Ok The NY Times merch store is lit ???! So many fun & clever gifts and little things. Loved everything in here - thank you for doing that work to curate !
My fave book I read this year is Being Mortal by Atul Gawande! Published in 2014, but it’s a non fiction meditation on end of life care and mortality from a doctors POV and it took my breath away
Ina Garten’s new memoir Be Ready When the Luck Happens brought me so much joy and peace during a moment of fear and tumult in my personal life and in the world. Her voice is so soothing and her stories are adorable and hilarious. Can’t recommend enough!!
Mom of a 9-month-old here! For new parents, a postpartum doula is a GAME CHANGER. So any funds or gift card toward one makes an amazing gift. We hired a night one for just 3 shifts (and deeply regretted not purchasing more time), and a day one for once a week for 6 weeks. Those extra hands are truly invaluable. And the only decent sleep I got for months were those 3 nights we had the overnight doula.
For parents navigating treatment - an XL phone charger - outlets are often far from the hospital bed so it's such a thoughtful, easy gift. Also a sleeping mask since it's almost always too bright in the hospital room.
My best gift idea is Oofos! They are recovery footwear that support arches and reduce pressure on your feet and joints. Excellent for runners or for people who are on their feet all day. At $60 someone may not purchase them for themselves, so it makes a great gift. I wear them as my house shoes and they save my knees and feet!
My favorite books that I read came out late last year, but I loved Thicker Than Water by Kerry Washington and Evil Eye by Etaf Rum.
Washington’s memoir was truly beautiful and touched on her parents’ fertility journey and her reckoning with how it shaped her life. She also reflects on struggling with perfection and over coming that desire.
Rum’s novel is about a Palestinian American who teaches at a college in central North Carolina and wrestles with her mental health, her strained relationship with her husband and unhealed wounds from her youth. There’s also subtext about displacement that I found really prescient and enlightening.
As that friend who doesn't want more stuff, I think experiences can also be great! Mani/pedis like already mentioned, or a gift card to a spa/sauna/etc - I bought my partner a gift card to a fancy hotel that does treatments (when you get treatments to get access to the sauna/steam room/pool for a few hours).
Gift cards to classes can also be great, like your local pottery classes or sewing classes (whatever your friend is looking to try/get into!).
Ok The NY Times merch store is lit ???! So many fun & clever gifts and little things. Loved everything in here - thank you for doing that work to curate !
My fave book I read this year is Being Mortal by Atul Gawande! Published in 2014, but it’s a non fiction meditation on end of life care and mortality from a doctors POV and it took my breath away
It’s such a hidden gem! They have really stepped up their game in recent years.
Ina Garten’s new memoir Be Ready When the Luck Happens brought me so much joy and peace during a moment of fear and tumult in my personal life and in the world. Her voice is so soothing and her stories are adorable and hilarious. Can’t recommend enough!!
The best book I read this year was Sandwich by Catherine Newman. I still feel that book in my bones.
Mom of a 9-month-old here! For new parents, a postpartum doula is a GAME CHANGER. So any funds or gift card toward one makes an amazing gift. We hired a night one for just 3 shifts (and deeply regretted not purchasing more time), and a day one for once a week for 6 weeks. Those extra hands are truly invaluable. And the only decent sleep I got for months were those 3 nights we had the overnight doula.
Oh yes this is a great one that some of my friends also swore by!
Sephora sponsorship !!! Congrats Alicia this is amazing. Fave books (too many)
- All Fours by Miranda July
- Monstrilio by Sámano Cordova
- Big Swiss by Jen Beagin
- Liars by Sarah manguso
- Margo’s Got Money Trouble by Rufi Thorpe
For parents navigating treatment - an XL phone charger - outlets are often far from the hospital bed so it's such a thoughtful, easy gift. Also a sleeping mask since it's almost always too bright in the hospital room.
Thank you, these are fantastic ideas.
Love so many Ceremonia products (and their founder, Babba!) Going to have to try this scalp scrub next.
The Guava Rescue Spray is also fab. I heat style a lot and its been helping to keep me from shattering my hair.
Ah, good to know! I am the #1 fan of their Leave-In Conditioner.
My best gift idea is Oofos! They are recovery footwear that support arches and reduce pressure on your feet and joints. Excellent for runners or for people who are on their feet all day. At $60 someone may not purchase them for themselves, so it makes a great gift. I wear them as my house shoes and they save my knees and feet!
My favorite books that I read came out late last year, but I loved Thicker Than Water by Kerry Washington and Evil Eye by Etaf Rum.
Washington’s memoir was truly beautiful and touched on her parents’ fertility journey and her reckoning with how it shaped her life. She also reflects on struggling with perfection and over coming that desire.
Rum’s novel is about a Palestinian American who teaches at a college in central North Carolina and wrestles with her mental health, her strained relationship with her husband and unhealed wounds from her youth. There’s also subtext about displacement that I found really prescient and enlightening.
Happy holidays, Alisha! I love reading Downtime 🤎
Ty for sharing. I love Kerry Washington but didn’t hear about her memoir until you posted. Adding these both to the list!
My favorite book of 2024 was "When Women Were Dragons" -- Highly Recommend!
I’ll be reading The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year too!
It's very entertaining so far! Exactly what I needed.
Wow did I lean in to the Sandra Boynton coffee collab to stock up on gifts for new parents. Amazing rec!
Yay, they are going to love it! Just a little spot of joy with their morning (and afternoon...) coffee.
Nytimes merch store!! I need to get my parents Wordle stuff. Love it. Thanks for a great idea
It's such a hidden gem!
Upon review, I read a lot of really good books this year! This list is just a snapshot of some of my favs:
- Beartown (I literally want to reread it already)
- Chain-Gang All-Stars
- I Hope This Finds You Well
- The Haunting of Hill House (you're joking, this is so good.)
- Margot's Got Money Troubles
As that friend who doesn't want more stuff, I think experiences can also be great! Mani/pedis like already mentioned, or a gift card to a spa/sauna/etc - I bought my partner a gift card to a fancy hotel that does treatments (when you get treatments to get access to the sauna/steam room/pool for a few hours).
Gift cards to classes can also be great, like your local pottery classes or sewing classes (whatever your friend is looking to try/get into!).
I loved Funny Story by Emily Henry and Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten this year!