Very specific gift suggestions

Recommendations from my human brain to your inbox

Actually Good Things is a weekly newsletter written by an actual human woman who’s tried and tested a gazillion items—AI could never.

This week—while catching Bugonia with my bestie and saying, “Hello, old friends,” to all my favorite coats and boots—I’m making a list of very good, very specific gift ideas.

Not to brag, but I’m an elite gift-giver. It’s one of my strengths. I get people things they like and use but wouldn’t buy themselves—things that make them feel seen.

In no particular order, here are actually good things to get your loved ones this holiday season.*

1. For tea drinkers: Fellow Stagg kettle (extra points if you add a box of Smith tea and maybe a tea organizer)

2. For chronically online skincare enthusiasts: Hanacure facial kit (wrappable box)

3. For your friend who loves Dolly Parton: Dolly Parton lipstick ($20)

4. For a guy (or gal, or whoever) who wears hats a lot: Siegelman Stable hat

5. For any child or tween: Kollide magnet game (under $20; wrappable box)

6. For your friend who hosts the most: Having People Over hardcover book or Kate Spade All in Good Taste

7. For someone who travels a lot: Flykitt jet lag prevention kit (wrappable box)

8. For someone who travels a lot and also has sensitive skin: Tower 28 SOS minis set (under $25)

9. For any frequent traveler: The best toiletry bag ever

10. For a Nobody Wants This fan who makes/drinks coffee at home: Anthropologie tile mug (under $15)

11. For all wine drinkers: Rabbit corkscrew (or the Coravin if you wanna splurge)

12. For any adult: Quince affordable cashmere sweater (women’s or men’s sizing)

13. For the person who always wants to make the healthy version of something: Ninja Creami

14. For self-care queens and kings: Brooklinen plush robe

15. For teens and tweens who are allowed to wear makeup: Flower Knows highlighter tin and lip glaze

16. For people hosting you overnight during the holidays: Model Bakery’s unbelievably fluffy, flaky English muffins (order ahead and schedule delivery via Gold Belly—trust me on this one)

17. For someone who doesn’t find Apple AirPods comfortable but still wants compact, cordless headphones: Bose Ultra Open Earbuds

18. For a Rihanna stan: Rihanna coffee table book

19. For someone who lives alone or with roommates (but not a woman who resides with her male partner): Ultenic cordless stick vacuum or Our Place pan

20. For someone with long-ish hair: T3 curler-straightener hybrid or Emi Jay high-end, durable claw clip

21. For your wife or adult woman lover: Gingiberi pearl necklace (really beautiful packaging; comes with certificate of authenticity) or Made by Mary herringbone necklace

22. For your husband or adult male lover: Birkenstock Naples loafers or Bearbottom relaxed chino or Abercrombie shirt jacket

23. For your kids or grandkids (5 and up) as a splurgy gift they share: Nex Playground

24. For an outdoorsy person or daily lunch-packer: Carhartt soft cooler lunchbox (under $30)

25. For any kid under 10: Glow-in-the-dark blanket or pop-it game (both under $20)

26. For sports moms, busy parents, or folks who shop at the farmers market: Bogg free-standing tote (looks even better in person—compliments abound) or Hulken roller bag

27. For your friend with blonde hair: Olaplex gift set (wrappable box)

28. For a teen or cool adult with sporty style who wears loungewear often: Lechery gender-inclusive socks or Gigi Pip retro beanie

29. For any woman (lover, daughter-in-law, friend, sister, mom, etc.): Cozy Earth classic PJs

30. For your father/mother-in-law or any other adult you want to please: Rothy’s cozy clogs (women’s and men’s sizing)

31. For a desk worker or student who likes lists and penmanship: Kate Spade notebook and Nebula pens (both under $20)

32. For a guy who shaves: Harry’s shaving set (wrappable box)

33. For a teen or tween beginning to explore skincare: The Inkey List starter set (under $15)

34. For someone who always has a sore neck or back: Arboleaf massage gun or Coop cut-out pillow

35. For a coffee snob: Chemex Classic

36. For a home cook: Overmont dutch oven (go above and beyond by including a hardcover copy of Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat or a New York Times Cooking subscription)

37. For someone who owns and wears multiple watches: Mcbazel watch winder

When you can’t think of anything personal enough but still want to impress:

• Pendelton throw blanket or Brooklinen waffle throw

• L’Occitane bar soap set (wrappable box)

• Voluspa candle or Salt & Stone candle

For neighbors, party hosts, and co-workers you need to get a little something for:

• A bottle of nice olive oil

• Mentiras cookie candle

• Compartés highbrow chocolate bars

• Carnegie Deli giant black-and-white cookies

• The $10 mini box of Harry & David pears Trader Joe’s carries during the holiday season

I was gonna recommend the Skims mirkin thong for a white elephant gift exchange with the gals, but it’s (respectably) sold out in every size and hair color.

A snap of my color-coordinated wrapping from a couple years ago:

Stocking stuffers are coming next week!

*Some products with affiliate links might earn me a small commission.

What I’m reading lately:

• New York Times | Martha Stewart Transformed the Dinner Party. Was That a Good Thing?

• Vox | Gen Z’s War Against Leggings

• The Names, a novel by Florence Knapp

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