Holiday gift guide 2024: gifts I would want
If you have to buy me something this year, you're welcome!
I’m kicking off this year’s gift guide series strong by making it all about me. But in all seriousness, if you read this blog, 1) thank you, and 2) we probably have similar taste. These are gifts that I personally would be very happy to receive and have been eyeing all year.
Style
A Cou Cou Intimates set (top $50, bottoms $60)
These are running low on SSENSE, but they also have their own site for you to shop on. I love chic loungewear, and it’s some of my most-worn clothing in my closet. I often get it from B*andy M*lville, but investing in good, quality pieces that don’t break down over time and look more elevated than just standard fast fashion basics is a great step towards building a foundational wardrobe. I’ve seen girls online style their Cou Cou pieces at night, for work, and just life in general outside of the bedroom, and it’s chef’s kiss.
Flore Flore Basics (recommended: the May Cami $75, the Hillie Tank, $80)
Another campaign for gifting good basics. I stole this idea from my coworker who told me she was buying these for her mom one time, which I thought was really smart. If someone bought me an $80 tank top, I’d be really honored.
talks about her love of these in her newsletter, Magasin, and that should be the only testimonial you need.UGG Tasman Slippers ($110 - $200)
The smell of UGGs straight out of the box is peak Christmas nostalgia for me. I asked for a new pair probably every year from age 9-14. I saw these aquamarine Tasmans while browsing Pinterest the other day, and I’ve been hooked on them ever since. I’m not sure why they’re almost $90 more than the typical Tasman, but I haven’t seen this color anywhere else, so that could be why. I’d say its worth it—if I saw a girl on the street wearing these (which I’m sure I will), I’d be seething with jealousy at how her UGGs aren’t like other girls.
A MARGESHERWOOD bag ($300)
I don’t know if you guys have noticed this recently, but you can’t find any good bags for under $200 anymore (excluding sales). Brands that considered themselves affordable luxury Coach and Proenza Schouler, even Gimaguas and Paloma Wool which have reasonably priced garments have bags with price tags nearing and exceeding the $500 mark. I’ve been admiring MARGESHERWOOD for a little while now, and (second shoutout—sorry you guys are so influential to me) my coworker just bought one that lived up to the hype IRL. The leather is quality, the shape is bitchy in the best way, and they come in practical sizes.
Etsy jewelry ($20-200)
My gift guides this year wouldn’t be complete without Etsy. It’s truly the best place for finding special things like jewelry, home goods, and hair accessories to give to a loved one or myself. It says I picked this out just for you, because it’s 1 of 1. When it comes to jewelry, they truly have an amazing assortment of thoughtfully made staple and statement pieces. These Signet Cuffs are something I would call a forever piece, and on the less-pricey end of the spectrum, this Hammered Cuff made in Mexico will look like it was way more expensive than it is.
BEAUTY
Fancy hand cream ($25)
There is an epidemic of terrible hand soap in the New York City metropolitan area. At the gym, at restaurants, at my own apartment, all of it leaves my hands cracked and brittle. We’re about to enter the time of year where there will not be a day I leave the house without hand cream. Last year, I treated myself Neccessaire’s, and used every last drop before basically cutting it open to finish out the rest. The fancy version of something somebody uses every day is a really great gift idea in general. More on those in the coming weeks.
Hair accessories ($16-23)
Another special Etsy mention. I’m into unique hair accessories for this fall, whether it’s a headband or a clip, and now that my hair is the appropriate length to really dive in, I’m ready. I have visions of these vintage Swan Barrettes as the final touch to a simple yet elegant outfit, and these French Hairpins are great to just toss into your bag for the day.
HOME
A weighted blanket ($80)
You could definitely get one of these for cheaper, but I have chicness at the forefront of my priorities. I once used a weighted blanket at my nana’s house when I was sick, and I still think about it over five years later. I’ve never invested in one because well, they’re weighted, and moving one from apartment to apartment seemed like a battle I wasn’t ready for. This may be the year that I finally indulge. Pro-tip, if you buy someone one of these, just send it to their house.
Coffee table books ($80)
I want my apartment to be covered in books. I know many people feel the same. A coffee table book makes for a great gift because investing in them is expensive. I’ve been eyeing this Kate Moss one for a while, it has a beautiful cover, and you lay it open to display the interior pages in an effortlessly cool I was just paging through and left that there way.
Espresso cups or Spanish wine glasses ($40)
I’m not sure why I tied these to each other, but they kind of make sense together, no? I love collecting unique espresso cups. I don’t know why I would ever have a friend over in the morning, but I have a weird fantasy of serving people shots of espresso (why I would be doing that either, I don’t know why) in cups that they’re absolutely enamored with. The third and final Etsy shoutout of this post will not fail you. My mom was given Spanish wine glasses by her friend and I’m obsessed with them. I ordered some but they got lost in the mail. They hold like, three sips per glass, but they look too good to care.
I’m very excited to kick off this year’s gift guides, as you guys know. In an effort to make them as versatile as possible, next Monday’s installment will be Gifts to give if your pockets hurt with everything listed under $50.