Season’s greetings from our growing Puck family to yours! As the year winds down, we’re pausing to reflect on another amazing year of category-defining journalism from our team in New York, Washington, and Los Angeles (with dispatches from London, Paris, and Milan…). But we’re not resting on our laurels: We’re already looking ahead to a slate of new projects and features designed to make your membership more valuable than ever. That includes Air Mail, whose stylish, high-flying reporting will become an essential component of your subscription in the months ahead. Most of all, we’re thankful for you, our readers, for joining us on this journey.
So what better way to reward yourself than with Puck’s fifth annual Guide to Mirth & Merriment—our always deeply indulgent, surprisingly revealing collection of holiday gifts recommended by our staff (and a few V.I.P. guests)? This year’s delights range from the frivolous (an exquisite bamboo toothpaste squeezer) to the utilitarian (Warby Parker co-founder Dave Gilboa’s favorite sleep mask), with dozens of luxurious, refined, and rarefied surprises along the way. We also share what everyone at Puck is watching and reading and listening to this year. (Yes, we may earn a commission if you buy anything.)
Thank you to all our contributors, and to our partners—Netflix, Malo, and Away—who made this guide more than live up to its name.
Featuring David Leiber, partner, David Zwirner, & Gucci Westman, makeup artist, founder of Westman Atelier
Suburban Dreamer
A person with way more money than me recently suggested that I buy art instead of embarking on a long-anticipated home renovation. (Their argument? The art is likely to appreciate faster than the house.) I probably won’t take their advice, but I do know that when my family starts buying art again, after the renovation, the first piece we purchase will be from our friend Jake Longstreth, whose dreamy paintings documenting banal suburban sprawl speak to the thing my husband and I fear the most: being normal.
Art Books
DAVID LEIBER, partner, David Zwirner
My wife Janina Quint’s remarkable ceramic “book” sculptures, which both challenge and seduce, are fictions unto themselves. Handbuilt with astonishing surprises in their glazing and form, these ceramic sculptures bring to mind Stéphane Mallarmé’s 19th century adage: “Everything in the world exists to end up in a book.”
Dairy Queen
Marie Antoinette is having a major comeback with an exhibition at the V&A. She is famously associated with the breast bowl that Louis XVI commissioned from Sèvres for her dairy. They still make a version for today’s market.
End Table MVP
GUCCI WESTMAN, makeup artist, founder of Westman Atelier
Our Westman Atelier x Nancy Pearce Pinch Pots trio set is the perfect gift for the holidays. I would be over the moon if I received them! They are solid bronze, handmade in Los Angeles, and so versatile—use them to hold jewelry on your nightstand or as a simple decorative object for your home.
Featuring Karla Welch, stylist, & Randy Goldberg, co-founder and chief brand officer at Bombas
Hot Topper
RANDY GOLDBERG, co-founder and chief brand officer at Bombas
Choosing the right bag to sit on top of your roller bag is a topic of constant conversation among certain overthinking product obsessives. Ghurka makes sturdy, timeless bags that last forever, and the Express No. 2 is the ideal size, shape, and configuration. Function and classic design is always a great combination.
The Keep Calm Carry On
I’m something of an Away superfan—six suitcases and counting across my family!—but this ivy green Aluminum Edge Bigger Carry-On is a new favorite. The golden clasps make this suitcase feel especially regal—and at a price that doesn’t make me anxious when I imagine them being manhandled during the busy holiday season.
The Refined Roadie
Bellinda Alvarez, head of entertainment and mediaThis is a beautiful, high-quality, incognito flask that you can take anywhere, from a camping trip to an outdoor concert. The magnetic end caps double as cups, making them an ideal way to share drinks with friends. I love this product!
Hair Freshener
Ali Hattamer, executive director, commercialCrown Affair’s hair perfume is a holiday essential: perfect for all the hugging, close talking, and standing next to strangers at the bar on the holiday party circuit. It’s T.S.A. safe, so it will keep you smelling fresh if you’re heading straight from the plane to your family holiday party, and will last well into your nightcap debrief with your coolest cousins.
Featuring Larry Gagosian, Chris Black, co-host of How Long Gone, Lauren Ratner, co-founder, president, chief brand officer, Rhode, & Cassandra Grey, founder of Violet Grey
Gagosian’s Glasses
LARRY GAGOSIAN, founder and owner, Gagosian
Larry Gagosian arrived at Puck’s The Art of Influence event earlier this year, debarking from his gold-toned, chauffeured Range Rover in a pair of Jacques Marie Mage sunglasses. They wound up causing quite a stir as Instagram commenters tried to guess the maker of his frames. We ran a contest to see who could identify the glasses, and were eventually informed that they were a gift from friends (and clients) of Gagosian’s. If you want to channel your inner Larry, Jacques Marie Mage has a limited-edition version of the frame in a camouflage style.
A Chic Sneak
CHRIS BLACK, co-host of How Long Gone
These sneakers from Parisian-based newcomer Village PM are great-looking. They are meant for skateboarding but remind me of bouldering shoes. They serve as a nice low-profile alternative to the overpriced designer sneaker glut we find ourselves stuck in.
Luxury Slip On
Res Ipsa was founded by two Aspen-based lawyers who couldn’t find the kind of ties they wanted to wear to work and decided to make their own. They now sell all manner of clothing in locations from my local on Larchmont, in Los Angeles, to Bill Cohan’s Nantucket. And the absolute best thing they sell are the Kilim loafers, suit-and-jean-appropriate shoes made by hand at Res Ipsa’s Marrakesh atelier using vintage kilim rugs. No two pairs are the same, so consider your first pair a gateway drug. I already have two, and will be gifting Jon Kelly his very own pair this Christmas.
A Picture-Perfect Tote
I’m often moved by the effect that film costumes can have on pop culture. I recently watched In the Mood for Love and was reminded of how influential Wong Kar-wai’s 2000 unrequited love story has been on the way we dress, decorate our interiors, etcetera. Color, in particular, can be a particularly potent tool at the movies, which I was reminded of while observing the work of costume designer Kate Hawley—whom I just interviewed at Puck’s Stories of the Season event—in Guillermo del Toro’s recently released adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Shades of blue, red, and green, in particular, play a major role in storytelling, and I couldn’t help but think about how we saw similarly lush, rich colors at the recent spate of runway shows. Handbags are a good way to participate in a color sea change: I am a massive fan of Celine’s new designer, Michael Rider, and think his wink-y, streamlined take on the brand’s classic Cabas tote is the ideal laptop bag.
Shiny Vintage Jewels
CASSANDRA GREY, founder of Violet Grey
Nothing says “I love you”—or perhaps “I’m sorry”—quite like jewelry, especially estate jewelry with a storied past. Contemporary jewelry rarely holds its value unless you are willing to hold onto it for decades, while vintage pieces with pedigree can often be resold for double—or much more—the very next day. FD Gallery—if you know, you know. I’ve curated my own wish list here: my personal catalogue of Fiona Druckenmiller’s unimpeachable vault.
Headwear of Yesteryear
GRACIE WIENER, Social Media Manager, Air Mail
Forever nostalgic for the sophisticated style of yesteryear, I have decided to integrate the long-lost art of headwear into my wardrobe. At the top of my holiday wishlist, to help me fulfill this goal, is an Après Beanie. Mains de Vapeur uses traditional millinery techniques, handcrafting each hat in their New York City atelier.
An Albers-Anointed Handbag
While collaborations between fashion brands and artists (or artists’ estates) are pretty routine by now, Loewe designed a collection of bags, wallets, and ready-to-wear based on Josef Albers’ signature square-in-squares in a partnership that is truly inspired. My favorite is the Hammock bag in black/burgundy, but they’re all great.
All-Purpose Elegance
Louise Johnson, director, experiential & social media marketingI love these simple pearl earrings so much, I’ve gifted them to many women in my life. They’re such a staple—you can wear them for a fancy night out or a day at the office. Ratner also does custom pieces for something extra special!
An Open-and-Shut Case
Designed by Melissa Morris, these briefs are incredibly practical and high-quality. My husband has been on a decades-long quest for a slim briefcase, and this might be the one to end his search.
Seoul Serum
Isabella Lichauco, brand designerFor those who are interested in K-beauty but can’t commit to a 10-step routine, Lazy Skinscience just launched its first product, Double Duty, a serum-moisturizer duo. Made with Korean heritage botanicals, the product is half cooling red camellia serum and half lightweight squalene moisturizer. If you’re feeling extra lazy, you can mix the two for a one-step routine.
A Miraculous Moisturizer
ANJALI LEWIS, General Manager, Commerce & Brand Partnerships, Air Mail
If there’s one product worth the investment, it’s Midnight Miracle. This transformative overnight oil delivers concentrated Vitamins A and E from organic, farm-grown botanicals to reveal remarkably luminous, refreshed skin by morning. Your holiday skin will thank you.
Face Saver
Meg Phillips, director, creative strategyI can’t guarantee CurrentBody’s Red Light Therapy Face Mask will save you a call to Dr. Levine, but this red light mask gives me 10 minutes of collagen-boosting calm every day. Bonus: You can’t look at other tech while wearing it, a forced moment of screen-free consciousness.
The Real Skincare of Beverly Hills
LINDA WELLS, LOOK Editor, Air Mail
This doesn’t contain actual plasma—sorry!—but it is one of the hottest skincare products around. It comes from Dr. Jason Diamond, the Beverly Hills plastic surgeon who’s known for his wildly expensive facelifts. This serum claims to replicate platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to help the skin repair itself. You can use it with your existing products or spring for the whole Metacine line.
Undercover Lover
Maya Tribbitt, producer, What I'm Hearing…This is undoubtedly my favorite beauty buy of the year. I picked up the Madagascar Amber scent from their 3rd Arrondissement shop in Paris, but they have tons of other scents available online. The oil softens the skin without making you feel greasy or sticky, and the scent sticks around all day without overpowering you or your neighbor. Plus the bottle is gorgeous.
Summer Dries
Alex Bigler, V.P., creative strategy & client serviceI joined the cult of Dries fragrance lovers while in Paris this summer and will never look back. I kid you not—people have texted me the day after an event to ask what scent I was wearing, which is basically the fragrance equivalent of a standing ovation. The bottles are pure artwork and they’re refillable. Your vanity will thank you.
Featuring Jimmy Pitaro & Melanie Bender, founder of Lore
Pods Save the Day
JIMMY PITARO
These may be my favorite Apple product ever, and that’s saying something. I no longer need to carry bulkier headphones, as they have incredible sound quality, noise cancellation, and, now, heart-rate sensing. Really amazing in such a little package! And when my kids lose them for the 100th time, I can always find them in the Apple “Find My” app.
Shades of the Future
Viture’s Luma Pro XR glasses, roughly $500 a pair from Amazon—dubbed “the next generation of digital entertainment devices”—essentially puts the internet into a pair of cool glasses. I tried a pair, briefly, and it was quite the experience. Probably not for everyone, but if you are a gamer or just want to be able to answer any question while walking on the High Line, these might be for you.
Retro Cam
MELANIE BENDER, founder of Lore
In between the eras of the full-on camcorder and iPhone was the magic of the handycam—video cams that nestled in the palm of your hand and held the promise of making everyday life a little less forgotten. This little guy brings back the joy and nostalgia of at-home videos, with a vibey look and buttery smooth zoom that makes any scene instantly cooler. I’ve toyed with a few retro cameras—some are better left in the past, but this one’s so easy even I could use it.
Human Size Hot Pocket
LINDA WELLS, LOOK Editor, Air Mail
Imagine a sleeping bag filled with hot coals that reaches 167 degrees Fahrenheit and you have the longevity podcasters’ idea of heaven. Various studies, some of them small, show that heat therapy reduces depression, inflammation, and perhaps even cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s, dementia, type-2 diabetes, and arthritis. If nothing else, it’s deeply relaxing. I crawl into this hot pocket after a workout or when I’m watching Bravo, and it makes me feel almost productive.
Phone Crusher
Ramy Zabarah, senior social managerEvery year, the sick freaks at Apple find new ways to make your smartphone easier to use. But at what cost? We can all agree at this point that we’re too online, and “touch grass” has become a common refrain among hyper-aware but woefully addicted doom-scrollers. If smartphone addiction is real, then surely the old cold-turkey approach is futile. If only there were a phone case large enough, heavy enough, and… angular enough to make you think twice before opening TikTok.
Radio Star
I bought a radio. Yep, maybe I’m like one of those Gen Alpha teens pushing back against the onslaught of everything digital by reaching for some bygone tactile comfort, but I was getting a little overwhelmed by having to use my phone, various apps, and suspect Wi-Fi connection to play my music. Enter Sangean, a Taiwanese company that makes an array of vintage-looking radios straight out of someone’s 1970s basement that deliver a crisp AM/FM crackle for those of us desperate to hear anything that wasn’t compressed by a Spotify codec. I picked out the WR-16 model, and have listened to more than a few ballgames on it while sitting outside in the evening. Yeah, maybe it’s nostalgia porn, but a little radio in your life reminds you what actual discovery used to feel like before the algorithms came for us all. (And don’t worry, there’s still a Bluetooth option if you wanna stream your playlists.)
Featuring Kara Swisher, host, Pivot
Spycraft for the Smart Set
I’m a tough critic, always, and find it increasingly difficult to stick with TV shows. That’s why I am so happy to recommend the Polish spy thriller The Eastern Gate. It’s a tight eight episodes, everyone is good-looking, and the story is easy to follow. If you liked Le Bureau des légendes, or even its U.S. copy, The Agency—the original is better, but both are good—you will love this.
The Muppets Take Metrograph
Gaby Grossman, director, editorial operationsThis will be the third year of my new favorite holiday tradition: a Christmas Day trip to Metrograph for The Muppets Christmas Carol. If a movie on Christmas is part of your holiday repertoire, I can’t recommend the experience enough—good candy, an enthusiastic crowd, and the perfect Christmas movie. Metrograph is also located right next to Chinatown, so you can get Chinese food after the screening, perhaps at Wu’s Wonton King or Chinese Tuxedo. It’s the perfect Christmas Day one-two punch. Get the gift card, and I’ll see you there!
Netflix’s Bingeworthy Diplomacy
GEORGE PENDLE, Deputy Editor, Air Mail
The title is a joke. Nothing about Netflix’s delightfully bonkers thriller is tactful or measured. Keri Russell, as the ambassador to the United Kingdom, and Rufus Sewell, as her vulpine husband, tread the finest of lines between high camp and cliff-hanger. Pure thrilling ludicrousness. Knock it back like tequila shots.
Hi-Fi Sci-Fi
Ramy Zabarah, senior social managerSci-fi nerds will excuse any amount of shoddy filmmaking if the world-building is strong enough, and boy, does Foundation pass the test. This TV show looks like it was made with the G.D.P. of a small nation, as it follows the rise and fall of a galactic empire over the span of 1,000 years. It’s got clones, robots, black-hole bombs, and hundred-year time jumps that will infuriate you. A perfect binge-watch for the holidays if you need approximately 30 hours away from the family.
Making Marty
Maya Tribbitt, producer, What I'm Hearing…I got to see the Rebecca Miller–directed, five-part docuseries Mr. Scorsese at the New York Film Festival in October, and though I sat in the theater for six hours straight, it felt like no time had passed at all. Viewers can follow teenage Martin Scorsese from Little Italy in the ’60s to his 10th Oscar nomination for best director 60 years later, all through the lens of his camera. It’s a perfect primer on the director for huge fans and budding cinephiles unfamiliar with how Scorsese changed cinema. It’s also a very fun romp through Hollywood and perfect to binge watch with family during the holidays.
Featuring Alison Roman
A Working Whisky
Kathy Gilsinan, editorial directorMy Puck colleagues know my Friday tradition: After the last newsletter is sent, I head to my parents’ house for Rob Roy Friday, which is when my dad makes me a Rob Roy—a Manhattan, but made with scotch rather than rye—and after cocktails and dinner with Mom, we watch Washington Week on PBS. I love an expensive scotch, but they are not for diluting with vermouth! Thus, the humble Johnnie Walker Red is the base. (Blue Label is only to be consumed neat or with a few drops of water. We’re trying to have a civilization here.)
Fernet Gain
It’s not officially the holidays at my house until I open a bottle of Fernet del Frate Angelico, a best-in-class Swiss digestif sourced by the revered spirit revivalists at Tempus Fugit in Marin County. Frate Angelico is based on a handwritten recipe that the distillery’s original owner purchased nearly a century ago from a long-closed Italian distillery. It’s brilliantly nuanced, with all the mint and menthol notes that I love in a fernet, along with the rare addition of fine saffron. Truly peerless.
Buzz-Free Beer
Mose Kane, newsletter production associate“Non-alcoholic beer” might seem like an oxymoron, but I like to think about it like decaf coffee—sometimes you want the vibe sans the effects! Not all NA brands are created equal, but nothing I’ve tried from Best Day Brewing has disappointed. If you’re unsure where to start, give the Kölsch a try.
A Fine 15
This holiday season, I recommend a wee dram of Aberfeldy’s 15-year single malt scotch whisky, finished in Tuscan Bolgheri red wine casks “with rich aromas of dark fruits, chocolate, and vanilla accentuating the honey notes of Aberfeldy,” at least according to the website.
Wine’s Preferred Vessel
Melanie Singer, senior manager, marketingThere’s a reason every Sonoma winery and sommelier uses Gabriel Glas wine glasses. They’re both remarkably durable and delightfully light—the perfect all-purpose glass for everything from champagne to that pristine 2005 Burgundy pinot.
Featuring David Leiber, Randy Goldberg, Dave Gilboa, co-founder and co-C.E.O. of Warby Parker, & Andrew Ross Sorkin
That Exquisite Thing You Never Knew You Needed
DAVID LEIBER, partner, David Zwirner
Milan-based Lorenzi’s Bamboo Toothpaste Squeezer is the sort of item that one might expect to find in Marcel Duchamp’s bathroom (were he around). Made of bamboo and brass, it looks like an impeccable pasta maker that sits atop a bed of perfectly toasted marshmallows. Like many luxuries, this is an object both intensely useful and wonderfully unnecessary.
Personal PJs
RANDY GOLDBERG, co-founder and chief brand officer at Bombas
Monogrammed pajamas are not something most people would buy themselves, which lands them squarely in the Great Gift Zone. Sleepy Jones makes great sets, and they’ll do the monogramming for you if you email them.
Sleeper Hit
ANDREW ROSS SORKIN
If you want something that is super expensive, I tell everyone about the Eight Sleep mattress cover. Life changer. Changes temperature as you sleep. It genuinely improves the quality of my sleep. I’ve probably sold several dozen to friends and it is the one thing people routinely thank me for telling them about. (I do not have an affiliate link, but I should!)
Featuring Jason Blum, CEO & Founder, Blumhouse, & Lily Mortimer, David Zwirner gallery director
Barry’s Bildungsroman
JASON BLUM, CEO & Founder, Blumhouse
To me, Barry Diller’s Who Knew is the book of the year. It’s candid and dishy, but also a fascinating and deeply insightful business book. Barry takes you inside all the small rooms and big decisions that shaped his journey from the WME mailroom to C.E.O. of Paramount Pictures and beyond. It’s my favorite book of the year.
Chronicle of a Crash
With 1929, his bestselling new book about the events and characters leading up to the 1929 stock market crash, Andrew Ross Sorkin has put together a riveting narrative about one of the most seminal events in our nation’s economic history. Of course, there are parallels to today, which makes an already great story all the more relevant. It’s worthy of all the praise it’s been getting.
Miller’s Time
LILY MORTIMER, David Zwirner gallery director
One of the best books I’ve read in recent years is The Lives of Lee Miller, written by Miller’s son Antony Penrose. Tate Britain currently has a wonderful retrospective of her work, which makes this biography feel all the more vivid. It’s a dazzling account of a woman who seemed to live at least a dozen lives—model, surrealist muse, fashion photographer, war correspondent—each one more improbable than the last.
Billionaire Boy’s Club
Micah Robinson, V.P., growthBrad Jacobs is a legend of shareholder value creation, and he put pen to paper to share all the wisdom he’s accumulated in his humorously titled but entirely serious book, How to Make a Few Billion Dollars. I didn’t expect a treatise on cognitive behavioral therapy techniques or a whole chapter dedicated to rearranging your brain by picturing yourself being pulled into a black hole, but they were both surprisingly riveting. He also shares how he hires immensely talented teams, executes high-quality M&A, outwits his competition, and more.
D.C.’s Sacred Text
One of the ultimate IYKYK signals in Washington is to own a copy of this revered reference book of congressional biographies. Around town, it is simply known as “the Almanac.” Every serious political player—from senators to lobbyists to journalists—owns a copy, and for decades, the go-to power move in D.C. has been to thumb through one’s own copy ahead of every big meeting with a member of Congress. How strongly do I feel about the book? Well, I’ve been a contributing author to the Almanac for the last eight years.
Gods & Monsters
Mark Healy, senior editorNo matter when you started calling yourself a New Yorker, no period is more crucial to understanding contemporary New York City than the years between 1986 and 1990. Jonathan Mahler’s laser-focused, expertly handled account homes in on the trials, transactions, and epidemics that defined that tumultuous tabloid era. And its primary players—Sharpton, Koch, Kramer, Trump, Giuliani, Spike Lee—live up to the City’s novelistic possibilities.
Frankophile
Jon Kelly, editor-in-chiefAs I have occasionally mentioned in The Backstory over the years, one of my guideposts through not only my 40s but also a once-unfathomable-but-now-beloved domestic life in the suburbs has been Richard Ford‘s Frank Bascombe novels. Starting with The Sportswriter, Ford created the Rabbit Angstrom for his generation–a former journalist turned Princeton real estate broker who takes us through the extraordinary and enthralling moments of a quite ordinary life, enlivened with gorgeous, understated prose and a ton of world-weariness. I thought this journey ended with the publication of the imperfectly titled Let Me Be Frank With You in 2014. And maybe it should have. But, earlier this year, I was both embarrassed and thrilled to have found out that I’d missed a final entry, Be Mine, published to little fanfare only a couple years ago. I ordered a hard copy from my local bookseller and devoured it in a weekend. I saved the final section for Sunday morning. I’m not an atmospherics guy, but I wanted to read it when the house was quiet, the morning light coming through, coffee hot to say goodbye to a cherished character and a beloved author. Couldn’t recommend it enough.
Featuring Brooke Lampley, senior director, Gagosian, & Neil Blumenthal, co-founder and co-C.E.O. of Warby Parker
Most Valuable Pant
John Hartman, commercial account managerThe Gamma MX Pant can handle any type of weather Mother Nature throws at you. They’re breathable, yet insulated enough to resist strong winds. Your freedom of movement isn’t restricted in these pants, and the pockets are in easy-to-reach places even with hiking gear on. They’re perfect for wearing in the city or on a mountain.
Fancy Pants
BROOKE LAMPLEY, senior director, Gagosian
I have been gifting La Veste pants to all the ladies in my life. These are a fun choice for women who like to be a little more eccentric and expressive with their clothes, and who shun the uniformity and herd mentality of New York City. Plus, they don’t have a brick-and-mortar store in the United States yet.
Sweater Weather, Perfected
Gaby Grossman, director, editorial operationsNothing is more comfortable and luxurious than cashmere. My plans for the holidays include sitting on a couch watching a Nancy Meyers movie while cloaked in cashmere from head to toe. Should I decide to venture from my couch, I would pair this on-trend Malo sweater with a brown suede skirt and leather boots for a martini or two with friends.
Out on a Whim
Alex Bigler, V.P., creative strategy & client serviceRachel Antonoff’s clothes look as if joy were somehow spun into thread. Her knits are the perfect statement piece for your holiday parties—perhaps the Black and White Cookie sweater for maximum New York charm? Please, just don’t buy the Apres Ski Martini one. That one’s mine.
Runway-Worthy Brooch
LINDA WELLS, LOOK editor, Air Mail
Matthieu Blazy showed fluffy flower brooches pinned to jackets in his debut runway show for Chanel. Until those hit the stores, consider this one in black or white. I pin mine to a tuxedo jacket, a winter coat, or an otherwise dour black dress. It’s a mood lifter.
Leggings Like Butter
Liz Gough, C.R.O.This Korean athleisure brand, Stretch Your Story, recently launched in the U.S., so I just had to try their “ButterMelt” leggings for a workout. They were incredible. In addition to being extremely soft, they were also pleasantly dry throughout my workout. I am definitely going to buy these for my Life of a Showgirl–themed gift exchange with my Elder Millennial B.F.F.s.
Timeless Tee
NEIL BLUMENTHAL, co-founder and co-C.E.O. of Warby Parker
These t-shirts capture everything I love about Japanese craftsmanship: They’re understated, meticulous, and made to last. 45R’s fabric work, and especially their hand-dyed indigo, is second to none, with a weight and texture that only gets better over time. It’s an investment piece, but one that becomes a favorite the moment you put it on.
Secret Diary
Mose Kane, newsletter production associateBased out of Oregon, Ex Libris Anonymous has been turning old used books into handmade spiral journals for the last quarter-century. Their rotation of options is always surprising, often tacky, and costs as much as your weekday Cava bowl. A steal!
Club Classics
Sarah Personette, C.E.O.Whether you are an avid golfer or a racquet sport enthusiast, there is no better way to show off your passion than with Court & Course’s stylish and authentically athletic sportswear. The Terry Drop Shot Jacket is the perfect item to take you from on the court to off over the entire holiday season and beyond. And while I may be a little biased—I’m a co-owner, after all—the activewear business could use all the female-led and female-founded businesses it can get.
Smart Set
My Fair Mahjong offers a variety of bright, fun, and unique mahjong tiles. The mahj players out there know how obsessed we can get with this game and its many accessories. My Fair Mahjong’s destination series is especially delightful if you represent one of the states or regions they highlighted. Because they don’t have a Washington, D.C., or Las Vegas set, I’m opting for the National Parks set this holiday season. I love the colors and the hand-painted images. It exudes happiness.
A Cyclist’s Guardian Angel
Matt Lynch, editorial directorA gift for anyone on your list who spends any amount of time on a bicycle, this dual-purpose light and radar warns riders of vehicles approaching from distances of up to 140 meters. The device pairs best with a dedicated bike computer, but also works with an app or Garmin watch to chirp or vibrate when traffic is oncoming. One of those rare products that, once used, one cannot imagine living without. Also available with a built-in camera for documenting group rides and/or preparing litigation.
Coziness, Constructed
Katie Burke, product management leadEverdell is the perfect cozy board game for these cold, dark winter nights—because nothing says seasonal affective joy like drafting a squad of extremely industrious woodland critters to build a thriving forest metropolis. It’s a delightful gateway into strategic gaming, wrapped in pure cutesy-critter serotonin.
Featuring Jon Gray, president and chief operating officer, Blackstone
Not Your Average Fruit Basket
Eric Van Gelder, director, creative strategyThis is my go-to gift for anyone I know in Los Angeles, where produce is often exceptional. Each week, the fabulous folks at Flamingo Estate pick the freshest fruit and deliver it to your recipient’s doorstep. They also have an assortment of other fresh food deliveries if fruit isn’t your thing.
Sandwich of the Summer
JON GRAY, president and chief operating officer, Blackstone
I’m not sure this is something I would normally participate in, but my wife, Mindy, has reopened this incredible General Store in Sagaponack, and the breakfast biscuit sandwich is simply amazing. I’m completely biased, of course, but others seem to agree.
Southern Comfort
GRACIE WIENER, Social Media Manager, Air Mail
Growing up between North Carolina and Mississippi, it was not a party unless there were cheese straws. These differ from the crispy or crunchy ones sold at Zabar’s and Eli’s. Southern cheese straws are tender with a kick. As I am not brave enough to bake myself, I empty a bag of these hot and spicy cheese straws onto a silver platter at my holiday gatherings for a taste of home. Fair warning: replenishment is required frequently.
Candy Crush
Mark Healy, senior editorIf you have a sweet tooth and a TikTok login, you’re probably hip to BonBon, a purveyor of Swedish candy with five shops in New York and an online store that moves an ungodly pile of Scandinavian treats—gummies, licorices, sours, and bubs, the slender marshmallow slabs known to sell out nationwide. Candy is candy, but because this candy is from Sweden, land of Ingmar Bergman and Greta Thunberg, it contains far fewer ingredients, like high-fructose corn syrup, than a bag of Trollis or a Nerds rope. You choose from their bestselling mixes—sour, sweet, jelly, or marshmallow—which go inside a handsome Winter Wonderland gift box. [Full disclosure: I’ve been stocking our family’s stockings with BonBon for so many holidays that one of my kids got a job there.]
D.C. Dinners Delivered
For those in D.C. and nearby suburbs, these clean, organic, deliciously unprocessed meals delivered to your doorstep are great if you’re not in the private-chef income bracket. Chef Anne Alfano and integrative health coach Katelin Dial shop farmers markets and local producers for ingredients each week, and provide clients with nourishing, enjoyable meals. It’s so much better for you than eating out, the food is more delicious, and it’s the perfect gift for the busy person who loves to eat—and loves feeling good after eating, too.
Top of the Pops
Maya Tribbitt, producer, What I'm Hearing…I gave up on microwave popcorn years ago in favor of cooking my own over the stove. (It’s not that much more work!) Regular kernels are great, but Amish popcorn is unreal. The kernels are teeny-tiny, and their hulls are so thin they practically disappear during the popping process, leaving you with tender, delicious popcorn that doesn’t get stuck in your teeth. You can’t help but eat massive handfuls at a time. I top mine with melted ghee and sea salt for the best at-home movie night snack ever.
