a holiday gift guide

hello.

do we really need more stuff? no.

do we really need another carbon copy of another creator’s gift guide? also no.

i do, however, find gift guides to be quite entertaining- an escapist sort of read, so i’ll be providing that for you today (window shopping on the web).

i’ve broken these guides into categories to make it easier to reference if you’re searching for gifts to buy for your loved ones. if there is a recipient you’re struggling to shop for and if you need some recommendations, comment below or send me a message and i’ll be glad to help.

i also want to preface, that everyone has different financial circumstances. you don’t have to buy a bunch of gifts for everyone in your life. sometimes (always) making your gift means so much more to your recipient, especially if it’s something sentimental.

before i begin, i want to suggest a universal gift for any recipient: subscriptions.

subscriptions are the perfect gift that keeps on giving throughout the whole year: the paris review, the new yorker, the new york review of books, criterion, mubi, a24, lit hub, your favorite substacker(s), etc.

now is the time to support your favorite substackers and publications <3

i’m a big advocate for functional and productive gifts for loved ones: a trader joe’s gift card, socks, books, food items, most of the “non aesthetic things you’d never find on a gift guide”, and other necessities that are lacking in your recipients lives.

okay, so with all of that said, let’s live vicariously though some lofty gift guides…

a holiday gift guide:

for book lovers:

first editions of their favorite books (or books, in general): go to your local used bookstore and pick out a few books you think they would enjoy reading. write a little love note on the first page. if you’re unsure about what they will like, pick one of your favorite books and share with them why you think they’d love it, too.

subscriptions to: the new yorker, the new york review of books, jstor, the paris review, lit hub, and their favorite substackers.

a literary tote: shakespeare and co, daunt, the new yorker, strand, the nypl, the new york review of books, the new york times, new york made joan didion cry too,

literary clothing: come to my house i have great books, strand sweatshirt, casa magazine sweatshirt.

a bookish hat: books are magic, simone de beauvoir, toni morrison, anne sexton, library science, the strand, the new yorker, the paris review,

reading glasses: these are my favorite reading glasses of all time and they’re on sale for $55.

cozy blanket: this cuddle blanket from cozy earth looks so soft and cozy. and you can’t go wrong with barefoot dreams.

a fancy pen: I’M KIDDING. muji forever and this pen is my absolute favorite pen.

a niche mug: something unique and special that caters to their interests.

candles: bibliotheque from byredo is perfect especially for colder months. and the encre (ink) candle from diptyque.

fragrance: the noir 29 by le labo*: notes: fig, bay leaf, bergamot, cedar, vetiver, musk, tobacco, hay. this scent feels very dark academia to me. another great option is falling trees from regime des fleurs.

journal: gifting a journal is the most special gift. i recommend hobonichi and moleskine. if you’re looking for something really special, check out louise carmen. they make custom journals. also consider stationery stickers for their journals.

kindle: is your friend an avid reader? i know kindles can be polarizing, but the reason i’ve been able to read so much, even when my schedule gets busier, is because of my kindle. it’s easy to carry with you everywhere you go to sneak in some extra reading time.

-bookmarks and collectables: tarot cards, matchbooks, or anything that they can start to add to anytime they visit a special place or restaurant. years ago when i first moved to nyc, i started a matchbook and pen collection. every restaurant, museum, shop, or place i loved, i always made sure to collect a little trinket to remind me of these places.

for the beauty, fragrance obsessed:

candles: for a luxe candle, i recommend opopanax from diptyque, and fresh fig and cassis by jo malone, cotton poplin from byredo is clean and fresh.

buly1803 lip balm and hair brush: i have both of these are they’re so special, functional, and aesthetic. you can customize the lip balm and hair brush.

fragrance: if you were to blind buy one fragrance in your life, i will always recommend this one. it’s fresh, a little sweet, a little warm with a stunning projection that’s not too overpowering, but just enough to last you throughout the day ~ valaya by parfums de marly other recommendations are: portrait of a lady by frederic malle and molecule 01 by escentric molecules.

the best hand cream on the planet: it’s not aesthetic, but it works better than others i’ve tried, and the price is right.

luxe hand cream: portrait of a lady and iris from frederic malle, aesop vanilla hand cream- i own all three and love them deeply. i think my favorite of the three is the iris.

luxe body wash: orpheon diptyque, portrait of a lady frederic malle- these are items you might not be inclined to buy on your own, but what a luxury to bathe yourself in the most decadent bath soaps.

the best neck cream on the planet: my dermatologist recommended this one to me and i’m obsessed with it and it works. i will never buy skincare recs from an influencer. the only dime i will ever spend on skincare is if it’s recommended by my derm.

lip glosses: augustinus bader’s collab with sofia coppola is the cutest. glossier, summer fridays, rhode are other favorites.

for home body:

neiwai bra: i raved about this in a previous post. this is the type of gift that is functional and something your friend might not go out and buy for herself. this is the only bra i’ve ever loved. like, ever. this style is also very comfortable.

ugg coquette slippers: my live-in slippers never come off my feet when i’m home.

cozy essentials: barefoot dreams: this blanket and robe are the two coziest items i own. these socks make for another great gift.

cozy earth bedding: i was generously gifted a set of bedding from cozy earth. i’ve tried all the popular brands- parachute, brooklinen, etc, and none of them compare to the cozy earth bedding. they’re soft and silky and cooling to the skin whenever i crawl into bed.

candle warmer: this is another gift your friend probably wouldn’t buy herself, but it’s so useful and functional. i use this one almost every day. with this noisetier candle.

the most beautiful victorian ghostly nightdress: salter house is such a dream. she will love this.

hatch: this is a gift that someone probably wouldn’t go out of their way to buy it for themselves, but it’s something functional that will improve their sleep and anxiety. i was generously gifted this item and it’s one of those things i didn’t know i needed. what a gift to not wake up with paralyzing anxiety.

a stuffed animal: bartholomew bear and jellycat cow. if you’re looking for something more unique, try maileg, the bunny is so cute, too.

diptyque hand soap: exfoliating and non exfoliating are both great options.

wooj lamp: i love the aesthetic and size of this desk or table lamp. and the warm temperature of the lighting is very relaxing.

for the hostess and home cook:

staub tomato cast iron pot: little and big. they can put this pot on their stove or countertop for decorating.

green leaf and tomato candle: the diffuser is beautiful, too.

the perfect coffee table book: a vintage cookbook like this is so chic and inviting whenever you see it in someone’s kitchen or bookshelf.

the most beautiful tea kettle: i’m obsessed with the look of this kettle. its been on my wish list for awhile now.

fancy potato chips: this is a bit niche and pricey, but it’s also unique and delicious so…

domonique ostuni ceramics: hard to snag, but 10000% worth it.

gohar world bird lemon squeezer: this was a popular wishlist item in last year’s trending gift guides. i still think this is a fantastic unique gift to give any hostess or home cook.

williams sonoma dish soap: the hand soap is also a great option as well.

aesop hand soap: maybe this one has been overdone too many times, but for a good reason.

olive oil: this is a great example of a functional and useful gift. this set is beautiful.

salt: because this is the other most functional and useful gift you can receive.

for the career / work maven:

heaven mayhem tech case for laptop: this case is so beautiful. if you’re friend is a hot lawyer or corporate slave who’s too good for her job, she’ll love this one.

fragrance: portrait of a lady by frederic malle*: notes: rose, clove, raspberry, sandalwood, musk, benzoin, amber, cedar, vanilla, ambergris. the body oil is another favorite. molecule 01 by escentric molecules*: notes: iso e super (all time favorite fragrance- it’s a “your skin but better” scent. very warm and woody)

tote bag: the longchamp bag is classic and timeless

eyeglasses: something like moscot or celine

fancy hand cream: i love frederic malle hand creams (portrait of a lady and iris), bal d’afrique by byredo is another great option.

the mason pearson brush and a beautiful comb: a beautiful set to pack in they’re work bag or to leave on their vanity.

chocolate hair clip: i love all the emi jay clips- brown is classic and so chic and also my favorite color.

the cool guy (on the nice list):

chemex coffee maker or moka pot: i also think this looks great on a countertop.

fragrance: le labo another 13, molecule 01- these are safe buys that most guys would love. you can opt to get a collection of a few samples for them to try before you buy.

ralph lauren polo bear socks: chic and functional.

aesop shaving kit: functional and aesthetic.

tekla bath robe: functional and aesthetic (can you tell i don’t have any men to shop for in my life)

moscot eyeglasses: okay, these are also on my wishlist. ugh, they’re so iconic and timeless. oliver people’s are other great glasses options.

mini yellowbird hot sauce: a delicious add on to any gift. this hot sauce is ridiculously good.

olive oil: this is a great example of a functional and useful gift.

candle warmer: another functional and item they didn’t know they needed.

porsche lego: maybe I’m incorrect, but i think most men still love legos. this is a very cool option.

diffuser: this also looks very chic on a bathroom countertop or a nightstand.

salta trudon candle: notes: verbena, grapefruit, hyacinth. i own this candle and it’s my favorite from trudon. clean, light, fresh. perfect for all seasons. cyrnos is another great option.

subscriptions to: criterion collection, mubi, a24

popcorn machine: for his cinema watching adventures.

stocking stuffers and minis:

sonny angel: for luck

perfume samples or discovery set: pick out a few scents you think your recipient would enjoy. this le labo set has great reviews and it has their greatest hits.

claw clips: big, little, mini

mini yellowbird hot sauce : a delicious add on to any gift.

an antique lighter: go to a thrift store and find something unique and special for them. if you live in nyc, i recommend going to biggie’s bodega.

jellycat keychain: the cutest edition to any bag.

tea: this is the best store bought tea i’ve ever had. it’s naturally sweet with notes of pear and perfect for a mid-day pick me up. if they’re into matcha, this is a great one.

bonbon candy: the best candy in nyc! if you happen to live in the city, stop by their shop and sample the whole store together.

solid perfume: something like orpheon

eos vanilla cashmere lotion: a very affordable gourmand lotion- perfect for bedtime routines.

portable camera: to capture fleeting moments of joy.

lipgloss: summer fridays.

lastly… if you’re on the hunt for advent calendars, here are some suggestions: the new yorker, snoopy, peppermint bark, tea, cookies. you could also opt to make your own.

okay, that’s all i have for you today.

if you’re not ready to become a paid subscriber and you have the capacity to leave a tip, that would be so appreciated. 

i love you.

bye.

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