The Gift List is a series featuring some of the wonderful items, brands, and shops that were shared on the Essential List this year. Discover tried and true favorites for people on your list — or just have fun poking around.
I hope this finds you slipping away into the holiday weekend (if you haven’t totally checked out already). I’m very much looking forward to a couple cozy days of cooking, feasting, being lazy and offline. I get very overwhelmed by the onslaught of sales and promotions around “Black Friday.” It’s a good time to stock up on clothes for my kids (they are truly like little human weeds) and I may look for a deal on a new ski jacket, but otherwise…I’m hoping to be avoid it all as much as possible starting this evening to protect my sanity.
For the second Gift List (read the first one here if you missed it), I dove deep into the Essential List archive from the year and pulled together little luxuries — those small indulgences that make life a little more enjoyable and would make lovely gifts, stocking stuffers, host(ess) gifts, or additions to your own wish list. Gift giving aside, this has been such a fun excuse to look back at all of the personal favorites shared by contributors this year.
My favorite thing about gift guides is discovery — whether you’re looking for gifts, a treat for yourself, or simply enjoy exploring, I hope you find something new.
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Watches are so elegant (and they let you ignore your phone since you’re no longer trapped by needing to know what time it is—sad, but true). I love classic styles that look like they’d belong in any decade and can be passed down. This thin, ladylike version is from a sister duo who are just lovely, and the price point can’t be beat.
— The Essential List 15. Leah Melby Clinton's Late Summer Signatures
Sophie Bille Brahe Botticelli Earrings
I really love Sophie’s pieces— they’re sculptural and modern, yet grounded with high-quality, natural materials. When I’m running late, I’ll simply slick back my hair into a bun and throw these in my ears— they always make me feel ‘done.’
— The Essential List 03. Camilla Nazeri’s Spring Transition Pieces
On a long-haul flight, wearing soft cashmere socks, doing some crossword puzzles, writing in my journal, and listening to a good playlist makes it all feel a little more civilized. These are the loveliest quality!
— The Essential List 07. Teresa Wu's Travel Favorites
I bought this hairpin after my interview with Reed Clarke founder, Fiona Stiles, and it might be my favorite thing I’ve purchased this year. I’ve always wanted to wear a hair pin, but they never worked. This one is pure magic, and so chic.
(clockwise from top left)
I love that the brand is vegan, sustainable, Paris-born, and find it cool that the founder previously worked for Prada and YSL.
— The Essential List 10. Kelsey Rose’s Must-Haves for La Vie en Rose
Manucurist Active Shine Nail Polish
Like many, my regular gel manicures ended during COVID and I never restarted the habit. After going with mostly bare nails for a while, I discovered this nail polish on Reed Clarke I've been wearing it nonstop ever since.
— The Essential List 18. My Sweater(ish) Weather Favorites
Osea is a cute retail shop and spa. I pick up little gifts here. The Sea Minerals Mist is really lovely and a refreshing crowd pleaser.
— The Local List 01. Carolyn Schneider’s Venice Beach
TSA has taken so many beauty products from me over the years—it never fails that I have something that’s over 3.3 oz in my bag. This solid body oil is TSA-proof, smells incredible (notes of petitgrain & jasmine create a heady scent) and guarantees soft, supple skin on my travels.
— The Essential List 13. Fiona Stiles’ Travel Beauty Kit
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This stunning mirror (the tassel is my favorite detail) from Paris makes you feel super chic when you pull it out to apply or touch up your makeup. No one will think you need a magnifying mirror—they’ll just be dazzled by your incredible taste.
— The Essential List 13. Fiona Stiles’ Travel Beauty Kit
This is a very clever little device that plugs into the airplane’s headphone jack, so you can watch movies with your own AirPods or Bluetooth headphones of choice. It’s a total game changer!
— The Essential List 07. Teresa Wu's Travel Favorites
Versatile shoes are worth their weight in gold. This Mary Jane version of a classic ballet flat feels both on-trend and classic right now, and the leather is so. soft.
— The Essential List 15. Leah Melby Clinton's Late Summer Signatures
I'm never without my jewelry cleaning pen. Jewelry care is something that people don't think about. We take care of our leather bags and our leather shoes, we take our clothing to the dry cleaner, but we forget about cleaning our jewelry.
— The Essential List 06. Veronica Valentine’s Favorite Jewelry
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Chava Studio Gift Card
Joyce Lee shared Chava Studio sets on her list and I love the idea of a digital gift card redeemable for a made-to-order shirt if you don't know someone's size or measurements.
Cuyana Small Leather Goods
Monogrammed leather goods from Cuyana is a go-to gift of mine. I especially love the travel pouches and jewelry cases.
Frederic Malle Discovery Sets
Frederic Malle is my absolute favorite perfume brand — they let the world’s best perfumer’s make the perfumes they’ve always dreamed of and the results are 🤌🏻 Discovery sets are a fun way to let someone choose their own fragrance adventure.
Mejuri Diamond Letter Charm
I have one of these for each of my kids. I love that they’re small and simple, so they can be easily mixed and layered.
(clockwise from top left)
Santa Maria Novella Acqua di Rose
I love this rose water spray for a few reasons: for one, it’s beautiful enough to keep on display; I leave one on my bedside table, one on my desk, and one on my vanity so I’m not constantly dragging it around with me. It lasts forever, too!
— The Essential List 08. Ali LaBelle's Favorite Things That Smell Good
Sleep is such an elusive thing, especially once you become a parent. I had to stop scrolling, use red light therapy, meditate, etc. Once I started using this every night, I fell asleep instantly.
— The Essential List 17. Annie Dabir’s Favorites for Balancing Work and Motherhood
I really like a spritz of this on my pillow when I need to calm myself down at night. Supposedly it stimulates the vagus nerve, which is the longest nerve in the body and is responsible for a lot of the parasympathetic function between our brains, hearts, and digestive systems.
— The Essential List 08. Ali LaBelle's Favorite Things That Smell Good
There’s nothing worse than chapped lips. My two biggest methods to prevent them are drinking a lot of water (chapped lips are dry lips, so stay hydrated) and using this lip mask (I like the berry version) every night before bed.
— The Essential List 01: My Daily Skincare Products
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My hair oil for the past 10 years. I am usually a HATER of all scents (I can’t even set foot into a Bath & Body Works, lol) except for Oribe. Their signature scent gets me every time! Aside from the smell, this is the only hair oil where I can use this, air dry my hair completely, and it will look blown out.
— The Essential List 17. Annie Dabir’s Favorites for Balancing Work and Motherhood
Planes are gross, let’s be real, no matter how much sanitizer you use. This is a super moisturizer in stick form — no face touching involved!. It doesn’t break me out and leaves a good slick all over so I’m glowy upon landing.
— The Essential List 19. Katie McClure’s Fall Travel Uniform
Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm
Injecting spa-like rituals into your nighttime skin routine sounds like a good idea, but I’m often just trying to speed up the time before I can get in bed with my Kindle. This feels beautiful on and makes me give in to 30 seconds or so of relaxing facial massage. I love it.
— The Essential List 15. Leah Melby Clinton's Late Summer Signatures
I’m on my third bottle but can’t remember how it first entered my life! It’s been great for this year of transition—covering everything from sleepless nights to tears of joy. Its color-matching abilities seem to work, no matter my winter pallor or summer tan.
— The Essential List 16. Rufina’s Objects of Transition
Kari Kari Garlic Chili Crisp
So many people in my life are addicted to this perfect condiment that makes everything better — have you tried it yet?!
Ayako and Family Plum Jams
I tracked these jams down after reading
Ruth Reichl
rave about them in her newsletter and I’m now totally obsessed.
I’m in love with Ayako and Family plum jams. For my palate they have the perfect balance of tart and sweet, and the different flavors of the various plums are intriguing. — Ruth Reichl
Donostia Foods Bonito del Norte Tuna in Olive Oil
I always fill my husband’s stocking with tinned fish. There are so many delicious and beautifully packaged options, but you can’t go wrong with this premium tuna that will elevate your everyday sandwich.
Lorenza Starlight
I’d love to have a case of 2023 Lorenza Sparkling Picpoul Blanc from
Michele Ouellet
’s Lorenza wine on hand for the holidays.
Fragrance of blossoms with flavors reminiscent of pear and green apple carried by delightfully fine bubbles with by a crisp, fresh finish.
Wishing a wonderful Thanksgiving to all who celebrate! x
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