When it comes to gift-giving, I always try to find something that is thoughtful, unique, and representative of my relationship with the person I’m gifting. Most gift guides present you with an archetype of the person you’re shopping for, and list items within a specific price range or similar structure. This is an excellent start for brainstorming ideas, but the difference between a good gift and a great one comes from the personal touch and extra thought that goes into it.
Rather than simply presenting another list, I want to also guide you through my thought process and the gifts I’ve given and received that have really resonated with me beyond the normal sort of stuff you usually get, but I’ll also give some general suggestions.
The first step in gift-giving is keeping tabs. Throughout the year, you should ideally be cultivating and maintaining a relationship with this person and learning about what makes them tick. The trick here is not necessarily to gift them something specific to their interests because in all likelihood they either have a very particular idea in mind or have already gotten themselves everything they need (This is why I would never want to get another pair of loafers or really any article of clothing because that’s something I already shop for myself). Instead, you want to get something that is representative of your relationship with that person. Something sentimental; an artful poster of a band you both like, the first movie you watched together, an art gallery you went to together, or even your favorite alcoholic spirit to drink together. Framed photos also always work well as a smaller gift, depending on if this person likes to display that sort of thing at home.
If you have a significant other, a Marimo moss ball is an easy gift with a meaningful romantic story. It was one of the first gifts Ruby got me and has been surprisingly easy to care for. By keeping it in our fridge during the heat of summer and placing it in a low-lit area in cooler months, it serves as a reminder of the constant care that goes into maintaining a healthy and fulfilling relationship.
Another great gift we did together on one anniversary was a Tintype photo shoot, combining the sentimental and experiential components of good gift-giving to create a memorable moment. I’m lucky that Ruby is easy to get gifts for, she appreciates almost anything, but if that’s not your case you may need to do more probing into love languages or find out what someone values most in a gift (do they seem to be more sentimental or not, do they value how much money something is worth or how creative it is) and what sort of things you’ve bonded over (this is what makes it personally meaningful). If they value experiences over material goods, you’re better off planning a trip or booking dance lessons or a pottery class.
The hardest people to get gifts for are the people I don’t feel like I have a strong understanding of — kids, estranged relatives, and coworkers. In those cases, there’s a delicate balance between practicality and whimsy —something novel, but also something they’ll actually use. In these cases, you sort of have to go off whatever information you currently have and make a commitment to try to learn more about them in the future. A little lifehack is just to check the MoMA Design Store or find something handmade and one-of-a-kind on Etsy, but below are some other recommendations based on my experience:
Carta Aromatica D’Eritrea, $24
Looking like a bougie little booklet, these tearable sheets are soaked in aromatic oils and designed to be folded and burned to purify and scent the air around you. I love incense but sometimes all you need is the little refresh these provide. This $24 variant comes with 72 sheets in a little collectible tin.
John Derian Candles, $15+
Modern objet d’art, these hyperrealistic candle renditions of pastries, wine bottles, and charcuterie are more collectible than they are practical. Great statement pieces that encourage curiosity.
Forthave Spirits Mithradates Vino Amaro, $29.96
A wine-based bitters from Forthave Spirits line of ancient medicinal recipes re-interpreted as digestivos. In their own words, it’s “inspired by one of the most famous elixirs of antiquity: Mithridatum. For nearly two thousand years, it was sold and consumed as prescriptive medicine and an elixir of long life. It was used well into the 19th Century, ingested by Julius Cesar, Charlemagne, and Queen Elizabeth I among others.” This is a great gift for the history buff or sophisticated drinker in your life.
Cocktail Kingdom Channel Knife, $6.99
Cocktail Kingdom has all your necessary barware but this channel knife is a great upgrade for citrus garnishes. A simple, practical item that your friends are unlikely to already own.
Belvoir Farm Elderflower & Rose Syrup Mixer, $11.99
Cocktail mixers are a great anytime sort of gift. You can make a nonalcoholic apéritif with a little seltzer, or mix it with white wine for a spritzer. I like that the floral sweetness of elderflower and rose help to offset the bitter cold of winter with memories of warmer months.
Rudie Dresses, $84-$152
Ruby and I have a budget of around $200 for gifts for each other this year. In this price range, if it weren't already her own brand I’d definitely be gifting her a Rudie dress. The Cobalt Mini is a newer silhouette, a little shorter than the midi so it’s more of a sporty everyday style. Perfect for the young socialite in your life.
Vintage Silver Jewelry from Front General Store, $88+
Front General Store is a small Japanese-run boutique in Brooklyn whose curation is on par with what you’d expect from such a venture. They’re still quite under-the-radar so you can find a lot of their vintage jewelry in stock online. These are great gifts for someone looking to upgrade their style without necessarily changing it. Give ‘em a chain or bracelet to throw on and it’ll give their everyday outfits a little boost.
Uniqlo Premium Lambswool Sweater, $49.90
I’ve tried just about every type of sweater under the sun, Shaggy Dogs, cashmere, mohair, you name it. Uniqlo takes the cake when it comes to value. At $50 this lambswool crewneck won’t break the bank and will last just as long as more expensive options. For the price, they’re quite well made and have all the normal details you’d expect from a high-quality sweater. The women’s colors are better, but you can never go wrong with a classic gray or navy.
Ben Davis 1/2-Zip Shirts, $43-53
For the working class hero in your life, skaters, punks, and cholos. Ben Davis a West Coast staple and I love how easy and versatile these shirts are. I wear mine while gardening or on a summer night out. It’s like jeans for your torso.
Vermont Country Store Sheepskin Adjustable Scuffs, $79.95
The Vermont Country Store is the OG for New England-style home good staples, and I especially love their pajamas and sheepskin slippers. These scuffs are my pick because of the open toe and back with velcro-adjustable closure, making them comfortable for anyone and easy to slip on and off.
For Kids
Parchie Watches, $65+
These are so cool and fun and come in all sorts of crazy colors. They’re meant for kids but honestly anyone with small wrists could rock these (they’ve got the Gear Patrol co-sign and are carried by Hodinkee). You get 10% off if you buy more than one so why not grab a couple?
Shuna’s Journey (Graphic Novel), $19.59
Originally published in Japan in the early 80s and based on traditional Tibetan folklore, I remember seeing illustrations from this as a kid and romanticizing the pastoral life, wishing I could read the entire story. Recently translated into English, this is a great gift for a budding young reader or any Studio Ghibli fan.
Takashi Murakami Flower Pancake Pan, $40
Better as a gift for young parents, this will help make breakfast more fun than it usually is for kids.
Steiff “Jimmy” Teddy Bear, $39.95
Simple, timeless, and lovably soft. Steiff made the original Teddy bear and this machine-washable plush is the perfect companion for any toddler, whether it ends up as a decorative collectible or a ragdoll.
For Pets
Sprkl Custom Pet Tag, $50
A fun little charm to give the furry friend in your life some handcrafted flair. Fully customizable, this is something I’m getting for both our pups this year.
Little Beast Collection, $25–88
I got a onesie and a hoodie from Little Beast for our pups last year and they’re so cute. They’ve gotten so trendy they’re doing collabs with Lisa Says Gah but the quality is worth the hype. You can’t really go wrong with any of their offerings and exchanging is easy if you happen to get the wrong size (with fluffier breeds you might wanna size up to account for the extra fur). Oh, and they have options for cats too!
For Paid Subscribers
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