Long Live Great Gift Giving

We pause our regular scheduled programming

Nov 24, 2022

I’ve finished all of my holiday shopping. Gifts are stacked in a corner of my bedroom, wrapped, labeled, and ready to roll. If you knew how early in the week I write these dispatches to schedule them for the week before, this wouldn’t surprise you. I’m what they call a planner, to a tee and sometimes, to a fault. A Google calendar invite makes my heart soar. An organized itinerary is my idea of romance. You get the picture.

The double-edged sword to my preemptive holiday spirit is this: I love to give gifts. If you subscribe to love languages, I’m a “gifts” girl with a “words of affirmation” moon. My bliss is fourteen tabs open, a shivering tumbler of seltzer, and my secret note with gift ideas I’ve been recording all year.

Enough about my neurotic habits. Let’s talk about you + yours! Here are the three things I think make a great gift.

Ownable: I say this all the time with copy, so it’s funny in this context, but it works! Give something unique! Ignore this gift guide entirely and spend some time getting creative on your own. Special gifts mean the most. Special is up for interpretation, but branch out.
Personal: Not everyone loves monograms as much as me, but think of something along those lines. Do they have a favorite sports team? A favorite cafe?
Considered: Choose something that at least *feels* like you thought about it. A good rule of thumb is that if you can buy it on Amazon, maybe try again! Vintage is great. Special order is sweet. Consider the gift recipient and the life they lead. Do they have a tiny apartment without cabinet space for a rice cooker? Does your sister have an ironclad skincare routine that probably doesn’t welcome the facial vacuum you thought she’d enjoy?

For your best friend

My best friend and I have a holiday tradition of a weekday breakfast out to a chic spot somewhere downtown. She’s a fabulous gift giver. Talk about a high bar.

Vintage relic from a Sheet Cake + Champagne holiday party we threw

Give into the Ugg life! The Classic Ultra Minis ($140) are perfect for padding around.

Search “Vintage (insert their monogram)” on Etsy for darling finds—from trays to necklaces.

Love seeing movies together? Gift a BAM membership ($85) for even more excuses to hang out.

For your partner

Isn’t getting married enough of a gift? Kidding, but this year, I’m leaning practical to compensate for the shower of thoughtful gifts we received re: our nuptials.

You can’t go wrong with another warm layer from Patagonia, like this Men's Classic Retro-X® Fleece Vest ($160).

Date night! Try a gift card to favorite local spots. We love Hibino and Roman’s.

Upgraded pantry items for the chef in the family. I’m thinking Graza Co. Olive Oil ($38) or Get Golden bars ($38).

For the kids in your life

I’ve become an honorary godparent for the boys I nannied forever. That means, I’m still on the hook for holiday gifts and playing tag in the hall.

Choose Your Own Adventure is just as novel now as it was when you read them. Search for a vintage set online ($25).

Ignore the 18+ label and give LEGO® Ideas The Starry Night to keep kids busy to a long time ($169).

The cutest, most charming little stuffie you’ll ever meet ($34).

For your M-I-L

The assignment was taken quite literally for People magazine, but I must say, my mother-in-law might be my favorite person to shop for. It helps that we love all the same things.

The first gift I gave Jane! I was so nervous she wouldn’t like it.

We both love this coffee table book—British Designers At Home ($48).

Go wild on Discountmagazines.com and gift a few subscriptions.

Ginori 1735 just feels like a mother-in-law home run ($55).

Honorable Mentions

Thank you so much for reading. More wedding content + book recs to come. See you next, next Thursday! x