuffed animal, and in our experience it stays warm and soft even after 10 years of wearing. To make this an even more special gift, consider adding an embroidered monogram for about $10 more.

Irregular Crystal Vase (about $35 for size small at the time of publication)

By now, your retiree probably has a handle on their decor style, but this tiny crystal vase brings celebratory shine to any space and will become an unexpected conversation piece they’ll treasure. This prismatic piece is made with lead crystal glass that reflects and refracts light, so it picks up the colors around it (try placing it near colorful books or plants to change things up). Though the vase fits in the palm of your hand (it’s just 3 inches tall), it’s sturdy and just the right size to liven up a desk, end table, or windowsill with a single bloom or a taper candle.

This article was edited by Catherine Kast and Jennifer Hunter.

Dorie Chevlen is a staff writer from Youngstown, Ohio, now living in Los Angeles. She has worked as a copy editor, fact checker, and sandwich maker, but this is probably her favorite gig. Her writing has also been published in Science, Slate, and The Wall Street Journal, among others. She has been called—both flatteringly and not—“a lot.”

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