Your Giftees, Guided
Finding the perfect presents for six holiday shopping submissions.
One of my special skills is that I’m an excellent gift-giver—I find matching a present to a person to be a deeply satisfying combination of intuition and research. So, in an effort to pay it forward this holiday season, I asked my Instagram community to send me information about some of their hardest-to-shop-for loved ones so I could shoulder a bit of the burden. These six submissions are surprisingly well-rounded—perhaps you’ll find a helpful idea or two among the responses!
How about combining two of his favorite things with this burnt orange bourbon? Or this dog leash bicycle attachment so his furry friend can join him on rides? What about this personal popcorn popper along with a custom selection of popcorn spice blends? Perhaps these awesome wireless helmet headphones so he can listen to music on the slopes?
I’ve gifted this classic Pendleton throw with a carrier to avid campers, and it’s always a big hit. You could get her this fun pickleball equipment bag or a monogrammed pickleball paddle cover. Perhaps this handy LED torch to shed light on her book pages in the evenings. If you know some of her favorite authors, you can’t go wrong with a gorgeous special edition of one of their books—there are plenty of excellent options among these Penguin clothbound classics.
Octogenarians are MY PEOPLE. *rubs hands together* Everyone loves a good quality herbal tea (best to keep it caffeine-free for this crowd)—Magic Hour offers several sizes in gorgeous violet glass apothecary jars. Or a beautiful handmade mug—grab one from local makers and markets in your area. A lovely scented candle is a great pick too—my favorite brand is Tatine. You also can’t go wrong with a quality wool scarf—I have more from Bronte Moon than I can count. Since they’re foodies, a gift certificate to a meal service like Blue Apron or a local restaurant that delivers would certainly be appreciated.
The skincare crowd loves a silk pillowcase—I’m in a committed relationship with my Blissy (it’s washable silk!) Combine wine + wellness with these awesome JUKES nonalcoholic aperitifs. Or these incredible Jing herbal soda drops (I’m obsessed with them—every flavor is an insanely delicious dupe for traditional soda!) I also drink this Rasa adaptogenic coffee alternative daily (my favorite is the Dirty, but their seasonal Peppermint Cacao is also excellent). Or perhaps this acupressure Shakti mat, or a pretty modern wine glass set.
Phew, I’d say get these two a gift certificate for a couple’s massage, but we all know they’ll never find the time to use it. I love that they seem more interested in experiences than perfection! I bet they’d like a handcrafted cutting board for entertaining or a beautiful extra-large throw blanket that the whole family can snuggle under. Maybe this large leather charger roll-up, to keep them organized while traveling. Or, to help stop germs in their tracks, this UV phone sanitizer. And throw in a Rebel Girls book for their daughters!
I know firsthand how tough it can be to navigate familial estrangement, so I give you a lot of credit for wanting to work through it. Big hugs your way! I get the sense that something experiential would be great for your brother. See if you can find race car driving lessons (or even a high-speed ridealong) in his area, or gift him a day at a climbing gym. You could also get in on the action with him—maybe take him paintballing? It’d certainly be a unique way to mediate any uncomfortable stuff between the two of you! You could also take a foraging class together—because I don’t know your location, Google will be your BFF here. This is an excellent resource for various folks in New Jersey, or check out The Outside Institute in Upstate New York. Or you could get him some retro-style leather driving gloves or this extremely manly multitool.
I’d love to know if you gift any of these items, and what the results are—feel free to share your feedback in the comments, or tag me on Instagram. Happy holidays, y’all!