2019 Gift Guide, More Than Books
I know that some people say there are four categories of gifts to give people: something you want, something you need, something to wear, and something to read. We’ve already covered “something to read” and so this will be everything else.
Shannon
I like to think of just two categories of gifts: practical and a bit more impractical—dare I say, luxurious. The kind of gift no one would buy themselves. The kind of gift that says, “treat yourself.” Here, a few ideas for some luxurious gifts for the special people in your life:
A lush, plush robe. If you want to go all out, get a Frette. (They are on sale right now, too!)
A monthly wine subscription. Who wouldn’t love a monthly delivery of wine? Wine of the Month Club is the original, and there are options for a variety of budgets, as well as rosé-only, Bordeaux-only, California-only, and so on and so forth. But don’t get this for me, because I don’t have a doorman and I don’t want my neighbors to steal my wine.
Face masks! I agree that the transformation of self-care into a consumer-driven entity is over-the-top, but face masks are still a nice way to treat yourself (or a friend or family member!). Some of my favorites include Origins Clear Improvement Charcoal Mask*, Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Concentrated Recovery Eye Mask*, Shiseido Benefiance WrinkleResist24 Pure Retinol Smoothing Eye Mask, Fresh Rose Face Mask, Drunk Elephant Babyfacial, Farmacy Honey Antioxidant Hydration Mask
A silk pillowcase. These not only look fancy, but they help decrease frizz, bedhead, and face creases. I like Slip. They also make sleep masks!
A chic clutch is always so stylist. The ones from Clare V are super sleek. Some of my favorites are the Flat Clutch in Python, the Flat Clutch in Camel with the pink stripe, and the Foldover in Leopard Hair.
And a few ideas for stocking stuffers:
A big group of us went to Turks and Caicos this year for my mom’s birthday, and one of the things my fellow co-planner brought for everyone were these sand coasters. They were an ingenious way to keep our cocktail cups sand-free while we were lounging. (In case you were wondering, I brought along this 100-pack of Advil capsules, this 60-pack of Emergen-C, and a dozen sheet masks for everyone.)
A few beauty sets I like: this Laneige one with their standout lip balms, this Fenty one with a mini Gloss Bomb lipgloss and highlighter, this Benefit one with the best brow gel, and this Clinique one* which contains four of my favorite Clinique products of all time (seriously, run, don’t walk)
Chunky socks like these from LL Bean. (I know, socks seem so boring, but they are so cozy!)
Stainless steel straws—not just for the eco-conscious among us.
Scrunchies! Yes, they’re back.
*Disclosure: I am employee of The Estee Lauder Companies, and receive a discount on Estee Lauder, Origins, and Clinique products.
Moira
I literally couldn’t be less interested in anything I use being organic or not (don’t @ me, please), but when it comes to bath bombs I have a possibly irrational fear that it will give me a yeast infection, which is one of the deeper circles of hell. So I’m brand loyal to Lush. I can make literally no guarantees about them being safer or healthier than non-organic products, but they smell good and they fizz.
I really, really love soft and expensive pajamas. Eberjey is really the master at this, and they make lovely pajama sets to lounge, sleep, and conduct important international business in.
I am candle-obsessed, and I think a fancy-ish one is a good present for just about anyone. Obviously I’d love Tom Ford or Diptyque, but I’ll settle for a nice Anthropologie Capri Blue candle.
I really want an ice roller for my morning facial puffiness/after a good cry. I’m thinking I might start bringing one to therapy and just seeing what happens.
Socks are also a solid gift, IMO. I’ve been wanting to try Bombas (somehow they haven’t yet sponsored us), as I’ve already heard amazing things. I love this pack of no-show socks. Maybe we need a podcast first…
Elizabeth
In recent years, I have become a fancy pajama person — I used to just sleep in oversized t-shirts and ratty boxers, but then I got a pair of fancy pajamas from Santa, and my life was changed. I now justify it by telling myself I spend a third of my life sleeping (a - optimistic; b - that’s also how I justified fancy sheets), and my absolute favorites are pima cotton. The best I have found are either from LAKE or from Biscuit, but note the care instructions on the Biscuit ones; I shrunk my first nightgown pretty badly.
I’m always cold, and I have an insane amount of sweatshirts for someone who doesn’t live in a sub-arctic climate, though I might argue that anything below 70 degrees requires an additional layer. A few favorites: J.Crew Polartec Sherpa Pullover | Boden Patterned Sweatshirt (I have the royal one!) | L.L. Bean Rugby Shirt | Tie-dye sweatshirt
I live in a city, and I never drive a car, so I am basically my own pack mule everyday. I prefer a tote to a backpack (my current favorite is the Madewell ziptop transport tote), and this year, I feel like I have finally found a way to stop everything I need from falling to the bottom of my bag: I recently invested in a pouch that holds all of my essentials (wallet, AirPods, house keys, lipgloss), and not only does it keep everything corralled, it’s super easy to change from bag to bag. I have this large one from Mark and Graham, but anything about this size would do.
Statement earrings are one of my go-to gifts for good friends, and you can’t beat the selection that they have at BaubleBar! I love these hammered hoops, these beaded flower dangles, and these Rudolphs, if you’re looking for something especially festive!
Beauty products have already been touched on, but I did want to plug both undereye masks for all of the folks that may not get the recommended 8 hours of sleep a night. I like both Wander Beauty and Shiseido, and yes, I do keep them in the fridge.
A few other stocking stuffers ideas for less than $20, just because that ends up being a good amount for friend/family/sisters-in-law (Blair and Kimberly, avert your eyes!). I have all of these things, I love them, and I look forward to sharing them with some friends soon:
Stojo collapsible coffee cup (I love that this folds up and collapses and doesn’t take up too much room in my tote!)
The fun Celine knockoff sunnies that both Moira and I love!
Lightweight pearl hoop earrings - every time that I wear these, I have someone ask where I got them
Any of the facemask suggestions above!
What’s on our lists?
I really want a weighted blanket, but I live in a studio apartment, so I need it to be aesthetically pleasing. I have had this one from Bearaby in my cart for ages, and I’m hoping that Santa reads this post so that it ends up under the tree for me this year. - Elizabeth
