I’m lucky to work with the greatest gift seekers with the best taste, also known as the REAL SIMPLE editorial team. To produce our annual Holiday Gift Guide, they start pulling together a massive list of ideas…in June. We work a loooong ways out. They always find stuff that’s pretty and cool and interesting, hitting all budgets and any recipient you can think of. They look at what’s new from small makers and big companies with good corporate values, shops launched by a BIPOC founder or supporting a wonderful cause, ethically sourced and following fair-trade principles. Covering food, home, beauty, pets, and beyond, they pool their pitches into a massive presentation, then we review each item, hone the list, and wind up with the 18 pages of gorgeousness you’ll find in our December issue.
And all through the process of making the story, I’m mentally doing my holiday shopping. Ooh, those tea towels would be great in my sister’s kitchen! My mom needs those cute slippers! Who’s gonna get me that silk robe…?
What this means is that I theoretically start my shopping list around July and finish it around September when our December issue goes off to the printer. Then I forget everything that was on there by mid-November. Then I panic. And then our issue arrives in the mail and I start actual shopping.
So if you’re like me—best intentions, not-so-great execution—here are some no-fail ideas I grabbed from our gift list and who I’m buying them for. You can still get everything on here rushed shipped—in case your list has any overlap with mine. Oh, and our magazine makes a nice gift too. Just saying.
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GreenPan Stanley Tucci Ceramic Nonstick 11-Piece Cookware Set
For: My brother-in-law who cooks everything on group vacations
Can Stanley Tucci’s pots get my little sister to do more of the cooking? Not a chance. But I’ll give them to her, and Uncle Doug will use them to make magic.
To buy: $700, williams-sonoma.com.
02of 10
Pour Richard’s Spirit of 1737 Chêne
For: My mixologist friend looking for her next trick
Skip the inevitable bottle of cabernet. This cognac-based coffee liqueur is so good, and so gifty. I love the retro packaging and cool, hometown Philly pride.
To buy: From $36, pourrichardsdistillery.com.
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Too Faced Mini Eyeshadow Palette
For: My teen who loves Beauty Tok
My Big One, a master makeup artist, will work magic with this on her face that needs no makeup. (Soph, you know I’m right.)
To buy: $29, ulta.com.
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Dar Leone Sierra Bay Mini Trays
For: My sister who loves having small colorful things on her table
Isatu Funna, a Sierra Leonean-American designer, sells the coolest West-African-inspired items at her store Dar Leone. These six-inch painterly trays with a gleam of gilt are scratchproof and unbreakable, great for catching keys in the front hall or jewelry on the nightstand. (I use one to hold my face serums, so they don’t grease up my bureau.)
To buy: $33, dar-leone.com.
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Musee Bath Bomb
For: My daughter who’s the bomb
Every kid loves a bath bomb, and these are extra-awesome, not just because they’re natural, have great scents and beautiful colors, and come with a prize inside! They’re also made by a woman-owned company in Mississippi that creates jobs for other women who are rebuilding their lives after addiction and incarceration. That’s the real prize, and everybody wins.
To buy: $12, lucysmarket.com.
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Brightland Olive Oil The Duo
For: Literally everyone
I count Aishwarya Iyer, who is the BIPOC female founder of Brightland Olive Oil, as a friend. Nevermind that I only met her once and I fangirled all over her. I know she loves me back! I can tell every time I taste her fresh, grassy olive oils sourced from family farms in California. Give some to loved ones and they’ll know how you feel about them, too.
To buy: $74, brightland.co.
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Mohair Throws
For: Someone who’s always cold (It’s me, I’m always cold)
Come January, all I want is to be warm and cozy. The snuggliest, coziest blankets to ever blanket, these throws measure 55 by 67 inches and come in five beautiful colors. Best part, they are lightweight and lovely and terrifically warm.
To buy: $304, evangelinelinens.com.
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Color-Block Weaving Kit
For: The friend who likes to be productive
I fantasize about being this friend someday, someone who can keep her hands busy on something other than a keyboard. This weaving kit is so easy to use (you did this in middle school art class! Only it wasn’t as pretty). It has instructions, and all the materials needed to make a cute, trend-forward wall hanging.
To buy: $95, crafter.com.
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Boothbay Harbor Paddle and Prouts Neck Paddle
For: My friend who plays pickleball (we all have at least one)
With a lightweight design, elongated faces, and comfy grip, these fab paddles mean surefire aces for the pickleballers in your life.
To buy: $85, tangerinepaddle.com.
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Rainbow Bead Hoops
For: My fun and adventurous friend (with great taste)
Another women-founded company, this one works with female artisans around the world to import colorful local crafts in adorable classic-but-on-trend styles. These earrings are made from traditionally and humanely sourced Vietnamese water buffalo horn, so each pair is slightly different. Also: Poke around their online shop. There’s a world of bright and beautiful stuff!
