Little Women Candle, $38
Noble Objects has SO MANY candles inspired by classic books but Jo March told me she wants you to buy this one specifically. Yes of course they also have Pride and Prejudice and Anne of Green Gables, and I LOVE the War and Peace one. - J
Golden Girls Planter, $19
Thank someone for being a friend with the ceramic head of Sophia Petrillo. - J
Happy Little Accidents Game, roughly $15
I have not played this, but if you're into Bob Ross, or just this game box, or squiggles, then this one sounds fun: The idea is to turn random little doodles into actual pictures. Much harder if you have my level of art skill (nil), but honestly, I find the drawing games a lot more entertaining when nobody in the room can. - H
Hot Dog Steamer, roughly $34
This delightful appliance BARKS when the hot dogs are done; my kids use it frequently, and it was their entree into making their own weekend lunches unsupervised (yes, VERY health conscious up in here). My sister, who loves hot dogs and has a storied history with the discontinued-for-being-a-fire-hazard Hot Diggity Dogger, gave this to the boys last Christmas and it has NOT caught on fire in my house. Huzzah! - H
LED Toilet Night Light, under $13
I'm not saying you need a disco toilet... but I'm DEFINITELY not saying you do NOT need a disco toilet. And these are so cheap that you could have ALL the disco toilets. - H
Nic Cage Sequin Pillow
There are versions of these all over, including Etsy, for UK/Euro shoppers; this one is from Amazon, and I believe is the one my friend got last year in a White Elephant exchange. Amusingly, I think it's also the same basic one featured in The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, which was a hoot. Anyway. SOMEONE in your life needs to be able to make Nic Cage emote through sequins. - H
Bitten By Witch Fever: Wallpaper & Arsenic In The 19th Century Home
How can you resist that title, that premise, that cover, and the fact that the book is "illustrated by beautiful and previously unseen arsenic-riddled designs from the British National Archives" that presumably are non-toxic? - H
A History of Basketball in Fifteen Sneakers, roughly $28
Given that Air came out... oh, lord, when was that? I think it's Oscar eligible this year but it feels like I watched it a year ago... it seems relevant to check out this intersection of sports and fashion. Per the listing, it includes: "Walt Frazier's PUMA Clydes and the New York City street game; Michael Jordan's first signature Air Jordan and the birth of the modern global basketball superstar; Nike Air Swoopes and the evolution of the women’s game; sneaker tech and the rise of retro; and much more." - H
VO Chiller, $45 on their site
Apparently this was a Shark Tank contestant?!? If you have someone in your life -- it might be yourself -- who hates washing stemmed wine glasses but laments that their rose or sauv blanc heats up too fast in their hands, well, these are here for you. There is also a contraption that will chill a stemmed glass; it's like your wine is in traction. They are also available on Amazon if you need the fast shipping. - H
Adjustable Skeleton Ring
This is so macabre! I love it. It's regularly $50, but last I checked, it was on sale for $35 on their website, but that might just be a Cyber Weekend situation. - H
Foosketball, $20.99
My friend Carrie -- she of the Nic Cage pillow, in fact -- saw this at Target last year and thought, "That looks like big dumb fun," and bought it for the boys. She was CORRECT. It's like foosball but with large basketballs and we CRACK up every time we get it out. - H
Poster Guide to Cooking Measurements, $25
Cute decor AND informative, saving you from having to poke at your phone with wet cooking hands! Because, let's be real, I do not remember my cups and gallons off-hand. - H
Various Candle Holders, $18-$24
These are so chic and weird and well-priced -- perfect hostess gifts or for someone just setting up their house, or candle enthusiasts or people who love Clue. - J
Large Wooden Serving Bowl, $69
Truly a classic. I have TWO of these and I love them, both for serving things like salads or also for displaying fruit. You can never have too many serving bowls! -- J
Engraved Charcuterie Board, $39.99
Do you ever think, "I wish I knew how to set up this cheese board?" WELL, this charcuterie board has directions -- and is honestly just extremely cute. Ideal for your cheese-loving loved ones and wine-night hosts. - J
DO NOT WANT TO DO LIST, $8
You ABSOLUTELY know someone who wants a DO NOT WANT TO DO list with an angry possum snarling on it. Put this in their stocking or gift bag. - J
"Four in a Row" game, $128
If it's been a while since you've played Connect Four -- or, as Anthropologie calls it to avoid a copyright suit, "Four in a Row" -- allow me to remind you that it is very fun and quite easy for folks of all ages. If you know someone who'd like to play it VERY CHICLY, voila! - J
Glow in the Dark Dino Puzzle, $15
Did we mention this GLOWS IN THE DARK?! - J
Glow in the Dark Pac-Man sheets, $99-139
This in the glow-in-the-dark portion of the gift guide. But EXCUSE ME, these Pac-Man sheets GLOW IN THE DARK and that is amazing. Someone you know will be delighted by this! - J
Hotel Lobby Candle in Chalet, $56
I love the Hotel Lobby line of candles and we ALL know someone who wants a fancy expensive candle for their holiday treat. This one smells like 'Spiced cinnamon, cardamom, bergamot, cedarwood, amber" and that just sounds wintery and delicious. - J
J.Crew Coffee Table Book, $125
This coffee table book isn't cheap but it is GORGEOUS and perfect for the preppy J.Crew enthusiast in your life. (Yes, I bought this for myself.) It's so fun to look back at all their old catalogs. -J
LL Bean classic cotton fisherman sweater, $89
Speaking of preppy, LL Bean claims this sweater is for men, but I think it's unisex AND a total classic. Plus, LL Bean lasts forever, so you know you're giving someone something substantial. - J
Keith Haring Chess Set, $55
The MoMa website had this categorized as being for children but I think MANY PEOPLE would love a Keith Haring chess set. It's so charming. - J
J Crew Pink Coat, $99 at the moment
This pink coat is so fuzzy and whimsical and cute and the price is currently WAY marked down (this may not last). Also comes in a Margot Tenenbaum-y camel color if that's more your jam, or the jam of the recipient.-- J
LL Bean socks, $19.99 for a pair
The best cozy cotton socks ever, hands down. - J
MLB ballpark glasses, set of 2 $35
For the baseball lover on your list! These are the whiskey glasses (which I feel like would also be good for orange juice), but Uncommon Goods also offers pint glass sizes. The team logo is on the bottom. Play ball! - J
MoMA Drinking Glasses, $49 for a set of four
These are simple and chic but not boring. Everyone needs to hydrate! - J
"Read Good Books" mug, $23
Solid advice and a classic gift for your bookworms, librarians, booksellers, or writers. - J
Retro Cuisinart, $249.95
I GASPED when I saw this new 14 cup Cuisinart, re-released for the product's 50th anniversary, and I would have asked for one myself except my current Cuisinart is going strong. Perfect for that person you know who is a great cook and obsessed with mid-century modern style. - J
Star Wars Christmas Jammies, $69
You KNOW you know someone who needs flannel Star Wars Christmas pajamas. It might be you! -- J
Charlotte Street wine glasses, $45, Kate Spade
These are charming. They're like adorable wine tornadoes. And while we're at Kate Spade, they also have a martini-themed three-pack of socks for $25 and this SUPER cute seasonal cookie jar for $80.
5000 Years of Awesome Objects, $29
Again, ostensibly for kids but the inside of this book -- which takes closer looks at a bunch of stuff in the Met Museum's collection -- is SO charming, I think it has broad appeal. For extra credit, give it with a copy of From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.--J
Great Jones cookware
These are SO stylish. The trio of bowls is regularly $95, and the casserole is $75, which is not cheap, but I feel like they're so adorable that the price per use would quickly shrink. Also, they were on sale for even less during cyber week, and might still be -- or it might come back. - H
Tile Hoop Earrings, about $61
These pretty hoops are from a lovely Etsy store that sells lots of jewelry with tile in it -- if these exact ones sell out, just click on the seller's shop and you'll see how many other great choices there are. Like these! And these! Oh man, and these are from a whole other shop... I need to stop now. - H
Liberty puzzle, double-sided, roughly $28
One side of this jigsaw is the picture of the iconic Liberty store, and on the other, an equally iconic Liberty floral print. You can do whichever one you're in the mood for; the back looks appealingly impossible to me. - H
Trio of Liberty print hankies, $49
Speaking of Liberty! Do you know anyone who loves a hanky, or perhaps needs to freshen up their array of pocket squares -- or, develop one? These are perfect. And if those colors aren't your top pick, Lime Tree Design has a huge selection of other ones made from Liberty fabrics. - H
Flat measuring spoons, Polygons, $35
This seems like a great gift or stocking stuffer for, say, a college kid living off-campus, or anyone with a small kitchen/low storage space. I'm fascinated by them -- they're flat red strips that you can pinch into the correct teaspoon and tablespoon measurements, and they're magnetized so they'll stick to your fridge if you don't have drawer space. - H
National Parks Bucket List Bottle, with stickers; $58
If you love parks, traveling, AND checklists, let alone stickers, then this seems perfect. You order the bottle and the sticker pack, and just peel and add every time you visit one of the U.S.'s national parks. There's also one for the 50 states, and Europe. You can buy them without the stickers, but... WHY. - H
National Parks Brass French Press, $65
While we're on the topic, maybe you need to caffeinate instead. This French press is SO pretty and will really elevate someone's camping set-up (or just their kitchen table). - J
DIY Mochi Ice Cream Kit, $35
Yes please! - H
Antique Map Jigsaw, 1000 pcs, roughly $11
I love maps, and old things, and difficult 1000-piece puzzles, so this seems right up my street. And maybe the street of someone you know? - H
Sherlock Holmes mystery puzzle, roughly $14
And this puzzle has a companion booklet that gives you the backstory, which, along with clues from the assembled puzzle, helps you solve a murder. A REAL MURDER. (No.) (Probably.) - H
Spin to Survive Frozen Mountain, $30
This is a gorgeous book! My niece got it last year. You pop out the spinner and it takes you on a Choose Your Own Adventure journey through its pages. - H
Taylor Swift ornament, $10
Well, this little item from a Canadian store is a much better deal than her concert tickets are on the resale market, so there's that. Perfect for your resident Swiftie. - H
Escape from Iron Gate game, roughly $35
We bought this for Dylan last year -- our little Alcatraz fan -- but somehow only just played it on Thanksgiving for the first time. It was really fun! It's a replayable game where you try to earn items (via charades, drawing, or puzzles) that you can use to trade your way out of the various levels of the prison. - H
Sequin hoop earrings, $39
These are available at J. Crew in red, silver and gold, or gunmetal, and they are festive INDEED.
Boots by Betsey Johnson, $99
I didn't even know Betsey's brand was still out there. I DO feel like we all deserve a purple plaid disco boot kind of 2024, even if just EMOTIONALLY. But it could also come in the form of this actual boot. - H
The Met Dress Up Paper Dolls, $21.99
Oooh! This book isn't JUST paper dolls. Its Informative Caption reads, "published in partnership with The Met's Costume Institute, this perfectly giftable book takes young readers through 170 years of fashion, from the 1880s to the present day. Learn about key moments in fashion history through lavishly illustrated scenes, must-know facts, and highlights from select designers represented in the Costume Institute's collection. Then, turn to the back of the book to press out and play with three paper dolls, complete with 14 stylish outfits to dress them up in." FUN - J
Travel Poodle Ornaments,$20 each
Speaking of fun, Technically these are ornaments but I think they could live out and about on a dresser or desk year round. I want them all! -- J
Visit More Museums Sweatshirt, $57
And speaking of museums, this is good advice! -J