Editorial note: Alisha is on maternity leave. In the meantime, Downtime is edited by Aliza Abarbanel.
Hi, hello,
Is it just me or does it feel like December is over before it starts? The combination of less daylight + so many holiday parties makes the last month of the year race to a close. So if gift shopping has fallen off your to-do list but you’re still searching for presents for people in your life, this newsletter is for you. Read on for some ideas, and drop your own suggestions in the comments! –Aliza
Want even more gift guide content? Find our previous gift guide posts here, here, and here.
Gift cards they’ll actually want. Of course, “what they’ll actually want” comes down to personal preference, but these options feel pretty fail-safe:
A Dayglow coffee subscription featuring single-origin beans from culty international roasters. Currently on sale!
Headspace. Because we could all use a little extra chill.
A candle subscription from Keap. The complex scents and long-lasting burn time are worth the price tag. This candle-of-the-month club is great too.
Barkbox for the proud puppy parents.
Baggu! Extra good for commuters and people with a lot of things to schlep.
Homemade baked goods. Anything baked with love is too good to pass up, but some desserts are easier to gift than others. Consider these hearty recipes, wrapped up in a little bag or container with a bow, and get some more tips on giving desserts from Yossy Arefi here.
Frozen chocolate chip cookies. Go ahead, use your favorite recipe! I like this salty buckwheat version. Freeze the dough into balls (and don’t let the gift linger out for hours) so your loved one can have a warm cookie just about whenever they feel like it. Write oven temp and any other baking instructions on the container with painter’s tape for an extra touch.
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