Tis the Season for Holiday Gift Guides

What I'll be getting everyone (and myself) this season

Time has a funny way of sneaking up on us as the holidays arrive. All of a sudden the lobby in my building is playing Christmas music and my inbox is flooded with Black Friday deals and Alison Roman recipes I’ll never actually attempt to make.

It’s a unique time of the year to be a human—  it’s both a time for reflection and gratitude while also being a time of indulgence and impulses that juxtapose oh-so-nicely as December 1 creeps upon us.

Something I do love about this time is taking time to thoughtfully surprise and delight the people I love with a gift that will bring them a little joy when the world feels heavier than usual.

I’ve mentioned it in a previous newsletter and I’ll say it again: I know it’s just stuff BUT “shopping and refining your style IS a creative act. It’s the thing I find myself doing in those moments in between a meeting or before dinner or as I’m going to bed: discovering, searching, saving, pining, finding beautiful things that will make me feel more like the person I am (or want to become).”

So why should finding fun gifts for someone else be any different?

Below are 8 guides filled with gifts that I use all the time, and/or gifts that have been on my wishlist for a while.

Happy shopping :)

Under $100: Things That Look / Feel More Expensive Than They Are

Gohar World Mother of Pearl Dessert Spoon Set ($96), Crown Affair The Signature Scent ($86), Smythson Panama Notebook ($66), Comme Si Socks ($85), George Jensen Stainless Steel Bottle ($69), Byredo Lipstick Gift Set ($100), Flamingo Estate Heritage Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar ($67), Dieter Rams: The Complete Works ($64)

Little luxuries that don’t break the bank are my specialty. I would be ecstatic to receive any of these and integrate these gems into my life.

Three Favs — 

1. Smythson Panama Notebook in Mara, $66 — there’s nothing chicer than showing up to a meeting with a small, beautiful notebook. It’s on sale right now in this timeless color.

2. Comme Si Socks, $85 — tell me what’s more of a little luxury than slipping on a beautiful pair of socks made in Italy? Pair it with a loafer, or a great pair of sneakers, I love seeing the Comme Si tag peeking out of my high-top Converse. Jenni the founder is magic and the thoughtfulness comes across in every product she designs. Truly a gift for all people and all ages.

3. Gohar World Mother of Pearl Dessert Spoons, $96 — this feels like a say-less situation. I mean, just look at the leather storage wrap on these mother-of-pearl spoons! A treat for your treats, if you will. I also fully thought it was going to be a few $$$ when I clicked the link. Surprise that it’s under $100.

For The Whimsical Friend In Your Life

Ottolinger Gray Dip Earrings ($255), Comme Si La Boxer Alta ($170), L’Objet Haas Mojave mug ($85), Degen Face Vessel ($45), Eliou Spiral Earrings ($268), Crown Affair x Abel Objects: The Comb No. 001 ($546), Dusen Dusen Oven Mitt ($26), Dinosaur Designs Crown Dish ($49), A24 Marcel the Shell Figurine ($30), Melting Disco Spheres ($120)

Oh hi, it’s me. I’m that friend. Here’s what I would like to gift you and by extension, me.

Three Favs — 

1. Dinosaur Designs Crown Dish, $49 — I have about 10 pieces from Dinosaur Designs throughout my home. Resin + a pop of color + handmade in Australia = sold. I use this Crown Dish for my rings and jewelry at my desk. I also have one for my air tags and little things around the house. 10/10 everything they make, also falls under ‘a little luxury that feels more expensive than it is IRL.’

2. A24 Marcel the Shell Figurine, $30 — I love Marcel The Shell and maybe someone in your life does too. He sits on my desk and makes me feel less down on the tough days. He comes with this cute matchbook home and accessories as well. Protect Marcel at all costs.

3. Dusen Dusen Oven Mitts, $26 — Everyone should have at least one fun pair of oven mitts, no? Bonus that they have the motif of the season: stripes.

For The Wellness B In Your Life

Higherdose Red Light Mask ($349), Oura Horizon Ring ($399), Walden Cushion Mat Set ($298), Function Health Membership ($499), De La Heart Lymphatic Drainage Tool ($36), Set Active Shortysuit ($63), Bala Bangles ($55), Bala Hourglass Roller ($49), Seed Daily Synbiotic ($50), Lunya Long Sleeve Set ($60), Intelligent Change Journal ($23), Airpods Max Space ($420), Vitamix Blender ($300), The Artist’s Way ($8)

All the things one may need to be that person. We love that person. They’re taking care of themselves, you’re basically giving them the gift of more time on this earth.

Three Favs — 

1. Function Health Membership, $499 — this platform was started by Dr. Mark Hyman and my dear friend (and one of my first angel investors in Crown Affair) Jonathan Swerdlin. This membership has transformed my mindset this year. I found out I’m celiac because of the testing and I’ve made significant shifts in my nutrition and lifestyle. Since starting Function, I feel so much better in my body. More on Function (and my health protocols) coming in a newsletter near you very soon. There’s an over a 50k person waitlist but use code COHEN3 to jump the waitlist :) Or send me a note if you have questions on this.

2. Oura Ring, ~$399, but it’s $100 off right now during Black Friday — I’m going to try it out because of this sale. Friends with Oura rings swear by them, so maybe I’ll finally understand what they’re saying when they talk about their ‘readiness’ scores. Also, even though I have a sleep tracker on my bed, I’m on the road frequently, so this solves all those missing tracked days as well.

3. Melissa Wood Health, $10 a month or $99 a year — I try to move my body with her 4-5x a week. Admittedly, I was late to the party (seemingly everyone jumped on the MWH train early pandemic), but I’m so grateful I found her later than never. My friend dear friend Lisa (hi Lisa!) introduced me to her workouts this summer when we were in Spain together for 3 weeks and I’ve never looked back.

For the Fashion Girlie In Your Life

Attersee Sculpted Vest ($495), Le Sundial Onyx Collar ($558), Dorsey White Sapphire Gold Rivière Necklace ($635), Kimaï Hoop Earrings ($795), Dragon Diffusion Woven Leather Basket Bag ($295), Toteme Monogram Scarf ($280), Loewe Convertible Shoulder Bag ($1450), Dries Van Noten Cat-Eye Sunglasses ($242), Tom Ford Card Holder ($265), Fallen Grape Mother Orange Wine ($48), Manolo Blahnik Satin Ballet Flats ($1095), Sophia Coppola Archive ($65), L’Objet Stationery Box Set of 12 ($115)

Truth be told, I have a ‘Personal Life’ project in Asana and one of the sections is ‘Shopping.’ It’s great because it allows me to marinate on things before I impulse purchase. Everything on this list is an existing Asana task. I haven’t checked all of them off yet, but hopefully you will...

Three Favs — 

1. Kimai Semi Hoop Earrings, $795 each, 20% off for Black Friday — I wear 3x of these hoops every day. I get so many compliments on them. Simple yet a little bit different than your standard huggie.

2. Kule Cashmere Sweater, $349 — amazing quality, so cozy. Stripes FTW. Adore the founder Nikki and her playful approach to style.

3. Sofia Coppola Book, $65 — we love that Gen Z is starting to discover Sophia at scale (thanks Jacob Elordi, that’s his name right?). The rest of us millennial girl stans have been devouring her world since Virgin Suicides, Lost In Translation, and Marie Antoinette. She’s the reason Kiki (aka Kirsten Dunst) is my #1 dream gal and the sole reason I kinda like pink, sometimes. Sofia forever. This book is as dreamy as the universe she’s built.

Beauty Buys They’ll Be Stoked About

U Beauty Plasma Universal Set ($78), Interchangeable Curling Iron ($225), Pause Well Aging Gua Sha Tool ($8), Byredo Lip Compact ($66), Crown Affair Healthy Hair Set ($65), Agent Nateur Face Mask ($69), Merit Brow Pomade ($24), Ormaie Hand Cream ($48), DS&DURGA Deluxe Set ($250), Gypsy Water Limited Edition ($224), Chanel Hand Cream ($55), Westman Atelier Mini Contour, Highlight & Blush Trio ($75)

I’ve always loved hair care, but my journey with Crown Affair has made me an ALL-CAPS BEAUTY GAL and I’m not mad about it. From legit deals (hi $8 Gua Sha Tool) to stocking stuffers I can’t justify buying myself, here are a few favorites. My ShopMyShelf is filled with all my beauty favorites in general.

Four Favs — 

1. U Beauty Lip Plasma Universal, $78 (value of $120) plus 25% off with the code JOY on Dermstore. I’ve been wanting to try U Beauty Lip Plasma forever but could never bring myself to spend the $68 on lip balm. Now you can have the original + two mini colors for $62.60 aka less than the full price of one. Run.

2. DS&Durga Deluxe Box Set, $250 — if fragrances were a holiday box of chocolates, this would be IT. In love with everything that David and Kavi do at DS&Durga. I’ve been savoring the last drop of our IDKW (I Don’t Know What) x Crown Affair Collaboration Hair Oil for a year now so this collection of scents is keeping me smelling like the world of DS&D.

3. Pause Well Aging Gua Sha Tool, $8 — 87% off. Also, a say-less situation. Run run run order a few. 2x a day for 3 minutes. It’s lifted my face off the floor.

4. Crown Affair Healthy Hair Set, $65 (value of $93). Anyone in your life with hair will be obsessed. Also, it’s in our limited edition packaging with illustrator Carly Kuhn. So special and feels way nicer than a $65 gift.

For Bubs / Him / A Dude In Your Life

Lord of the Rings Cards ($13), Sunnylife Wooden Backgammon ($105), Bode Pocket T-Shirt ($230), Garrett Leight Clement Sun Sunglasses ($385), Aēsop Shaving Duet ($87), Porsche 911 Lego ($170), Buck Mason Sweater ($178) In: A Graphic Novel ($16), Tom Ford Noir de Noir ($295), Miyabi Kaizen Chef Knife ($150), Brightland Pizza Oil ($32)

Guys are somehow both easy and super hard to shop for. Every guy in my life says they don’t need anything but the second you treat them to something special, they light up.

Three Favs — 

1. Porsche 911 Lego, $170 — Lego is one of my favorite brands and activities. And yes, my husband and I watch every episode of Lego Masters and we love to bring sets like this Porsche one home to build on our own.

2. Buck Mason Sweater, $178 — Buck Mason is a favorite in our household as well. Everything they make somehow makes you look 15% more attractive and effortless when you put it on.

3. Brigtland Pizza Oil , $32, so flavorful. So easy. A great addition to your cabinet. Pro tip to put it on salads instead of EVOO when you’re actually craving pizza.

Home Items That Won’t Bore

Sonos Speaker ($299), John Derian Dome Paperweight ($80), Ben Skinner Tisk Tisk art ($320), Gohar World Nautilus Dish ($78), Loewe Scented Candle ($110), Forom Root Stool ($216), Ghia Apéritif ($31), Sophie Lou Jacobsen Spiral Coasters ($78), Coton Colors Oyster Platter ($32), Ed Ruscha: Archive of Projects (125), Dark Crystal Movie Poster ($39)

From a delightful hand painted Oyster dish to art, you can’t go wrong with gifting something beautiful for their home.

Three Favs — 

1. Coton Colors Oyster Half Shell Platter, $40, 25% off sale for Black Friday— we’re here for a playful tabletop moment as a gift. I have a few oyster lovers in my life so I thought this would be a fun nod to the fact that they order them at every restaurant. Even if you’re not shucking oysters at home it’s a great platter for dips and veggies too.

2. Ben Skinner, Tisk Tisk $320 — art is the best gift, no? Uprise Art has a wonderful selection of artwork that ranges from assortments of Under $300 and Under $800 depending on what you’re looking for as a gift. We have two of these Ben Skinner pieces on our nightstands (Hush Hush on Alex’s and Wakey Wakey on mine). Nothing better than living with fun art and Uprise has a range of up and comign artists at affordable price points.

3. Etsy Screen Play Movie Poster / The Dark Crystal Movie Poster, $38.79 — I could do an entire post dedicated to my Etsy finds, but we’ll save that for later. The shop Fade Out Prints creates ombre/sunset-style posters from screenplays with colors relevant to the film. The Dark Crystal by Jim Henson has been on my list as a personal favorite, but they have everything from Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind to Almost Famous to Interstellar. Such a fun and thoughtful gift for the movie lover in your life.

For the Traveler In Your Life

MZ Wallace Metro Tote Deluxe ($275), Toteme Embossed Passport Holder ($290), Rimowa Cabin Luggage ($1430), Cuyana Travel Beauty Case ($298), Frank and Eileen Tokyo Travel Set ($392), Jenni Kayne Cashmere Cardigan ($372), Golden Goose Slide Sneakers ($399), Crown Affair Mini Complete Ritual ($90), Crown Affair The Dry Shampoo ($36), Bink Mini Bottle ($23)

For that person who travels all the time (maybe that’s you!) here are the things I use time and again and would be so happy to be gifted.

Three Favs — 

1. Bink Bottle Mini, $22.50 — when asked if I have enough water bottles, my response would be: ‘The limit does not exist’… until I found Bink. The Mini Bottle goes everywhere with me. Bonus that it’s glass (I prefer this over plastic) but fully protected in a case. Dishwasher safe, the perfect size to fit in most bags and car holders. A keeper.

2. Rimowa Cabin, $1430 — I know it’s expensive but I’m a suitcase nerd and it’s worth it for the carry-on size. You just feel a little more dialed and pulled together on travel days when you’re moving with Rimowa. The wheels and the telescopic handle are a 10/10. They also just started doing a lifetime guarantee in July of 2022, so go for it, you’ll actually have it forever now.

3. Cuyana Beauty Travel Case, $298 — such a stunning beauty case that’s big enough to fit all my brushes. Bonus that you can get it monogrammed with something thoughtful for the holidays.