a cool gift guide
This gift guide will be short and sweet. It’s a curation of things I really love (and would love to receive) and I truly believe your recipient will love them, too.
Oftentimes, I get really overwhelmed when I read articles with 150 gift ideas. As a reader, I want something small, thoughtful, and intimate, so that’s what I’m giving to you.
Gift giving is one of my love languages. I’m proud to be the person in my family that people turn to for gifting ideas. And maybe I’m a bit obsessive when it comes to searching the web for things I want and can’t afford, or things I’ll save for and treat myself and others to on special occasions. It’s my favorite coping mechanism. Retail therapy at its finest <3
Okay, let’s get into these gifting ideas.
-Frank ceramics: I discovered her work initially on Pinterest, then did a deep dive on social media and fell in love with her stuff. She created the Snacky Plate: it’s a handmade plate for your favorite afternoon snacks and it couldn’t be cuter.
-Dominique Ostuni: If you’re lucky enough to get your hands on one of her pieces during a drop, I salute you. All of her creations are stunning and I have yet to own one for myself because they sell out in less than a minute.
-Haricot Vert: A recent discovery. And let me tell you, I’m obsessed. This is something I’m treating myself to this Christmas. You can customize your own jewelry with cute little charms. Sometimes she has pre-made stuff you can buy. I love it all so so much.
-Subscription gift (The Paris Review, The New Yorker, Literary Hub): This goes without saying. The perfect gift for anyone. Oftentimes, these subscriptions come with cute merch, like the iconic New Yorker tote bag. Lit Hub has a stunning Joan Didion tote.
-Frog Hollow Farm Box: If I received a box of farm fresh fruits, I would be giddy as a schoolgirl. I’ve ordered fresh fruit from this farm and the quality is incredible. Their cheese and mixed fruit box is another great gift idea.
-Cake Zine Magazine: I’ve written about them before. But this is the perfect magazine for anyone who has any interest in food. They have given me hope that food media is finally turning around and making a sweet come back. And their last issue, there was an article about Sylvia Plath, and the connection with food. Honestly, it’s one of my favorite articles I’ve ever read of all time.
-Tarot cards: perfect for your spooky friends and there are so many cute options and different decks you can buy. Wouldn’t it be fun to have a night in with close friends where everyone is eating pasta listening to jazz music and drinking wine and doing tarot readings on one another?
-Maldon Sea Salt Bucketpackets: maybe this is a bit hyper specific. But I really love salt and Maldon salt specifically. It’s so tasty and the fact that they make this in little packet forms and pinch tins makes my heart sing. There’s also this large tub of Maldon Salt that a true foodie would fall head over heels in love with. The possibilities are endless. Dark chocolate chip cookies with flaky sea salt, salted butter and thick crunchy toast, salted butter and radishes, the list goes on.
-Ghia: I adore this brand so much. For friends who love to be festive and party without alcohol, consider these non-alcoholic alternatives. Here is a four-pack starter and this is a six-pack for something extra fancy.
-Tea: I would consider myself a coffee and a tea whore. And I recently discovered this little café in New York, called Paquita, not only did they have some of the best tea that I’ve ever had, but they also sold cute little vintage trinkets. If you’re in NYC, I highly recommend it. But if you’re not in the city, there are so many different high-quality tea options that you can gift to friends.
-Ina Garten ornament: The Six Bells is the sweetest antique shop in Brooklyn. If any of you know me, even just a little, you’ll know that I have a deep love for Ina Garten. When I saw this ornament in their holiday shop I immediately bought it for myself. In fact, I’ve never bought anything so fast in my life.
-Salter House: Salter house is another favorite shop of mine in Brooklyn. They have handmade clothing and houseware that is so aesthetic and stunning and if I were super rich, I would buy it all. There’s this dress that they have in the forest check print that I’ve had my eye on for over a year now and it has a matching corset. if anyone out there loves me enough to buy me a very expensive gift, this is it. Also, this nightdress is perfect.
-Six Bells: I’m mentioning this shop specifically because they have so many unique pieces that are so thoughtful and beautiful and would make any recipient happy. Something like this or this.
-Slip for beauty sleep: this one is a little bougie, but sleeping on a silk pillowcase has truly changed my sleep. It’s so cooling and soothing when I lay my head down on my pillow. It also is really good for your skin and your hair if you’re not in the market to splurge on a pillowcase, they also have their iconic scrunchies.
-Oddli Boxers: Speaking of sleep. You’ve probably seen these all over tiktok. These boxers are on my Christmas wish list. I want to wear them everywhere.
-Clay Fridge Magnets: These are a bit niche. But they’re so unique and cute and retro and I’ve been exploring Etsy to find handmade ones or vintage ones from the 80s and 90s. I feel like you could get a little bundle of magnets that are specific to the person you're gifting them to you, and make it unique and special. Here’s a cute shop to explore.
-Lisa says gah veggie pants: this is a bit niche as well. As someone who really loves food and food media, I would love nothing more than to walk around New York City in vegetable pants. I think they’re really cute, okay?
-Bobbie Goods coloring book and markers: This year, I’ve been hyper focused on healing my inner child, and whenever I really need a break from the screen or work, and I don’t really have the capacity in my brain to read, I will color. One of my dear friends introduced me to this brand when we first met and I’ve been waiting to get my hands on a coloring book and when I did, I swear it was the most soothing therapeutic thing I’ve done for myself in a while. If you’re really in the market to splurge, these markers that are all over TikTok are definitely worth the hype and perfect for this coloring book specifically.
-Tomato candle: this tomato candle has been featured on several gift guides, and I would like three for my kitchen counter. Additionally, if you’re a tomato girlie like me, Loewe makes these Tomato Leaf Incense Sticks. I might gift these to myself this year.
-Buly 1809: this brand has a cult following and for a good reason. It’s pricey, but I have several products of theirs and I can tell you that it’s worth it. Their candles are incredible, but they also have a few options for smaller gifts that won’t break the bank. They’re so unique and you can customize them to make it extra special. Look at this hand cream and lip balm.
-Gohar biscuit candles: Gohar is one of my favorite brands for kitchenware. I can’t really put my finger on this aesthetic, but I’m kind of obsessed. A while ago, she came out with these ivory tapered candles with ribbons on it. It reminded me of Sandy Liang. I wanted them for my kitchen, but they sold out almost immediately. You should browse the website and find some things you love.
-Sandy Liang Jewelry: I also have an unhealthy obsession with Sandy liang. I would like everything that she came out with in her fall collection. Like all of the uniform style dresses and knee-high socks with bows – I was wildly obsessed. I’ve also had my eye on her jewelry. Specifically this piece and this piece. A lot of her stuff is expensive because it’s designer, but her accessories are also super cute and definitely an option to consider gifting for your bestest friends.
-A big blanket: Projektityyny has so many options to choose from. But… it’s very priceyyyyyy.
-Hazel Village: If you’re in the market for a new plushy stuffed animal friend, consider Hazel Village. (Arthur Lamb is my favorite). You can pick out their outfits and they wrap them in the most special packaging.
-Snoopy Plushie: I can’t resist Snoopy. He is me. He is us. You can put it in the microwave and he will give you warm cozy hugs.
-Jo Malone: This might be a bit controversial. I know there are a lot of people who have an aversion to Jo Malone and complain about their perfumes not lasting long, etc. Here is my personal opinion as someone who has loved Jo Malone for years. Their perfume is not super strong, and it’s not meant to be. It’s meant to be worn as a “second skin”. It’s not a powerhouse baccarat rouge type of fragrance that smacks you in the face (baccarat makes me want to vomit and I’m so sorry if you’re a die hard fan of it). Something that I do anytime I wear this fragrance is pair it with its matching lotion. It lasts longer. Moving on to my favorite Jo Malone category- Home fragrances. Candles. Home diffusers. Etc. These are my favorite products by Jo Malone. It’s very expensive, but let me tell you, if you’re in the mood to splurge and pay Diptyque prices, I will always choose Jo Malone. As much as I adore Diptyque, I feel like some of their candles smell a bit plastic and artificial and I’ve never experienced that with a Jo Malone candle. For perfumes, my favorites are English Pear and Freesia and their newest English Pear and Sweet Pea. I pair it with this lotion. The other scent I love that pairs well with English Pear and Freesia is the Wood Sage and Sea Salt. For candles, I love the English Pear and Freesia, Orange Blossom, Pastel Macaroons, Tomato, and Fig and Cassis. The best home diffuser I’ve ever bought is the Fig and Cassis.
-This one is a bit of a splurge, but I get compliments on this jacket every time I wear it.
Okay, that’s all for now. I’m going to send out another gift guide with stocking stuffers and smaller gift ideas. If you’re looking for something specific or if you’re trying to find ideas for people who are particularly difficult to shop for, let me know and I can give you some suggestions.
Bye <3