Good gift ideas for anyone who wants to look, smell, or feel nice

We’re back with another gift guide! I actually debated doing this one, because I think grooming/beauty is a category that is really only right for partners, siblings, parents, children, other family members, or very close friends, and/or as stocking stuffers for those folks. Grooming gifts are simply too personal/intimate to give to a lot of other people, and could feel like a letdown (or, worse, an insult) if you don’t know the receiver and their tastes/interests well. On the other hand, if you know your audience well, they can make great gifts — it’s so nice to be able to upgrade someone’s everyday items, solve one of their most pressing problems, or splurge on something luxurious and special that they’d never buy for themselves. 

So if you’re looking for something both pampering and (somewhat) practical to gift, here are some recs!

L’occitane deodorant

These L’Occitane deodorants are technically for men, but that’s…a bit silly, right? Everyone sweats and everyone would like to smell good instead of bad, and these deodorants will help folks do just that. Both of the fragrances are fairly delicate and neutral, and ultimately work really nicely with your natural scent; they make you smell like you, but better.

The cypress has a woody, slightly spicy vibe that’s great this time of year, and the citrus is great for warmer months when you want something light (though my gf uses them both interchangeably depending on her mood, and I stick with the citrus year-round). A nice added bonus is that they go on clear, meaning they won’t leave white stains on clothes. 

One stick will run you about $19 (and last you a while) — get Eau des Cedrat (citrus) from L'Occitane or from Amazon, and get Eau De Baux (cypress) from L'Occitane or from Amazon.

Shiseido eyelash curler

My girlfriend doesn’t wear makeup; she simply curls her very thick eyelashes and looks totally transformed. (It’s honestly wild.) She also always has an eyelash curler with her for touch-ups — tucked in her coat pocket, in her backpack, etc. As such, she has pretty strong feelings about the best eyelash curler, and she swears by this Shiseido one.

To me, the gold is a great way to take this eyelash curler to the next level if you’re giving it as a gift; you can get it from Macy’s or Nordstrom for $22. Otherwise, you can get the standard metal one from Sephora or most major department stores for $22.

Radha organic rosehip oil

I’ve used/loved/recommended this rosehip oil for years, and I think it makes for a great gift. It looks and feels a lot more expensive than it is, does a lot of jobs (I love it as a moisturizer and cuticle oil, but other reviewers swear it helps with acne), and the bottle lasts for a while because you only need a few drops at a time. Get it from Amazon for $14.95.

Starface pimple patches

A cute alternative to the (highly, almost scarily, effective) Cosrx pimple patches! These hydrocolloid patches are great at flattening out whiteheads, will help keep you from picking at any spots, and are so cute that you won’t necessarily mind having one on your face. Get them from Starface for $14.99.

Allegra M. France ice globes

My gf learned about these through an article Rio Viera-Newton wrote for The Strategist, and said it’s “probably the best purchase (second only to hydrocolloid pimple patches) I’ve made based on one of Rio’s recommendations.” Pimple patches are great, but they can’t help you when the blemish is under you skin. In those situations, you need ice to flatten the spot out. Rio outlines all the benefits of these globes in her article, but the short version is that they’re much more effective than an ice cube because they stay colder for longer, won’t melt, and won’t burn your skin. Buy them from Amazon for $42.

An Aesop gift hand wash and body balm bundle

When I was growing up, the go-to gift for someone you don’t know particularly well was literally any gift set from Bath and Body Works. And while that still might be a great choice for the person you’re shopping for, you can level things up by choosing a gift set from Aesop instead. Aesop (pronounced EE-sop for some reason) is a great gift because it’s one of those brands that often feels too expensive to justify buying for yourself, making it a thrilling, luxurious present to receive. This particular bundle is especially great because it includes their Rind Concentrate Body Balm, which has a really lovely grapefruit scent. Get it from Aesop for $63.

Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Moisturizer 

This is a super rich moisturizer that feels very light on your skin and really does make your skin look dewier and brighter. Much like Aesop, it makes for a great gift because it’s a pricier than your average moisturizer/hard to justify purchasing for yourself. (It also lasts a while.) Buy it from Sephora or Amazon for $68. (Sephora also sells a mini for $22.)

Dr. G Brightening Peeling Gel

I’ve been singing the praises of this peel for years; the first time I used it, I had my head down as I was rinsing it off, and when I finished and raised my head up, I actually said "holy shit" out loud to the mirror. I was glowing. It smells and feels great, and using it is just an extremely pampering experience. (Bonus: pair it with some sheet masks or the rosehip oil to use afterward.) Get it from Amazon for $11.

Dior Glow nail polish

I first started using this polish several years ago, when I decided to stop getting shellac manicures and grow out healthy nails. It’s got a subtle pink sheen that is basically clear, but still makes your nails look brighter and healthier (and doesn’t really show chips). I often get compliments on my nails when I’m wearing it, and I recommend it for anyone who wants nice, manicured nails but can’t or doesn’t want to wear color. Get it from Sephora for $28 or from Nordstrom for $28.

Marvis toothpaste

I started using this Italian toothpaste around the time I got Invisalign, which had me brushing my teeth multiple times a day. The toothpaste genuinely made the annoying experience better, while adding a bit of fanciness to my bathroom counter (and my life). The jasmin mint flavor takes a couple go-rounds to get used to, but I promise it’s great. If the person you’re shopping for isn’t the adventurous type, they might prefer the mint, which I also swear by.

Get jasmin mint for $10.50 from either Amazon or Sephora, and get classic strong mint for $10.50 from either Amazon or Sephora. You can also get a set of minis in seven different Marvis flavors from Amazon for $36.

Hay toothbrush

Ugh, I love these toothbrushes! They are one of those design-y items that still feels accessible, and also isn’t wildly expensive. Get them for $6 each from MoMa Design store or from Hay (currently on sale for $3.60).

Static Nails press-ons

Honestly, I love a good press-on; it’s a great way to go if you’re short on time before a big event, and an especially good manicure option during this pandemic. My coworker Amy Rose recommended this brand over the summer and I immediately bought a couple packs for the days that I’ve listened to Megan Thee Stallion one too many times. The Static Nails come in tons of colors, are easy to use, last for a few uses, and will make you feel wildly glamorous. $14 per pack — browse more colors and shapes at Static Nails.

Shhhowercap

This is another item I love and use every single day; it’s an effective shower cap that also looks chic. It comes in multiple colors/prints, and you can get one for $42 from Shhhowercap, Anthropologie, Bloomingdale’s, or Dermstore.

Trixie Mattel sparkles

Trixie is one of my favorite drag queens (her YouTube channel is very worth your time) and the body glitters from her makeup line are gorgeous. Available in several colors; get them from Trixie Cosmetics for $10 each. ✨

Get more gift ideas:

• Good holiday gift ideas for pretty much anyone

• Good gift ideas for the design-minded kitsch-loving somebody in your life

• Good gift ideas for cozy types who are always just vibin’

• Good gift ideas for the sweet, smart, fun, and cool youths in your life

• Good gift ideas for people who want to cronch on something delicious

• Good gifts and stocking stuffers under $30

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How are we shipping everyone’s holiday gifts this year?

One of the things I’ve been thinking about in the past month or so, and haven’t really seen discussed much anywhere, is how people are planning to give gifts to long-distance relatives who they won’t be seeing in person this year. As someone who has done holidays this way several times now, I have some thoughts! 

Ultimately, I don’t think there’s a perfect or universal solution; I think there are simply options.

Option 1: Having anything you buy online sent to you, so you can wrap it, repack it, and send it the gift recipient yourself. 

Pros: Nice if you’re giving someone multiple gifts from different retailers or creating some kind of gift basket situation; necessary if you’re shopping locally or doing DIY gifts. 

Cons: Might require you to pay shipping costs twice; is a lot more work; will likely require a trip to the post office unless you have a postal scale; is not exactly environmentally friendly; is not really possible for last-minute gifts. 

My personal verdict: Deeply not ideal, but might be necessary in some cases — and in those instances, avoiding the post office at peak times is going to be key.

Option 2: Shopping online and sending directly to the recipient (either wrapped or unwrapped).

Pros: You’ll only have to pay for shipping once, and a single direct route is going to be the most environmentally friendly.

Cons: There’s no way to see an item before the recipient does (to ensure it’s what you ordered, that nothing is broken, etc); is not an option for DIY/homemade gifts; is not the easiest if you’re ordering a bunch of small gifts for multiple people from the same retailer; it’s maybe not as fun for the recipient to open; not all retailers offer gift receipts/a ”don’t include the invoice” option (which is bonkers to me, especially right now — looking at you, ShopPay).

Verdict: I think this is a very good way to go! Shipping boxes are a form of wrapping, and you can totally put unopened gifts in their shipping under (or near) a tree. (I have done it! It’s fine! Nice, even!) I think this year, we need to let go of some things, and “perfectly wrapped gifts under the tree” are one of those things. (Related: we simply can’t be crowding into post offices in a desperate attempt to avoid having stray packing slips show up in a gift box — it’s going to happen and everyone just needs to simply politely ignore them and/or stop pretending gifts don’t cost an exact amount of money.) 

I actually sent a couple of gifts this way this week, and simply texted my friend to let her know that when she gets packages from X brand and Y brand, those are from me. Easy! 

Sending gifts directly from the retailer to someone who is local to the recipient, and having that person open the package, wrap the gift(s) on your behalf, deliver to the recipient. 

Pros: Means someone will be able to have eyes on the gift before the recipient does; solves the “I couldn’t do a gift receipt so now you know exactly what I spent” problem. 

Cons: Only really works if there’s someone else you can send it to who is willing/able to do this work for you.

Verdict: This is a great option if it’s available to you! I sent my brother’s gift this way — addressed to my mom — and I’m feeling pretty good about it. But obviously it won’t always be possible — in which case, I think Option 2 is the way to go.

Whatever you decide to do, try not to be too precious about it! When things feel super out of control, it can be really easy to put all your anxiety and fear onto something like, say, wrapping paper. But remember: in this wildly shitty year, whoever is receiving your gift will just be touched that you’re thinking about them. 📦

Related, possibly of interest: Food52’s tips for safely mailing treats so they arrive fresh and crumble-free and this funny tweet.

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Just Good Shit: 12.06.20

Image: Kiyana Salkeld / Just Good Shit

Hi again! Here’s what I had going on this week.

On the blog

• This is the only store-bought hot chocolate mix I recognize

ICYMI: All the 2020 gift guides so far. (And more to come!)

And a timely post from the archives: Everything I'm doing to be the moistest woman in Brooklyn this winter.

Writing

• How to Deal With the ‘Ally’ in Your Friend Group Who's Actually a Huge Jerk

• How to Be Gracious About a Truly Horrible Gift

And Sally and I released a new ep of the podcast (my fave so far): “Great Gifts and How to Give Them.”

Reading

I’m re-reading the Elin Hildebrand Winter Street novels, which has been a treat! I also finally started The Vanishing Half.

Also:

It Wasn’t the First Time the NYPD Killed Someone in Crisis. For Kawaski Trawick, It Only Took 112 Seconds., ProPublica.

America Needs a COVID-19 Reckoning, The Atlantic.

Sorry to Burst Your Quarantine Bubble, The Atlantic.

What Happens When Queerness is Part of the Equation?, Salty.
Loved this.

It's Time to Learn to Say 'No' to Your Overbearing Family, VICE.

Dear Fuck-Up: How Do I Move On When the World Is Stuck?, Jezebel.

U.S. newsrooms are very white. So are the critics and the journalists that cover them, Gabe Schneider / The Objective.

Inside the TV networks’ battle for Christmas movie supremacy, LA Times.

How to Safely Mail Treats So They Arrive Fresh & Crumble-Free, Food52.

"I will confront you by Wednesday of this week" and other holiday stories, Ask a Manager.

Watching

We rented Ammonite, which was fairly slow but I liked it overall? Kate Winslet is just so watchable. We also watched Jingle Jangle on Netflix, which is like Hamilton x The Wiz x Christmas — just a really fun and cute Christmas movie that also happens to have incredible costumes.

Have a good night! 🎄

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This is the only store-bought hot chocolate mix I recognize

After trying a bunch of store-bought hot chocolate mixes last year and being extremely disappointed by all of them, my gf and I finally came across one that we ended up loving: Lake Champlain traditional hot chocolate mix.

I meant to write about it at the time, but never got around to it — and then remembered yesterday, when I came across the pics on my phone. It’s just, like, a perfect classic hot chocolate that you make with hot milk.

We discovered it at Whole Foods, but ordered more directly from the Lake Champlain website (where it’s $13 for 16 ounces). It’s also available from Amazon ($14.22 for 16 ounces).

And if you want to make something from scratch, my friend Jess’s hot chocolate recipe has been my go-to for years! I’ve actually got plans to make it (minus the booze, because I can currently only handle a thimble full of liquor) this weekend. ☃️

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Just Good Shit: 11.29.20

I don’t know if anyone else noticed this, but it seemed to me like everyone’s Thanksgiving dinner this year was… a lot better looking than in past years? Normally I go on Insta reluctantly after the holiday (I’m sorry!! It’s just all very beige and mushy!!!!), but this year, I truly loved seeing everyone’s cute little meals! It kinda felt like once Millennials were in charge of their own fate — and weren’t necessarily having to cook a ton of food and/or a bunch of the same old recipes to please their extended families — things got a lot more exciting (and aesthetically pleasing). It was nice to see! I hope it was all as delicious and lovely as it looked.

Here’s what I had going on this week…

On the blog

• Good gift ideas for the sweet, smart, fun, and cool youths in your life

• Good gift ideas for people who want to cronch on something delicious

Reading

A Mother, Her Son — and Their 1,500-Mile Search for Home, New York Times.

A Lack of Transparency Is Undermining Pandemic Policy, Wired.

I handled holiday orders at a grocery store. Trust me: The holidays are miserable., Vox.

Christmas Dies Hard, The Atlantic.

The New Kristen Stewart Lesbian Rom-Com Is Kind Of A Bummer, BuzzFeed News.
(And if you don’t mind spoilers, read this one too.)

Danish Hygge Is So Last Year. Say Hello to Swedish Mys., NYT.

A happy ending, Ask a Manager.

Cooking

Aside from our Thanksgiving meal, we also made Dishoom’s wonderful chai. It has the added benefit of making your home smell like cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon…light some unscented taper candles and you’ve got an incredibly cozy winter vibe!

Watching

I watched The Holiday for the first time and hooooo boy — it did not live up to the hype at all. I wanted to like it but I honestly hated it! I also watched A Muppet Christmas Carol for the first time, and thought that was pretty cute and fun. And we watched Happiest Season which was…fine! (I agree with everything Shannon wrote in that BF post above.)

In non-Christmas programming news, we also watched Taylor Swift’s Folklore special on Disney+. And we’ve been watching How To with John Wilson on HBO Max and are loving it so much. It’s so wholesome and funny and interesting; I cannot recommend it enough!

Have a good night! 🌟

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Good gift ideas for people who want to cronch on something delicious

Food- and drink-related gifts? Groundbreaking. But they are classic for a reason! And every year, the food world finds a way to make them feel new/fresh/interesting. So if you’re thinking that a cookbook, kitchen item, or something edible would make a good gift for somebody in your life, you might enjoy this list that my girlfriend and I curated together.

Escali kitchen scale

If I can buy an appliance in a hot color, then that’s exactly what I’m going to do!!! We own this scale in the soft pink, but the pumpkin orange and tarragon green variations are extremely cute as well. In addition to being cute, it seems as if this thing’s nearly indestructible. (My girlfriend has dropped ours a couple of times, and the reviews echo this sentiment.) Get it from Escali for $39.95 or from Amazon for $23.94.

Great Big Stuff’s pasta-shaped kitchen wares

This is the perfect gift for the design-minded, kitsch-loving somebody in your life who’s also something of a Sauce Man. We own and love the penne-shaped garlic peeler and bowtie pasta potholders (read more about them here), but Great Big Stuff also offers an extremely charming mezzelune silicone gripper ($19) as well as a ravioli spoon rest ($19). Get the garlic peeler ($19) and pot holders ($19) from Great Big Stuff.

Farmhouse Pottery’s double oven mitt

I love safety; other people love using their own shirt as a potholder. Why not marry the two things? Get it from Food52 for $48.

Bodum French press and/or iced coffee maker

I’ve recommended this Bodum French press on multiple occasions now; my girlfriend and I just love it that much! If you want to punch it up a little, add a bag of coffee beans from a local to you (or to them) shop/producer. We love Partner’s Coffee Bedford blend for the french press and the Jumpstart blend for cold brew (the cute packaging is a nice bonus). Get the French press from Bodum ($19.99). Get the iced coffee maker from Bodum for $16.99 (usually $23.99). P.S. This is a good one for white elephant gift exchanges if you want to bring something that people actually like!

Tiki: Modern Tropical Cocktails

Shannon Mustipher is a Black, queer woman and her book is the first cocktail book by a Black bartender in a century. In addition to being historic, the book is beautiful. (See also: the “Lake at Night” cocktail.) This is a really fun book to thumb through, and a great gift for anyone who wants to make their winter quarantine a little more summery and fun, even if it’s not the most seasonally appropriate. Get it from Bookshop for $27.55, Amazon for $22.25, or your favorite local bookstore.

Luxardo maraschino cherries

I’ve loved/recommended these fancy cherries for years; they are a leveled-up version of the ice cream-stand maraschino cherries most of us are familiar with. They’re a deep red (almost black) color and come packed in a thick, sticky syrup. They’re a great little treat for banana split and cocktail enthusiasts alike (in fact, if you’re already planning on buying your loved one Shannon Mustipher’s cocktail book, these cherries would pair extremely well with it).

You can buy them from Amazon in a big, beefy, 6.6 pound can (that will last you at least a year!) for $86.99. Or you can get the more diminutive 400g jar for $19.28 from Amazon or $19.95 from Williams-Sonoma. (Williams-Sonoma also sells a set of two 400g jars for $38.90.)

Ferm Living ripple glasses

After reading Tiki: Modern Tropical Cocktails, we decided it was time to get a set of beautiful glasses. We went with the tall/highball glasses, which are unfortunately out of stock at the moment. Their shorter counterparts are equally as beautiful and stylish, however, and you can get a set of four from Ferm Living for $55 (or the Smoked Grey version from Amazon for $55).

Beautiful and practical pantry staples

Food gifts are always a good option for practical people who are hard to shop for, and choosing items that are delicious and beautifully packaged is a good way to level things up. Here are a few of our favorite pantry staples that you could use as the basis of a fancy DIY food basket:

• Fancy beans. If you aren’t familiar with Rancho Gordo beans, this New Yorker article is a good place to start. Buy the beans directly from Rancho Gordo for $6–$7 for a one-pound bag or from myPanier for $7–$8 for a one-pound bag.

• Harissa Chili Paste. We’ve gone through a bunch of this this year. Get a tube from Amazon for $7.99.

• Canned tomatoes. Bonus: the empty cans look great with fresh flowers in them. Get a 28-ounce can of Cento tomatoes from Target for $4.29 or a 28-ounce can of Bianco DiNapoli tomatoes from Amazon for $3.99.
  

Set of two Brightland olive oils

These have been all over Instagram this year, and with good reason: they really are delicious. While a single bottle of Awake is currently sold out, you can get a set with Awake and Alive from Brightland for $74. As a bonus, add an inexpensive but very useful pour spout to your gift; get one from Amazon for $4.10.

Casamara Club amaro soda

This is the year my gf and I learned that we’re mainly social drinkers — and without much socializing to do, we’re not drinking much and our tolerance has all but tanked. But these self-proclaimed “leisure sodas” scratch the itch when we’re feeling in the mood for a fancy drink. The packaging is incredibly cute, and they taste like leveled-up, not-too-sweet seltzers.

We both love the Capo flavor, but they’re all delicious so just go with whatever speaks to you. These are also great to keep in mind for the day when we can have parties again and you want to offer an EANAB (equally attractive non-alcoholic beverage) to your sober guests. Get a 12-pack from Casamara Club for $36.

Material cutting boards

My gf and I personally own and love these cutting boards. Not only are they pretty, but the recycled plastic they are made from has the added benefit of helping obscure/mask visible cut marks. They come in six beautiful colors, but Deep, Sand, and Coral are especially lovely. They’re currently on sale at Material for $35, but you can also opt to donate your discount to Drive Change which “is training young adults who were formerly incarcerated and equipping them for the workplace.” You can also save a little money by buying three cutting boards — it’s $70 for a trio — which you could either gift as a set or divide up among a few giftees.

Areaware house-shaped bottle stopper

Remember when I said our tolerances have tanked? Well, these extremely cute stoppers have helped us extend the life of our wine for…a long time. They would make a great stocking stuffer or you could pair them with the recipient’s favorite bottle of wine. Get red, yellow, or blue from Design Public for $8 each, or get yellow or blue from East Dane for $8.

Baking at the 20th Century Cafe: Iconic European Desserts from Linzer Torte to Honey Cake

The 20th Century Cafe is a very cute bakery and restaurant in San Francisco that’s probably most famous for their Russian honey cake with salted honey buttercream served on top of incredibly cute vintage plates. If you want a better sense of what the recipes are like, check out Samin Nosrat’s article on Russian honey cake and the recipe she adapted in conjunction with 20th Century Cafe owner, Michelle Polzine.

Get the cookbook from Bookshop for $32.30, Amazon for $22.88, or your favorite local bookstore.

Dishoom: The First Ever Cookbook from the Much-Loved Indian Restaurant

The title really spells it out for you!!! Dishoom is a wildly popular, UK-based group of Indian restaurants modeled after the Iranian cafes that used to be readily found in Bombay. (There were almost four hundred cafés at their peak in the 1960s!) So, they’re blending the best of two excellent cuisines together to create something really special. If you’d like to take a peek at some of their recipes before you commit to buying the cookbook, The Guardian published four of their recipes and Delicious published another six, including Dishoom’s masla chai. We’ve made the chai multiple times now and can personally vouch for how easy the recipe is to follow and how delicious the final product is.

Get the cookbook from Bookshop for $32.30, Amazon for $23.89, Target for $30.49, or your favorite local bookstore.

Local bar/restaurant merch

Restaurant and bar merch is a great way to support local businesses and show an interest in the restaurants your friends love and miss the most. (Also, how great is that Cubbyhole T-shirt?!) Merch Aid is a great resource for NYC folks, and Merch 4 Relief is great for folks outside of (but also including!) NYC. Both groups team up with local artists and designers to create exclusive items for small businesses/restaurants that have had to significantly alter their business model due to the pandemic. (BTW, Merch 4 Relief is offering 50% off everything Black Friday through November 30th.)

If you need other ideas, Helen Rosner compiled a list of cool merch from restaurants/bars all over the U.S., which you can find in her Instagram stories highlights (part 1, part 2, and part 3). Or you can just do a gift card that your person can use in the future or for takeout! Think of it as an investment in two things you love: the person you’re shopping for, and the local establishments that nourish so many people. 🍅

More 2020 gift guides:

• Good holiday gift ideas for pretty much anyone

• Good gift ideas for the design-minded kitsch-loving somebody in your life

• Good gift ideas for cozy types who are always just vibin’

• Good gift ideas for the sweet, smart, fun, and cool youths in your life

• Good gift ideas for anyone who wants to look, smell, or feel nice

• Good gifts and stocking stuffers under $30

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Good gift ideas for the sweet, smart, fun, and cool youths in your life

I started thinking about making this gift guide when I was shopping for gifts for my teen brother and my younger cousins, and ended up having so much fun putting the full list together. Is shopping for kids even better than shopping for adults? Honestly…I’m starting to think so!

Here are some of my best ideas for toddlers, kids, tweens, teens, and young adults (and, on occasion, grown people as well).

Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty

I ordered a bunch of these on a whim over the summer and was really pleased; it’s just great (non-messy!) putty! The iridescent ones are truly beautiful, and it’s very fun to squish and play with, no matter how old you are. (The holiday varieties are also so festive and cute!) Get them from Puttyworld for ~$15 each (plus 20% off everything through 11/30) or from Amazon for $8–$15 each.

A record player

I love this for young people who take their music very seriously. (I may or may not have ordered my brother one for Christmas two days ago!) Get this lavender one from Urban Outfitters for $79, and see more colors/options here.

Selfie ring light with phone holder and tripod

For the budding vlogger in your life. Get it from Amazon for $29.69.

A Day at the Barbershop memory game

This is cute! And according to the website, it’s designed to “help little ones get comfy with regular barbershop visits” and “feel at home in a new place.” Get it from Uncommon Goods for $16 or Amazon for $17.95.

Dollhouse room kit

I would have loved receiving one of these when I was young (or…now); instead of building a whole house, you just build a single room. Get the greenhouse from Amazon for $45.99 or a tiny library for $39.99.

Sculpd pottery kit

This is basically a starter kit for little pot/sculpture projects, and another nice option for a crafty kid. Get it for $49 with this referral link. If you prefer something a little less expensive/more straightforward, a Sculpey variety pack ($19.99 on Amazon) is also a good way to go.

Amazing Area Mazes: 70 Race-the-Clock Puzzles for Budding Math Wizards

I would not be the correct audience for this particular puzzle book, but I am very impressed by the kids who are! Get it from Amazon for $7.86, Bookshop for $8.23, or your favorite local bookstore.

A User’s Guide to Democracy

I interviewed the authors of this book this fall and am a fan! (This is another item that would be genuinely great for adults too!) Get it from Amazon for $13.59, Bookshop for $15.63, or your favorite local bookstore.

The Little Book of Life Skills

I have been a fan of Erin Zammett Ruddy since I read her column every month in Glamour nearly 20 years ago, and was absolutely floored when she asked me if she could interview me for her upcoming book. (I weighed in on the section about showing up for friends.) We talked for like 45 minutes and she was so lovely/smart/fun; I’m so thrilled about this book, which I’d recommend for people 16 and up! Get it from Amazon for $11.99, Bookshop for $18.40, or your favorite local bookstore.

Dot Journaling―A Practical Guide: How to Start and Keep the Planner, To-Do List, and Diary That’ll Actually Help You Get Your Life Together

While this book isn’t specifically for teens, I was very conscious of writing a teen-friendly book as I worked on it, and I do genuinely think young people would like it! Get it from Amazon for $8.49, Bookshop for $11.91, or your favorite local bookstore.

A fun Nintendo Switch case

For anyone who has a very specific aesthetic that is not red and turquoise. Get this one from Etsy for $19.99 (available in three color variations).

Laser star projector

So much cooler and more effective than the stick-on glow-in-the-dark stars we had to contend with!!! Another one I’d be into owning now. Get it from Amazon—currently on sale for $47.99, normally $59.99. (There are also a bunch of different ones in a range of prices, including some for $20.)

Good Vibes neon sign

This sign plus a record player in a fun color? Incredible. Get it from Target for $25.

Karaoke machine

If you’ve got a young JoJo Siwa in the family and their parents are OK with such a noisy gift, you can get it from Amazon for $69.99.

Go Full Fossil necklace

I just love how extra this is; it’s perfect for someone who really loves dinosaurs and wants the world to know. Get it from ModCloth for $37.20 (on sale, normally $62).

Rawr Ambition Fair Isle Sweater

A sliiiiighly more subtle way to wear dinosaurs. Get it from ModCloth for $41.40, on sale from $69. (Available in two color variations and sizes XS–4X.)

1,000-piece zodiac puzzle

This puzzle is extremely cute; I love the art style and the colors. Get it from Galison for $16.99. I’m also into the 500-piece cat zodiac (also on Amazon) and the 1000-piece space puzzle (also on Amazon). And I love Cloudberries’ Crystals puzzle ($23.95 on Amazon) and Poolside ($23.95 on Amazon).

Instax mini camera

I have one of these, and gave my brother one for Christmas last year. Get one from Urban Outfitters for $79 or Amazon for $59.95 (five color variations available). You could also go a different route and give them a couple of disposable cameras ($26.49 for a two-pack on Amazon).

String lights with photo clips

If they’ve already got the camera, these string lights are a cute way to display the photos (or any ephemera that they want to hang up). Get a 7.5’ strand from Urban Outfitters for $20.

Levi’s sherpa trucker jacket

A classic for a reason! For a teen, an adult one should be fine; get one in sizes XS–3XL for $98 (but typically on some kind of sale). For a younger kid, browse all the options here. (Sadly, none of the ones for little kids have the sherpa lining.)

Doc Martens boots

I am losing my mind over all of the cute and extremely cool tiny Doc Martens that exist in the world; it’s impossible to pick a single pair to recommend. The glitter options are obviously fun, but I’m also partial to basic black! (I own that exact pair in my size actually.) Browse all the kids’ styles on the Doc Martens website or Zappos (they start around $50).

Doodle crayons

Get them from Areaware for $7. 🖍

More 2020 gift guides:

• Good holiday gift ideas for pretty much anyone

• Good gift ideas for the design-minded kitsch-loving somebody in your life

• Good gift ideas for cozy types who are always just vibin’

• Good gift ideas for people who want to cronch on something delicious

• Good gift ideas for anyone who wants to look, smell, or feel nice

• Good gifts and stocking stuffers under $30

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Just Good Shit: 11.22.20

Image: Kiyana Salkeld / Just Good Shit

Hello! It’s a long one this week so let’s get right to it.

Holiday things

Since Thanksgiving is this week, I thought I’d share what my girlfriend and I are cooking/doing/thinking about for the holiday! First, here’s what we’re planning to make for dinner:

• Beef tenderloin with homemade horseradish sauce from Joy of Cooking

• House mashed potatoes (How Sweet Eats)

• Roasted carrots with turmeric and cumin (NYT Cooking)

• Maple-roasted Brussels sprouts with toasted hazelnuts (NYT Cooking)

• Spiced pumpkin pie (NYT Cooking) with stand mixer pie crust (King Arthur Flour)

I’ve printed out all the recipes, and tonight I’m going to go through each one and highlight the things we can do in to prepare them in advance — like washing, cutting, peeling, etc. It’s been a while since I made a big meal with a bunch of sides, and I don’t think I’ve ever made a pie, so I know I’ll feel better if I prep as much as possible in the next day or two.

In terms of the day itself, we’re still a bit undecided; we might do what we did last year and watch every single Thanksgiving episode of Friends, which was fun, and/or we might play games. We also connected with a local group about delivering Thanksgiving meals to elderly people who live alone, but are awaiting more info so that’s a bit up in the air right now. I’m also re-reading How to Support Indigenous People on Thanksgiving.

If you’re still looking for holiday inspiration, my coworker Amy Rose’s 22 Ways to Make Thanksgiving Into Your Own Weird, Perfect Holiday is a good place to start. And if you plan to connect with friends/family across a distance, check out S. Bear Bergman’s sweet How to Make Socially Distanced Holidays Actually Feel Special.

Yesterday, I put out a call on Instagram for readings/poems/etc. to share before the meal and I got some good recs. Here are two I liked a lot: The Thanksgiving Address and "Perhaps the World Ends Here". A few people recommended Mary Oliver poetry, which I am always here for, and someone else suggested “The Orange” which is one of my all-time favorite poems.

Oh and if you want something to discuss over dinner, I suggest this fascinating 2019 Modern Farmer article, The Cranberry Caucus Is Insanely Powerful.

Moving on…here’s what else I had going on this week!

On the blog

• Good holiday gift ideas for pretty much anyone

• Good gift ideas for the design-minded kitsch-loving somebody in your life

• Good gift ideas for cozy types who are always just vibin’

And Sally and I released a new episode of Oh, I Like That about, in part, making the most of at-home celebrations.

Reading

You Don’t Have to Fake It Through Thanksgiving, NYT.

That Pre-Thanksgiving Covid Test Won't Really Keep You Safe, Wired.

I’m a contact tracer in North Dakota. The virus is so rampant that we gave up., Washington Post.

This Captain Awkward thread which starts with “People who hear about a common-sense rule or a boundary and immediately look for exceptions and defenses for why it shouldn’t really apply to them, as well as the people who, upon hearing about injustice, immediately look for justifications can pretty much fuck off forever.”

Why Diet Coke Is the Perfect Thanksgiving Beverage, Lifehacker.

Play These Puzzles to Reveal the Racial and Gender Breakdown of Crosswords, The Pudding.

A Beginner's Guide to Microdosing Testosterone During Your Transition, VICE.

Will Anyone Ever Love Me?, ¡Hola Papi!

Quiz: Should You Expose Your Relative to COVID-19 This Thanksgiving?, McSweeney’s.

Watching

We’ve been watching The Crown, which is like….not actually that good, imo, but I also kind of don’t mind right now? We also watched Filthy Rich (a four-part documentary about Jeffrey Epstein) on Netflix, which I went into with major skepticism and was pleasantly surprised by. I was worried it was going to sort of glorify him or paint him as, like, an enigmatic criminal mastermind, but it’s not that at all. It’s as straightforward as an episode of Dateline and is just so unimpressed by him. The main thing I liked about it is that the main focus is the victims; hearing from them directly is incredibly moving, and is, to me, what makes the doc worth watching.

Have a good evening and be safe this week. ✨

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Good gift ideas for cozy types who are always just vibin’

Now that we’ve had a general gift guide and a hip, colorful gift guide, I bring you the gift guide for the homebody in your life who loves doing projects, making sauce, and maybe watching a Ken Burns joint. (It’s me, I’m her.)

Record player

I don’t even like music that much and I would love one of these. Get it from Urban Outfitters for $79. (I also love this one from Urban.) Bonus pairing: a Christmas album like Motown #1s, Kacey Musgraves, Mariah Carey, Dolly Parton, or A Charlie Brown Christmas.

Lex Pott twist candle

Obviously, I recommend Danica candles for anyone and everyone, but if you want something a little more special, these are a great choice. Get one from Coming Soon for $40. (You can also find them at several other retailers, including department stores!)

Storm Cloud

I have wanted one of these — which allegedly predict the weather — for like…several years. Get it from Uncommon Goods for $25.

National Parks greatest hits T-shirt

Parks Project is a good source for gifts in general, and I really like these “Greatest Hits” ringer tees that are available for several different National Parks. Available in unisex sizes XS–XL; get one from Parks Project for $38.

Shearling Danskos

These are a fairly recent purchase of mine and I gotta say: they rule! They are great house shoes and I already love them so much I sort of want a second outdoor pair. Get them from Zappos for $99.

Sunny Side Up puzzle

This 500-piece puzzle from the Girls’ Night In folks is so cute! (There are also three other totally different designs, if you’re interested.) Get one from Whiled for $37.

I’m also a huge fan of Mudpuppy and Galison puzzles (also on Amazon); you truly can’t go wrong with any of them. The Slowdown Studio x Madewell puzzles ($35) are really pretty too. And I’m obsessed with Piecework Puzzles.

Hobonichi Techo

I wrote about this planner last year and stand by that review; it’s a wonderful notebook that would make a great gift. Note: don’t wait to order this one, as it has to ship from Japan. Get it from the Hobonichi store for ~$60 with shipping.

Avian Flight Classic Game Bandana

This is lovely, and as someone who, in the past couple of years, has taken to playing games in parks, I find it very convenient/smart! (There are also two other games/designs, one of which is zodiac themed.) Get it from Galison or Amazon for $24.99.

Baggu flower face masks

These have quickly become some of my favorite face masks; I also see them on people around our neighborhood regularly. (BTW, they are available in several other nice colorways/patterns.) Get a three-pack for $32 from Baguu or Nordstrom. 

Knit a Hat: A Beginner's Guide to Knitting

Written by my good friend Alanna, who taught me to embroider, and who is the only person I’d want to teach me to knit. Get it from Bookshop for $15.63, Amazon for $13.38, or your favorite local bookstore.

Gorgeous roller skates

For anyone who has seen skaters all over IG and wants to join in the fun. Get these from Urban Outfitters for $139 (available in four colors). You could also check out Impala (~$98 per pair); a lot of their skates are sold out right now, but a restock is coming soon and their products are really beautiful.

Bay leaf wreath

Greenery and flowers are a really nice gift, especially for people who are hard to shop for. But also for anyone! Also, fresh leaves are apparently way better than dried leaves in soups and stews. I’ve wanted one of these wreaths for ages and finally decided that this is my year! You miiiight be able to get one from a local gardening store or farm, but if not, you can get one from Williams-Sonoma for $54.95. ✨

More gift inspo:

• Last year’s version of this list, if you want more ideas!

• Good holiday gift ideas for pretty much anyone

• Good gift ideas for the design-minded kitsch-loving somebody in your life

• Good gift ideas for the sweet, smart, fun, and cool youths in your life

• Good gift ideas for people who want to cronch on something delicious

• Good gift ideas for anyone who wants to look, smell, or feel nice

• Good gifts and stocking stuffers under $30

🍑

Good gift ideas for the design-minded kitsch-loving somebody in your life

Last year, I published a gift guide that was 100% inspired by my girlfriend's taste — which is decidedly cooler and way more colorful than mine; as I wrote then, she’s the Claudia to my Stacey. Shopping for someone whose entire job requires them to care very deeply about single pixels can be a challenge… so this year, I asked her to just write the entire guide herself, which she generously agreed to do. So, I’m going to let her take it from here!

If the person you are shopping for is anything like me — a person who has strong opinions about seemingly small details (I often feel the walking embodiment of the “it’s a tough call, they’re so different” scene in The Devil Wears Prada); enjoys camp; and would love to visit a museum exhibit dedicated to Danish chair design, but is settling for browsing Clever home tours from the comfort of their couch for now — then this guide is for you.

Fake decorative drinks

Inspired by Amy Sedaris’s home tour, we’ve bought some fake foods for different spots around our apartment and readers? It rocks. I really love the kitsch/silliness/unexpectedness of finding a food item where it doesn’t belong (on your bookshelf, on a media unit, etc). We started out with incredibly realistic fake drinks (hers and hers martinis on our respective nightstands), and just this week became the proud owners of a loaded baked potato.

If you don’t think your loved one is ready to take the baked potato leap, this red wine spill ($18.50) or PBR spill ($15.50) would be a nice gateway into fake food home decor. Shop all of the delightful options at DisplayFakeFoods.com.

Lotta From Stockholm indoor wool slippers

Shoes help make my outfits complete, but I’m a big believer in shoes off in the house. Before COVID, I would have settled for socks to keep my feet warm, but in an effort to not feel like a garbage slug, I often try to wear the soft, indoor version of my real-world outfits. That’s where these slippers come in.

In addition to being cute, they’re practical! They keep my feet cozy and warm, but because they’re slip-ons they don’t suffocate my feet either. (I bought these over the summer and was worried about sweaty feet, but was able to wear them right away without any issues.) Get the slip-ons from Lotta From Stockholm for $49.01. And if the person you’re shopping for has especially cold feet, there’s also a boot version ($59.62).

“Outside Clothes” print

If your loved one is a “shoes off in the house” type of person, chances are they’re also a “don’t sit on my bed in your outside clothes” type of person. Get the print from Brownie Points for $45.

Dusen Dusen striped bathrobe

You know those NASCAR driver fire suits? With the head-to-toe sponsorships? I want the Dusen Dusen, normal-person-going-about-their-life version of that. I unabashedly love this brand and everything they make. This colorful robe is ideal for days when you want to look cute, but cannot be bothered to find pants. Although the bathrobe is sold out on Dusen Dusen’s website, you can still purchase it from Coming Soon for $140 (available in sizes S-L and three different colorways).

Lauren Martin Studio posters

Art, in general, can be really expensive, but Lauren Martin’s prints are incredibly affordable. We own her Tiny Diner ($18) and Hang In There ($18) prints (the latter is perfect bathroom art, I can’t explain why), but I also love her Dinner Party ($18) poster. Get these and other prints from Lauren Martin Shop.

Recreation Center mugs

If the person you’re shopping for likes Memphis Design–inspired decor but isn’t necessarily looking to redo their entire home, Recreation Center mugs satisfy that craving. The dipped/coated handle is also nice for anyone who doesn’t love the feeling of cradling a raw ceramic mug in their hands.

I own the red grid mug, but you can also get a slightly more muted version ($40). I’m also a fan of the dot grid mug ($40), and the color lovers in your life might also like the black bauhaus mug ($48). Get all of them from Recreation Center.

Tiki: Modern Tropical Cocktails

Shannon Mustipher is a Black, queer woman and her book is the first cocktail book by a Black bartender in a century. In addition to being historic, the book is beautiful. Mustipher is a Rhode Island School of Design graduate, and it’s readily apparent in the art direction throughout the book. (My favorite image is the “Lake at Night” cocktail.)

It’s a really fun book to thumb through and a great gift for anyone who wants to make their winter quarantine a little more summery and fun, even if it’s not the most seasonally appropriate. Get it from Bookshop for $27.55, Amazon for $22.25, or your favorite local bookstore.

Face Vessel mugs and carafes

We recommended Group Partner’s face planter last year, and we’re continuing the tradition of recommending objects with inanimate faces with these face vessels by Degen.

These hand blown glass mugs and vases are unique — no two are the same! — which makes them extra special. But be warned that when you order via the preorder link on their site (or via Coming Soon or Mociun) you can’t choose a specific vessel (only the type and size), so it’s a bit luck of the draw. Having said that, they’re all incredibly precious, so you can’t really go wrong.

But if you want a bit more control over what you get, keep an eye out for Degen’s periodic drops (which I’ve learned about through their Instagram).

Get them from Coming Soon: the mug for $44 or the carafe for $55.

“Have a queer day” T-shirt

Just Gay Shit! Sometimes it’s nice to communicate your queerness without adorning yourself in rainbows or having someone scream “PETER’S GAY” every time you come around. If you’ve got a queer friend or loved one, they might like this shirt, too! Get it from Hey Rooney for $30.

A colorful, patterned "statement" mask

This piece about investment masks made me finally realize that it’s nice to have different masks for different moods. These masks come in an assortment of patterns (I own the rainbow cookies mask, but I’m also a fan of the olives and the black and white cookies) and somehow manage to be kitschy and fashionable. (For folks based in NYC: Hart’s in Brooklyn is selling some of these masks and 10% of each mask sale will go to Fair Fight and will help support fair elections in Georgia in the upcoming Senate runoffs!). Get the mask from Steak Diane for $30.

Bodum french press

We recommended this french press in last year’s gift guide, but we love it so much we’re recommending it again.

They’re remarkably hardy — we use ours every single day, sometimes multiple times a day, and they show no signs of wear — and look incredibly cute on our countertop. MoMA’s multicolored options ($25) are incredibly cute, but I’m a big fan of the new lavender option. You can even get a matching lavender iced coffee maker ($23.99). Get the french press from Bodum for $19.99.

The Art of Showing Up: How to Be There for Yourself and Your People

Being a Wife Guy is easy when your girlfriend is as talented a writer as Rachel is! I know firsthand how thoughtful and kind her advice is, and she put so much care and consideration into writing a truly helpful and inclusive book. It’s the perfect gift for anyone who is interested in being kinder to themselves and others. Get it from Bookshop and basically every other retailer here. ✨

Get more gift ideas:

• Good holiday gift ideas for pretty much anyone

• Good gift ideas for cozy types who are always just vibin’

• Good gift ideas for the sweet, smart, fun, and cool youths in your life

• Good gift ideas for people who want to cronch on something delicious

• Good gift ideas for anyone who wants to look, smell, or feel nice

• Good gifts and stocking stuffers under $30

🍑