Ask Digestivo: It's Giving Guide
Sixty gift ideas from us, to you, which you could also gift to us (jk hahaha... unless...)
For the third year in a row, we’re very pleased to present our expertly curated, unconventionally organized gift guide. Did you ask for it? Not necessarily, but did we deliver? Read it and weep, girlies. (And if you’re feeling gen, send us a little something. Brands, this includes you too; we’re excellent #partners.)
We tend to prefer multi-use workhorses in our day to day kitchen buying (shoutout to the $99 Staub Cocotte), but special occasions call for specialty cookware. Tortillas at home? Sí, se puede, with Masienda’s press and masa harina - this specialty bundle also folds in a signed copy of Rick Martinez’s Mi Cocina and a mole live class on Zoom. At least one lucky person on your list is sure to appreciate the priceless gift of crispy-skin fished on demand (or really, bragging rights) with this fish weight from Josh Niland. A mouth-blown pao cai jar is the gift that keeps on giving, keeping your counter cute and your gut flora flourishing. And you can keep the holiday season going with Fly By Jing’s rather attractive ceramic steamer, perfect for both Lunar New Year and deep-winter frozen dumpling desperation.
For those seeking a little basic pantry upgrade, spice up your life once a quarter with a Diaspora Co. Good Pepper Subscription. We’re well documented Grady’s superfans, and these Bean Bags are an easy way to spread the gift of caffeine addiction to those living in cold brew deserts (homophobic). We’ve heard that Burlap & Barrel Cloud Forest Cardamom Extract makes an interesting replacement for vanilla extract, angostura bitters, and…potentially… serotonin during the depth of winter. And in lieu of a full spicy whites gifting category this year (shoutout Alicia Kennedy’s pumpkin spice blend!), we’re suggesting just one Catalan capsaicin condiment: Onima’s kombucha and koji spiked hot sauces, brewed in Barthelona.
Speaking of not-quite-Spanish indulgences, here’s a category we like to call “let’s open up a restaurant in Santa Fe,” for anyone feeling a little desert-pilled as of late. Throw out all your worldly possessions and snuggle up under this chic Nordic Knots blanket from the El Rey Court, while sipping pon some smoky hojicha hot chocolate. Or, perhaps just rehydrate some of these hatch chiles and take a match to some very reasonably priced piñon incense. You’re basically Georgia O’Keefe. Winter who???
Our favorite stocking stuffers are the ones you can eat, and after thinking about it pretty carefully and really reading the fine print, we believe that you can almost definitely eat these deranged and delightful soap-shaped chocolates from Casa Bosques. Tis the season for duck fat, and the Peking Duck Fat Popcorn from ChinaLive is sure to render any carnivores in your life pleased. For those feeling a little bit more virtuous, I (SB) can’t resist a peeled, roasted chestnut. I (JS) on the other hand am straight cheesin’ for these cheddar crackers from local Brooklyn microbaker Laurie Ellen.
For those partaking in some wishful drinking this holiday season, might we suggest this naturale orange vermouth from cult-favorite Sicilian winemaker COS? Italian summer cosplay: not just for summer! Consider gifting a bottle of Irish-Indian-made Maharani Gin to your most micro-aggressed friend, accompanied by a card that says just “Jess, of course I understand” (IYKYK). Salty girls will be impressed by these punchy earth salts, a collaboration between Yardy World chef Devonn Francis and Madre Mezcal. I (JS) know almost nothing about sake, but have enjoyed this funky Bodaimoto nigori sake on multiple occasions and am kind of obsessed with the label.
As for sexy little housewares, the hot girls in your life might enjoy this handmade conservas dish, perfect for decanting their finest Portuguese tinned fishes. Bread mirrors from this letter’s favorite focaccia slinger Carla Finley beg the question, “who’s the fairest of them all?” An iron Ikat tray from Les Ottomans is not explicitly marketed for high fashion rolling, but we imagine it would get the job done. And these fun Classically-inspired candle molds, first spotted on Tim Mazurek’s IG stories, do double duty as fleshlights butter molds.
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: shopping is a great way to exercise a sense of control over the chaos of your life. In this edition of Black Friday: Fix My Life, we’d like to humbly suggest that you or someone you know corral their detritus in a cute, colorful, collapsible HAY crate. Getting around to those household tasks that you’ve put off all year might be a little more appealing if you keep your tools in this eye-catching Toyo Toolbox. Our hangovers are certainly only getting worse, and a subscription to Cheers Restore offers a beacon of much needed hope. As permanent bag ladies, we can’t help but feel that a thoughtfully engineered Rolser Stair-Climbing Rolling Cart might be essential for anyone commuting to a certain local co-op. It’s certainly more affordable than rent in Park Slope.
Apparel-wise, we continue to covet the absolutely gorgeous Vedavalli button-down collection at Samavai, a stand-out way to bring a little shine to your wardrobe. Did you know the Parks Project has an entire sherpa collection? We’re crossing our fingers that they restock the Yellowstone Geyser Sweats in the near future, but in the meantime you can indulge in hats and socks with the same print. For those who prefer their nature tamed, consider some garden-core essentials like this Japanese denim smock from Gardenheir. And in case you didn’t snag a pair from the recent Sandy Liang collab, Dusen Dusen Subus are a most excellent gifting shoe for errands of all sorts.
As far as cookbooks go, we’re eager to get our paws on a copy of Frankie Gaw’s First Generation, a collection of Taiwanese American recipes from the genius behind the beloved blog Little Fat Boy. Those with a sweet tooth will love Ballymaloe Desserts, a gorgeous Phaidon-published tome from JR Ryall - the mere sight of this espresso panna cotta will have even professed panna cotta haters seeking a fancy trifle bowl. Blood-sugar-conscious hive will be sure to love a very different kind of dessert book, Brian Levy’s naturally-sweetened, Amy Chaplin-approved extravaganza, Good & Sweet Ruby Tandoh’s Cook As You Are reminds us of, well, us: a range of recipes for one and many, each easy to execute and idea-inspiring to read about.
Nothing says festive entertaining quite like shrimp cocktail - a footed platter complete with a pair of glass prawns, would make a most elegant serving piece for all your fruits de mer this holiday season. But why stop there? Prawn placemats by Steak Diane will keep your table free of any errant mignonette or remoulade, while prawn PJs from Rachel Antonoff are perfect for enjoying a little late night skrimp fix. And a felted wool shrimp cat toy filled with catnip is likely to please even the pickiest feline.
In terms of accessories, we thirty-somethings find ourselves flirting with Gen-Z fashions: modular Pack Bags from the Netherlands are our favorite, infinitely customizable cross bodies, as of late. We’ve both been raking in the compliments since we took advantage of a recent BOGO deal at Crap Eyewear – their colorful bio-acetate frames are fun, funky, and just the right kind of drama. Pretty much every piece in Saeyri’s masala and tadka collections is mouthwatering, but none more so than these adorable pepper charm hoops. Pair with a warm Senegalese beanie from Marche Rue Dix for a look that could be described as garam masala chic.
Speaking of fragrant blends, scented candles are a tough product to buy on the internet, and we admit to having a few favorites that we go back to time and again. But, every now and again our curiosity is piqued by a new flame. This year, I (SB) am sniffing around the night blooming jasmine “Motia” from Kishmish Candle and the “seductively soothing yet complex” (me!) No. 7 Smoke Milk from Lait. I’m (JS) eager to get my hands on the linden and neroli-forward Twelfth Night candle by Nette, and frankly am a little turned on by DS & Durga’s luxe gymnasium-inspired Parquet and Leather - it’s cheaper than an Equinox membership!
The holiday season is hard on even the most glorious tresses. This indulgent jasmine-scented hair serum from Ranavat promises to smooth and nourish dry strands, and The Full Set from Shaz and Kiks is the fastest way to a healthy, healing scalp. For those of you who like a multi-tasking workhorse, both this tuberose scented, coconut-oil based Idan Oil and this Oceopin gel de douche JS found on vacation in Fr*nce promise to hydrate and soften both body and hair.
As for Little Luxuries™, we’re smitten with Diptyque’s refillable solid perfumes - a dab of Philosykos, blending notes of fig with black pepper, will have everyone asking you for your best Greek island recs. John Derian matchboxes would look handsome next to your favorite scented candle or smoking accessory, which these tiny teak spoons are an excellent addition to any home bar. If the idea of a smell-proof, burn-proof, water-proof box that floats sounds like something you need, run your way over to Haute Box. If you’re not sure why you’d need that, don’t worry about it.
For that special someone, perhaps you’re seeking to splurge on Big Luxury™. From our favorite perfumiers, the eponymous Durga - clocking in at a cool $350 per bottle - is giving top notes of treat yourself with a base of regret. Jams from Napa’s Matthiason fruit orchards are argubaly the best we’ve ever had - that said, they are only available as an add-on to their wine club, starting at $375 for six bottles. Our hack - preserve your relationship with someone who has a membership. If you’re going to be depressed, you might as well do it in style - slip into a Skims Duvet Robe, get up off your fucking ass, and work. And finally, for the high rolling horse girl who’s flush with cash, consider a pair of Hermès silver-edged playing cards - at $145, it’s a real steal given the market rate for Olympic stallion loads.
Still on the hunt for the perfect gift? Check out the archives (2020, summer 2021, holiday 2021) for additional ideas. You may notice some repeat offenders over the years - at least we’re consistent!