Another gift guide—but better

How to gift with intention (and some gift suggestions).

Nov 22, 2022

You are probably getting bombarded with ads and emails and gift guides from your favorite influencers and maybe you don’t need another gift guide, but I wanted to put one together anyways.

Giving thoughtful, intentional gifts definitely requires you to be a great listener. Throughout the year, I love to get cues from people I love. Maybe they mentioned they want to start hosting dinner parties or they’ve always wanted that one perfume or they need a new lamp for their bedroom. It’s these small snippets that can help you when it comes time for shopping for gifts.

They want to host more dinners? Give them nice glassware or some beautiful vintage teacups or some candlesticks. They want a new lamp? Go to Dobbin Street Coop and find the perfect, most unique vintage lamp.

But there’s also the element of surprise. If you know that person really well, you can give them something they’ve never brought up before but you know they’re going to love it because that’s how well you know them. And that, to me, is the best type of gift-giving.

There is no right answer to gift giving. You know that person better than anyone putting together these gift guides, but I do think gift guides are helpful for inspiration and for discovering new things that you maybe had never heard of. Or also for shopping for yourself (I am guilty of this).

*FYI, I sometimes get affiliate codes from brands, but I didn’t use any affiliate links on any of the products I listed below! These are all brands I’ve loved for a while. Also, a lot of these brands are currently having sales!

For the person who loves organization and traveling and small luxurious moments AKA me

Nice shampoo and conditioner minis

I’m a huge fan of Ceremonia (I have been using the full-sized products now since they launched in 2020) and love their Starter Kit for traveling. Aaron and I are also huge fans of the Aesop Arrival Kit!

Facial or massage gift card

Gift cards get a bad rep, but I think that if it’s for a facial or a massage at a nice, spot like PRESS in Brooklyn, gift cards are incredible. I am pro gift-card in this scenario! If someone gave me this, I would be so happy.

Edit: Better yet, gift cards to local restaurants and coffee shops! Someone told me they love gifting gift cards in small amounts to various local spots and I think that’s such a great idea. They get to try out new places while also supporting local businesses.

Tech organizer bag

This might seem boring, but it’s not. The Calpak tech organizer is now officially my favorite thing when traveling. It keeps all of my chargers and cubes and little tech things super organized and has made my life so much easier.

Fluffy bathrobes

I have been religiously wearing the Brooklinen Super Plush Robe for years now. It is the best thing I own and nothing is better than doing my skincare or reading a book while wearing this robe

For unrequited love

A book you love with a highlighted passage

A friend was recently telling me about a brief encounter she had with an Italian man a few years ago. They eventually ended things, and in the end, he gave her F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “Tender Is The Night.” She then discovered that he had highlighted the following passage:

“Think how you love me," she whispered. "I don't ask you to love me always like this, but I ask you to remember. Somewhere inside me there'll always be the person I am to-night.”

To the person who requested this, I think something like this would be beautiful! A book is ALWAYS a great gift regardless, but having a highlighted passage is a great way to indirectly send a message to your unrequited love.

For dads who never shop for themselves and are complicated to shop for and you never know what to get them

Nice jacket

Dads love a nice jacket, even if they don’t know that’s what they want. My dad has a similar one to this Levi’s Sherpa Trucker Jacket and he always wears it. Get your dads a nice casual jacket that can also be dressed up!

Cashmere beanie

Your dad is probably wearing that same beanie they’ve been wearing for years. Or at least, that’s what my dad is wearing. But get them a nice little cashmere beanie! I’m eyeing this one from Alex Mill.

Beautifully made notebooks

If your dad is into writing or taking notes, I love the Field Notes Expedition notebooks. They are waterproof and leakproof! My dad has a very hands-on, messy job, and his things are always getting dirty, so something like this would be awesome. Or if your dad is into hiking or gardening or fishing!

Interesting books to read, like The Optimist

My dad isn’t really into reading, but if he was, he’d love this book called “The Optimist.” Someone recommended it to me at my last job and it’s about the fly fishing life but even if your dad isn’t into fly fishing, this is a beautiful read for ANYONE. I have it and it’s amazing and it comes highly recommended.

For moms who claim “it’s the thought that counts” but actually they want something kinda fancy, so whatever you do, DO NOT give them a cheap scarf

Pearl earrings

But not just any pearl earrings. The Riles Baroque Pearl Earrings from Young Frankk are the most beautiful earrings I’ve ever seen. I bought them for myself a few months ago and I’m thinking maybe I should have gotten her a pair, too.

Fancy pencil case

My mom always needs pens at work, and recently, she got the Coach pencil case and she’s obsessed with it. It’s a small gift, but I love the idea of an elevated pencil case. It adds a little luxury to your day.

Elegant lipsticks

One time, I posted a pic of Sunnies Face lipsticks on my IG story and my mom said she needed them. I think their Build Your Own Bundle would be such a nice gift for your mom and it comes with a cute pouch! Or Chanel lipstick, which my mom also really loved one year. The velvety, thought-out packaging is so beautiful and if your mom is like my mom, she will freak out.

For the person who has everything but there’s that one thing they haven’t thought about getting for themselves

Beautiful apron

I recently got an apron and I don’t know how I waited this long, especially as someone who loves cooking. This one from Ode to Things is so sleek and gorgeous, and I also love the one I got from Utilitario Mexico.

Good chocolate

The chocolate from Casa Bosques in Mexico (they also have a bookstore) is some of the best chocolate! They’ve got unique flavors and the most beautiful packaging.

Beautiful old books

One of the best books you can give is an old, niche book, especially if it’s a rare or first edition. IDEA has a lot of great, old books on all types of topics! Mast Books in East Village also has a great selection of books.

An experience

I think out of all of these, an experience is the best thing to give to someone who already has everything. It can be a flower arranging class, a pasta-making class, tickets to a concert so you can both go together, or a pack of yoga classes at the studio that they love. You never forget experiences and sometimes they’re more special than objects. One of my favorite gifts I gave to Aaron was tickets for us to go to the New York Philharmonic.

For the person who just adopted the cutest puppy in the world

Travel carrier

It depends on what size their dog is, but one of my favorite ways to carry around my dog, Noguchi, is with the Wild One Everyday Carrier. It’s great for days when I’m walking around exploring and window shopping. If they travel a lot by plane, their Airplane Carrier is my go-to.

Cute turtleneck sweater

Noguchi has this Little Beast sweater not just in the Fantastic pattern, but also the Picasso and Back to School patterns. They are the CUTEST and they’re so cozy and chic.

Fresh, delicious treats

Bocce’s has the best treats for dogs. Noguchi loves them and they’re all delicious and made with real ingredients and come in creative flavors.

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