the 2020 gift guide

The theme of this gift guide, of which the internet already has plenty, is simply “things I love or would love to receive.” So, with that in mind, feel free to shop for your friends, relatives or reach out to me for my address because gifts are always appreciated! Just kidding, kind of.

---

for the kitchen

---

Fly By Jing Chili Crisp + Salsero Spoon

Fly By Jing happens to make truly excellent chili crisp and will now also sell you a gorgeous stone salsero spoon to sit atop your jar on the table forever and ever amen. I am partial to the jade spoon, but they are all stunning. A jar of chili crisp sans-spoon would be great too, by the way.

$45 at Fly By Jing

Nguyen Coffee Supply Ceramic Phin

I don’t want to make broad sweeping generalizations (lol obviously I do), but coffee nerds are also really into limited edition ceramics. While they also sell an array of classic metal phins, a sort of cross between a pour over and a French press used to make Vietnamese coffee, this one is made in collaboration with Vietnamese street artist LiarBen and has a real Mattise-cut-out vibe that is sure to illicit universal appeal among millennials. I love it.

$65 at Nguyen Coffee Supply

Diaspora and Burlap & Barrel Spices

I’ve spoken enough this year about how much I love these equitably-sourced spices and I have plenty of them but I still say it again: these spices are the best! Pick some of your favorites, gift one of their sets or give a gift card if you’re unsure. The Burlap & Barrel Royal Cinnamon and Diaspora Aranya Peppercorns will blow anyone’s mind.

from $10 at Diaspora Co.

from $5 at Burlap & Barrel

Stagg Fellow Electric Kettle

Maybe it’s the gooseneck or the matte white (or black!), but this kettle just makes me feel something. 

$149 on Amazon

---

for the home

---

Beautiful Ceramics

A constant favorite ceramicist of mine is Sierra Estes (out of Houston!) - and she happens to be updating her shop this weekend! I’ve also been coveting these celestial purple bowls from Luvhaus and this ‘You are special today’ plate from MONDAYS. 

Cookbooks

This year In Bibi’s Kitchen taught me about East African cuisine - something I knew nothing about. The book is beautifully written and delicious. I am also looking to receive the Xi'an Famous Foods cookbook so I can have hand-pulled noodles and cumin lamb whenever I please! I want Gabriela Camara’s My Mexico City Kitchen because it seems like the kind of cookbook to make me want to crank up the heat and pretend I’m somewhere warm eating a tostada, even if I’m really just in sweats in my apartment eating a tostada.

Or, gift a cookbook you love with a corresponding spice or two (listed above!) and a little note tucked inside the cover about why you love the book or your favorite recipes.

HAY Morroccan Vase

This vase, in green or purple. This pitcher is also high on my list. So is, quite frankly, a lot of the things available on Hay’s website. 

from $55 at HAY

A Vintage Poster

This one admittedly requires a little deeper knowledge of the recipient’s home and general aesthetic vibe, but if you’re looking for a gift for someone who recently mentioned they were looking for some wall art, this shop in Manhattan has a massive variety of genres and price ranges. Or, for something more current, peep these prints by Amber Vittoria I’ve been eyeing.

---

for the body (lol)

---

Seemore Sausage Hoop Earrings

Do you remember that whole ‘Kale’ sweatshirt thing? Well, we’ve ascended to the next level. Would also love this ‘Sausage’ sweatshirt and this brilliant and totally unhinged 2021 sausage pinup calendar. The actual sausage is great, too!

$40 at Seemore Meats & Veggies

Baggu Everything

Last year I bought myself this crossbody fannypack and I loved it so much I got it in a second color this year. It is deceivingly spacious, like everything else Baggu makes. Their signature reusable bags (I love this pattern and this one) and the pouches are just as cheerful and pleasing as they are useful. 

from $12 at Baggu

My Dad’s Jewelry

This is a clear and obvious shameless plug, but as a frequent wearer of my dad’s jewelry I have one important question: are you aware he has an Etsy shop?

from $20 on Etsy

---

for New Year’s Eve

---

It goes without saying (and yet here I am saying it) that most people are going to have a very low-key New Years Eve whether that’s their normal move or not. If you can’t spend the last night of *gags* 2020 together, help your loved ones celebrate anyway. 

I want some fancy cheese. I want oysters that I will pretend I’m not scared to shuck. I want apertifs for spritzes and amaros for the end of the night. I want martini supplies with vintage glasses to really send out this truly exhausting year with a glimmer of surreal glamour. 

I typically celebrate with bubbly wine, potato latkes and trout roe, so if someone sent me a special bottle of wine, a jar of roe or a tin of caviar, it would feel almost as good as celebrating together.

All photos from sites linked in this post