How To Pick The Perfect Gift: Holiday Gift Guide 2022
adapted from last year’s holiday gift guide and updated to reflect the current hot items for this year
I am known among my friends as an excellent gift-giver. It’s a talent that takes honing, and careful attention paid to people’s personalities, interests, and dislikes. While I can’t bestow my magical talents upon you directly, I can give you a few helpful tips for picking up gifts for all the meaningful people in your life – and direct you to some unique gift options that I’ve curated and endorsed myself.
Tip #1:
The best gifts are thoughtful, not necessarily expensive. Sometimes, the two overlap; if your favorite companion’s favorite jewelry brand is Tiffany’s, it is both thoughtful and expensive to acquire that for her. However, if your favorite companion cherishes handmade candles and never wears jewelry, an expensive Tiffany necklace will feel hollow and generic. Pay attention to what your loved ones really gravitate toward.
Tip #2:
Details matter. Say your boyfriend loves coffee. Big coffee addict. Guzzles the stuff all day. It may seem easy to just go grab a bag of beans or a gift card at Starbucks. If you pay attention to the details, you may notice he loves Guatemalan beans, or that he’s been talking about wanting to learn how to brew espresso and there happens to be a class in your city...perk those ears up and see what you find out beyond the surface.
Tip #3:
Consider what you’re able to offer that someone may not be able to get for themself. Gifts that fill a void in a fun way are always delightful, so look out for things that someone might want but are unable/unwilling to get for themself. That doesn’t mean expensive – it may just be that someone doesn’t want to spend any amount of money on something they deem frivolous, but would secretly be thrilled to own if someone got it for them.
Tip #4:
Be careful about gift guides. I know, I know. I’m literally about to provide you with a gift guide. But I am still going to warn you about using them! In general, online gift guides can be severely short-sighted. Typically, they make generalizations – women like candles, scarves, and chocolate. Men like grills, watches, and beer. And you know what – some of that might be true. But this is where details come in. Some women love candles! Perhaps that special woman in your life already has a favorite brand, or scent, or maybe she’s more into the experience of making candles and would love to take a class. You get the picture! Use gift guides as inspiration jump-off points if you’re feeling stuck, instead of just buying whatever some stranger tells you to. You know the people in your life best!
I have tried my best to compile a list of truly unique gift ideas for a variety of different tastes and habits. Hopefully, you can find something that’s going to impress everyone on your nice list this year.
For your friend who is a total homebody and Queen of Cozy:
LL Bean Slippers. I usually try to shop small and local and suggest the same for everyone, but I was gifted a pair of these ~5 years ago and I still wear them. I’m wearing them right now! They’ve held up remarkably well, and are super warm so you don’t have to layer with socks if you don’t want to. Perfect for those chilly winter nights ahead.
For your jet-setting best friend who is definitely abandoning you all winter to go island hopping:
Tote by Petit Kouraj. This adorable handmade tote by Black-owned company Petit Kouraj has everything: whimsy, nostalgia, and goes with everything. I’ve had my eye on this brand for quite some time now and am super excited by all of their products, but this one is sure to make waves.
For your sister who spends approximately 20 hours a week at her local library, for whom bookstore gift cards are so passé
Customizable library card necklace. This is just one of the most darling things I’ve ever seen. It’s a tiny necklace made to look like a library card, and you can customize which book is listed. Do some sleuthing to find out your loved one’s all-time favorite work of literature, then surprise them with this shiny little thing.
For your mom who’s getting into wine, finally, and has been using the same glasses from Target she got 10 years ago:
Burgundy wine glass by Zalto. Yes, a classic. But it’s just so elegant! Maybe start with a set of 2, and grow her collection every year. She’ll enjoy the upgrade, and you’ll enjoy getting to actually taste your wine when you visit.
For your girlfriend who always somehow smells like dirt and flowers, yet clean and bright:
Dryland wilds perfume oil set: I just adore this small company that forages nearby plants to create hyperlocalized scents. All of their products sound dreamy, so you should definitely check them all out — but to keep it simple, they offer their perfume oils in a set of three, which is perfect for your outdoorsy, adventurous friends.
For the one who every year on their birthday asks people to forego birthday gifts and instead donate:
You didn’t think I’d put together a gift guide without including worthy causes, did you?
Southerners on New Ground - Though I’ve left the South, my heart remains there. SONG is an incredible organization that fights for queer and trans rights and liberation in the Bible belt.
SWOP Behind Bars - This org is truly incredible. Not only do they connect incarcerated SWers with people on the outside to create meaningful connections via written letter, they also do a boatload of other things to help people on the inside – like bail funds and re-entry support. Donate to support incarcerated SWers!
Sogorea Te' Land Trust – If you are a resident of the Bay Area, consider supporting the Land Trust, which facilitates the rematriation of stolen Ohlone land. It’s not enough to acknowledge stolen land; monetarily supporting the stewards of the land that were here first goes a step further toward the fight for equity and justice. If you aren’t in the Bay Area, I highly encourage you to find what tribe formerly stewarded the land you now inhabit, and donate to them.
And just in case you really want to impress your favorite escort-cum-grad student-cum-poet-cum-blog-writer: Aw shucks, you want to get me a present? How kind! My top holiday wishlist items this year are substantial tuition payments, this incredible rug, and Reformation or https://www.sezane.com/us/e-shop/egift-card giftcards in increments of $500. Though I have to say, I wouldn’t mind anything I’ve listed above, either. You can peruse my entire wishlist, including my top vinyl picks, here or here.