It happens every year: November rolls around and I find myself scrambling to figure out what the people in my life want for the holidays. Or better yet, what they don’t know they might want. It’s a stressful task, but I enjoy the challenge. This season, I’ve decided to open up my browser history to you, in hopes that maybe my Internet wanderings could be of some guidance. Let it not have been time totally wasted, right? I like to think there’s something for everyone in here, even the person who really, really does not want a gift. Because at the end of the day, it’s a gesture. A show of affection, care, and appreciation. Surely, everyone can use some of that. Anyway, take what resonates, leave what doesn’t, and let me know what brilliant ideas you come up with.
**Note: If you’re getting this by email, it’s a long one—be sure to hit “View entire message” at the bottom to see it all. Here we go:
Well Fed
Elevate your popcorn game
I have to admit, I didn’t understand the wonder of air-popped popcorn until my husband Coby introduced me to it earlier this year. Ever since then, microwavable bags just aren’t the same. Here’s an air popper that’s super easy to use and store, and will completely transform your home movie-watching experience. I don’t exaggerate when I say we use it multiple times per week. (Just add salt + oil + nutritional yeast.) For the real purists and aesthetes, there’s also a great stovetop popper to consider.
A new kind of bouquet
In gifts I never thought I’d want… a salami bouquet. It’s unexpected, it’s classy, and if the recipient is a fan of cheese boards, it’s something they might genuinely enjoy. Pair it with Murray’s cheeses of the world sampler and invite yourself over for drinks.
To a sweet (and seedy) new year
There are few gifts more heartwarming than the ones you make yourself. Here’s a recipe that I strongly believe everyone can make: a seeded honey inspired by the version from Gjusta, purveyor of delicious sandwiches and canned goods in Venice Beach. Aside from the ingredients, you might want to procure a few Bell jars and some ribbon to make it extra nice. (If you’d rather just buy a jar of the stuff, head here.)
Kitchen things they don’t need, but…
Is a kitchen ever really complete? I’d like to argue no, with the help of these gadgets: (1) Siri has likely rendered the kitchen timer obsolete, but when it looks like this, can you really resist going back to analog? (2) If you’re gifting an avid cook/baker, they probably have their own measuring cups, but for the visual learner, these measuring cups make it as straightforward as possible. (3) Do you need a cheese vault? Probably not. But does it beat wrapping and re-wrapping every individual cheese block after taking just a slice? Sure does. These silicone containers keep cheese fresh and dry (sustainably) and you can use the container to scribble down what’s inside (and maybe even an expiration date if you’re neurotic like me). (4) I’ve spent a weirdly long time resisting Pampshade’s bread lamps (made from real bread), but today, they’re working for me. And they’re a whimsical addition to any kitchen (if you like to cook in near-darkness, I guess? Or if you make your coffee before the crack of dawn.). Choose between milk bread, croissant, and batard.
Cooking for comfort
Everyone’s got their favorite cookbook, which is as personal as gift giving gets. Of course, you can also make your own. This season, I’m really into one that I picked up while interning one summer in Denmark. It’s called Grød, named after a delicious restaurant in Copenhagen, and it offers up a series of porridges and congees that are warming from the inside out.
The spice of life
Diaspora Co. has some great, unique spices that you can customize into your own gift set. Here are a few ideas (the classic masala dabba covers all the essentials). There’s also a set that includes an Indian cooking class, which answers the age-old question: Do you gift something tangible or an experience? How about both. (If you prefer Sichuan flavors, Fly by Jing has good sauces and gift sets.)
Really specific foods
You can always trust Goldbelly to deliver great foods from around the country, but if you’re looking for something a little more niche, let’s talk about these options: (1) Have you heard of the Omakase Berry®? It’s a variety found in the Japanese Alps, but Oishii has brought the fancy fruit stateside. You can only get these coveted strawberries in New York City, New Jersey, and Los Angeles, but if that’s where you find yourself (or your loved ones), I am told they’re worth the hype. (2) Not all hot sauce is created equal, and Blackberry Farm’s Firetower Hot Sauce is among the best: flavorful, not too spicy, and good on just about anything. (3) If you haven’t yet had an oatmeal griddle cake—think textured, fried pancake—you’re in for a treat. Breakfast by Salt’s Cure ships their mix; all you need is water, an egg, and a stick of butter. (4) And the true cook might actually get really excited by a bucket of Maldon sea salt, which is unusually expensive (for salt). Enjoy!
Well Sipped
Throwing it to Shawn (brother and Wine Spectator editor) on this section here…
Keep your open wine as good as new
My siblings and I bought my dad a Coravin wine presentation system for Father’s Day last year. To be honest, I use it more than him and I love it. Coravin, founded by former MIT engineer Greg Lambrecht, is a system that injects a thin, hollow needle through a wine cork and lets you pour a glass of wine without spoiling the rest of the bottle with wine’s best friend and worst enemy: oxygen. To put it simply, you get to drink wine without uncorking the bottle. It also lets people know you’re serious about your wine.
Wine glass or work of art?
If you’re clumsy, don’t get a Zalto wine glass. It’s razor-thin and breaks easier than a Nature Valley bar. But if you wanna risk it, this is the top wine glass out there (with Riedel a close second). The stems are super delicate and it looks like the wine is floating above your wrist. I specifically enjoy how the glass captures the intensity of a wine’s aromas. I also think it’s nice to have a few “fancy glasses” stowed away for when you open an expensive bottle or host people you actually like. Zalto has many glassware options (and also decanters). Most of it is probably BS, so go with the “Universal” glass or the shape you like the most (I love the Burgundy one!).
Keep it simple
I worked at a wine bar in Union Square for two years before I moved on to Wine Spectator. This is the corkscrew that got me through 50-table nights, bachelorette parties, crowded happy hours, and Deloitte holiday parties. It never let me down. I also think all the fancy wine openers are stupid (and I also don’t know how to use them). Go simple and get the Barvivo wine key. It’s like sticking to manual when the whole world goes automatic!
Thanks, Shawn!
Well Worn
Warm toes, can’t lose
I will always have a soft spot for cozy socks that don’t actually fit inside shoes. Brother Vellies created a sock that can do both: keep cozy and serve its functional purpose outside the home. It’s called the cloud sock and it’s amassed quite the fanbase (for a sock). It goes in and out of stock, so get ‘em while you can! And I can’t mention socks without sharing my recent favorites: Comrad compression socks. Admittedly, I came across them on Karlie Kloss’ Instagram (consider me influenced!), but I’m glad I did. They’re not just for airplanes either; I wear them around the house and on long walks, and my legs have never been more grateful. Comrad recently came out with a cozy collection, which I can’t attest to just yet, but it seems like the best of all worlds. And for those who take their socks on hikes and whatnot, nothing beats Darn Tough, which you can score on Amazon.
Indoor shoes
Lately, I’ve gone down some deep rabbit holes in the comfortable footwear space. I’ve emerged with some ideas for home slippers that you can also wear outside. First up, Lusso Clouds, a shoe line reminiscent of hotel slippers (and also robes, somehow?). They look exceedingly comfortable and come in a variety of colors and styles; I like the Guru. Next, I give you Glerups, which Coby discovered on a fellow dog walker one recent cold morning. They’ve got wool and rubber, which is the ultimate combination of comfort and function. I personally discovered Teva’s Ember moccasins when we got our own dog in the colder months of 2020 and they’re extremely comfy and warm (but won’t withstand a new puppy’s sharp teeth). I also have to include Ugg’s latest slippers and Birkenstock’s shearling clogs because, in different ways, they’re both the ultimate hug for your feet. And I’m quite pleased to have seen Clarks Wallabees make a reappearance, for both men and women. They’re more outside than inside shoes, but they’re Clarks, so I’m confident they tick off the comfort box too.
The new loungewear
By now, you’ve probably heard of Skims, Kim Kardashian’s billion-dollar brand of shapewear and undies. Before you discount it completely, hear me out. It was made by the woman who used to cut up Spanx and dye them with teabags to match her skin tone; she knows her fabric and she knows her audience. Collections are divided by material (think silk, waffle, cotton), but in the interest of comfort, head straight for the cozy collection. Outside of the Kardashian universe… if you’re more of the sweatshirt type, The Great has you covered: I like these two, but take a look for yourself. And if a robe is all you need, Dusen Dusen has a colorful one that makes winter feel a little less drab. (Pair it with this Baggu bath towel to really drive those winter blues away.)
Keeping the neck cozy
If there’s one grandmotherly lesson I’ve learned about dressing in winter, it’s to keep the neck warm at all costs. Scarves are an easy go-to gift, and there are plenty of them out there, but today, I’m offering up variations on the garment. For one, there’s the bandana (which doubles as a mask in a pinch). Quiltey is the brainchild of Madewell’s Head of Design Joyce Lee, so you know you’re in for something good. Lee repurposes and quilts bandanas in unique colorways to create something familiar but altogether different. Kerri Rosenthal makes cashmere heart bandanas if that’s more your speed. Then we have the balaclava option; I like the one from Kule, partially because it also allows you to match your dog or child, if you’re into that.
Well Groomed
Toilet talk
In the land of un-sexy gifts, we have the Tushy toilet ottoman, an aesthetic upgrade from the famed Squatty Potty, which I admittedly received as a Hanukkah gift a few years back. (And it’s probably the gift I’ve used most in my life.) It’s funny, but it will also (likely) be much appreciated. If you need convincing on why such a thing is a necessity in every bathroom, let’s take the conversation offline.
Keep things humid
Another un-sexy gift? Maybe. But if you know the wonder of a good humidifier in the winter, you know this is an essential. The one from Canopy happens to be beautiful at the same time. Customize the color and add aromas to make it your own. If you’re just in it for the aromas, consider this Saje diffuser instead. The design itself is already soothing. (While we’re here, I’ve already expounded the wonders of Saje’s pocket farmacy, but I’ll do it again because I love it so. It offers relief for just about any ailment, even if it’s only relief in your head.)
In my cabinet
I’d like to invite you inside my bathroom cabinet for a moment to share the things that I truly think are game-changers and, as such, they might make solid, easy gifts. In no particular order: Jones Road mascara, Kosas lip balm, Merit complexion stick, Yves Durif hair comb, Slip silk scrunchies, Aquis hair towel, Mutha body oil, EltaMD sunscreen, Muji toothbrush stand. (Violet Grey happens to sell three of these things together in a holiday set.) Coby says I have too many lotions and potions; I think the number is just right.
Well Lived
The headlamp you didn’t know you needed
I was so pleased the other day when I FaceTimed my niece Lowe and she was on her balcony, swinging on a hammock, making a beaded necklace. We should all spend Sunday evenings this way. More impressive was her use of a headlamp (genius!) to see her own handiwork in the dark. As temperatures drop, I suggest this headlight beanie—also featured on Oprah’s Favorite Things—for outdoor fun after 5pm (because that’s just where we are right now).
The art of play
Everyone’s got Scrabble and Monopoly—but do they have One Night Ultimate Werewolf? How about Ghost Blitz? Codenames? Or relationship therapist Esther Perel’s card game, Where Should We Begin? A deck of cards featuring 52 of New York’s iconic restaurants? I like when games are easy to learn and quick to play, removing all potential for frustration and friction and uber-late nights. This should be fun. And competitive, still. Those are just a few ideas to get you started.
When you can’t find your [insert item here]
Some of us have a lot on our minds, which can mean forgetting where we put things—constantly. For those people, there’s the gift of tracking (but not the creepy kind). Get them a four-pack of Apple AirTags or a variety of Tiles, depending on your brand affiliation. Then there are accessories that make remembering things just a little easier: like this brass eyewear stand for forgetful readers or these aluminum and wood trays, because sometimes it’s as simple as having a designated surface to leave your keys or wallet on.
Dreaming of sunshine
If you’re escaping to somewhere warm this winter, get the party started early. With a popcorn-themed beach towel maybe. Or A24’s widescreen towel, or The New Yorker’s, or one designed by artist Gray Malin, or a very fancy French one. And for the flight over, maybe an Ostrich neck pillow.
How much do they love their dog?
If the answer is a whole lot, there’s a shockingly large pool of gifts for them. In an effort to narrow them down, these are just some of my favorites. Katie Kimmel makes whimsical vases in the likeness of any pet (or two or three). Kule and Maxbone paired up for the ultimate dog fashion collab; the Good Boy tote is a cute one. As far as dog leashes go, I’m pressed to find one nicer than Foggy Dog’s; the colors and hardware can’t really be beat. If you’re looking for a durable (and yes, kinda heavy) dog bowl, this one from Yeti is great; I recommend customizing because it’ll last forever anyway. And Tim Flach’s book of mesmerizing dog photos is for dog lovers and dog agnostics alike. As you can tell, it’s a fine line between a gift for the dog and a gift for the owner. One and the same, no?
The gift of time, and expertise
Sometimes the most thoughtful gift is the one that somebody wouldn’t get for themselves, but probably should. An hour with a dietician to change eating habits (I recommend Jason Levee, who is family but also very talented, and who you can book here.). Or with an astrologer to get a chart reading. Or an acupuncturist to sort out the body’s kinks. Or a career coach to figure out your professional next steps. Maybe a language coach to finally help them get fluent in Mandarin or French.
Gifts for good
Other times you want to feel good about the gift you’re giving. As though it makes a difference, no matter how small. In that space, I’ve been thinking a lot about these things… Nike’s Space Hippie sneaker is made, at least partially, of recycled trash. The Little Market’s cookbook gift set, which you can customize, supports local artisans in underserved communities around the world. Clare Vivier’s maternité tote donates 30% of the purchase price to Every Mother Counts. Proceeds from this Nat Geo x Parks Project hoodie go towards the National Geographic Society. Then there’s always second-hand gifting (not to be confused with re-gifting!). It’s inspired by a recent Times opinion piece that questions our constant need for more, more, more. A few sites to peruse if you have the time: eBay, The RealReal, Poshmark, Vestiaire Collective, Etsy, 1stDibs.
The last-minute gift
I suppose booking an hour with an expert can be done the day before the holiday (or, gasp, morning of). But there are some other creative ways for the procrastinator in you to show your affection. Like a monthly subscription to Book of the Month (just tell them it’s on its way). Or a donation to a cause that’s meaningful to them (World Central Kitchen, cancer research, make it personal). If you’re crypto-savvy, gift them an NFT; NBA Top Shot is a good place to start for the friend that used to collect sports cards, and OpenSea for a million other digital items. Then there are digital subscriptions, like the Criterion Channel, NYTimes Cooking, Headspace, and Melissa Wood Health, to name a few.
Happy shopping, happy holidays, happy everything!