How To Gift in a Way That Makes People Feel Seen
the second annual guide to gifting ft. felt creatures + extra sharp knives
You can lead a horse to a good gift, but that doesn’t teach him how to find one. A gift guide can only go so far.
Last year I shared a lengthy spiel on my family’s gifting philosophy and the specific holiday brand of crazy I inherited from my mother. The TLDR is this:
Keep an evergreen list. Jot down gift ideas all year round so they’re easy to reference later.
Looks matter. A vintage wrapping paper, a sexy bow, or some funky ribbon is a crucial part of the experience. My mom would disown me if I put a naked Amazon box under the tree.
The more the merrier. Obviously quality over quantity, but I say why are we choosing just one? Throw in their favorite sour gummies or a ridiculous handmade card too.
Read in more detail here…
I sent another gift-related letter earlier this week (‘tis the season) compiling responses from some fashion writer friends about their favorite gifts. The answers ran the gamut in cost, size, rarity, and any other category you can think of, from metal toolbox to striped socks to vintage Hermes. But the through-line was clear: the best gifts are the ones that made people feel seen, the ones that showed someone was simply paying attention.
So with that in mind, like last year, we’re breaking it down into six gift categories that I think make people feel seen — now with new fresh ideas for each <3
Yeehawt is on sale for the first time! The price is going up in the new year, so snag it now for a discounted $30/year and get grandfathered in at that price forever. The gift that keeps on giving.
Something goofy that will make them laugh
Miniature felt babies
My friends and I spotted these little felt gnome babies at a market in Sydney and promptly adopted ones for us and for our friends back home who couldn’t make the trip. We spent 30 minutes agonizing over which cloak + blanket color combo represented each person best. Now the GC is full of pictures like these:
My partner was complaining about his kindle fitting uncomfortably in his hands while reading on the train, so I customized a pop socket for him with a photo of our cat. Problem solved with flair.
Last year’s ideas:
I sponsored a mini horse in my mother’s name and he sent her a 2nd-grade-reading-level thank you email
I wrote a letter of concern to my partner’s favorite peanut butter brand after he commented that the mix tasted different (and didn’t take no for an answer until they replied to me)
Something they want but won’t buy for themselves
The Cleo Camp x Liana Satenstein NEVERWORNS tee
I haven’t actually gifted this to someone (yet…) but trust that if I could afford to bestow one upon every beautiful girl in my life I WOULD. It’s a shirt that spits in the face of all seasonal noise. “True winter” this, “deep autumn” that — this shade pops on every person. Baddies love her and color season analysts fear her.
Nice cold weather base layers
High quality base layers make such a huge difference in quality of life for 3-6 months out of the year, and yet, how much more often do we wear the same ratty long johns to avoid the investment of a new pair. I have both given and received base layers as gifts, and it always goes over well. I love the Icebreaker 100% merino wool thermal tops (25% off still) and Norrøna 100% merino wool tights.
Last year’s ideas:
Cool merch from a surf shop I snagged while on vacation for my hard-to-please younger brother who lives in graphic sweatshirts
An 18-pack of mini cheesecakes delivered straight to my mom’s front door
Something they’ll use every day
Negative Underwear Whipped Non-Wire Bra
At this point it feels like my duty to spread the Negative gospel. This is my favorite bra ever, I wear one every day, and if you’re a Yeehawt regular, you’ve definitely heard my pitch before. The year I bought my first one (now I own six), I begged for another for Christmas — a universal Negative experience it seems:
Practical accessory that reminds you of them, like this devil spa headband
The was one of those magical no-occasion gifts that ended up being a home run. My friend Maya saw it one day while out — she’s such a Maxxinista, I’m sure it’s from there — and thought of me. I’ve worn it every night since while I wash my face, and I feel extra lucky to have a friend who knows me so well (and pays special attention to my love for devil horns).
Last year’s ideas:
A fancy kitchen tool, like a carbon steel wok or a good chef’s knife
We got my granny a digital photo frame a few years ago and she watches it like TV
Something sentimental or homemade
A handwritten cookbook
My partner and I once accidentally gave each other the same thing for Christmas: a handwritten cookbook full of the recipes we like to cook together. Nauseating, I know. I was also gifted one by my granny who included a priceless family biscuit recipe I’d been pining after, though I have to admit her instructions are rather vague because she hasn’t measured while baking in 60 years lol. A good leather-bound notebook is perfect for this.
A holiday cookie box
Last year I toiled away for a week in the kitchen to make these cookie boxes for my friends, and all the congealed marshmallow and crumbling shortbread frustration immediately evaporated the second they took a bite and said “Mmmmmm.” I felt like the Grinch — my heart growing another size every time someone made a comment on the hint of cardamom in one or the detectable brown butter in another. I broke down what’s in the box here:
Last year’s ideas:
A book of absurd self-published poetry, a gift I’ve received on no fewer than three occasions from my mom
Annotate a favorite book of yours and give it to a bookworm friend so they can have you along with them while they read
Something you can do together
A secondhand film camera
I’ve bought three vintage film cameras on eBay over the years all under $50. Film can seem intimidating, but with a simple point and shoot, it’s easy enough for all skill and interest levels. I was a film noob before gifting one to my partner, but now we use it constantly and get so much joy out of developing the photos. They’re warm and cozy and nostalgic, and they capture the feeling of a moment in a way that an iPhone just can’t.
I found a few on eBay of the exact model I use most (prices have sadly gone up a bit): This one is $70, this one is $85, and this one is $90.
Pottery class
My partner took me to a mug-making class once, and despite the fact that he was showered in compliments by the instructors and I struggled in silence, I had a blast. This gift is a double whammy because you get to take something home too. I drink coffee out of my mug almost every day and feel a sort of maternal vibe toward its lumpy grooves and misshapen handle at this point.
Last year’s ideas:
Board and card games like Pit or Rummikub for the gift of good old fashioned family screaming
Show tickets for hard-to-shop-for parents with retro (affordable) taste in concerts
Something they really don’t want to do themselves
A vintage edit
Put those finely tuned eBay skills to good use by creating a list or slideshow of perfect secondhand. Find 20 great jackets or 15 pairs of vintage Levi’s that you know they’ll love but never spend the time digging for. This is a huge relief for people who hate shopping but constantly ask for advice on what to buy (aka my mom).
Get their knives sharpened
We had my partner’s dad’s knives and garden sheers sharpened for him, which he’d been putting off for years. (This was a little self-motived too because every time we visit we feel like we’re sawing through veggies to cook dinner.) He texts us all the time since to say how lovely it is to have sharp tools again. If you’re local to NYC, I recommend Whisk or Korin.
Last year’s ideas:
In the vein of annoying chores, get their car serviced or clean their room — my mom gave me the clean room gift a LOT when I was a filthy teenager
A digital shoppable skincare ‘magazine’ for my mom who never stops asking me what moisturizer she should use and refuses to write down my suggestions
More gifting guidance:
I’d be honored if you indulged me in the comments with stories of your own family’s whacky gifting habits…
Get in touch with me at mackinley@yeehawt.com if you’d like to work together, browse my shelves here, or find me doing other things on IG.
A delightful read! And love the idea of gifting a curated eBay list for someone looking for a particular item. So clever!
My list has been going strong all year too!