12/9/2020 - Guide to Gift Guides
Oh, newsletter readers. How are we doing?
Around this time of year, before we move fully into year-end wrap ups, the ubiquitous pieces of writing I enjoy most are Gift Guides. Every media outlet has one. Vulture has one, Slate has a bunch, Real Simple, Rolling Stone, Goop, Bird Feeder Hub….they’ve all got ‘em, and I’m going to read ‘em.
I am a big gifter, but I’d say the majority of my Gift Guide reading is aspirational. I love to imagine being the type of person who gives her friends sweaters for Christmas. Or the type of person who spends $40 on a stocking stuffer. Or a person who truly believes that whiskey stones are a perfect and original gift for any vaguely man-shaped person in their life. Gift Guides are a good way to try on a lot of different personas, as long as all of those personas are very rich.
I’d like to show you a bunch of fun gifts that I’ve bought this year, but many people reading this newsletter are the receivers of said gifts! So I’ll stick with the aspirational theme and share some gifts I wish I had purchased (for myself and others).
Novelty T-Shirts
One day, I know that Super Yaki Stuff will release a perfectly niche t-shirt I just can’t say no to. They’ve gotten real close with Spy Kids, Princess Diaries, and Emperor’s New Groove.
These shirts from BUGGIRL200 feel like a fever dream.
I’ve been eyeing the “My Other Body is a Withered Old Crone” shirt from Reductress for years now. Also liking the "Having a Mome' With My Coff'" mug.
Very Fancy Cookware
I am not immune to The Pan and its sleek allure. If I had this pan, it would be the nicest thing in my kitchen by a mile. Our plastic dishes and novelty drinkware would be so confused.
See also: this casserole dish! I mean, good lord, just look at it. Stunning.
This French press from the MoMA gift shop is just so bright and delightful! I got a French press as a gift once and really liked it until I tragically left it in the office kitchen of a former workplace. There’s also a similar teapot if you’re into that instead. And speaking of MoMA…
Literally anything from an art museum gift shop
One day I’d like to rebrand as a kooky art museum lady, draped in shapeless layers and wearing statement jewelry made of rope.
Miscellaneous art museum gifts with very good vibes: mismatched Vans, statement candles, a cool vase, a beaded lobster ornament, these earrings, Pantone office supplies!!!
Personalized Stuff
I already have earrings with my name on them, but what if I also got a necklace? Or this birth year necklace instead? Narcissism, but make it fashion.
Can’t go wrong with pencils. Don’t tell my dad, but I got him these.
A few more honorable mention Gift Guides, if you still haven’t found what you need:
Uncommon Goods, Girls Night In, and this random one that I really enjoyed, titled “Oh Thank Christ, Another Gift Guide.” I’m looking for the right person to buy these socks for. That person might be me!
Hope you enjoyed this plunge into the pool of consumerism. I hope it goes without saying that Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rhianna still applies at the holidays - homemade gifts, secondhand gifts, consumables and experiences, sustainable wrapping, etc. are all preferable to creating new waste. Get out there and make that season bright, by spending way too much money on postage to show your friends how much you love them.
xoxo
Ali