gifts that we all secretly want
your holiday shopping cheat sheet 🎁
I don’t know about you, but I could use a little bit of holiday cheer right about now.
and by holiday cheer, I obviously mean presents.
I actually normally struggle with gift-giving – it doesn’t come naturally to me at all – so I love guides like this that can help me simplify.
I think the best gifts meet at least one of the following criteria: thoughtful, useful, and/or a little luxury someone may not buy for themselves.
I hope these ideas take some of the stress out of finding perfect presents for those difficult-to-shop-for people in your life and double as a wish list for yourself that you can easily forward to your loved ones (Ido, I know you’re reading this…happy shopping! ;)
for your partner
much-needed r+r
as you’ll see, most of my favorite gifts involve things you can either share or do together. in my book, experiences over material items is always the way to go. and what is more fun than planning a couple’s spa day? pick a spa you already love, or try a new one together. make your own “gift certificate” so you can pick your treatments together, or just surprise him or her with a booked massage. you truly cannot go wrong.
If you’re in NYC, try bathhouse. If you’re in Toronto, try miraj hamman at the shangri-la. If you’re in LA (or Toronto), try sous la.
so I know that gifting alcohol can feel last-minute (and you know what, sometimes it is!) but that doesn’t mean it can’t be a great gift. empress 1908’s indigo gin is one of those bottles that will turn anyone into a gin drinker, even if it’s not usually their go-to. not only does its bright, herbal flavor make the best base for any cocktail, but it also has the most beautiful purple-blue color that looks stunning in the bar cart or liquor cabinet.
add this adorable set of party coupes or a classic set of cocktail glasses and you’re golden.
*this feature is sponsored by empress gin
subscriptions are all the rage these days, and a wine subscription is always a good idea. plus, you can make it special by saving the wine that comes each month for date nights. it’s a great (and deliciously sexy) way to make sure you’re getting that quality time in.
if your boo isn’t a wine drinker, there’s also taster’s club or original craft beer club.
if coffee is as important in your house as it is in ours, this is the ultimate gift that I cannot recommend enough. the Breville Espresso Machine is an amazing option if you’re open to a splurge upfront that will save you SO much money in the long run. plus, it feels SO good to serve my guests a delicious cup of coffee AND give options for what they want as if my home is the coziest coffee shop.
on the topic of coffee, this mug that keeps their coffee warm is an unexpected (and super useful!) gift. it’s the kind of small luxury that someone might not necessarily buy for themselves, but will quickly become an indispensable part of their routine. I mean, just imagine returning to your cup of coffee after completing your other 92389129 morning responsibilities and it still being the perfect temperature. yes, PLEASE!
I don’t know anyone who isn’t guilty of spending too much time on their phones in bed. it’s a habit i’m trying to kick, and this hatch alarm clock is helping out –BIG TIME. i’m guilty of using my phone as my clock and alarm in the morning. It forces me to sleep next to it, which is so not cool and, apparently, unhealthy for us. plus it feeds our phone addiction! this clock isn't just pretty, it features sleep sounds, a calming bedside light, and a sunrise alarm for “gentler wake-ups.” so let's wake up calmer, happier, and away from our phones.
for your parents/in-laws
if I could describe my holiday (and honestly, every day) vibe, it would be: as cozy as possible. and I like to extend that sentiment to my gift-giving, too. Ido and I love nothing more than getting into our bed and curling up after a chaotic day (which is most days…) so the sheets need to feel quality. brooklinen is my go-to spot for delicious bedding, like the luxe sateen sheets bundle, and they have a great gifting section. plus, you can get 25% off from 11/19 to 12/04 during their black friday sale!
*this feature is sponsored by brooklinen
whether your loved ones are seasoned cooks or just have a love for aesthetics, this knife set from material kitchen serves fashion and function. it’s a luxury kitchen staple that will kick their dull knives to the curb and look beautiful on the counter. win-win. they are having a 40% site-wide sale right now, and after the sale, you can get 20% off by using my code: EDENMATERIAL.
this one also falls into the category of: things someone might not buy for themselves but will love once they get them. everyone uses salt + pepper (I hope!!) but not everyone has pieces of genuine artwork to hold them. Ido bought this set for me and I love them so much.
if your giftee has a more classic – but still elevated – style, these acacia mills from crate + barrel are winners. and if you want to get even fancier, look no further than this pebble grinder from ferm living (one of my favorite home goods brands).
if your parents are anything like mine, they have a 400-year-old clunker of a blender collecting dust in the cabinet. the nutribullet is sleek, powerful, easy to clean, and so versatile. you can use it for smoothies, sauces, vinaigrettes, and even as a spice grinder! they won’t even remember how they managed without it.
you may not necessarily associate the words spice rack with chic, but that’s because you’ve never seen this one from evermill. these spices are so high quality and add depth to any dish. I have this one myself, and I always get a million compliments when someone steps foot into my kitchen. my recs? sumac, cardamom, za’atar, turmeric, fennel seed, cumin seed, coriander seed and harissa. (hint: this set would pair beautifullyˆwith tahini baby 🤗).
(most importantly) for you ;)
have you had a piece of jewelry bookmarked all year? if you have, you’re speaking my language. and if you haven’t, I’m happy to share mine: the stevie hoop earrings from Mejuri. I’m obsessed with this fresh take on a gold hoop with a little something something extra. I can see myself wearing them to every single holiday party – and all year long. my pick features gold vermeil and burgundy enamel but there are lots of colors to mix and match!
*this feature is sponsored by Mejuri. they are offering a 25% discount with a minimum spend of $150 (USD). early access to the sale starts Nov 22 for M+ members and Nov 25 through for everyone through Dec 2.
no disrespect to the stanley girls, but my household is obsessed with owala water bottles. the colors are so cute, and I love that you can sip right out of the straw or from the lip of the bottle. plus it’s the perfect size to tote around with you to school pick-up, the gym, basically anywhere, and keep yourself hydrated all day long.
another bonus is that they have a kid’s free-sip bottle, so you can match with the kiddos! my girls have their bottles attached at the hip and I love to see it.
I can’t say enough good things about Purify – one of my fave products from one of my fave brands, LINNÉ. it’s a game-changer. My skin always feels so clean and clear when I use it. this pH-balanced multitasker works as a cleanser, mask, and spot treatment.
it deeply cleanses and detoxifies without ever stripping the skin, so it’s perfect for any skin type. plus, it’s packed with ceramides that lock in moisture and keep my skin balanced, radiant, and protected. LINNÉ is offering 25% off bundles of three or more products between 11/19-12/17. if you're a new customer and want to start with one product, new subscribers get 20% off as well.
*this feature is sponsored by linné and they are offering 15% off your purchase using code EDENXLINNE.
the oura ring is a legitimately beautiful piece of jewelry, that just so happens to track your blood oxygen rate, your sleep patterns, body temperature, and more. plus, it’s more comfortable than wearing something clunky on your wrist. any parents will understand how essential sleep is, which is the main reason people LOVE their oura rings. and did I mention it’s beautiful?
is there anything better than a warm towel? well, yes – a warm towel after every. single. shower. this is the pinnacle of self-care at home and will stop you from dreading getting out of the shower all winter long. plus, you can also use it to warm blankets. the cozy possibilities are endless.
bonus: for anyone who wants to up their cooking game
My BRAND NEW cookbook, TAHINI BABY! ok, sure, this is a shameless plug (can you blame me?) but I stand by the fact that a cookbook is the ultimate gift for yourself or any food lover in your life. pre-ordering now will give you (or your loved one) something fresh and delicious to look forward to come spring, and you can pair it with the spice set I mentioned earlier.
I’m truly so proud of these recipes and I’m confident this is a gift that will be appreciated – and loved – for years to come.
I hope these gift ideas sparked something in you! i’m definitely leaning into most of these this season BUT the truth is: what matters most around the holidays is time spent with your loved ones, comfort food, and winding down from the craziness of this last year.
let me know in the comments what else you want to see for the holiday season!! and what goodies are on your wishlist this year 🤎
xo,
e
Photo credit: Kayla Rocca
Love these ideas!! Cheat sheet for gift giving!