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The holidays are fast approaching, so I’m back with my sixth (!!) annual gift guide. It started out as a random post idea, but now you’d be surprised how many people ping me as early as September asking when the new list will be out.
These guides take a lot of work to do well, and ever since the first edition, my secret weapon has been my wife, Michelle. She finds the cutest stuff, makes me cut the slop, and she’s the best gift-giver I know. Dare I say, she’s got taste. 🤌
I’ve included a mix of practical stuff with a lot of fun and delight, from high-end products to very affordable items. As always, there are no affiliate links here, I’m not benefiting from recommending any of these products, and I’m an investor in only two of these companies (marked with 🏦). I’ve marked returning champions—products I’ve mentioned in past guides—with a medal icon 🎖️.
If you’re looking for even more ideas, check out my previous gift guides from 2025, 2024, 2023 (for new parents), 2022, and 2021. And enjoy!
P.S. If you’re based in the U.S., go vote today!
from artist David Shrigley. The world needs more nice. If you’re in the EU (or unconcerned with $30 in tariffs), buy directly from the artist’s storeBe Nice caphere.
. Dandelion is a San Francisco–based company that makes their chocolate at their own factory in the heart of the city. The founder left tech to study chocolate-making traditions in France, started making his own chocolate in his garage 16 years ago, and became one of the best-known small-batch chocolate makers in the U.S. Unlike most chocolate, it’s made from just two ingredients: cocoa beans and organic cane sugar. They have manyDandelion Chocolatebeautiful (and delicious) gift options(theAdvent calendaris a popular choice), and the site clearly states allergens for each product.
. A framed e-ink display that dynamically updates to show a collage of the birds heard most recently near your home. You can orderAvian Visitorsa kitthat you assemble yourself orthis ready-made version, while supplies last. This is a one-man hobby project, so he may sell out fast.
. For the underappreciated PM in your life. As the designer puts it, “for when your ideas are great but no one else agrees.” It’s likeApplause MachineVCBragsbut IRL. P.S. High price point. It’s art!
by Tucker Nichols. A touching gift for someone who’s going through a hard time, plus some funny entries that add levity. The spread pictured hits close to home for me and my misophonia. 🫣Flowers for Things I Don’t Know How to Say
. The most delicious, addictive, memorable candy I’ve had in a while. We discovered this at the very cuteBonBon’s Sour Blackberry FishJenner Outpostwhile on a road trip and had to agree not to get any more bags on the return trip. Gluten-free, vegan, no dyes, possible crack.
. “No notifications. No glowing numbers. Just sand moving through glass.” Can be used to give your kid a time limit without having to use a screen. Or for yourself. Thanks,Ugmonk 15-minute sand timerChris, for the tip.
. These cups are a West Marin trifecta of “something old” (original JB Blunk design), “something new” (third-edition collaboration with Oakland artist Stephanie Intelisano), and “something blue.” Too pricey? Try this cobalt blue mug fromBlunk CupsEast Fork’s Matisse Collection.
certified-organic “mind and body wash.” Smells great, looks pretty, and comes in refillable glass bottles.Bathing Culture
. Just a really nice minimalist notebook with smooth-to-the-pen pages. The blank version is Michelle’s go-to. Another silky-paged favorite:MD NotebookMnemosyne.
,Aarke stainless-steel hot water kettle,Rishi glass teapotand. Michelle and I are tea drinkers, and we stopped using tea bags about a year ago, so we only have tea advice. If you’re a coffee drinker and have plastic-free coffee equipment recommendations (especially espresso machines), please share in the comments! Caveat on the kettle: there’s black silicone on the inside of the lid but nowhere else.🎖️Five Mountains stainless steel strainer
for baking, and stainless steelHestanfor pots. We started with one pan and are slowly replacing all our cookware with these.Made In
. Did you know sea salt can be full of microplastics?Vera Salt▶Here’s Huberman talking about it. Vera Salt is 100% microplastic-free, “hand-harvested in the foothills of Spain.” Fancy. This has become our go-to sea salt. 🎖️. Frozen high-quality seafood delivered to your door. Lab-tested for mercury, microplastics, and more.Seatopia
(Ophora watertest results) and(Loonen watertest results). Loonen’s sparkling water is just as bubbly as our previous favorite brand that tested high for PFAS.Fashionable 100% organic cotton clothingfromWax London,Pact,Nads,Industry of All Nations,Faherty, andMate. For kids:Colored Organics,Pehr, andMushie. 🎖️
.Online comedy classes from The Second CityThey’ve got improv, stand-up comedy, public speaking, and more. The stand-up class is excellent for getting your creative juices flowing, even if you never plan on performing your tight five.. We’ve used this “carry-on closet” suitcase for years and love it. TheSolgaard carry-on luggageMoMA editionhas fun colors as a bonus. Tip: Don’t lose the interior closet insert, because you can’t buy a new one without buying a whole new suitcase (we learned the hard way).
. We used this every weekend to ride our bikes with our dog before we had a kid. Sorry, buddy.K9 dog backpack
. I’ve done cheap sunglasses my whole life, and after getting this really nice pair, I’m going the quality route from now on. I just have to not lose them.Garrett Leight sunglasses
by Cesare Leonardi and Franca Stagi. A hearty book to page through when you need a detox from slop scrolling.The Architecture of Trees
So cozy. To save some bucks, you can skip the leather carrier and just get the blanket.Pendleton grab-and-go throw.
. For riding with your kiddos around town, especially a hilly one. Cargo e-bikes are expensive as hell, and this is among the pricier models, for good reason. Bosch battery system, smooth and easy ride. No kids but have a small dog? There’s anTern electric bikeattachmentfor that.
. I’ve been a paid subscriber for over five years now.AllTrails gift subscriptionGiftable Bay Area experiences:Redwood Nightsin Fairfax. Like The Moth but with twinkle-light-strewn towering redwoods, and deer families stopping by to eavesdrop on the stories.Outstanding in the Field. They tour all over the U.S. and are opening the new season soon.Candlelight concertsin San Francisco (and beyond). Covers of your favorite songs “surrounded by a thousand candles.”
. Cuteness overload after a warm bath or shower.Botanic and Luxe 2–4T Bear Robe
slippers orKids’ Glerups. Cuteness overload, continued.Blundstone shoes
Shameless-plug alert:
andCharts for Babies(pre-order), written and illustrated by my wonderfully creative wife, with the goal of introducing the visual language of math at an early age. Yes, I’m biased, but they’re great. Best way to incept your kids into STEM.All the Feelings
. I recommended this last year, and so many people grabbed one and loved it. We continue to be huge fans, and they just came out with a new model with a larger on/off/pause button. If you’re not familiar with Yoto, it’s a screen-free audio player for kids, withYoto Mini 4th Genhundreds of music and story options. 🎖️
. Get custom hats for your kids and their grandparents, whatever the kids call them.Rey To Z hat
. Our favorite new-baby gift. Parents treasure it. We did—thank you, Sarah.Little Moonjumper custom blanket. This has become our go-to travel bag for our kid. It’s cleverly designed, with specific pockets and openings for everything you can think of. They also haveThe Hideaway Carry-On Duffela smaller version. 🎖️
by Mo Willems, like this one fromOriginal sketches, andI Really Like Slop!from Books of Wonder.other original children’s-book artwork
. For your type A parent friends trying to get their kid to read.Once𝕏It worked for ours.. The best baby monitor on the market. Delightful reminders, video compilations, and it just works. A great way to watch your delicious turkey-shaped baby. 🎖️Nanit
For home air filters, we’ve settled on the
for the living room (godawfully ugly, sometimes we hide it),IQAir HealthPro PlusandDysonfor bedrooms, and thisBlueairfor smaller rooms, like my office.Coway Airmega. A whole-house toxin health assessment. They come to your house to test your air quality, water, EMFs, lighting, mold, and household products. Not cheap, but we did this (they comped us a visit) andLightwork Home Health𝕏it was eye-opening.. High CO₂ levelsAranet4 CO₂ indoor air quality monitorallegedly impair your cognition, so I have one of these puppies in my office and open windows when I see it go above 1,000. I’ve also heard good things aboutthis Airthings device. 🎖️. The most beautiful and practical light for evenings, to help you slow down at the end of the day. They plug into any standard light socket, or you can grab a couple of the cute wood light fixtures. By the creators of theDaylight Labs Deep Amber incandescent lightsDaylight computer(a recommended gift in 2024).
. My go-to (face) sunscreen. Zinc-based, no scent, doesn’t turn me into a white-bearded Santa Claus.Blissoma SPF 30 mineral facial sunscreen. They just got aWild Roman face moisturizer98/100 Yuka score. High-quality ingredients, small-batch, and it comes in a glass jar. And smells great. Created bySahil Bloom. 🏦. I’d always been afraid of these, but my dental hygienist told me it’s the most impactful intervention you can make for your teeth and gum health. I floss withWaterpik[DrTung’s Smart Floss](https://www.amazo…
