Not A Gift Guide (Gift Guide) 2024
My annual FAVORITE THINGS list is finally here!
These days on the internet, holiday gift guides start going out as early as OCTOBER. And traditionally I try to get my annual Not A Gift Guide (Gift Guide) out the week of Thanksgiving, so we can all take advantage of the holiday sales. But this year, well, here we are. A week before Christmas!
However, this really isn’t a gift guide. It’s a list of my favorite things from the year that I think you might also love. Many of these things I’ve already shared on Instagram or on the 10 Things To Tell You podcast, but some are all new. Like the addition of my teenagers’ favorite things! And I hope this might serve as some inspiration for any of your last minute holiday gift buying, but I also really hope you use this list as a resource for as long as you need it throughout the year. (And it makes it even easier to do that now that the Secret Posts live on Substack and the archive can be accessed whenever you want.)
But without further ado!
**Please note that many items are affiliate links
***There are so many things on this list that if your email cuts off, make sure you click through to read the full guide.
Hall of Fame items are things that I talk about over and over again. I swear by them, I buy them as gifts, I replenish my own stock. These are things I seriously love.
The all new kindle paperwhite is what I’m advising everyone to buy if they’re in the market. While I personally love the kindle oasis, they no longer make that model. They also debuted a kindle colorsoft this year that I bought and promptly returned. (Just couldn’t justify the cost when the “color” didn’t blow me away, and the reviews were abysmal.) The new paperwhite is everything you would want, at a more reasonable price point. Long battery life, water resistant, warmth adjustment, and more. I read so much more since I adapted to an e-reader years ago. Throw the paperwhite in your purse and stop scrolling your phone so much. (Said with love, from a creator who really wants you to scroll at least sometimes.)
The keiki & co blankets are my go-to gift for anyone who already has everything they could possibly want. (Or for anyone who wants a touch of luxury they would never splurge on for themselves.) Also I heard from a little birdie this year that the robes were just as amazing.
I’ve been a Sunday Riley skin care devotee for a few years now. I’m putting the CEO Glow face oil as the true Hall of Famer because it’s the product I use the most consistently, but I just as easily could have put the Power Couple products, too. I use the CEO Glow first thing every morning and when I’m not being lazy, I use the Luna Night Oil before bed and the Good Genes before my favorite moisturizer and makeup.
Look, as a certified LA cliche, I love some designer sunglasses. But who can stomach the prices? I never buy designer sunglasses full price when Nordstrom Rack online has the best, most fun (and also classic) options available at a fraction of the cost.
I’ve often called the Sunday Forever 11:11 candle my “writing candle” because that’s what I light before I go into a deep writing session, but honestly I light it all the time even when I’m not writing. It’s a long time favorite, and when you buy anything from their site, the gift presentation is gorgeous.
Gold hoops still have me in their grip. They make every outfit look instantly more polished and intentional. I say that as someone who spends most every day in sweats. (And hoops!) Gorjana makes some really lovely ones for under $100, but if you want to splurge, Jennifer Fisher are my very favorites. I have them in multiple sizes and widths. The 1-inch are classic, the 1.5 inch are the right amount of drama, and this year I added a pair of the thin threads into my collection.
The Loftie clock was a favorite of last year and I still love it, especially because it has really helped me keep my phone away from my nightstand. I much prefer waking up to the soothing sounds of the Loftie clock and NOT reaching for a screen. (You can hear me talk more about the clock on this bonus episode of the podcast about morning routines with Emily Ley)
The Beachwaver curling iron. Listen, I have invested in some really expensive hair tools over the years (which I still love, especially the Dyson hair dryer which I swear by), but I keep coming back to the Beachwaver when I’m in a hurry and need to do something with my hair. I love, love, love it. (Get the 1.25 barrel size)
I already mentioned it above (and in the Favorite Skincare and Makeup edition of the Secret Posts) but it still makes the list every time: Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Cream. I’m a moisturizer addict because my skin gets so dry, and this makes everything better. (While we’re here, I use the Tatcha Dewy Cream when I'm extra super dry and the Best Skin Ever face oil for shaving my face once a week or so.)
The AURA photo frame remains one of the best gifts I’ve ever given. We gave it to my in laws one Christmas (huge hit) and then I got one for Jeff which we keep in the kitchen and the whole family enjoys it and points out photos over meals all the time. What’s extra fun about the Aura photo frame as a gift is that you can load it up with photos without ever taking it out of the box.
I’m little bit embarrassed to be starting the categories off with these things, because they’re not the most fun but they were definitely some of the most useful of my year. For what it’s worth, I’m ending 2024 in an entirely different emotional space than I started (that’s a whole other Secret Post - stay tuned!), and the first half of the year I had a lot of back, neck, and hip pain, which I know was partially due to stress and sadness.
Besides therapy and acupuncture and massage, these are the things that helped my physical body the most this year:
This walking pad was one of the most important purchases of the year. (I actually bought if for myself last Christmas.) It is not fancy. It is not the best quality. I will probably eventually upgrade to something a little studier and maybe with an incline capability. But for a beginner (I had no idea if I would like it), I got so much benefit from this walking pad. Easy, easy, easy to set up and use.
This is absolutely not medical advice, but I really needed to up my iron intake and dreaded the usual iron supplement side effects. Someone recommended the Megafood Iron Blood Builder and I have been very pleased with it. No side effects - you can even take it on an empty stomach.
I tried multiple posture things this year because of my back and neck pain (including the infamous posture bra! which was fine but not worth the money in my opinion) but this inexpensive corrector actually did give me some relief.
This neck and shoulder relaxer was the most effective neck pain thing I tried. I know it looks weird. (Scandalous, even.) And I was convinced it wasn’t going to do anything. But it really did help! I would set a timer and lie on the floor for 10 to 20 minutes and when I would sit up I would almost be dizzy. That’s how out of whack I was. And it helped!
We went through a kitchen and primary bath remodel in 2024 that was a little more consuming than we were anticipating. I want to do a whole separate post about what really worked (and what I wish we’d done differently). Like how much I love our KitchenAid dishwasher and how we hung our island light too high and had to redo it. But all of those things are part of a bigger project, so for now here are a few smaller things I really loved:
Monitor Stand that I used as a charging station. So this monitor stand is technically supposed to be for a desktop computer, but it works so well as a charging station for your kitchen or home office. You can hide cords or batteries in the little drawer, and then there’s a wireless charger built into the top, and cords are also able to slide through the open side on the right. Paired with the second recommendation below, you can have a charging station that doesn’t look like a constant hot mess corner.
This collator is meant for paper, but it’s sturdy enough to use as slots for iPads, phones, and even a smaller laptop. Used with the above monitor, it looks like your tech situation is intentional!
I didn’t need to buy many new kitchen items when we did the remodel because we are still blessedly using pots and pans from our wedding 17 years ago (although I do occasionally find new pans that I fall in love with like this one that I use all the time), but Jeff did want some new steak knives. These are serrated and a nice, heavy quality. (And on sale right now!)
I think I fell prey to some influencer when I late-night ordered this marble tray, but I was pleasantly surprised by its quality. I put it in the powder room next to the sink, but it really could go anywhere and would also make for a nice little gift.
The other thing we did this year was upgrade everyone’s bedding. I started with my teenage daughter Lucy, who wanted something a little more grownup (but still fluffy). I bought her this linen duvet cover and it was so nice and soft that I also promptly bought another one for my son and then for the guest room.
Isn’t life (aging?) funny? In the past, this would have been my biggest category for the NAGG. I used to love to try all kinds of new products. But for the last several years, I’ve really found what has worked for me and have stuck with that. I did love all of the things listed below, the first and last ones especially were VIPs. Remember you can browse all of my Skincare & Makeup Favorites here.
The Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint with SPF was the most important beauty discovery of the year, and the funny thing is I hated it the first time I bought it. I think I bought the wrong color. (They have a lot of shades to choose from, and I suggest going a smidge darker than you might think.) Two caveats: you have to apply this to moisturized, prepped skin for it to bring out that dewy, glowy look. Do not put this on bone dry or flakey skin. Also it has a weird smell, but it kind of grows on you.
I bought the cult favorite Caliray Come Hell or High Water mascara after Caliray founder Wende Zomnir was a guest on the podcast Ep 220: The Future of the Beauty Industry. She was fascinating and really enthusiastic about this mascara and she’s not wrong. It is great. I’ve been wearing eyelash extensions for most of the year (love those, but can’t link them since I go to a salon), but I use this mascara when I'm looking a little sparse and it now has a permanent spot in my makeup bag.
I’ve also decided that blush is the key to an aging face, or at least for my 40-something face that can look a little pale and lifeless. I have a few that I choose from (MILK is another blush favorite) but the Merit cream blush really won me over. You cannot mess this up and every shade looks good. My favorites are Beverly Hills and Stockholm (pictured).
Okay, I’m going to link to the Dazzled Dry website in case you want to try their system, but candidly I have this done at the nail salon. It’s an alternative to gel nails and I am obsessed. It is SO MUCH better for my nails than the gel (which was making mine thin and weak) and lasts almost as long. (If shopping for a teen, make sure you see Lucy’s gel nail system recommendations below.)
Last year I was raving about using Basecamp for my work team and Storygraph to track my reading, and I’m happy to report that I still use and love both of those! But a few of the newer things I discovered this year are things you might also need.
I got this kindle page turner thing as a gift from Jamie Golden and at first I thought I would never use it. My kindle has buttons, so I didn’t think I’d need it. But I was wrong. It is so nice to curl up under the blanket and prop my kindle on a pillow (or use this handy thing, if you’re a real book nerd) and never have to move my hands to turn the page.
I bought myself a year-long subscription to the CHANI astrology app in December of last year and it has now become my ritual on Sunday evenings to listen to her week ahead podcast and personal sign readings. I don’t even know what I think about astrology and also I don’t even care. So much about the readings are really just self-reflection anyway, regardless of what is happening in the sky. The app also has meditations and rituals and affirmations and it’s really well designed. (One caveat is that Chani herself is pretty political in her podcast and readings. Doesn’t bother me, but might bother some.)
One of volleyball dads at a tournament had these Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra earbuds in and I tried to talk to him like three times (while sitting behind him) and he literally didn’t hear me. I had to tap him on the shoulder. He then told me that these were the best noise canceling earbuds he’d ever used and I added them to my cart before he was done speaking. Having in earbuds in extremely loud and overwhelming environments helps a lot with my anxiety. Fellow sports parents…these are a joy!
How many tripods and selfie sticks and ring lights have I linked for you over the years? A lot. Because I do use these items all the time for different work things. This gooseneck tripod is so inexpensive and I like that it can shoot overhead really nicely.
I have done multiple podcast episodes in the past couple of years about “losing” my style and trying to find it again. (Listen to Ep 207: How To Build Your Best Wardrobe and Ep 177: How To Find Your Signature Style) And only recently have I begun to really step out of the style fog I've been in since the pandemic. So maybe check this space for what evolves in the next few months - ha! I also ran into a problem finding many of the things I’d bought over the year, they were now out of stock or out of season and unavailable. But a few things I want to share with you (especially the bra!):
My kids call these Vince sneakers imitation Sambas (at a higher price point) and I kinda get what they’re saying but I love them anyway. They are SO comfortable. Maybe they’re like mom Sambas? They’re on sale right now and I’m tempted to get another color.
I’ve been trying (and failing) on instagram to talk about my current bowling shirt era. I’ve been wearing these boxy button downs all year like a hipster from 10 years ago. I can’t explain it. I’m not questioning it. I can’t find any of my actual shirts online, but my favorites are the Scotch and Soda camp shirts, so I linked one on sale from the same brand. (I also found this one and this one and now I sorta want them all.)
These Lowmels are almost sold out everywhere, so I hesitated to recommend them, but Lucy and I each bought these and love them even though they’re also kinda ugly? They defines the Ugg brand, I guess. They fit like skater shoes from the ‘90s. So many throwbacks in this section!
I’m also still wearing zany glasses and am unapologetic about it. My new favorites are from Elisa Johnson.
I don’t have this exact cashmere sweater (which is from JCrew and on sale), but I have several in the same vein. I like bright neon colors, so the throwback theme continues. These are also easy to layer and pair with like any pair of jeans, leather joggers (love), skirts, anything.
Okay, the Under Outfit bra is the most important part of this section. I found a bra that has become my new go-to everyday. It lifts and supports with adjustable straps, cleavage if you want it, and yet there’s no underwire so it’s so, so comfortable. I LOVE the Under Outfit Perfect Neckline bra. I also Iike the Comfort Shaping bra, but it’s a little more casual, just a step above a sports bra, but good under t-shirts and sweatshirts. They have regular sales, so I would scoop at least one of these up when you get the chance.
And finally…a new addition to the Not A Gift Guide! I asked my kids to make a list of some of their favorite things that other kids their age might like. My daughter, Lucy, is 15 and a freshman in high school. My son, Finch, is 13 and a 7th grader. They took this task very seriously and here’s what they came up with:
Please note that Finch wrote his own descriptions:
Royal Kludge RK65 Keyboard: This is an amazing keyboard. It functions great, with the perfect clackiness to it. It has colorful RGB lights that make your desk shine. You could get it in 4 different colors, I have the brown one. Perfect for any gamers.
MLB The Show 24: This game is SO FUN. When I first downloaded it, I was instantly hooked. It's really fun to play both alone and with friends. Overall, a great gaming experience. (Make sure you get this game for the RIGHT CONSOLE that your kid has)
Knife Drop by Nick DiGiovanni: I started off watching this guy on YouTube. He made fun and entertaining recipes, and I really liked him. He released a cookbook called Knife Drop, and I bought it. It has delicious recipes that are easy to make. Great for anybody that likes to cook at any level.
Thrustmaster T-Flight Hotas X: This is a stick and throttle device you could use for your favorite flight simulators. I use Microsoft Flight Simulator, and it makes the experience so much better. You feel like you are flying the plane with the control you get, especially when you fly in cockpit view. Perfect for any aviation lover.
Kitchenaid Pasta Attachment: This thing is the best. It attaches right on to your KitchenAid Stand Mixer, and it is used to make fresh, homemade pasta. It is very beginner friendly, as making pasta is easier than ever. Just make the dough, and use the attachments to both flatten and cut it. With this, you could make fettuccine and spaghetti.
Jordan sweatpants: These sweatpants are my favorite pants. They are comfy and reliable, perfect for laying around the house or a quick trip down the street. Great for anyone in need of a good pair of sweats.
Smashnet: This is the most fun backyard game of all time. Like Spikeball, but with a volleyball/pingpong twist. You can play with 2- 4 people, great for a group of cousins or friends. Perfect for when you have people over and want something to do.
AirPods Pro: These AirPods are PERFECT for listening to music, podcasts, you name it. Their small size makes them amazing for traveling, and though they are little, their quality is top notch. With noise cancellation to block any outside distractions, these little guys are worth it to bring with you on the go.
NexStar 130SLT Telescope: This telescope is great for beginner astronomers. Though it is expensive, it gives the most value of all on the telescope market. Perfect for enjoying Saturn’s rings, Jupiter’s big red dot and Galilean moons, and the moons’ dotted craters
As you can see, we have a gamer who likes to cook and likes space. Please note that he did not get all of these items this year. Some he has received as gifts or he saved up for.
And now for Lucy…her general favorite things and then a special section for her nail products. I’ve been posting Lucy’s growing nail obsessions (it’s an art!) on IG and several people asked for her recs on where their teen could start.
FYI I wrote these descriptions.
Every teen girl that piles into my minivan smells like Sol de Janeiro. I look forward to the days when this scent brings nostalgia for all of us.
I’ve been meaning to try the Summer Fridays lip balm myself, since it’s one of Lucy’s very favorite products (and a go-to when she’s buying a gift for a friend).
Love this necklace.
She learned from her mother the importance of blush, but she prefers the Rare Beauty blush.
Did you think the Stanley Cup craze would die down by now? Me, too. But not in our house!
Lucy lives in Uggs for school and between volleyball games. These lo rise are her current favorites, but I think she’d be happy in any pair.
And now for her nail stuff….these are the things she’s deemed ESSENTIAL.
Note: Lucy researched all of this herself and used her allowance to purchase it…which means I haven’t vetted any of this stuff. I do know her nails look awesome.
Nicer drill than comes in the Beginner’s Kit
Brushes (not pictured)
WE DID IT! And The NAGG is really becoming a family affair! Maybe next year we can get Jeff to participate.
That is a LOT of Favorite Things for 2024. I feel like I broke Substack with such a monster first post. And I’m sorry that it was later than usual, I do hope that you found a little inspiration to treat you or someone you love this holiday season.
PS - This is a fun post to share with friends if you want. And then ask each other about your own Favorite Things of the year!
Finch is for sure one of the best people on the internet (so is Lucy, but his dadgum descriptions got me!)
I bought the bra you listed to try and went back and bought a couple more once I tried it on! Always a great list and I love the contributions from the kids this year too!