2020 Holiday Gift Guide

What makes an item gift-able? It has to occupy that sweet spot between indulgent and utilitarian, and between wish-you-had and you-already-own. Below: five handy lists of products I’ve tried and loved, received and loved, or loved to gift in the past, sorted by recipient.

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For the Go-Getter

Ember self-heating coffee mug, from $100 | via amazon.com.

Keeps your coffee (or tea, or soup…I guess) heated to your desired temperature through all those morning meetings.

Allbirds wool runners, $95 | via allbirds.com.

For those on-the-go overachievers who combine errands, a run, and a social commitment all in one fast-paced outing. Part casual sneaker, part sport shoe, and always polished looking.

The Daily Edited personalized saffiano wrap case, from $60 | via thedailyedited.com.

This is my own phone case style at the moment - minimal, monogrammed, and professional.

Mark & Graham foil pressed personalized notecards, $59 | via markandgraham.com.

Some people are so on top of their shit that they send actual personal correspondence regularly by mail, and on personalized stationery. I am not one of these people. But in case you know someone, this is a solid option.

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For the Self-Care Enthusiast

Aesop intensely hydrating citrus duo, $72 | via aesop.com.

This was a hit when I gifted it to a family member a year or two ago. Aesop is some high-quality stuff with a great natural ingredients ethos.

Ouai scalp and body scrub, $38 via sephora.com.

Fabulous, satisfying texture, plus Ouai makes some of the freshest body care scents around. Apparently the internet loves this too, so I feel justified in putting this on my list.

Sunday Riley power couple set, from $21 for various sizes | via dermstore.com.

I was recommended this lactic acid and retinol nightly skincare kit by friends, and haven’t stopped using it for three years. It’s the best thing to happen to my skin since aging out of the chaotic teenage years.

Nécessaire body sets, from $40 | via necessaire.com.

There are a number of things I love about this small brand’s range of body washes, lotions, and scrubs, including their silky textures and unisex, atypically muted, high-end scents.

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For the Fitness Buff

Bala weighted bangles, $65 for 2lb pair | via shopbala.com.

These inconspicuous ankle/wrist weights add a little something extra to a long walk or home workout, perfect for quarantine times.

Purist stainless steel 18 oz water bottle, from $46 | via puristcollective.com and REI.

This sleek bottle is not only nice to look at, it has a glass interior coating to stop even coffee from leaving behind a lingering taste.

Arctery’x Rho LTW neck gaiter, $39 | via arcteryx.com.

Not quite a scarf, this is just enough for for an active person to stay warm during an outdoor winter workout.

Shashi embellished grip socks, $18 | via carbon38.com.

For pilates and barre enthusiasts who also love a bit of bling.

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For the Homebody

Pottery Barn monogrammed marble and wood coasters, $25 a set | via potterybarn.com.

Winter is coming, which means it’s leave-your-hot-coffee-mug-on-random surfaces time. These pretty things will save many a tabletop.

Smeg variable temperature kettle, $220 | via amazon.com.

For those who love a retro decor look, this is Smeg’s update of their popular fixed-temperature kettle style.

Byredo scented candles, from $45 | via nordstrom.com.

These are beautiful enough to gift a particularly hard-to-please recipient. Plus they come in a range of unusual, intriguing fragrances you won’t find elsewhere.

WeMo wi-fi enabled plugs, $75 for a 3-set | via amazon.com.

These incredible timesavers integrate right into Apple HomeKit and can be controlled from your iPhone, making a nightly routine of switching off various lamps and other powered items a breeze.

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For the Pet Parent

Paw PupProtector waterproof blanket, $298 | via paw.com.

A cute, washable, easy-care, waterproof blanket to protect your nice couch from inevitable animal accidents.

The Foggy Dog plaid bow tie collars, $45 each | via thefoggydog.com.

I think I remember TFD getting into the pet bow tie craze before other stores did, and they still make some of the cutest, most thoughtfully designed ones around. I confess I haven’t sent these particular ties to anyone (yet), but wish I’d thought of it in time.

Various brands - cat backpack, usually $30+ | via amazon.com.

These adorable things let your cat come along on hikes, bike rides, and errands. But not all cats are cool with being clipped into one of these, so definitely check with your cat-owning friend to see if their kitty is chill.

The Cat Ladies organic pet grass kit, $16 | via amazon.com.

If your cat is like mine and enjoys nibbling at all the faux (or real) decorative greenery in your home, distract them with this easy-grow kit that comes in a cute container.

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Bonus List: For the Person Who Has Everything and Is Very Hard to Impress, and You’re Just Flipping Out

Disclaimer: I have never purchased these things for myself or anyone else.

Tiffany bone china box, $175 | via tiffany.com.

This just tickles me because it looks like the storage box a pair of earrings by the jewelry house might come in.

Norm Architects for Menu portable LED lantern, $180 | via dwr.com.

I have looked at this so many times and thought, How cool. You can carry it to the bathroom in the middle of the night.

Bang & Olufsen Beosound balance, $2,250 | via neimanmarcus.com

I’ve seen enough movies to know this is exactly the kind of art object-looking speaker tech-y thing a rich person would have in their home atop a custom made rare wood console table near where the great room feeds into the study.

Hermès Avalon III throw blanket, $1,550 | via hermes.com.

In case someone you know just craves a beautiful blanket they will never be able to machine wash.

Self-Care Cabinet

Over the years, between the three of us, my future mother-in-law, sister-in-law, and I have made a social activity out of sharing recommendations for everything from night serums to loungewear to volumizing shampoo. We share a little less now that I live 2500 miles away, but the fun of trying new products and discovering gems is still source of joy and comfort for me. Doubly so during quarantine, because if total social isolation isn’t a great time to put together an indulgent self-care routine and feel a bit of peace and stability, then when is?

Below, my top ten skincare and haircare holy grail products:

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Nécessaire The Body Wash (via Nécessaire). I’ve only been using this a few days so far, but this is the body wash I’ve been searching for. It’s mild, smooth, and just feels ridiculously high-end for its price point. I’m also not a fan of washing with over-the-top scents, and Nécessaire scents are neutral and mature.

Sunday Riley Good Genes (via Sephora). Most high-intensity re-texturizers and dark spot correctors on the market seem to be glycolic or citric, both of which are harsh to me. The lactic acid component of Good Genes is a comparatively gentler-feeling (but still effective) alternative AHA.

Ouai Leave-in Conditioner (via The Ouai). I have thick hair, so it’s tough for me to find a conditioner that’s effective but not so heavy it makes me look like the girl from The Ring. This spray by Ouai is light enough that it does the trick, and I no longer use an in-shower conditioner very often.

Ouai Volume Spray (via The Ouai). And speaking of the girl from The Ring, giving my hair a few spritzes of volume spray at the roots gives me an added defense against looking like some kind of Japanese ghost.

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Clinique “Smart MD Multi-Dimensional Age Transformer Revolumize” (via Sephora). The name is a handful, but this is basically a quick-absorbing moisturizer with a luxurious texture and noticeable plumping capabilities (thanks, hyaluronic acid). I received this as a trial size and am very likely to get the full-sized version at some point because it made such a difference even in three weeks.

Virtue Restorative Treatment Mask (via Virtue Labs). A great multi-day tamer of flyaways and repairer of damaged ends, which I used to have in spades. (Their shampoo, recommended to me by my SIL, is also a winner.)

Ole Henriksen Truth Serum (via Sephora). I originally bought this because I wanted something that would “wake up” and brighten my skin in the morning, but its strength turned out to be its collagen component. 100% think this softened the lines in my neck. I’ve been using Truth Serum on and off for a year but am switching to Drunk Elephant’s C-Firma just out of curiosity —will absolutely switch back if it doesn’t perform like this one did.

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Sunday Riley Luna Retinol Sleeping Night Oil (via Sephora). The closest thing to a miracle skin product I’ve ever used. When my skin is angrier than usual, just a few nights of applying this oil before bed effectively halts the inflammation cycle. Over time, its made everything smoother and clearer in general.

Peter Thomas Roth Lashes to Die For (via Sephora). I used to have lash extensions, which looked great but were challenging to maintain, and when they fell out, they took a lot of my natural lashes with them. This before-bed lash line serum not only brought them back quickly,

Aesop Rosehip Seed Lip Cream (via Aesop). I’ve always hated chapstick-format lip products: greasy, slow-absorbing, wipes off immediately. This dense cream format absorbs almost immediately after application and leaves lips feeling well-conditioned for hours.

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Honorable mention

Aesop Rind Concentrate Body Balm (via Aesop). Works like a cream, absorbs like a serum. Light, non-greasy.

Korres “Greek Yoghurt Foaming Cream Cleanser” (via Sephora). Almost has a “brightening” feeling to it while used.

Mario Badescu “Witch Hazel & Rosewater Toner” (via Amazon). The only toner that’s ever actually calmed my angry, redness-prone skin down.

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Trying next

Drunk Elephant “Lala Retro Whipped Moisturizer with Ceramides” (via Sephora). Burned through my Clinique moisturizer very quickly, and am intrigued by this moisturizer that has volume-boosting particles that are even smaller than hyaluronic acid (i.e. better absorbed).

From the Holiday Stockpile

I have a weak spot for things. Namely, I have an inexplicable predilection for scrolling through grid after grid of meticulously curated products halfway between meaningless objet d'art and handy daily necessities with a look of rapt appreciation on my face. As such, I can be a lot of fun during the holidays.

It's not that I'm an expert gifter - no, I have spectacularly misjudged friends in the past and gifted them anything from basic Neutrogena toiletries to high end fragrances that stayed sealed in their boxes for years afterwards. 

My usefulness, instead, is in mentioning the right label to the right person and helping them look like they really know what they're doing when they shop for their Xmas lists online. Like they spend their downtime perusing hyper-modern lifestyle magazines filled with more empty space than text. Like they lurk around Brooklyn and the West Village, trying out gastropubs and tea ateliers wearing Oxfords and oversized knits. Like they have 100k Instagram followers and an apartment in Portland where they lovingly house the world's largest collection of artisan mugs. Like they've traveled a lot and have developed such specific taste that mainstream department stores just don't cut it anymore. For that, I'm here to help.

Below: 15 brands and / or retailers that are doing something so very right:

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15 // Scandinavian Designs

Skrive desk $500, Spotlight table lamp $140, Klemens chair $900

Next time you find yourself in a posh furniture store like this one, asking, "What moron would consider a fucking $140 lamp," just know that it's me. Hi, I'm the dummy. Mind you, I would never actually shell out the cash, but I like knowing that a lamp of the perfect angularity is out there and buyable for less than an entire paycheck.

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14 // Mullein & Sparrow

Facial steam $22, bath salts $29, body oil $18 

I'm a big believer in personal care products that are almost too pretty to use up, because they add to your living space in a subtly soothing way. I mean, bathrooms are ugly enough to begin with. 

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13 // Are You Am I

Lilia top $179

Most were understandably skeptical when fashion blogger Rumi Neely debuted a line of luxury clothing, because the initial offerings were a set of perhaps poorly chosen loose tees. But in the months that followed, aggressively Californian blouses and crop tops and slip dresses were rolled out, and now I'm not convinced that Kendall Jenner shops anywhere else anymore.

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12 // Poketo

Cory bifold wallet $68, journal $16, wall vessel and planter set $28

If anything on this page is at all useful, it's probably sold by Poketo, a retailer of cute odds and ends for the home and office. They remind me vaguely of being in a toy store, surrounded by bright colors and eye-popping textures and adorable packaging.

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11 / Mast Chocolate

Most flavors about $20 for 7 oz.

This Brooklyn-based chocolatier's products are not typically stocked where one would buy food, and that just tickles me. It's like they've already admitted to themselves that chocolate is secondary, and branding comes first. That's cool. Why give out Ferrero pyramids when you can give out these babies & look super stylish by association?

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10 // Larsson and Jennings

Lugano $295; Lugano $315; Saxon $1395

I like a timepiece that is as likely to belong to a man as it is to a woman, and Larsson and Jennings' Swiss-made watches have so few few embellishments that they fit that niche. In the watch world, these sit on the other end of the swinging pendulum from the chunky, glitzy pieces we're more used to.

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09 // Hem

Key side table $175

This photo by Hem is great because 1) I would never think to market tables by arranging them like War of the Worlds alien pods coming to exterminate us all, and 2) there is nothing happening here. Three lines and a disc and that's supposed to be a table. All it takes is one of these beauties to make you look like the kind of person who goes to the MoMA and knows what's going on.

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08 // Sort of Coal

Hand soap $10; bincho $93; char oil cream $33; binchotan sculpture $396

Did I read the 14-paragraph "about" page on this label's website? No. Did I need to read it to know that this oak charcoal bath product venture is mostly BS? No. But do I love the stark minimalism of their packaging and the unabashedly self-important feel of the whole thing, bordering dangerously on the absurd? Yes. 

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07 // Anna Sheffield

Hazeline ceremonial stacking suite, $8300

The holiday season is engagement season, which means I know what I'll be doing: scrolling through Instagram crying inside at all the jewelry posts flying past. One profile I follow is that of New York based designer Anna Sheffield, who offers the perfect antidote to all the tired, staid styles we're too used to seeing on our grandmothers' fingers. Sheffield's signature concept is a striking burst of ray-like stones that are meant to sit atop a solitaire like a crown.

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06 // Ode to Things

Cinqpoints Archiblocks $70, Kami wood cups from $70, Ancap Verona cappuccino cup $36

I'm not entirely clear on what Ode to Things really is. It's part museum, part curio cabinet, part IKEA on steroids, and part actual, functioning home goods shop. Here there be everyday objects barely recognizable as what they are, pared down and Designed within an inch of their lives.

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05 // The Reformation

Aurelia top $128, Gemma dress $278

As label names go, I don't think there's one more striking than this. I always love telling friends about this eco-friendly clothing line: Reformation - gawd, that name. Even before you show people the plunging necklines, drapey silhouettes and 90s influence, it already sounds great. 

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04 // Le Labo

Santal 26 home fragrance, $125 for 100 ml

By now it's inescapably clear that I like my objets pretentious to the point of humorous absurdity, and near the top of the hierarchy is the unisex fragrance line by Le Labo of NYC. They have a "manifesto." There's a section of their website titled "oddities." They sell a diffuser made from reclaimed wood & vintage style bulbs. It's fantastic. Pair responsibly with craft beer & Restoration Hardware furniture.

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03 // Leibal

Lift coasters $69 for 4, Bang and Olufsen Beoplay H7 $449, marble wall clock $269

Like Ode to Things, Leibal is a curated collection of aesthetically pleasing odds and ends that seem to exist simply for curation's sake. Browsing the site, I'm left with a lot of questions. Who has nearly 300 bucks for a marble wall clock? And more importantly, what wall would support the sheer weight of said clock?

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02 // Article Magazine

Issues range from $14 to $17

Often I have trouble finding man-gifts, but soon I may just start ordering copies of London-based Article magazine for the more sartorially-inclined men in my life. They're printed on thick paper - coffee table-worthy - and feature moody, intense photography of everything from modern art and architecture to a star du jour.  

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01 // Artifact Uprising

Envelopes for $1.40 Save the Dates, wood calendar $30, soft cover photo book from $18

And finally, nothing inspires me creatively to the point of full-blown anger like the online print shop Artifact Uprising. Neutral paper tones, crisp serif fonts, generous white spacing - this place ticks all my aesthetic boxes re: how I want my photos of the Pacific Northwest to be presented. A gorgeous, unexpected photo gift source if you ever want to distance yourself from Shutterfly and Tinyprints.