Basquiat Canteens, $50 at MoMA
These are VERY COOL and I'm just going to turn to Informative Caption here: "Featuring three graffiti-inspired designs by Jean-Michel Basquiat, an artist in MoMA’s collection, these triple-insulated stainless steel canteen water bottles keep cold drinks cool for 25 hours and hot drinks warm for 12. Holds 16oz.
The designs on these limited edition Basquiat Corkcicle Canteens are based on three Basquiat works: Skull (1981), Crown (1983) and Untitled (1980)." - J
T-shirts, $28ish, Boredwalk T-Shirts
Obviously these two speak to the depths of my soul. You can get them in a variety of cuts and garments -- tanks, hoodies, etc. --so the pricing is going to vary depending on which you want; here, the one on the left is $32, and on the right, $28. ALSO, this is a local (to us) artist-run company that donates money to among others, She Should Run, the ACLU, Planned Parenthood, and City of Promise. -H
Good Place wine glass, $17.99 at Etsy
The only thing better than the Jacksonville Jaguars is the ability to drink out of a glass with some of Jason's best compliments. There's also a Holy Motherforking Shirtballs tee that I quite like. -H
Superfight, $29.99, Target
We've been bringing card-based games on a lot of these on our travels this past year or two. Superfight is my current favorite. It's heavy, but my purse is big, so I also bring it along if we're going to a restaurant just in case things are slow, and children are getting hungry and impatient. Basically, you each get a random combination of cards and get to argue which creation would win in a fight. For example, this weekend, I had "A psychic" and "fifty of them" and "10 stories tall," and they had to fight "your mom" that was "riding on a flying narwhal" and whose "nose shoots lightning." There are actual rules, but we don't know them; we just pick two people who are playing, give them each one white card and two black cards -- so you get what you get -- and let anyone who's not playing vote on the winner. One waitress actually asked me for the game recommendation as we were leaving. -H
David Bowie Egg Cup, $25.88
This is technically an egg cup, for your soft-boiled egg, but the National Portrait Gallery people -- who are the ones selling it -- point out that you can use it as a tiny planter or stick your rings in it. It's amazing. - J
Coasters, Amazon
I mean. It's what we're all thinking. There are four and they come with a holder. -H
Sustainable Food Storage
So, yes, in a gift guide all about shopping and shipping, it's probably weird to pitch sustainability. I'm not trying to be a hypocrite here. But I remember thinking that having to bring my own reusable grocery bags was going to be so hard, and now they live in my car and it's totally normal and great, so I'm looking for other things to try that can become norms too. These would make good stocking stuffers or little gifts: There are machine-washable reusable produce bags (each size has a tag letting you know what the bag itself weighs, if you're buying by weight), reusable silicon food storage bags, which also come in a gallon size, and -- if you like the trendy option, or trust your children to bring them back home -- these Stasher bags for sandwiches and lunch snacks. -H
More Sustainable Stuff
On the "every little bit helps" tip, I'd also like to try and cut down on my reliance on paper towels. I haven't solved this for things like absorbing bacon grease on a plate, but certainly using FEWER of them seems feasible? I bought a basket from Target to stick over my washing machine, for collecting the used/damp dish towels and rags, and am trying to reach more often for cloths. I know a bunch of laundry loads isn't ideal either, water-wise, but... I mean, I'm doing laundry ANYWAY; what's an extra couple rags in with my jeans, compared to an avalanche of Bounty? So, if anyone in your life wants to try and needs a kick in the bum, here are some options: these Swedish absorbent cloths come in a ten pack and a bunch of colors (top left), and I have a stack 25 microfiber cloths** that are cheap and fold up small and thus can stack unobtrusively; there are also neon versions that come in a pack of 50. I haven't tried reusable paper towels yet, but here are some bamboo ones they claim will last you six months. And in the bottom right corner, there's a washable sandwich bag, which is on this page because I forgot that it would have gone better on the previous slide. Please do share your ideas in the comments. -H
** Someone pointed out that microfiber in the laundry is Not Great, Bob, in terms of particles. Here are more cloth alternatives that aren't microfiber. Also, CoraBall.com sells a ball that can catch many of those fibers in the laundry; thank you, Fug Nation!
Reusable straws
Last one: Plastic straws are out, and paper straws are, we can all agree, terrible. I bought these metal ones, pictured on the right, for drinking Diet Coke on only one side of my mouth while my molar crown was setting (sexy!) and it was pretty close to the taste of drinking from the can -- and the elixir stayed chilly. (The rubber pieces are removable, and are there to protect your teeth. I assume.) But those aren't necessarily portable. Food52 solved that with these silicone ones, on the left, which can fold up and slip into a case you can hook to your keys or part of your purse, and the set comes with a brush too. You get one pack of four straws for $25; right now they still have a buy-three-sets-get-a-fourth-free deal, which is $75. -H
Harry Potter puzzles!
I love puzzles, and I love Harry Potter, and LOOK at these gorgeous ones by the New York Puzzle Company. The top left is Quidditch; the top right is the flying keys scene from the first book; the bottom right is flying to Hogwarts from the second book; and the bottom left is a beautiful collage. I like all my puzzles to be 1000 pieces because PROJECT, but many are also available in 500 pieces, or even fewer. Here is the landing page for ALL of them on Amazon, but you can also try the New York Puzzle Company's page. -H
Vogue Cover puzzles
That same company also makes a glorious array of vintage magazine covers, like The New Yorker, and Vogue. These are, left to right, Wading in the Wind, Retail Therapy, and Reflection of Beauty. -H
You Think You Know Me, $30, Uncommon Goods
I went to a ladies' hang recently at a friend's house, and we played a game where we each shook out a cupful of M&Ms and each color had a thing attached that we had to admit (fears, goals, pet peeves). I've known these women for years but it was REALLY fun. I was the least interesting person there by far; so many good stories that I hadn't heard, and cool conversational tangents. This is a similar idea, testing how well you know the people you're with. Even when you think you do, there are going to be good surprises. -H
Princess Anne wedding mug, $8.61, Etsy
The Crown has made Princess Anne fans of so many people; perhaps one of them would want this truly hideous commemorative mug. Well, the mug itself seems fine, but WHAT is that photo? (I gave it to Jessica one year, and suspect I may have put it in the guide before.) -H
Keepin' It Saxy game, $9.99, Target
I don't think I need to sell you too hard on A KENNY G BOARD GAME, do I? -H
Nearly Patriotic Chunky Scarf, $76.50
Doesn't this look like something you bought from the hipster knitwear store? (A great place to buy things, however! Support your local hipster knitwear stores!) It is, however, from our friends at J.Crew. - J
Ceramic Fox Pencil Pot, $32.35
Don't you need something better than just some old mug to stick your pens and pencils in? The National Portrait Gallery in London will hook you up! (You could also give this along with a cute bunch of pencils and make it a whole cute thing.) -J
Shiny burgundy Doc Marten boots, $129, DSW
I love a Doc boot. I got gold glittery ones for myself when I turned 40. These are a shiny deep red, and they have a teal as well. Go forth and relive -- or, live for the first time -- the 80s and 90s. -H
The Duchess of Soapshire Soaps
I have bought handmade soaps from this excellent Etsy shop -- run by a Fug National! -- and I recommend them. My soap purchases tend to be of the Looks Like a Succulent variety, but I felt like y'all should know that she has a whole line of Frasier-themed soaps. - J
J.Crew flannel lounge pants
HELLO. These (technically men's) pajama pants are covered in CORGIS. You, or someone you love, surely need these. They're currently $59.50 at J.Crew but you know how J.Crew likes to have sales all the time. - J
Bears vs Babies, $29.99, Target
This is another wacky one in our game night arsenal, where you use whatever cards you have in your hands to make a very random collection of monsters who can fight a very random collection of evil babies. Big laughs from the beans every time we play. Liam plays to win; Dylan plays to get the cards that have things on them that he finds delicious or enticing, like "a handsome salmon," "who is also sushi," "with a T-rex arm." This link takes you to Target, but it IS currently cheaper on Amazon. (It can be hard not to use them for everything.) -H
Very Cute Metallic Tote, $10
Excuse me, but this is VERY cute AND rather affordable! (J.Crew points out that it's also good impromptu wrapping, if you have something else you want to stick in there.) Get it for your magpie friend! - J
Die Hard: The Nakatomi Heist Board Game, on Amazon
I put a lot of games on here, y'all. But this particular one is seasonally appropriate -- many will argue Die Hard counts as a Christmas movie -- and also just amusing if you love that film. -H
Sudski shower beer holder, $18, Urban Outfitters
A shower beer is a delightful beer. No, really. -H
Black Watch Tartan Robe, $128
It's like Duchess Kate's Black Watch tartan dress but AS A ROBE. (J.Crew says it's lined "with sherpa" and I had to look up what that it: It's faux shearling. COZY!). - J
Wine cardigans
For the unfamiliar, we coined "wine cardigan" back during Scandal when Olivia Pope would, yes, sit around drinking wine in an array of cozy cardigans. This $89.50 color-blocked wine cardigan is from Macy's, and goes up to size XXL. This seemingly slightly thinnier, nubblier $79.95 one from The Gap comes in more colors and also goes up to XXL. (I had trouble finding cute ones in the 1X-3X range, but if you have a source, let us know and we'll update!) -H
Kings and Queens of Britain and England History Poster, $26.62
This 16 inch by 23.5 inch poster tracing the rules of England and Great Britain is very rad, and perfect for your Anglophile friend/buddy who loves history/relative who's pretty sure she's somewhere down in the line of succession to the throne. Get it at Etsy. Also from this same shop, btw, is this equally pretty amazing Les Mis poster that I kind of want for my own self. - J
Our Rainbow Queen, by Sali Hughes
This book is so, so, so, so charming. It's really well-designed and a treat to flip through. Perfect to slip into the stocking of your friend who loves Her Majesty. This link goes to Amazon, where prices may vary, but look for it at your local indie bookstore as well! - J
Harry and Meghan and Wills and Kate Socks, $40
From the people who brought you Kate Middletoes are these VERY CUTE socks in the form of both Cambridges and Sussexes. Imagine the mixing and matching you could do! You could wear a Kate on both feet, or a Kate and a Meghan, or a Meghan and a Harry, or a Harry and a Wills, or go really sassy and wear a Wills and Meghan or a Kate and a Harry! WHAT FUN FOR YOUR FEET, thanks to the clever people at Chatty Feet. PS: They ALSO have Queen Elizabeth socks. - J
Buckingham Palace soap dish, $37 at the Royal Collection
I suggest this gift often but truly, nothing says ELEGANCE like a Buckingham Palace soap dish. (It may also say, "I stole this from Buckingham Palace," which is likewise kind of a hoot.) Buy it from the Queen herself! - J
HRH Sweatshirt, $40 at Etsy
From our friends at Meghan's Mirror, I can think of no better gift for your royals loving friend than an HRH sweatshirt. There is a special deal happening at the moment for GFY readers, too! You can get 20% off with the code GFY2019 - J
Wine and Cheese Pairing Deck, $14.95, Urban Outfitters
I am wine-dumb. I know what I don't like, and can use that to find what I like, but I haven't ever explored pairings. These cards suggest it's time to change that. -H
Red Rock Roasters coffee subscription, $40-$45
I drink this coffee! And it is delicious. Red Rock Roasters is a family-run, women-owned coffee company based in New Mexico, and they are also Fug Nationals! They've got excellent coffee subscriptions! (I love it when my coffee just ARRIVES.) Also: They're offering 20% off their general coffee offerings (excluding subscriptions) through December 31st: Use FUG20 at checkout to buy a few bags and see if you like it! - J
Vellabox Candle Subscriptions $10-$30 a month
You probably know someone who really loves candles, yes? You could get them a monthly candle subscription! It'll run you between $10 and $40 a month, and they're sold monthly, and in 3, 6, and 12 month spans. - J
Madewell Transport Tote, $120
This is just a very good-looking large leather tote -- a gift everyone loves. Yes, even if they already own multiple totes. You cannot have too many totes. Totes for all! This one is from Madewell. - J
Terrazzo ring cones, ASOS, $12.50
These little towers would be very cute for your friend who likes to take off her rings by the sink, but doesn't want to lose one down it. -H
Worn on this Day: The Clothes That Made History
We did a giveaway of this book earlier in the year, and it is SO GORGEOUS. It would make a really perfect gift for anyone on your list who loves clothes and history. I'm linking to its IndieBound page so you can see if your local bookstore has it in stock, or it's of course also on Amazon. - J
Idris Elba wall calendar, $23.99, Etsy
Our collective husband could hang on your wall ALL OF NEXT YEAR. If you want. AND DON'T YOU? -H
Modern Artist ornament set, $36 at MOMA
Sooooo, there are a LOT of snazzy ornaments in this year's gift guide. Don't you need a set of famous modern artists? (Here, Dali, Kahlo, Warhol, and Van Gogh. Is Van Gogh really a modern artist? Something for your family and friends to fight about as they trim their tree.) - J
Freddie Mercury ornament, $19.99
Be honest. You, or someone you know and love, need Freddie Mercury to complete this year's holiday decor. - J
Freddie Mercury mug, $14.95, Urban General Store
Speaking of Freddie... this glorious mug is on my kitchen shelves, which I was showing off on my Instagram during my recent (forced) kitchen renovation, and people seemed very drawn to it. Jessica found it for me, and it's wonderful. He watches over me regally while I attempt not to ruin food. -H
Anna Wintour ornament, $21
And if not Freddie, then Anna! (Or, as they say, why not both.) You can find Lady Sunglasses at Hudson Grace. - J
Beyonce or Beyonce-related posters, $25, Fy!
These start at $25 and are available in different sizes, with or without framing. On the left we have, of course, a guide to the Single Ladies dance, and on the right, a graphical depiction of women who run or ran the damn world. The site is doing a 15% off discount for your first order, or at least, it was yesterday. -H
Taco ornament, $19.96 at Sur La Table
Sur La Table has a variety of amazing little food-oriented ornaments. This taco one is my personal favorite, but you should look at them all: They've got pancakes! Bacon! Avocado toast! Brussels sprouts! Margaritas! Wheels of cheese! Bowls of ramen! - J
Set of Shoe Ornaments, $140 at the Met
This set of shoe ornaments is spendy, but also fabulous. (Plus, you're supporting a museum! You're like a patron of the arts if you buy this set!) - J
Kate Spade stripey stuff, at, yes, Kate Spade
We love stripes! I ALSO think I put the watch band on the list before, but time is ticking, so I'm just going to toss it out there again. It's $58, not cheap, but her stuff is usually very well made. The adorable PJs are also available in a black dot and are $88. The crossbody is half off, at $148, as of this writing; still more of a Treat Yo Self item, but don't we all need more of those?
Cooking prep systems
Let's start at the bottom: That's a Prepdeck, something I sponsored on Indiegogo and just got a couple months ago. It's a cooking prep system -- those bins have measurements on them and have lids, and the drawer on the left has graters and slicers and such (like the juicer that's pictured) that can fit over them as well. There are little cups for spices, and the right side has storage for knives or can be a trash drawer that you pull out and empty. It's a COOL idea and I like it so far (there's a whole video you can see); the one thing I don't like is the actual cutting board, which is plastic -- it has to be; it wraps around and snaps closed when not in use -- but I get around that by just placing one of my own boards on top of it. The Cyber Monday sale somehow hadn't ended as of this writing, which puts it at $89, but otherwise it's $119 -- but it's sold out until January, so it'd be one of those where your giftee unwraps a photo of it. All that in mind, I found this slightly heavier variety, pictured above, which doesn't have as many doohickeys, but is also cheaper by a fair bit. -H
iPad cooking stand, $29.99, Target
I use this handy little doohickey all the time because I'm constantly cooking with an online recipe. The iPad sits on it in either direction -- I prefer horizontal -- and the stylus, which stores inside the joint, makes it so I don't have to get the screen messy. It folds flat when not in use. Mine, however, always is. The boys also steal it and prop up the iPad with it so they can watch Netflix with dinner, or while they're in the tub. It's a bad habit. We're working on it. Although the tub part is brilliant, and I do recommend stealing that idea. -H
Mini Waffle Maker, $9.95 at Sur La Table
I'm sorry, but I am quite sure that you could use some four-inch waffles right about now. This is a STEAL, at Sur La Table, and perfect for your friend who loves tiny things. (And Urban Outfitters has a FLORAL one!)-J
Booze and city posters, $34.60, Etsy
This Etsy shop has all kinds of neat stuff. On the right are two examples of city-related posters they do; there are a full 84 locations available. The left shows you the informational charts on different alcohols -- vodka, gin, beer, wine, etc -- and those can be bought in pairs for just under $54. Othewise, they are $34.60, and they come 13" x 19", unframed. You can customize a few things, like the primary ink color, and even your preferred spelling of whiskey/whisky. -H
Iron Throne Egg Cup, $14, This Is Why I'm Broke
For the soft-boiled egg lover in your life who also has big feelings about Westeros. -H
Avocado gizmo, $9.99, Target
You might say, "I have an avocado gizmo, Heather. It's called A KNIFE." Yes. But my friend Carrie uses this, and she left it at my place once, and y'all... it works. The top end cuts it, the middle hole has metal on the other side so you jam it into the pit and twist-and-lift, and out it comes. The other end scoops it out in neat slices. I did give it back to her, but... begrudgingly. -H
Cast Iron Pan cleaner, Amazon
"But Heather," you are again thinking, "I already have a cast iron pan cleaner. It's called WATER. And also KOSHER SALT." Yes. But there are a lot of ways to clean one of those -- mine gets lots of stuff stuck in it, and I favor a heavy dump of salt, but I also do want something else to help that I know won't ruin it. This is supposed to be good. -H
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"But Heather," you think for a third time, "I already have a drying thing. It's called MY HANDS and A TOWEL." Yes. But my new sink came with one of these that fits inside it, and I LOVE IT; this one rests outside, so can presumably work with more sinks. I just roll mine up and tuck it away when I don't want it, but when I do want to drip-dry some dishes or some fruit and veggies I just rinsed, it's a dream. -H
Paper Pop-Up Dollhouse, $24.95 at the Met
Do I want this amazing pop-up dollhouse for myself? 100% yes. Buy it for the dollhouse lover in your life over at the Met's gift shop. (We're all in on museum gifts this year, but truly, museum gift shops are a great place to find holiday presents.) - J
Moscow Mule set, $35, Etsy
I love that this comes with the shot glass that shows you the proportions for an ideal Mule, as well as the two cups. The price is $47 Canadian, which is roughly $35, and reviews from the store are great. If you aren't sure about buying your copper cups from Etsy, Williams-Sonoma has a set that comes with a fancy mixer for $88, but it doesn't have that cool marked shot glass, so. -H
Pop Chart Lab posters
I link to this company every year. Its stuff is so cute. On the left is a poster ode to one of my truest loves, THE MIGHTY SANDWICH and the many ways you can make one (30x24, $30), and on the right is a scratch-off poster of writers who are women (12x16, $25). Ideal if there's someone you know who doesn't read enough of them. -H
Pineapple Candles, $19.20 at West Elm
So cute! So shiny! So pineapple-y! (Although technically, it doesn't appear these actually smell LIKE pineapple.) - J
Short Story Advent Calendar, $60 CAD, Hingston and Olsen
Okay, yes, December has begun. It's a bad time to order an advent calendar. But TECHNICALLY a person could start this on January 1. Or any day, and treat the "1" not as a date, but as simply "The First One." The concept: a short story a day, written by people like Anthony Doerr (All The Light We Cannot See), Lauren Groff (Fates and Furies), Omar El Akkad (American War), and Elizabeth Crane (The History of Great Things). If you feel this is way too late, bookmark it and get on it next year; this is the fifth version, so surely it'll keep on going. -H
Mac B: Kid Spy, by Mac Barnett
These goofball books -- prose with funny illustrations -- purport to be about the author's youth in the '80s, when he was, yes, suddenly recruited to be a kid spy. The first one includes a rivalry with Russia, a Gameboy, and a mission to help the Queen get back a fancy spoon. There are four. Super fun for kids to read, but also a joke or three for adults. -H
Blank Comic Book Pages
Or, if your child would rather write their own cartoon adventure, this book has a bunch of different templates and they can draw in them to their hearts' content. -H
Patriarchy mug, $15, Emily McDowell
DAMN RIGHT. -H
The Royal We, by us
Hello, this is the part of the gift guide where we plug our own books! If you have not yet read The Royal We, you might want to -- especially as we are working on a sequel. You can of course find it at Amazon, or use this page at IndieBound to see if it's available at an independent bookstore near you! - J
Messy and Spoiled, also by us
And here are our YA novels! I'm going to link to them on Amazon, just because they're not as often in stock at your local brick and mortar (although you can always call and ask them to order them for you!). Here's Spoiled (the first book), and here is Messy. - J
