The GOOD THINKING Gift Guide
A non-affiliate gift guide with every category.
Morning,
One of us is in Cabo with no internet—highly recommended.
So, no podcast this week.
Instead, a little-ish gift guide. No affiliate links, just things I love, by brands I stand by.
Enjoy!
CULTURE
LOUISE MADZIE FACE MUG // If you’ve had a call with me, you’ve seen this mug. It’s the size of your face. The only appropriate size mug for tea.
FRAMEBRIDGE // I love gifting art. Whether it’s Seb Curi, Maxine McCrann, something classic like L’Homme Wiggly, or just my daughter’s latest masterpiece. I have yet to find an easier solution than Framebridge. Their customer service is always outstanding.
SUBSTACKS // Yes, you get the highlights here but they are made better with paid subscriptions to my favorite sources. Give the gift of knowing your sh*t. Get a friend a FEED ME by
sub. LINK IN BIO by is great. Rumor has it AS SEEN ON by is adding a paid tier. All must-haves.F&B
SIMPLICITY IN BULK // Anything simple, gifted in great quantity, is delightful. I once gifted a month’s worth of unusual potato chip flavors—it was a hit. Things in large containers apply. Like these Bonilla potato chips and Rubi Rosa pasta gift tins.
FISHWIFE CAVIAR // The food gift of 2024 is, of course, the new Fishwife caviar. Honestly, I’ve gifted a lot of Fishwife, the sets are also adorably packaged. And if you can’t get them because they’ve sold out, Petrossian is always a good bet (but the branding needs help—put me in touch ;)
YETI HOPPER 12 // I moved to Europe with 2 suitcases and a Yeti Hopper 12. It’s that good. It fits a bottle of wine. It will keep your pumped milk frozen all day. I’ve gifted one of these almost once a year since I got one.
DRUGS & BOOZE
AMASS GIN // The flavor of this Gin defies words. It’s delicious. And it looks great on your bar cart. 10/10.
GOOD TWIN // Non-alc sparkling wine, including a non-sweet Rosé. Say less. Other non-alcs gifts I love: Euforia: my latest discovery. Made with birch sap. Kin Euphorics, also delicious. And Ghia and their adorable carry case.
EDDIE PARKER TABLE TOP LIGHTER // I don’t smoke but I want one of these.
SILVERS
WEIGHT VEST // This is the gift of the season. For anyone in your life but especially Silvers. Omorpho is for sure the ‘cool’ brand here. The internet’s favorite menopause doc, Dr. Mary Claire, says these are a good option too. There’s a lot of room for improvement in this category. Target needs to get on this.
REMSEN // If we have to get a pill case in our lives, it should be a cool one. In line with this, in Switzerland, no one uses canes, they all use walking sticks—way better. But these Arc’teryx ‘power pants’ would be the coolest.
HATS // If you’re splurging, Kirsten loves Teressa Foglia hats. If you’re looking for cozy, I love Le Bonnet and Mackie.
ALPHAS & ZS
PLAY // A one-stop shop for anything cute, well-designed for kids, tweens, and teens. I love this Feelings sweatshirt.
MAD HAPPY HOODIE // I have it on good intelligence that these are cool with the kids. As are, of course, Super 73s. You’re welcome.
SUPER SMALLS // I’ve had my eye on these Mermaid goggles for a hot minute. I’ve gifted a lot of Super Smalls in my life.
RETAIL
ALEX MILL // I bought this Donegal sweater for my husband last year. Still looks great. Still smile when he wears it. These Sherpa slippers are on my wishlist this year.
FLOWER MOUNTAIN // I know we’re in our boat shoe and loafers era (J.M Weston or G.H Bass for those). But in the sneaks, gift these Flower Mountain, Yamano’s.
DORSEY // If you’re with the times and you are buying jewels you’re looking at Dorsey.
TECH
CLAUDE // I prefer to go old school but, people I know who don’t love to write like to write with Claude. Give the gift of speed. If you want to gift a LinkedIn coach sesh: I’d book with Daisy.
WHOOP // Whoop now offers to track your psychedelics so if you’re friend’s a journey taker, look this up. In this category, but without the drug-induced-discoveries settings, is Oura Ring which many I know love.
HYPERICE // This is about as tech gadget as I’ll get. High tech work out recovery tool.
SPORT
AMP FITNESS // I haven’t used one but an all-in-one at-home strength trainer sounds amazing. If not, the best gift I gave myself this year was working with a trainer. I do it remotely, highly recommend. Gift a session.
BLAZE PODS // I don’t have them but ‘reflex’ training is in. These look fun for a lot of ages. They are on my list to gift this year.
ACTIVE WEAR // The olds like to move! Golf you can go with Malbon. Psycho Bunny polos are also great quality. Last year, I bought some Tory Sport, and I was shocked at the coolness—my mom would dig. And the world loves to run and lounge in Vuori.
WELLNESS & BEAUTY
OFFICINE BULY // I’m obsessed with this Japanese Mini face cupping cup. They have amazing gift-wrapping options that make even simple things from here feel exquisite. Same category, different brand: these lymphatic face brushes are also on my wishlist.
MAISON LOUIE MARIE // This Bois De Balincourt fragrance is my go-to. It will last a year. Perfect for a traveler. Super small. Abel is another excellent option.
JENNY EVANS // The wellness oracle I’ve mentioned. Go get your life changed with a facial. Or gift it. Or both. Her products are all I use.
TRAVEL
NICHE HOTELS // Next time I’m in Philly, I’m booking myself into Yowie’s new hotel. The same team also worked on Dye House in RI. Others I have saved: Tourists in the Berkshires, Casa Lawa in Italy, and I’d go back to Menorca Experimental any day.
NICHE TRAVEL BOOKS // I love a niche travel guide. Like these Josef ones for Sud Tyrol / The Dolomites. Monocle’s are more mainstream but still lovely. Not sure if there’s a travel equivalent of Now Serving (cookbooks) or Ripped Bodice (romance novels). If there is, drop it in the comments.
YKRA DOPP KIT // I travel a lot. I love this dopp kit. All your travel sizes can stand up neatly inside. This backpack is great too.
FUN FOR THE WEEK
LE PUZZ MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN // If you read this letter and don’t like matchbooks I’d be shocked. I love all the Le Puzz puzzles. Top marks.
HUES AND CLUES // My fam plays board games for the holiday. If you’re a creative, this should go on your list.
CAROLINE GELEN // This Jalapeno Cornbread situation by Caroline made me put her cookbook top of my list. Make this for Thanksgiving.
ALGAE COOKING CLUB GOCHUGARU CHILI OIL // This has my attention.
WHATEVER THING IS // Do you need this? No. No one does. Do I want one for my espresso machine? Yes, I do. For the person that has everything.
That’s all, folx!
Have a lovely holiday weekend.
- Chris