I noticed very distinctly this year that, on November 1, the sales started pouring in. The e-blasts, the pop-ups, the catalogs. The world, it seems, wants us to shop. It can be overwhelming or, if you’re like me, a total time-suck. So, I tell myself, let’s put that time to good use. For a second year, I’ve decided to cobble together a guide of things worth gifting. My hope is that there’s something for everyone—yes, yourself too!
Now that I think about it, maybe all of this comes from the perspective of a parent in her first year. Just someone who wants better sleep, warm food, to look good and feel nice. Isn’t that everyone nowadays?
**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
For the love of bread
Bread is always better warm. If you agree, this next gift is a game-changer. It’s a terra-cotta plate that you “bake” for 10 minutes, drop into the accompanying bag, and warm your bread, fooling guests into thinking those dinner rolls just came out of the oven. And because Oprah said so, here’s a gift for a very specific kind of person. It’s a baguette cutting board, which is kind of genius if you’ve ever tried to cut a crumby baguette on any other kind of surface.
When you can’t pick just one flavor…
Opt for three or four of them! This really applies to any and all giftable foods. If your person likes mixing up breakfast, Tom’s Perfect 10 granola, which has really taken off on Instagram, comes in a limited edition tin of four flavors: Flaming Chocolate, Mangonada, Black and White Matcha, and Golden Apple Cider. For late nights, get 3.5 gallons of popcorn instead, which, in my personal experience, is frighteningly irresistible. This one is from Bethany Beach, Maryland, so you know they do beach snacks right. I like the caramel-butter-cheddar combo best. And perhaps you never considered gifting someone a can of tuna fish—but what about a tin of chili crisp smoked salmon? What about an adventurous trio of fish? From ingredients to packaging, Fishwife has made the tinned fish space chic.
Recipes galore
Here, we have a mishmash of cookbooks that I know I’d love to receive. For starters, Jody Williams and Rita Sodi’s highly anticipated Via Carota cookbook. If you haven’t yet been to the restaurant, it’s a West Village staple and I’ll join you there anytime you like. Except for 7 pm on a Friday night, which is laughably impossible to get in. For those nights, we have the cookbook!
Another is Ali Slagle’s I Dream of Dinner (so You Don’t Have To). With recipes like “All-corner-pieces baked pasta” and “Bloody mary tomatoes with smoked fish,” I, personally, am sold. Ruby Tandoh, of Great British Baking Show fame embraces the messiness of home cooking with Cook as You Are, which feels like a good place to start one’s cooking journey. I’m also intrigued by the nourishing, plant-based recipes of Hannah Che’s Vegan Chinese Kitchen and Melissa Clark’s one-pan meals in Dinner in One. (If you use the NYTimes Cooking app on the regular, Clark is something of a celebrity.) And if you, like me, are a Deb Perelman fan, her latest book of new classics is a solid addition to any cookbook collection. Lastly, because we should always finish with dessert, Claire Saffitz’s Dessert Person; if they already have that, her latest book, What’s for Dessert, is brand new.
Cooking with kids
I love the idea of one day cooking with my baby girl. Until then, maybe someone in your life has a kid with a sophisticated palate. Chef and Food Network star Molly Yeh recently debuted a Mommy&Me apron set with Enrich & Endure. It’s got stars and colorful pockets and is, thus, very cute. Here’s the grownup version and the kid version. Also, Material, which makes excellent kitchen tools, now has a kids set that includes a mini whisk, mini spatula, and cooking card game. For kids that are not yet of cooking age, the Cook in a Book series is a fun way to introduce the notion of recipes.
Mint and dill on demand
It can be so disheartening to use, say, fresh rosemary for a single recipe and finding yourself throwing out the rest of the plastic container a week later. Let’s grow our own herbs. This AeroGarden is foolproof and small enough to fit on the windowsill of a New York City kitchen.
A hot chocolate maker
Well… that’s not technically what it’s called. But Smeg’s stylish milk frother, according to Air Mail’s Jonathan Margolis, will make the hot chocolate of your dreams—and ice-cold chocolate milkshakes for that matter. This feels like a winter (nay, year-round) staple.
Kitchen tchotchkes
Because no one’s kitchen is ever really complete
The idea of not having to use measuring cups and of doing all cooking/baking prep in a single bowl is too attractive to pass up. Gift them a kitchen scale; and hopefully this means they’ll use it to cook a meal for you. Everybody wins.
Can a lemon squeezer also serve as a cheese grater? Well, sort of. This 8-in-1 tool set is a good gift when space is limited or if you’re just sick of mono-tasking tools.
I’ve come across this whimsical turkey baster too many times in the past week to not include it here. It’s just an infusion of joy into any home, right in time for Thanksgiving.
Mugs might be the closest thing I have to a collection of anything. They’re nostalgic and cozy, each one different for a different mood or time or beverage. These two mugs from the Six Bells in Brooklyn (but really, from Ireland) evoke all the hygge I’m after this winter.
While we’re on the subject of coziness in the kitchen—and Brooklyn country stores—this adorable baking dish is a 10/10. So is this heart-shaped Le Creuset skillet—perfect for making a tahini swirl skillet brownie, which can also be part of the gift.
Well Lived
Go wrinkle-free
My sister-in-law gifted me a Nori press and it really elevates the steaming experience. It reminds me of the days I tried to use a hair straightener to get wrinkles out of my button-ups in college, but the grown-up version. In other words, an iron 2.0. It has settings for a variety of materials and uses steam effectively.
Light up
Candles are great and all, but what about candles shaped like everyday objects? It’s a gift that’s at once whimsical and functional. I’m partial to this lemon, complete with a grocery store sticker, this two-wick baguette, and this flan that looks good enough to eat.
Must love dogs
Sometimes the best gift is a gift for someone’s dog. In which case, this hand-dyed leash is both sturdy and pretty to look at. And, given the season, this L.L. Bean fleece to keep a pooch warm on the coldest days. (I just got one for Auggie the doggie, shh!)
Life’s a picnic
Maybe it’s mom life, but I love a good picnic blanket. And given the variety out there, it makes a good gift too. Baggu’s quilt is pieced together from deadstock fabric, Rumpl’s colorful blanket is the closest thing to a sleeping bag, and Yeti’s is an all-terrain option.
Better sleep
While you can’t (yet) give the gift of actual sleep, you can help create the right conditions for a loved one to get some much-needed rest. We can begin with a lavender-chamomile pillow spray, a wrap-around eye mask, and a tea set for the occasion. Maybe throw in a pair of pillow cases embroidered with something cheeky. For nighttime shower-ers, a good robe can really help wind down. This one has been on my radar for a while as a solid hotel robe replica. There are a bunch of sound machines out there with all the bells and whistles, but I’m partial to this one from Dohm, which has a real fan inside and, therefore, just one option (with the ability to adjust the volume). Simple and soothing, it works for our 10-month-old, so that should be proof enough. If you’re really last-minute, consider a gift card to the Calm app, which has seemingly unlimited options for relaxing. Oh, and what about a hand-knit hot water bottle cover? I can keep going…
A bouquet
When in doubt, fresh flowers. When looking for something a little longer lasting, Revery Paper Flora has some exquisite alternatives, namely this single ranunculus or this hyacinth stem. Or there’s always this kid-friendly felt bouquet.
Pewter gifts
I discovered Svenskt Tenn’s beautiful pewter accessories at Totême’s new store in SoHo and haven’t stopped thinking about them since. From this plant pot to these tree trunk candleholders to this decorative box, each piece feels special and somewhat timeless. On the pewter front, Match’s picture frames never disappoint. They’re weighty and won’t detract from the image inside. These spiral metal coasters are also mesmerizing and would probably make a great housewarming/host gift.
Keep those toes warm
Great socks make great gifts. I’ve shared Brother Vellies’ cloud socks before (but worth a repeat mention for ultimate coziness). For men (but really anyone), this Rototo pair looks like it’s made from your favorite varsity sweatshirt. I’ve also been drawn to frilly socks as of late; here are some from Bambas with color and Free People that are more subdued. On the practical end, these no-show socks that the Instagram algorithm fed me are really, truly no-slip. You can never go wrong with a nice Falke pair.
Tech accessories
To elevate the experience of remote work and doom-scrolling Instagram
First up, a custom mosaic phone case from Memor. Add objects and customize it with charms to make a phone case that’s thoughtful, fun to look at, and completely unique.
Instax mini cameras are everywhere these days, so there’s something both refreshing and nostalgic to me about square-format polaroids. I got this camera recently and have been using it to commemorate my daughter’s first year. A slow alternative to iPhone photography, but without the commitment of a full-fledged film camera.
If your giftee uses reading glasses, and even if they don’t, Caddis has changed the eyewear game. For anyone who stares at screens too much, I like these blue light glasses.
This one makes me laugh but: If you want to get work done, but also want to be on the beach, this laptop shade is kinda great.
Well Groomed
Makeup you wouldn’t buy yourself
Byredo makeup is beautiful to look at, and it helps that the products themselves are great too. I’m partial to the mascara, the color stick, and the liquid lipstick vinyl. On the lip front… I’m a little bit over celebrity makeup and skincare lines, but Hailey Bieber’s Rhode has been getting consistent praise. The peptide lip treatment is often sold out, so keep your eyes peeled for the next drop. As if that weren’t Gen Z enough, Saie’s dew blush liquid has been getting the TikTok treatment and is genuinely great. Unfussy, natural, colorful, it checks all the boxes. If you’re going all-out, Violet Grey’s holiday box has a little of everything (and all full-sized products for that matter).
Small bathroom luxuries
Here, for some little things to elevate the bathroom experience… A reliable Bluetooth shower speaker, a towel warmer, and a jasmine-scented candle. There’s also a stone bathmat that takes away all the ickiness of the wet terrycloth version you might currently use. And a new, vibrant bath towel.
Well Dressed
Comfortable shoes
Who doesn’t love the gift of comfortable feet? I’ve long espoused the wonder of the Teva ReEmber moccasin, which I continue to stand by. But here are a few other options to consider: Birkenstock clogs — or, better yet, ones with a back strap. Or, level up to full-fur double-strap sandals (fur-kenstocks, if you will). Full-shearling mary janes did you say? Better yet, velvet Italian house slippers in a fun range of colors.
On your neck
A diamond necklace — but make it lab-grown white sapphire instead. Dorsey’s necklaces feel delicate yet extremely wearable. Probably because they cost much less than a diamond necklace would. If you want less sparkle and more whimsy, Aliita makes a whole bunch of necklaces that fit the bill; I’m partial to the sprinkle strawberry donut. And if you’re not going for sparkle at all this season, consider beads instead. Eliou makes a bright and colorful strand and Roxanne Assoulin makes a simpler, choker-style necklace with blue flowers. And for storing said necklaces, Cuyana’s pebbled leather travel jewelry case.
Caps, caps for sale!
Pardon the children’s book reference, I couldn’t resist. Here are a few caps for every kind of giftee. An alpaca beanie from Everlane for the cold months ahead. (Here’s a similar one from Totême that’s on my list.) On the baseball cap front, add an element of whimsy—like Babar in a phone booth. Or a NY cap in bubble letters. Or one of Goorin’s ever-popular animal caps. For sunnier days, this wide-brimmed hat.
Better than pajamas
A lounge set is probably the ultimate splurge because everyone already has an old t-shirt or mismatched pajamas to fill the void at no cost. Which is why it makes such a great gift. If lounging alone, I like this quilted pajama top and bottom. For lounging as a group, The Great has simple, beautiful sets for the whole family. For lounging with style, Leset makes great separates, like this cardigan and these pants — or swap the cardi for a button-up or a tank. Lastly, from Lake Pajamas, this set looks buttery soft.
This belongs to…
Because they probably won’t monogram for themselves. Ideas: (1) A shrunken crewneck cotton sweater from Demy Lee, which uses a particularly good font and colors in its monogramming. (2) London-based brand With Nothing Underneath makes a very good button-down shirt. I’m partial to the cozy brushed style, but the silk is also on my wishlist. Embroider a piece with initials, a date, or a heart. (3) Hey Gang makes excellent, sturdy overalls for kids and adults alike, and they’re especially conducive to monogramming. Their kids’ jackets are great, too.
Pasta to wear
I’ve got pasta on the brain much of the time. Chances are someone you care about does, too. I’m surprised by the number of great pasta-centric clothing there is. Good enough to gift! Like Kule’s Cacio e Pepe socks (and tee) or a Fusilli Palace denim jacket by LA pasta joint Jon & Vinny’s.
Reduce, reuse, recycle—clothing
Sometimes you want to get them something totally one-of-a-kind. Never been done before, will never be done again. It’s a tall order, but there are a lot of great brands upcycling used textiles to make pretty amazing garments. Like Atelier and Repairs, whose silk kimono jacket I keep thinking about. Or This Repair Shop, with its excellent patchwork khaki pants. Or La Réunion with a patchwork dress for kids. Or anything from By Walid, a brand that thoughtfully picks antique fabrics for its garments, like this printed blouse or patchwork jacket.
Add some sparkle
’Tis the season (and year, really) of sparkle. Let’s go all out here. This bejeweled Max Mara clutch feels like the perfect way to elevate a simple, elegant outfit. Ditto these sandals by Nomasei and these Alaïa sunglasses. Both, despite their shine, feel pretty versatile. And then there’s this statement rhinestone teddy bear ("beiress") bag.
Pie in the sky
This section is just for fun, let’s be honest. Fun like a bejeweled sushi-themed Judith Leiber clutch. Or a Jessica McCormack embroidered jewelry box , which is a treasure unto itself—and comes with jewelry inside. Or a mirror that’s also a work of art from Bower.
Happy shopping, happy holidays, happy everything. Thanks for being here!