So Many Thoughts 2024 Gift Guide
Part 1: Shop the sales.
Hello! Happy Thanksgiving to everyone who celebrates. My dad is staying with us for a few days, and Matt made the most delicious meal. My heart, and my stomach, are so full right now.
As we await the arrival of the Stuart family, I wanted to share the first installment of the So Many Thoughts 2024 Gift Guide. This year’s recommendations will arrive in two parts, beginning with my ideas and then yours.
First up, my tried-and-true favorites. I have always felt best about recommending things I own and love. My thoughts and links below to everything from my beloved new hoops to my go-to lip crayon, the coziest wraps and much more. The Black Friday / Cyber Monday deals are especially good this year (and I do love a sale) so I made sure to note what is discounted.
The second installment, coming soon, is thanks to a suggestion by my friend and SMT contributor (read her pieces here + here) Ade Olayinka. Back in October, she DM’d me with a suggestion. “If you solicit gift ideas this year, I would love ideas for experiential or consumable gifts,” she wrote. “I’m trying to move towards gifts that are meaningful/fun but are not permanent.”
Such a good idea, Ade! For this year’s crowd-sourced suggestions, I would love to hear your ideas for gifts that are consumable, experiential, charitable or virtual. Please click here to share in the Google form.
And finally, I am eager to amplify small business owners in the So Many Thoughts community. I know from past gift guides that you all are an entrepreneurial bunch.
If you are a small business owner with a gift-able item or experience (or a well-intended friend!) please click below to share more in the comments. Tell us what you make/sell/offer and how we can support you. Include your Instagram handle if you have one!
If you are eager to shop small businesses — <raises hand!> — click here, too, to peruse the ideas as you buy your gifts.
Note: Comments are typically reserved for paid subscribers but I have opened them up to all for this newsletter.
ICYMI
✨ So many of the pieces I shared in my festive fashion newsletter are on sale this weekend (including the chocolate sequin dress — it’s 40% off).
🫧 I have now seen Wicked twice and it’s becoming my entire personality. (Kidding, but not…) If you have seen it or plan to go this weekend, check out my Wicked primer and So Many Thoughts on Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande’s premiere fashion.
So Many Thoughts 2024 Gift Guide
Please note: I use affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase I may get a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting So Many Thoughts.
Winter sweater. I am partial to the HRH blue of this Hill House sweater, but the wine hue is gorgeous, too.It’s more fitted than most winter cardigans, perfect for dressing up or down. Hill House is 30% off sitewide.
Softest blanket. ChappyWrap has routinely been one of the most-submitted suggestions when I asked for gift ideas. These absolutely live up to the hype, offering super-soft coziness for my (very tactile) children without too much weight. I love the shawls, too, the perfect smaller size for those chilly desk days. ChappyWrap has 20% off everything and free shipping with code JOY20.
Comfy clogs. Raise your hand if you are a Rothy’s fan. (I know there are a lot of you!) I have been eyeing the clogs for weeks now and finally got a pair. They offer a lot of support in the sole, true to the idea of a clog. (I have high arches and wide feet, so I sized up a half a size — it’s perfect.) These clogs are 25% off; Rothy’s has up to 30% off sitewide.
Grab-and-go duffle. My status as a card-carrying member of the overpacking club is well known in these parts. The latest addition to my Away collection may challenge that. I just got the Weekender bag, the largest of the brand’s duffles. Love that it is in the same blue hue as my other pieces. This has real weekend-away potential, big enough to fit a few outfits. Away has 25% off sitewide right now, including the softside luggage collection (my fave!).
Pretty notebooks. Have I ever told you all about the one time that I interviewed Martha Stewart and she told me my (very standard issue reporter) notebook was ugly? True story. I have had a stash of prettier ones on hand ever since. These Rifle Paper Co. sets of three are ideal. Super lightweight, easy to throw in any bag. I use them for everything from interviews to grocery lists. Rifle is 30% off sitewide right now.
Festive pens. ‘Tis the season to stock up on easy-to-give gifts. Rifle’s assortment is clutch, filled with goodies that feel so special. These mistletoe pens are lovely on their own or pair perfectly with one of their gorgeous cards. (All 30% off.)
Organized tote. As much as I love an open tote, I spend too much of my life rummaging through it. I have recently started using this from Cuyana (a Meghan-approved brand!), which offers more in terms of internal organizing components. I am very excited for the super versatile stone shade (goes with black, navy, tan, etc).
Lip crayon. I stash these Ilia lipsticks in every bag I have. The crayon-like form helps apply with precision, while the formula is long-lasting and matte without feeling dry or cakey. If you want something glossy, these are the perfect layering base (I often add Saie’s GlossyBounce on top). Ilia is 20% off sitewide right now.
Everyday hoops. I have been on the hunt for daily-wear hoops for ages. I was thrilled to find these by Dana Rebecca. They are so light and comfortable with just the right amount of sparkle. The mid-size is big enough to hug my ear but doesn’t feel snug. (Eyeing a second set in white gold, too.)
Sparkly necklaces in gold and silver. I have a few pieces from Dorsey, the lab-grown gem company based here in Los Angeles. The Clemence is a style I wear nearly every day. For moments where I want a little more sparkle, the James Bezel is very, very fun. It pairs just as well with a plain tee as it does with a strapless dress.
QEII book. My friend gifted me a copy of this big, gorgeous book, depicting the life of Queen Elizabeth II in pictures. My dad is visiting right now and called it “spectacular.” And it’s on sale right now if you buy through Indie Pubs — a great way to support independent bookstores. At Indie Pubs, use code QUEEN50 for 50% off one copy or QUEEN55 for 55% off two.
Stylish readers. Middle age…but make it cute? Lol! I have become one of those people who stashes reading glasses in every bag and corner of my house. Gabriel + Simone, a Brooklyn-based brand, makes my favorite style in the “light tortoise” color. Gabriel + Simone is 25% off sitewide with code BF25.
Reusable cocktail napkins. Atelier Saucier is a sustainable, Los Angeles-based brand that is newly on my radar. Their whole assortment is such a vibe. I love their napkin sets, particularly the highly giftable cocktail-napkin size (that doubles as coasters). Atelier Saucier is offering this chambray at 40% off right now, with up to 50% off elsewhere on the site.
Chic salt holder. Shoutout to my husband, Matthew, who has introduced me to many wonderful things in the kitchen — like different kinds of salts. This holder from Material allows for one type to be stored in the orb and another in the base. Either is pretty enough to stand on its own on the table. Material is offering sitewide discounts — this salt holder is 20% off, with another 10% saved by using the code EXTRA10
Striped family pajamas. This is the one brand on this gift guide that I have not tried — YET. My order is en route! Petite Plume is the brand Prince George wore when he met President Barack Obama (remember that cuteness?) so it is royal-approved. My kids love our coordinating holiday pajamas so much that I decided we needed a new year-round set. How gorgeous is this navy ticking stripe? Petite Plume is 25% off sitewide with code BLACKFRIDAY.
Makeup towels. This was another one where you all were right. Several folks have raved about Weezie’s towels in my DMs for years now. I finally got some (the scallop set for our primary bathroom) and they are the softest I have ever tried. I am asking for these makeup towels for Christmas, a great way to keep any lingering foundation off my new white set. Weezie has discounts beginning at 20% off $100+ purchase.
Hydrating cleanser. Never did I ever think I would get excited about…face wash? This formula from Versed is saving me in the dry winter months. It removes everything, including waterproof mascara and heavy lipstick, without drying out your skin. You apply it without water, just rub it in and then rinse it off. The night cream is good, too. Versed is 30% sitewide.
Sustainable underwear. Underwear is not my usual gift guide fodder, but hear me out. This sustainable, female-founded, UK brand had been on my radar and I finally tried it. These are so good. The fabric, made of beechwood trees, is super soft. Most importantly: They do. not. ride. up. And I adore their playful prints. Highly recommend both the original and the high-rise styles. Stripe & Stare has rotating Black Friday discounts.
Happy shopping, friends! And happy Thanksgiving. I am so grateful for you.
🗣️ Small business owners, make sure to leave your giftable ideas in the comments. ⬆️ I would love to support you this holiday season. (Make sure to include how we can best shop your wares, as well as your Instagram handle if you have one.)
If people are buying any type of romance books this year, I’d love to recommend supporting and buying books from Friends to Lovers Bookstore, a queer and woman owned romance bookstore in Alexandria, Va. they JUST opened this month, and then about a week after, suffered from a fire that occurred in their building. There is also a GoFundMe to help support them to rebuild, since they aren’t able to sell anything that was in the physical store. You can find them on Instagram @friendstoloversbookstore
Here’s a great practical gift for soon to be parents! My real-life sister and I run Like A Sister together; she’s a postpartum doula and I’m a lactation consultant, and after having 5 kids between us, we wanted to create an inclusive, evidence-based resource to help expecting and new parents feel supported. Loved ones gift our on-demand classes and virtual support, and parents tell us that receiving those makes them feel loved and prepared for parenthood. Far better than another onesie! We are proudly progressive and advocate for our clients in every way. Find us on IG, Threads and FB at @likeasistersupport.