my randomista little gift guide
some of you may not know this but Christmas season can actually be a amazing time to get gifts for people because of holiday november sales. like omg did yall know that
tbh i think most of us are not struck with inspiration when we need it so you should just buy gifts early and save them for the holidays and special occasions in my opinion. you gotta get gifts when they’re at the best price and then give it during the right time. for instance, if you wanna get someone tennis clothes—christmas is a good time because summer clothes are on sale. if you wanna get someone snowboots for christmas, buy those in april.
Memory Service
My family has about 7 hard drives, at least 3 of which are struggling to survive and desperately are in need of backing up. Compile and organize all of the files onto one reliable place, and I would say that's a quality present that may not even require you to buy anything
Maybe bonus points if you also gift them an SSD or hard drive, but a good one can run you above $100. This one's a whole terabyte!
What your parents and grandparents really want are family photos. Blow them up kinda big because you want to make sure they're visible even with bad eyesight. 10x10 size from Mixbooks is pretty good, but if you don’t feel up for scrapbooking online, picture with a frame is nice.
Little Things
Women and children LOVE miniatures.
The feminine urge to hoard jars will only grow stronger once someone receives tiny Bonne Maman jams! The mini set here will put you back around $14 including shipping. The advent calendar if youre feeling generous, runs around $37 but is $64 right now on Amazon.
I first learned about Mini Brands on the Girls Like Us podcast, and I've been obsessed with them ever since.
I like the idea of something mini and luxurious! Buying for someone else feels different from buying for yourself. If you're the kind of shopper who usually keeps spreadsheets of cost per ounce, honestly that mentality goes out the window with gifts because tiny things are cute. for example, most of us would actually love a mini diptyque candle because they are expensive and i cannot get the image of the B A I E S out of my mind since 2014ish. i may have never actually smelled one IRL. i hope they dont tunnel, though. (THAT’S WHY THERE ARE NO CANDLES ON THIS GIFT GUIDE. I CANT TELL WHICH ONES TUNNEL AND WHICH ONES DONT. THE ALUMINUM FOIL “HACK” IS BAD BECAUSE CANDLELIGHT IS BEAUTIFUL AND SHOULD BE ENJOYED)
Beauty products do often end up becoming clutter, but I love the look of the travel size fenty powder, hourglass ambient powder, and mini perfumes (this is a better gift as a sort of "travel" perfume for someone who already has a signature scent). and i suggested powder/highlighter specifically because they're more versatile and they last longer. the MAC mini lipsticks are also really cute, especially when you hold them in your hand
Books
So I'm not sure if there's a real guide to giving books because famously most of us do not read. There are of course, the occasions when your friends actively talk about the subjects that they're interested in learning more about or the books that are low stakes enough for you to feel like you can gift someone a book and they'll enjoy it.
Books can also work as a partial present because even if they don't end up reading the book, they might enjoy some teas or fancy hot chocolate. Or a specialty Trader Joe's cookie.
Gifting someone YOUR favorite book is actually more of a favor to you, which means if you want to give someone your favorite book, you have to include about 2 others that you know for a fact they will enjoy. (For instance, when I wanted my boyfriend to read Freedom by Jonathan Franzen, I also had him choose Cryptonomicon and a nonfiction book about the Barbary Corsairs.)
Cookbooks, gardening books, that are both helpful and visually oriented are actually a very good gift. They're usually at a higher price point than one would justify buying themselves.
Another approach that I hope is effective is gifting multiple books: one lightweight and silly, one "solid good read," and one that is more a feast for the eyes. (For instance, Alphas by Lisi Harrison, The Idiot by Elif Batuman, I Like You by Amy Sedaris)
One strategy I've used is thriftbooks.com, where I can get used books in good condition for $10+ below retail price. Another is to browse through the non-Amazon.com sellers on Amazon like indie bookstores with an Amazon storefront, find their websites, and order off of them directly. (I saved about $6 this way as opposed to buying straight from Amazon the retailer)
That's why I've been thinking more about zines or magazines as more "giftable"—not the New Yorker—God knows it's a commitment to read that cover to cover each week. But something cooler, more specialty. I know these are giftable because I would never buy myself a $10 magazine LOL.
I really like the vibes from Lux Magazine, which is a feminist socialist magazine with some style and quality writing!
Grow (the magazine of synthetic biology) seems like another great option for the scientists in your life with thoughtful design and interesting articles! I first learned about the Pink Glow Dole Pineapple here.
Fashionable Friends
My friend and I are convinced that Kipling bags are going to make a comeback. You should never pay more than $40 for one because they are actually almost always on sale for $25. The bigger ones are better than tote bags; they are just as light and they have so many pockets! Even the small ones carry so much! These are deeply functional bags that come in the cutest colors. For a twee gorpcore experience. Yea, the brand is Kipling as in famed Racist Rudyard kipling but we can simply * reclaim * it <3
"Sustainable" Stuff that's Actually Expensive
F*cking STASHER BAGS—the only product that feels more expensive the more you buy. One for 12 is regular expensive, 8 for 96 is RIDICULOUS
Beeswax Wrap
“Practical Gifts”
Packing Cubes
Thermos (the zojirushi or tiger ones, though obviously hydroflasks are still in demand)
Silk Scrunchie
Weighted Blanket
handmade ceramic items
Personalized Stationery
Papier, May Designs both have that sort of "Better than Marshall's" look to them, and you can customize the insides for your heaux who apparently NEED grid paper in their planners or notebooks (but fr grid paper is a big plus and the customization is a competitive advantage if you're looking to make a nice gift)