Floral PJs, $110 at J Crew BUT Probably On Sale
J.Crew's pajama selection is excellent this year; if you want to move away from the classic plaid flannel situation, these poplin floral ones are SO pretty. Also, J.Crew is having a 25% off sale right now, so get them for less. - J
Weekender Montauk tote, $79.50 at J.Crew
This is ALSO on sale. I truly believe people love to get totes. AND you can get it monogrammed! For people who already own like 9 Boat and Totes. (FYI, LL Bean does make plaid ones now.) - J
Travel Pillows & Gifts
This website has a pillow -- or coaster, canvas print, blankets, shower curtains, laundry bags, masks... basically anything you could want for every airport code imaginable (or so it seems). (Although I admit a fondness for the Auto Pilot pillow from Airplane.) The pillow covers are just under $30, but for about $5 extra, you can get it with a pillow insert, and I have that one and like it a lot. - H
Various Bits and Bobs from Maker House
So this year I've been trying to shop at more places in Canada -- and, for this guide's purposes, I've tried to find ones that ship to the U.S. as well. Fug Nation gave me some great suggestions. Maker House, which gives shelf space to Canadian artisans, has a ton of fun stuff, like the succulents dish towel, the UTTERLY GLORIOUS Trebek coasters (also available in Schitt's Creek and Golden Girls), the funky handmade ceramic wine glasses, or the saucy sassy plates like this one (which are for display purposes only, sadly). - H
Secret Safe Books - $62 and up
Who doesn't love a book with a SECRET COMPARTMENT? Secret Safe Books has hollowed-out books for all manner of hidden things; this is a flask, but they have ones more suitable for things like jewelry, or letters. They're very neat! - J
Cheekbone Beauty Lip Kit
Cheekbone is an Indigenous-owned Canadian company that -- hooray! -- ships free to the U.S. with a purchase over $38. They sell lipsticks and glosses, kits like these, eye makeup, and more; for every lipstick purchase, they donate one to an Indigenous youth, and also run other philanthropic efforts. - H
Birthdate candle, $38
There's a candle for every day of the year. You can also get custom birthdate books for... quite a bit more; they're $95. - H
Scented Pens, $16
For the kid -- or, frankly, adult -- in your life who doesn't want to pick up a pen unless it smells like pizza or cookies. Price is in Canadian dollars I think, so it'll be less in USD, and the retailer ships to both countries. - H
Rainbow striped scarf, $19.99
Old Navy is currently selling SO MANY CUTE rainbow items. Onesies! Hats! Outfits for your dog! This scarf! It's so cheerful. - J
Three-Year Journal for Kids
I should've tried this with the boys. It's a prompt a day for three years, which is a cool little archive of their thoughts as they get older and grow and change -- and a way to help THEM see how much they've grown. It's at Amazon (and presumably other bookstores) in the US, and Chapters/Indigo or Crying Out Loud in Canada. It's intended for 5-10 year olds, but your kid's readiness may naturally vary. - H
Charcuterie Board Earrings --$29.51 at Etsy
OMG this entire Etsy store is KILLING ME. You can find these CHARCUTERIE BOARD EARRINGS!! here, but there are SO many that you or someone you know might want! Burritos! Donuts! MANY different kinds of pie! Churros! FUNNEL CAKE. Look at all these CHEESE EARRINGS. -J
Breton Tee
This comes in sizes up to 2X. I like the vaguely handpainted feel to the lines. It's a Canadian store, but they ship to the U.S. for free over a certain amount. - H
Origami Fox Earrings, $31.90 at Etsy
How cute are these origami fox earrings? They're charming without being too cutesy. (The artist is in Germany and has a great range of things.) -J
Beer Can Chicken Holder
I mean, please, someone out there, buy this to cook a beer-can chicken on your grill. LOOK AT IT. And it's only $38 CAD. I got this link from a website called Bows & Bentos that did a HUGE list, organized by category, of small Canadian businesses to shop from this Christmas. If you're in Canada or you don't mind paying more for shipping/looking for the ones that ship to the US, check them out. It's an incredibly thorough list! Thanks to the Fug National who sent it to me on Instagram. - H
El Arroyo. Just... All The Things
If you don't already follow El Arroyo on Instagram, you should; their signs are SASSY, and they have a huge shop online where you can buy just about whatever you want with a slogan on it: napkins, mugs, tea towels, magnets, cards, even a calendar. - H
Red Plaid Nightgown, $78
This Is J sells all kinds of PJ sets, pajama rompers, and nighties, like this cute seasonal red plaid (they also just added green). It comes with a matching headband. Ships free within Canada and flat-rate to the U.S. - H
Xebec Tri-Screen
Okay, so this is expensive. It's $500. And we don't typically recommend stuff that pricey. BUT, hear me out: I got this for Kevin as a combo birthday/early Christmas splurge present because Covid means he's doing a ton of production meetings over Zoom, and constantly needs to be looking at like 6 things at once. Maybe that's you, or your loved one, and you're struggling for a solution as work-from-home becomes more lasting. Kevin has only had it for like four days, but it's well-made, and he used it for a really complex scheduling meeting and was so excited that he sent me a photo. Anyway. Big ticket item, but if someone in your life needs it, this might be worth the outlay. - H
Voluspa Deck The Halls Candle Gift Set at Anthropologie -- $98
This is a VERY dreamy candle set, for the person on your list who loves fancy candles. (As usual, Anthropologie has GONE OFF on the candle front and if you need to buy The One True Candle for someone, as the poets of SNL foretold, it's a solid option.) - J
Wacky Candles from DW Home, $14-18
Or, OR -- HEAR ME OUT -- you could buy a Mac and Cheese scented candle. DW Home has a whole trove of interesting and normal-sounding combos (floral and herbal and spice-scented), but also intriguingly named ones like Ghost and Thunder and HOMEBODY ("You don't have to quarantine me to get me to stay home," which, I feel you, candle), and Autumn Morning. And then food smells like dinner rolls and mashed potatoes. Or if you'd just prefer to send a message, how about a $26 one from Bossypants Candles that says NOT TODAY, SATAN. -H
For Fuck's Sake Tumbler, $15
Apparently a lot of my messaging this season could be classified as AGGRAVATED. This is from a site called Hook that also sells, wait for it, hooks, plus gifty things like barware and napkins and some socks that say Here Comes Cool Dad that I think are best given sarcastically. -H
Rainbow beach towel, $90 at MAYDE
MAYDE was nice enough to send me and Heather some of their towels -- we also got bath ones! -- and they are REALLY NICE and this beach towel is, in particular, really gorgeous and cool. It's even prettier than it looks on the website; I immediately bought another one. - J
Sephora Beauty Blenders - $20
Since "Beautyblender" is a trademarked brand name, they're calling these "Total Coverage Makeup Sponge Set." Whatever they're named, this feels like such a cute stocking stuffer! - J
The Art of Bob Mackie cocktail book, $44-$50
I think we're going to have a giveaway for this next week but if you're SURE you're going to need this -- and why wouldn't you be!? It looks amazing -- pick it up at your local bookstore or order it from Chaucer's, which is a GREAT bookstore in Santa Barbara. - J
Wine Cardigans!
'twould not be a gift guide if I were not recommending a Wine Cardigan, so named for Olivia Pope's habit of curling up in a comfy sweater to drink wine and eat popcorn. On the left, Gap's option is on sale for under $40 and comes in five colors up to XXL; Banana Republic's is over $219 because whaaat BUT it's cashmere and also they run good discounts online (goes to XXL); and the third is a drapey wine-colored wine cardigan (synergy!) from Bloomies that goes to XL. Talbots also has a fluffy one that looks like you're wearing a beige towel, and Asos had a bright purpley-grey argyle option. Choices! OH AND yes Banana is selling that necklace; it's $40.
Pick Your (Eye) Patch, $19 at Sephora
Don't you know someone who LOVES these eye-mask patches?! I do. (It's me.) This is "[a] mini kit of bestselling Hydra-Gel Eye Patches with everything you need to brighten, de-puff, and make the under-eye area look firmer." FUN. -J
Face Mask Gift Set, $25 at Sephora
We are perhaps at the Face Mask portion of this gift guide. But everyone loves a sheet mask! This cute lil' gift set has six. - J
Forever Eye Mask, $25
I LOVE my Forever Eye Mask -- the idea is, you put on the eye cream of your choice, let it get tacky for a second, and then affix these for about 10 minutes (or however long you want). Then rinse and store in the metal tin. This is a truly brilliant way to eliminate both the waste AND, frankly, the cost of trying all those single-use ones. (I have heard great things about their Deliverance serum, too, but a) Dieux doesn't ship to Canada -- got my mask when we went back to LA in the spring -- and b) that one has a cannabinoid in it, which is a whole legal issue for international customs. BUT. Try and report back. -H
Planter, $24-$44 at Anthro
Anthro calls this a "Grecian Bust Pot," but I call this a "Head Planter." Whoever you give it to can give her a proper name! (This would be cute with a plant in it, too.) - J
Lego Minifigure Faces puzzle
I love a challenge, and this one is pretty amusing. Last I saw this 1000-piece puzzle was about $17 on Amazon, and in Canada, it's also at McNally Robinson (but a tad more expensive). -H
Murder Mystery Puzzles
Uncommon Goods has this pair of 500-piece puzzles (sold separately) that contain a built-in mystery. There's The Clairvoyants' Convention and The Missing Will. (In Canada? Try Steeling Home.) There's also a book version with 20 or so puzzles to solve, but reviews are mixed; for a whopping $12 or so, maybe you don't care. -H
L'Occitane Hand Lotion Trio, $29 at Nordstrom
(a) These lotions are SO PRETTY, (b) I am of the belief that people can never have enough lotion. Especially now that we're all washing our hands all the time. You could even give this to someone with a bunch of fancy soaps! - J
Yeti Rambler tumbler, $29.99 at LL Bean
I've recommended these before, and I know there is a lot of hype around these -- can a tumbler really have hype? I guess so -- but they're REALLY nice. I bought myself one and I use it all the time, even though I rarely leave the house. It really does keep things hot/cold? They're a nice little luxury -- maybe good for your coffee-loving friend who is heading back to her somewhat unpleasant commute? - J
LL Bean Frontier Blanket, $395-$595 at LL Bean
So, these are a SPLURGE but they are amazing blankets -- warm and light and beautiful -- and they ARE meant to last for the rest of your life. (I can help you justify this purchase!) They're still made in an old woolen mill in Minnesota, which I've just discovered also makes matching pillows. -J
Lofree Lipstick Keyboard, $169
Compared with the previous slide, this seems almost economical! It's for indulging oneself, truly. I got this idea from our pal Amy Spalding, author of The Summer of Jordi Perez and We Used To Be Friends (among many others), and proprietor of Get Your Book On, which is a book coaching and editing service. She's great. ANYWAY, she treated herself to this lipstick keyboard and it's delightful. -H
Short wellies
Tall wellies can be hard to wear if, say, THEORETICALLY, skinny jeans are on their way out and boot cut and wider legs are in. Good news! These work with both, and are easy to slip on and kick off. I have a Hunter version and after one year I'm already at a rock-bottom price per wear. These are Boden, $85, available in three colors (one is leopard). If you're in Canada you have to order from the Boden UK website. -H
Sara Fitz Sweater Print Flannel Sheet Collection, $99-$149 at LL Bean
I've linked to these in previous shopping posts but while we're thinking about bedding, I just wanted to remind you that you probably know someone who needs flannel sheets covered in sweaters and it's okay if that person is you. - J
Gorgeous Mug, $33.50 each at Etsy
I could sincerely spend all my time noodling around the ceramics on Etsy -- so many people are so talented -- but these are some of my favorite mugs lately. They're not inexpensive but they ARE one of a kind works of art. - J
Folding Chair, $189
A Fug National emailed us about this company, which is co-founded by her husband, so we figured why the heck not toss it in here? I think outdoor gatherings are going to have their advantages for a long time -- even if it's mostly psychological -- and also, we spent enough time cooped up indoors. We always grab cheap folding chairs at Target or Canadian Tire or wherever, and they're never comfortable, and we always end up having to replace them. This one looks both durable and more interesting -- it has all those neat features, it comes in four colors, it collapses tightly, and has a carry case made of recycled materials. You get a discount if you buy multiples, too. Party on, dudes. -H
Jeweled Bug Statement Earrings, $85 at Huntington Store
Museum stores are a GREAT option for interesting gifts -- I saw these at the Huntington Library store and they are so dreamy! And a teeeeeny bit creepy. - J
Clue Wine Charms
Will we EVER be so cavalier again about whether we're drinking from the right wine glass? Wine charms are more timely than ever. I like this $30 set from Etsy that pays homage to Clue, but of course, OF COURSE, there is also a $25 one that uses nine primo Ted Lasso sayings. -H
More! Ted! Lasso!
Obviously the Tedfest doesn't stop there. The Hot Brown Water mug -- my exact feelings about tea, and also coffee -- is under $13, and Roy Kent reminding you not to f*cking settle is $21, although if you want a stronger sentiment from him then I recommend this F*ck 2021 ornament. The "Football Is Life" ugly Christmas sweater is $35, but it's not nearly as weird as a candle that is called Smells Like Hannah Waddingham. (It's available in three scents so it cannot be THAT committed to embodying her actual aroma.) I hope she buys it and reports back. -H
Jane Austen Tarot Deck,
A Jane Austen Tarot deck appeals to a VERY specific person and I am extremely confident that several of those people read this website, or know folks who do. -J
King of Tokyo game
We play this with the boys -- it was a gift; someone bought it for their birthday, actually -- and we love it. -H
Peonies: Beautiful Varieties for Home & Garden, $21.99 at Les Fleurs
Don't you know someone who would love a gorgeous little book about peonies? If peonies are not your jam, what about hydrangeas? - J
Prints from 50 States of Beauty, $35-55
This site does lovely work, from nifty renderings of state-specific vintage landscapes, to posters dedicated to their flora, to gouache prints for each of the states and many countries besides. Head here to check them all out. -H
Lazuli Cuff, $80 at We Dream in Colour
It's not a GFY Gift Guide without a gorgeous cuff bracelet! This one is so pretty. We Dream in Colour has beautiful jewelry -- all their bracelets are great. - J
Williams Sonoma Festive Cocktails Set, $75.80 at Williams Sonoma
I fell into a bit of a wormhole of Williams Sonoma cocktail mixers, of which they have MANY. These sound extremely yummy and would make a very fab hostess gift with booze? (I also need one of you to report back about Trisha Yearwood's Christmas in a Cup, which does NOT have good reviews.) - J
Cecil Crocodile Lambswool Scarf, $42.79 from Etsy
LOOK at how cute this scarf is! It is exceptionally adorable. (This particular Etsy seller has an amazing shop, but she's based in the UK so I would not hesitate on this one if you're not, because you want to have plenty of time for shipping.) - J
Set of Seven Large Ceramic Bowls, $54 at Etsy
This Etsy shop ships free to the US from Turkey and sells a lot of Turkish ceramics. How gorgeous are these bowls?! - J
Books! Always!
This is just a sampling, honestly, of some titles that are worth checking out. Clockwise from top left: Competitive Grieving by Nora Zelevansky; The Bombay Prince, which is Sujata Massey's third Perveen Mistry mystery (we also obviously recommend the other two!); Act Your Age, Eve Brown, by Talia Hibbert, which is about the third of the Brown sisters; Amanda Gorman's upcoming poetry book, which ships Dec. 7 I believe; The Heir Affair, which obviously we have mentioned but we'd be fools not to include it because we wrote it and it came out in paperback this year; Jasmine Guillory's latest, While We Were Dating, which is a Hollywood-centric delight; and Jasmine ALSO co-wrote five e-books with Fug Madness winner and delightful-seeming person Keke Palmer, which are being released Nov. 9 and which you can pre-order. Next up is Seven Days in June, by Tia Williams, which is wonderful; Instructions for Dancing, by Nicola Yoon; and Jessica Simpson's excellent autobiography, Open Book, is not new but she just celebrated four years of sobriety and her rock bottom is the opening chapter. Finally, we have Hitha Palepu's inspiring We're Speaking, and Casey McQuiston's One Last Stop. I also meant to include The View Was Exhausting, by Mikaella Clements and Onjuli Datta, but I somehow messed up and didn't grab the cover and only realized it now. Whoops! ANYWAY: Please also browse our afternoon chats about books, because the comments have fantastic recommendations. (Those links are all to Bookshop, other than the Keke Palmer/Jasmine Guillory project, but your local indie bookstore would also be happy to help you grab these!) -H