If you, like me, have gift guide fatigue, file this away. Really it’s meant to be more of a reference for year-round fun. You see, gift giving is my passion so the holidays are my Olympics. All my gifts are purchased and hidden away in my apartment. Some of them are even wrapped.

This gift guide will not be artfully designed. There will not be clever titles for sections like “For the girlfriend who always wears a Prada bag but would never be caught dead at Sant Ambroeus.” There are too many other, better options out there. This is a no-nonsense source for solid gifts.

The intangible

-I’m taking my godsons for an afternoon movie and hot chocolate tasting The Chocolate Room. Other years I’ve made them stickers with their names on them or written them comic books.

-I treasure my BAM membership (movie tickets under $10) and maybe someone you love would, too.

-Sometimes, a beautiful meal is the best gift. My best friend and I always go for a holiday outing to someone a little special. I’d recommend Corner Bar or Lodi.

-Heaven is a facial with Elizabeth at Ställe Studios. Not cheap. Worth every penny.

The affordable

-My favorite granola bars make a very sensible holiday gift. ($39)

-Another food option: give popcorn from Iowa! You know I adore Cheerie Lane. (starting at $6)

-A pack of disposable cameras. I prefer the black and white ones. Buy six for $90 and scatter them in stockings.

-Metallic baby Baggu. Come on! ($16)

-Can you tell I love silver right now? Try it in a quilted laptop case. ($16)

-Give the gift of smooth skin via Soft Services Buffing Bars. ($28)

-This facial cream: for newbies or beauty lovers alike. ($38)

The personal

-Designing someone Papier stationery feels like the perfect gift. (Starting at $66) I also love this shop on Etsy for people who are inclined toward simpler designs.

-Hart necklaces can be customized in a million different ways.

-This duffle has made me a better packer. Plus the monogram makes me feel very pulled together. ($320)

-Another travel idea! This Shinola jewelry holder is timeless, especially with a tiny monogram. ($175)

-I’ll always love my monogrammed Cuyana Travel Case Set. ($168)

-Calling this as the next LL Bean Boat and Tote. (Starting at $69)

The books

-Deborah Levy is a real crowd pleaser. Buy for friends who are writers, especially.

-How To Stay Married and This Ragged Grace were my two favorite nonfiction books this year.

-Romantic Comedy (really any Curtis Sittenfeld) is perfect for lulls in family time. Also, Ex-Wife. Neither of these are particularly appropriate for, let’s say, mother-in-law gifting.

-For the business book type, try Four Thousand Weeks, The Cold Start Problem, or Outlive.

The wild cards

-A true blue basket from Underwater Weaving. Divine. ($312)

-Rothy’s lug loafers for the person ready to expand their Mary Jane collection. ($229)

-This hood from The Bear that I might order myself. ($72)

-A honey mask for cozy nights in. ($62)

-A Kule rugby tee. What could be better? ($108)

-Telka makes the cool girl towels. Fun for a hostess gift! (Starting at $12)

-I love Doen’s holiday collection. I wish someone would gift me a tiny black velvet dress for the holidays. ($300)

Hope your holidays are lovely + apologies for the random schedule lately. You’ll hear from me next weekend when I can finally share that exciting news I keep referencing x

Thank you for reading Long Live. It means so much to me. You can shop my favs here, follow along on Instagram + Tiktok, shop my Notion template, and as always, respond to this dispatch for my direct line x