The 2020 Gift Guide: 58 Correct Gifts For Everyone You Know
by Audie Metcalf
So. It’s come to this. Writing gift guides to help normalize the weirdest, worst year of most of our lives.
Wheee!
But, listen. Traditions around gift giving actually go back thousands of years. And in times of trauma, in times of profound uncertainty, it feels good to rely on traditions. It feels good to lean into patterns. It feels good to recognize the holiday season as a warm, cozy, candle-scented reminder of what matters in this life. And what matters is, of course, things. JOKES. No, what matters is people. And recognizing that so much of what we want, we already have.
But it also feels really, really good to give people presents to show them we love them.
So this collection of things is our love letter to that feeling. We chose gifts we would want to receive ourselves. Which means we, unlike some wellness brands, did not include a $2000 oujia board.
We did include products from small businesses, black owned start-ups, women-founded brands, and, of course, a smattering of life-altering treasures on Amazon that can be on your doorstep in a mere two days. We are nothing if not high/low.
So, let’s dive in.
Paper and Pear Store Modern Spice Labels
Hi, please just address yourself to the design of these labels, bye.
NewMade LA Standing
Geometric Planter
Think about it. Do they have a planter THIS pretty? They do not.
Plant Subscription from The Sill
A brand new plant for them to kill every, single month!
Barefoot Dreams Cozychic Heathered Socks
A true, honest to goodness introvert needs the coziest socks ever made. House socks, you might call them.
Vintage Edition Bookshelf Board Game
A vintage game? Packaged like an OLD BOOK? AND. FOUR. DIFFERENT. CLASSIC. GAMES. TO. CHOOSE. FROM? Sorry. That got heated. Heated like flames. On the side of my face. Heaving. Heavy. Breathless. Breaths.
McBride Sister’s Wine
If buying wine terrifies you, this one is almost always the right answer. It’s also made by two sisters with the most incredible story of all time.
Estelle Wine Glasses
Imagine giving someone these glasses, in their favorite color, paired with the wine above. What a moment that will be!
Hay Bullet Pen
The weight and feel of this pen are truly *chef’s kiss.*
The Citizenry Catalina Boucle Throw
You might think giving a throw is a vague and sort of mindless choice. But when that throw is boucle, suddenly it becomes the greatest gift anyone has ever received.
Pantone Porcelain Mug
They will think of you and your chic, minimalist sensibilities every morning as the first drop of caffeine hits their tongue.
Augustinus Bader The Cream
This is the perfect gift for someone who gave birth to you. Or for someone you are trying to get to marry you. There is no in between.
Zena Foster Sonic Gold Beauty Bar
Welcome to giving someone their “favorite gift this season” with this showstopper. Make sure it won’t make you uncomfortable to absorb that level of appreciation.
True Botanicals Renew Nutrient Mist
They will deeply appreciate you selecting this botanical moisture-explosion by their favorite, cult-beloved brand.
Maelove Love 31 Facial Oil
This meadow-scented face oil tells your giftee that you know exactly what’s up in the clean beauty space.
Olive & June "The Mani System"
Because quarantine has left all of our appendages and digits utterly ravaged!
The Daily Edited Cosmetic Case
Theres just something about giving a gift with someone’s initials on it that makes it feel like you have been planning this moment for MONTHS.
Diala’s Kitchen Cookbook
Our favorite “plant forward” cookbook that feels like a treat, not a chore.
Kosterina Balsamic Vinegar
Imagine handing someone the correct, most delicious bottle of balsamic vinegar, such that they will never have to wonder again. Priceless.
Great Jones Cast Iron Dutch Oven,
“The Duchess”
Slightly on the splurgy side. Make sure they were reeeeeally good this year. Click to see all the lust-worthy colors.
A Bucket of Maldon Salt
Who doesn’t want an entire TUB of something?
Brightland Olive Oil “The Duo” Set
If this bottle design doesn’t thrill them, time for new friends/family.
Bee House ZEROJAPAN
Salt Cellar
We have a mild obsession with salt. But so does your cheffy friend. Which is why this salt cellar will change their life - and it has a secret.
Global G2 8-inch Chef’s Knife
A do-it-all knife is essential for anyone who gets serious in the kitchen. This is that knife.
Serving Platter from No Crumbs Left
One of the most magical Instagram creators on earth has her own line of platters and bowls. IYKYK.
This Amazon Ice Roller
For 16 bucks, and the power to knock back eye bags and morning puff, just get one for yourself, too.
Apace Living Coffee Scoop
The prettiest coffee scoop of all time, and also available on Amazon? It’s a small, holiday miracle.
Stendig 2021 Calendar
It’s big. It’s bold. It’s functional It’s art. It might be our favorite gift on the list.
Fox Run Flat Coil Whisk
We have extolled the virtues of this whisk for years. Fine, we’ve only been a “brand” for a year, but it feels like all we talk about is this magic whisk.
Hario V60 Ceramic Coffee Dripper
The finest dripper. If they’re a coffee person, they know this. If they’re not, you just taught them something great.
Jonathan Adler Elephant Match Strike
White porcelain. Jonathan Adler. Elephant. If you need more than that, you’re reading the wrong gift guide.
Otherland Candle “The Threesome” Set
This trio of candles has the single most exciting unboxing experience of all time: there’s a matchbox BUILT INTO the box.
Peach Luxury Bath Tissue Monthly Delivery
It might seem antithetical to give an acquaintance a toilet paper subscription. But the goal here of course is to show them what an interesting person you are by selecting such a unique gift.
Menu Denmark Salt & Pepper Grinders
You don’t have to know them to know they will lose their mind for these austere, perfect grinders.
Hibiscus La Croix Dried Arrangement
This thoughtfully designed objet d’art, featuring the brand of sparkling water no one pronounces correctly, filled with various dried flowers which will therefore last forever, is the ideal way to say “I am very thoughtful! And I don’t really know you very well at all!”
Juna Nightcap Sleep Drops
The power to help someone have a truly restful night of sleep is an enormous thing. An enormous thing.
Good Mylk Alt Milks
All their milks are oil, preservative, and garbage free. And those glass bottles. The nostalgic packaging of our wildest dreams.
Kablo Glass Water Bottle
No. It’s not just another water bottle. It’s a giant water bottle that automatically ups their water intake. It’s a water bottle that changes lives. Not hyperbole.
Blueland The Clean Suite
People love kits. Sets. Collections. And this one includes TIN BOXES.
Necessaire The Body Essentials
Simply put, the most beautifully effective body products, with the most lovely packaging, which are entirely clean and and BPA free. We enjoy the “Bergamot” scent but select whatever moves you.
The Whole30 Cookbook
If they’re truly a wellnessy person, they probably know The Whole30. But the original cookbook is bursting with smart, doable recipes to help remind us that there is no better or more delicious food, than real food.
True Botanicals Stress Release
Roller Ball
Yes, he wants an essential oil roller that smells vaguely of shaving cream. No, he doesnt realize it yet.
Brooklinen Linen Robe
He will never ask for a robe. But once he gets one, he will never take it off.
BLK & BOLD Coffee
This brand will convert the snobbiest of coffee snobs.
Ember Temperature Control Mug
Why does every gift guide have some coffee-related gadget for dudes? Uh, dunno. Maybe because they’re obsessed with coffee-related gadgets?
Loft & Bear Vodka
An excellent vodka for true vodka aficiandaos.
Truff Hot Sauce Variety Pack
Oh, look! Another trope! This time it’s about guys loving hot sauce! And again. They do. They really, really do.
DALMHome Terrazzo Tray
This round, terrazzo catch-all for keys and trinkets is probably an *adds TWO to cart* situation.
Oma the Label Ring
This ring answers to no one. This ring stands in her power.
Brooklinen Towels
Miiiiight be passive aggressively saying: “I’ve seen your towels. And they need an upgrade.” On the other hand, imagine being the recipient of fluffy, gorgeous towels. They’re a dream gift.
Yum Yum Smile Shop Apron
Their current apron is probably stained and mangy and gross. They will never buy this apron for themselves.
Pineapple Collaborative Pantry Set
This smartly designed dream-duo of olive oil and apple cider vinegar will make even the most stoic, discerning recipient audibly gasp with joy.
Brooklinen Sheets
Gifting someone sheets is a big swing. An intimate swing. Can you handle it?
Dagne Dover Landon Carryall
This gift says: I see you. It also says: Additionally, I see you carrying 90 pounds of shit and I want to streamline that journey for you.
Melanie Marie Custom Necklace
Here’s an indisputable fact: when you give people customized gifts, they feel 87% more loved.
Yamazaki Home Modern Pet Bowl
Because their beautiful beast deserves to lap up water like the GD queen they are.
Motherland Co Felt Pet Portrait
We truly don’t deserve animals.
Fable Pets Dog Bed
A minimalist’s deepest desires begin and end with this dog bed.
Fable Pets Signature Leash + Collar Set
One of the safest leashes, and one of the prettiest. Any codependent pet parent will appreciate this level of thought.
We’re almost done with the screaming vortex that was, and is, 2020.
But with the nearly impossible distance learning and the not seeing friends for months on end and the parties you couldn’t throw for your kids and the movies you dream of going to and the longing for a kind stranger’s hands on your tired feet and the hug you dream of getting from your mom, it’s been a hard year.
So buy yourself a treat, too.
You deserve it.
Happy holidays.
Audie Metcalf is the Editor-in-chief of The Candidly, and lives in LA with her family. You can find more of her articles here.
