Cute gifts for cute people
Season's greetings, everyone!
Welcome to This Is Cute. We’re Jenna, Jayna, and Verena. We text all day about cute stuff so you don’t have to. If you’re interested in seeing the previous and equally unhinged editions, they’re here.
Hello hello hello! We’ll get right to it because we’re already late to the holiday game (it’s been said a bill trill boring times already, but how does Black Friday last all of November?? It’s supposed to be one day you maniacs!), but we felt like we had cute contributions to the ocean of gift guides you’re no doubt currently swimming in. Slippers that make your feet look like a cartoon? Check! Adorable cookie sprinkles that won’t kill you? Check!! Brooklyn’s best fitness instructors who you will also want to get drinks with? Huge check! Gift guide 2024, let’s gooooo. (p.s. This edition is brought to you by Jenna and Jayna while Verena is in Vancouver (someone’s in her Eras era!))
Cute Gifts to Wear
VERY Good Slippers (Bombas, Coldbreaker, and Alex Mill)
Not at all surprising, but I have a demented amount of slippers. I simply cannot and will not be able to resist a fleecy, sherpa-y, muppet-y item. So yes, I actually have owned all three of these pairs, and I only use the past tense because I recently gave one of them to Verena. But hear me out: the Bombas are great for days when you need a sturdier option, or when you are running outside to do a quick something that requires an actual soled pair of footwear. The Coldbreaker and Alex Mills are what you want when you need to be curled up on the couch or in bed or in a comfy chair under a cozy blanket, because they are soft-soled and wonderful. They also make your feet look like a cartoon monster’s feet and every time my husband sees them he shakes his head and smiles to himself because he knows how happy it makes me to have monster feet. - JW
James Street Co. Beanie
We contemplated doing an entire TIC beanie edition, that’s how passionate we are about winter hats. These from James Street Co. (a mystery Utah-based brand we discovered some winters ago) come out on top. They’re soft but substantial, tall without being chef hats, have the perfect brim to height ratio, and come in really really great colors. Collectively, I think we own maybe 13, at least? I personally would accept more. - JG
Gap x Paddington Everything
Full credit of this collab discovery goes to VVP who texted our group a link with the caption, “can’t believe this is baby only.” Unfortunately, this very (bear-y?) good capsule is indeed just for tinies. So, find a lucky little, and buy them a Paddington sweaty or rugby tee or—omg—TOGGLE coat and then die from the cuteness. - JG
Outside-the-Box Boxers (from Comme Si and Speltham)
Bermuda boxers! Long boxers! I’m really loving/bewildered by the recent boxer rebrand. Aren’t Bermuda boxers just long shorts? Aren’t long boxers just…pants?? Who cares, they’re cute and fun and won’t make the perimenopausal among us turn into raging infernos while they sleep (YES I READ ALL FOURS). Comme Si is great for a bit of a splurge and the Speltham are affordable enough that you can get a few pairs for the literal hotties in your life. - JW
Kule x Brooklinen Robe
Lol this section has really taken a turn for the Gifts You Can Wear INSIDE. But this robe, from the Kule x Brooklinen collab we all kinda flipped for at launch, is just too good to not make me want to stay home always. I’m self-enforcing because I have too many robes (especially after Jayna got me this genius one for my birthday, do you DIE?), but it would make for the happiest and snuggliest prezzy, especially paired with matching towels. And speaking of Jayna, is that not her actual twin in the adorable product pic??? - JG
Cute Gifts to Eat
Mayana Chocolate
Maybe everyone already knows about these because they stock them in the interminable Whole Foods checkout line (do NOT tell me “it actually moves pretty quickly” because that is incorrect), but they are absolutely bonkers delicious and indulgent. The Fix Bar is basically a giant Kit Kat and the Space Bar is a more delicious Snickers and the Mayan Spice Bar has crunched up tortilla chips in it! Absolutely perfect for anyone in your life who deserves a little treat (meeeeee). - JW
Runamok Sparkle Syrup
Does it taste good? Do we care? There’s also a tiny size that would be an adorable stocking stuffer. Christmas morning sparkly short stacks, anyone?! - JG
Supernatural Sprinkles Set
A friend gifted me these sprinkles after being horrified that I made my nightly sundaes using the old-school kind that are apparently deadly (just a note that if red dye 40 is in Red Vines I do not want to know!!). So not only will these dye-free guys not kill you, they are cute enough to make you forget they don’t have quite the same bite as the OGs. - JG
Graza Drizzle Oil
This brand-forward olive oil is, of course, everywhere, but I somehow had never used it until recently, when I decided to make eggs in my mom’s kitchen, spied a bottle in the pantry, and proceeded to Jackson Pollock it around the pan. Who knew EVOO could be such a good time? Goodbye forever boring generic gallon oil jug. - JG
Cute Gifts for Nesting
Quiet Town The Spot Organizer
Fellow overbearing organizers, rejoice! This is a splurge for sure, but also maybe the household item that currently brings me the most joy. We already know and love and have sung the praises of Quiet Town’s gorgeous shower curtains, but they recently came out with the Spot, which is truly the chicest shower caddy on the whole entire planet. Setting it up is extremely satisfying (lots of instructions, but very easy to follow—the dream!) and it is truly so so useful to get stuff off my tub edges and into one central place. I just ordered the razor holder add-on and am seriously counting the days until it gets here. - JW
Fish Carafe
This is a VVP rec, and it’s on her holiday wishlist in case anyone needs gift ideas (Hi Stephanie! Hi Gabi!). But also now that she’s introduced it to the group, we all want it (Hiiiiiiii!). Because how could you resist such an absolutely adorable addition to your dinner party. As a firm believer that nothing sullies a tablescape more than a dingy old Britta, I think this adorable glass fish carafe, which comes in two cute colorways (green is currently sold out, but returning next week) deserves a place at everyone’s table. - JW
Ferm Liquor Glasses
Would you ever believe these antique-y looking Elphaba green glasses are dishwasher safe? Does that selling point make me sound a thousand years old? Also, the price point is sorta perfect, but if you wanted to level things up, just throw in a fancy-looking bottle of liquor that you absolutely did not select based on the cute label. - JG
Phoebe Wahl, lunar calendar
I’ve bought this calendar for the last five or six years. The first time was truly because it was the right size to fit where I wanted it on the fridge and I thought the design was cute. And, to be honest, I think it wasn’t until last year’s calendar that I actually figured out how to read it (so many little moon faces!), but now that I know, it’s one of my favorite annual purchases. Because how fun to be able to tell people what moon phase we’re in without needing a phone! Makes me feel sorta magical! - JW
Hedley & Bennett Smock Apron
It’s absolutely wild that I don’t already own one of these aprons. I’ve had my eye on Hedley & Bennett’s smock style for easily three years, and for some reason I still haven’t made a purchase. I think some bad part of my brain thinks that if I restrain myself in this one VERY small way, it makes up for the overspending I do in every other area of my life. Also I have three aprons already! Including one that my friend Shira made me when we were in our 20s that says sups on, motherfucker, so I feel like I am very much covered. But that Liberty print makes my heart sing! As does the sleek and chic chambray version, and most recently, this classic herringbone from our lord and savior Martha Stewart. - JW
Cute Gifts for Your Body and Soul!
The Cutest Taskmasters! (AKA Brooklyn’s best trainers)
Ok, these are admittedly hyper-local, but for the Brooklyn-based cutes, I have been gatekeeping the best trainers and I am sorry! I’ve been exercising (Jenna makes fun of me when I call it this but “working out” sounds weird to me!) with Denise Harris for maaaaybe seven years now and she is very much the reason I have not turned into a bowl of oatmeal. I wouldn’t say she’s made me a fitness fan, but if anyone can get me off my ass and outside (!!) to trot up and down the stairs in Fort Greene Park on Saturday mornings, it’s Denise. More recently I’ve also added pilates into my routine and for that I cannot say enough good things about Jo Martinez of Greenroom Pilates. Sessions take place in her lovely brownstone, she is the MOST fun to talk to about movies and TV, and she makes (very challenging!) exercise feel like something other than exercise. Plus sometimes she watches her friends’ very cute dogs! You can purchase individual sessions or packages on both of their sites, and then get ready to talk about things like glutes a lot! - JW
Omorovicza Facial Mist
I went to London last month (By myself! Stayed in Dalston! Loved drinking natural wine at Goodbye Horses and taking the tube a billion times a day!). I tried to avoid the holiday crowds as much as possible, but also, as a ditsy floral ditz, had to go to the Liberty store. While I was trying to make my way through the throngs and not have an absolute panic attack (while definitely having a hot flash), a lovely man at the Omorovicza counter asked me if I wanted a quick misting and boy did I. I’d never heard of the brand but this facial mist is SO lovely (do I sound British??). The smell is amazing and subtle but unexpected and it makes my face feel so nice and refreshed. I’m really glad I bought it and love using it every morning and can’t believe it didn’t get confiscated at the airport for being too much liquid! - JW
Lesse Chapstick
This lip balm feels great going on, comes in a chic recycled paper tube, and really, truly hydrates. It’s the kind of luxe little thing anyone would love to have floating around in their bag. - JG
Saie Glowy Supergel
I sadly did not bejewel my face when I attended Eras in Toronto (yes we are ALL Swifties here at TIC and have a whole other text chain dedicated to that very topic, adorably titled “Cardigans”), but I did smooth on this subtle moonbeamy substance, and felt like I still made my whole face shimmer :) - JG
La Bonne Brosse Small Universal Brush
I totally fell for this chic little brush thanks to jet lag and also I forgot to pack one for London but also people really love these little guys! You can take a test online to determine which bristle type is best for your hair (I’m a No.1, merci beaucoup) and they come in great colors and don’t yank your hair out. It’s supposed to add shine and volume but I’ve only just started using it so I will report back the next time we do a batch of beauty cutes! - JW
Cadence Build-Your-Own Organization System
Every time I’m dolloping lotion into an empty pill bottle while prepping for a trip, I curse my hot mess self for not owning one of these honeycomb-like organization systems. And then, of course, I instantly forget until my next packing expedition. So, I’m putting it here, in case someone wants to gift me one of these unbelievably satisfying sets and turn me into an actual grownup, and because I can’t be the only one whose travel toiletry situation could use a major upgrade. - JG
Cute Gifts for the Boys!
ACLU Stitched Logo Sweatshirt
So this is an extremely gender neutral gift (honestly all of these are), but I am including it because an actual man, my husband, told me about them. They’re simple, come in great colors (I’ll take the red one, pls), and the proceeds benefit a more-important-than-ever organization—in other words the perfect gift. - JW
Japanese Socks
Japan is the best at a lot of things and one of them is hosiery. And since even the most persnickety style-minded guys seem to think stuff from Japan is cool, might we suggest just picking a few favorite pairs, creating some sort of glorious Japanese sock flight, and calling it a damn day. - JG
Vintage Chore Coats & Barn Jackets
This one comes from VVP, and although we’ve urged all of you to scoop up these gorgeously broken-in beauties for yourselves a number of times, it occurred to me that they’re also a great gift for the guy in your life who maybe isn’t super well-versed in vintage and doesn’t want to dig around to find something cool but wants to look cool but also not like he’s trying to look cool? And if he’s not into it you get to keep it! - JW
Whitesville T-Shirt 2-Pack
We at TIC are nothing if not suckers for great packaging, and these had me at the throwback plastic wrapping emblazoned with vintage little league-esque branding. Also, the shirts inside look incredibly soft. My husband is getting a pack for the holidays (it’s fine, I genuinely don’t think he scrolls to the bottom), though it really may become a splitsies situation. - JG
Apple Macintosh iPhone Case
This case is so silly but there’s a very certain kind of person who loves it. I am one of them, and maybe you know one too! - JW
The Japanese sock flight — brilliant!