The Gifts I'm Really Buying for People

Because there are a bazillion gift guides circulating but no one is saying what they're truly buying

Here the deal: I love a good gift guide. It’s like shopping porn for me. You can scroll through and get a taste for a little bit of this and a little bit of that. I used to make 50 page long magazine gift guides each year. Weeks it would take me to shoot original content, organize guides and create graphics for each page. I loved the process but man was it a love/hate.

The real reality is most of us won’t find a one stop shop or gift guide for all of our buying needs.

Spoiler alert: you won’t find that here either.

You will, however, find a true (read: real and basic) list of things I’m buying for loved ones and/or items I’ve gifted in the past that seemed to be a huge hit.

I think it was two years ago that I purchased these cute Cuyana travel jewelry cases for the holidays and had them monogrammed. I got one for a few key girlfriends, my mom and G even got one for me that I literally carry every single day. It’s a great little piece to have in your bag for gym days or light traveling if you don’t want to pack a lot of jewelry. I love how Cuyana makes a monogramming option so it feels extra special.

For your most stylish pal who gets good design. I’ve given this Smythson notebook to clients, friends and family and its the best “go to” when you have someone important you need to nail a gift for.

Okay so this is the robe of all robes. I have purchased this as a gift so many times that Barefoot Dreams should honestly throw me some equity. It’s the softest, most snuggly robe of all time. It feels like you’re wearing a blanket. I’ve purchased this for grandparents, my surrogate, my mom, my daughter (okay so maybe not but she loves to curl up in mine).

I just got this apertivo bowl set by Olivia Muniak and have been using them like hot cakes. They’re great for entertaining, ring dishes, Palo Santo holders… you name it. Buy one or the set for the friend who has it all. If you want to round out the single dish, wrap it up in a tea towl with ribbon or gift it with flowers.

If you have a kid in your life, this camera is always a very big hit with a variety of age ranges. I purchased two for my besties kids and one for June and they spent the entire weekend documenting their trip to Denver. Afterwards we made cute little scrap books.

When in doubt, get them a candle. This beautiful one in particular is at the top of my list because after you use it, you can repurpose the vessel for a makeup brush holder of sorts. I usually buy candles in bulk and pre-wrap so that I have them handy if someone gives me a gift unexpectedly so. “Oh! I have your gift right here” and it’s already wrapped under the tree.

Honestly, anything from Flamingo Estates will be a home run with your stylish friend group but this book is a best bet for that certain someone who seems to have it “all.”

Until next time,

JD xx