These Gifts Are So Great You’ll Want Them for Yourself
Let's get that holiday shopping done, okay?
Tis the season! The Olympics of consumerism. The season to give and let give.
But seriously, don’t you want to get the shopping part of this season over with so you can enjoy your time and your people? I know I do. Keep reading to find gifts your friends and family will love and actually use.
I personally use each of these regularly. Most I discovered in 2024. Most would make great gifts or purchases for yourself as well! I’ve added most of them to my Amazon page to make finding and clicking ‘buy’ as easy as possible so you can fulfill the shopping task and get on to the holiday fun!
Love Notes
Remember when I was in the Off-Broadway production of LoveNotes!? The producer, Heather Christie, has compiled the stories of that night along with several other spectacular love stories, activities, and journal prompts to create this anthology. I can tell you, it is so special. It will make such a great gift, and you’ll want to pick one up for yourself, too!
Stronger Girl
Speaking of LoveNotes!, my scene partner and (now) good friend,
has a brand of coffee that I love. She has a holiday gift set that would make excellent stocking stuffers or a small gift for those who are hard to find—something small for people.
LMNT
Wait, what? More salt? As it turns out, yes. My doctor recommended this to me after a long bout of COVID + Flu that took me under for several months at the beginning of the year. I could not get ahead of it. I take one packet (almost) every day, and it helps so much with hydration. I feel better.
My favorites are Watermelon and Raspberry, but they have several flavors to choose from. Buy the variety pack and see which flavors you love.
Quince
I’ve been hearing all the things about Quince recently and was especially intrigued by their cashmere. Can cashmere this inexpensive be any good? As it turns out, yes - yes, it can.
I bought this Mongolian batwing cashmere sweater in black. It was so cute, and from what I can tell so far, the quality is great. And so soft, as cashmere should be. They even have a guide to understanding cashmere, where it comes from (I was wrong about this one), and how to launder it. Use this link to get $20 off your first order over $100.
Dior Lipstick
You might have seen this story on Instagram, so bear with me if that’s the case. When I did LoveNotes! in February, I booked an appointment at the Nordstrom Flagship store to do my makeup so I wouldn’t look totally washed out on stage.
My appointment was with Charles, who, at first glance, was obviously a cool guy. He had great style, at least. He went about the business of doing my makeup and exchanging pleasantries when I asked him some basic questions about his hobbies, what he did when he wasn’t working, etc. I learned that Charles’ ‘real’ job was at Good Morning America, where he did Gayle King’s makeup on the weekdays. He often flew places with her and did Oprah’s makeup as well when they were together.
“So, this morning, you were at GMA doing Gayle King’s makeup, and now I’m sitting here, in the Nordstrom, and you’re doing my makeup?”
“That’s right,” he told me.
I am still wondering how that all happened. (How fun is this life?) I tell you all of this to say that (clearly) Charles has become my ‘go-to’ makeup guru ever since and always steers me toward the best products (which aren’t always the most expensive, btw).
I’m obsessed with these Dior lip products at his recommendation. They go on so soft and smooth, like velvet. I can’t even describe how great it feels to put it on, and it stays put pretty well, too.
Mascaras
Charles swears by Gucci mascara. A mascara, it seems, that is beloved by the entire world because it’s sold out almost every time I try to buy it. So, when I found one a few months ago, I expected great things. I will tell you, I didn’t love it. But here are two that I do love.
Thrive Mascara. Have you tried tubing mascara? Well, you should. I love it, and it’s changed my mascara game because tubing mascara wraps each lash in its own ’tube’ of goodness. It doesn’t clump and comes off easily, one lash at a time, so you don’t have all of that smearing nonsense.
Jones Road. My second favorite is Jones Road. It goes on easily and also doesn’t smear (even if you sleep in it - not that I do that, of course). When I use this, I have lashes for days, as they say.
3 in 1 Charger
As you know, I travel a lot (like, a lot), and charger management is always an issue. I picked these up for my kids last year and grabbed one for myself as well (I figured $20, why not?), and I have loved it. It charges not only my phone but my watch and earbuds as well. No more lugging around three different chargers every time I go out of town! The price is great, and it’s worked like a charm all year!
Daily Harvest
I didn’t used to be a prepared meal person. But Daily Harvest has changed that. I especially love their smoothies and have one almost every day I am home. The flavors are mixed perfectly, and I haven’t had one that tasted bad - it’s just so easy. You literally put it in a blender and add water. I add Isopure protein powder and Verisol collagen to up my protein intake.
What I like the most is that they come frozen, so it’s easy to have them on hand for busy weeks or when you’ve just come home from a trip. You can also pause delivery on the app if you have too much or will be out of town. A subscription makes a great gift for your college kids and young adults, too. Highly recommend.
Archipelago Botanicals Black Forest Reed Diffuser
I’m not one to purchase scented things ‘smell unseen’ (sight unsmelled?), so when my designer told me to grab one of these for our new bathroom, I was kinda ‘meh’ on the whole idea. Turns out, she was right! The smell is heavenly, light, and very fresh - not perfumy, if that makes sense—perfect hostess gift or that hard to buy for person.
Happy gifting to each of you this holiday season.
LYLAS
S
Oh, and one more thing before you go…
I’m starting a new SOS forum as an extension of How To Blow Up Your Life.
Fostering honest communication that helps lift all of us into the best versions of ourselves. Searching the depths of our hearts to understand how we’re feeling - asking, what’s really going on here?
I don’t have it all figured out yet, but if what I’m saying resonates with you, I would love for you to join me. You are welcome here.
These are the goals of our SOS forum:
Better understand one another and ourselves.
Explore our inner worlds - why do these issues activate us? Are the things we believe based in truth? We’ll explore what we’re afraid of and why.
Learn to better navigate tricky relationships (work/partners/dysfunctional family, especially over the holidays).
Unpack sensitive subjects, talk about the stuff we don’t want to talk about AND be able to navigate it in our bodies while having productive conversations with each other.
Get curious about things we don’t understand to gather information, not change our minds. (But if you choose to change your mind, that’s fine too - I change my mind all the time)
Help us find peace in a world full of chaos.
We will do this through new ways to connect:
Live Zoom meetings
Community group chats and comments
Content created especially for the community
Here’s what to do:
If you’re a paid subscriber (thank you!) - do nothing. I’ll be in touch soon.
If you’re a free subscriber, send me a message. If you send me a DM now (or respond to this email), you’ll be in free for the next few months.
If you’re not a subscriber, subscribe now, and I’ll put you on the list.
And please…tell your friends who might be interested.
I remember you coming back from having your makeup done in NYC and you looked amazing!! What an honor to be included in your gift guide. Thanks for sharing the love, friend!