In this edition of The Gift, we’re making the case for getting a gift for yourself. Plus: great men’s jeans, the absolute best pens, and what to get a 98-year-old.
My personal tradition the day after Christmas? I buy one more gift. For myself. I think of it as a reward for a holiday season well-done after weeks of getting gifts for other people.
This gift usually falls into one of a few categories: something that was so rudely overlooked from my wish list; something utilitarian that I didn’t have the heart to ask for despite desperately needing (if I unwrapped a new two-slice toaster on Christmas morning I’d keel over from boredom right there); or a simple item that I know will set me up for success come the new year, like a fancy planner.
Getting myself this gift creates a sort of second, secret holiday season for me, from me. It’s a little treat, knowing that when I get home from a week spent at my parents’ place, something will be waiting for me on my doorstep. It may not be wrapped in pretty paper, but its delightful nonetheless. And the best part? There’s very little room for error when gifting to myself.
For example, I got ahead on my Me Shopping before the holidays really kicked off, and splurged on this moisturizing body oil. I’ve since spent all of this season’s lights-seeing, cookie-baking, and general merriment smelling amazing. I’m picky about scents, so it’s a hard gift for others to nail for me. But this one—a mix of cypress, basil, lavender, and other essential oils—is right up my alley. And I knew it would be. I’m also happy to report that the very dry skin on my neck that my mom (lovingly) describes as “reptilian” is feeling softer, too.
For your perusal and self-gift consideration, here a few more things we’re treating ourselves to before the year is over:
- Staff writer and gifting expert Samantha Schoech is guilty of a lot of “one for you, one for me” type shopping, so while grabbing a paperclip chain bracelet for her daughter, she got this simple, 18-karat snake chain necklace for herself. She also picked up this sweater, which is not only classic and quite affordable, but has the kind of waffle texture she’s contemplated spending a lot more on.
- Head of social and voracious reader Julia Bush caved and bought herself her very first Kindle. She’s looking forward to no longer running out of space in her luggage from packing five books for every trip. But mostly? It’s so she can “read romance novels in the presence of my fiancé’s parents.” Nice. A perfect gift to self.
- This moisturizer stone is in head of newsletters Sofia Sokolove’s cart. She’s hoping it will help treat the “the very blah doldrums of dry-skin January.” I own one myself, and I love it. It softens and melts as you use it on your skin, creating a super hydrating but not at all greasy moisturizer for the whole body. It’s luxe in a perfect just-buy-it-for-yourself way.
- Newsletters editor Brittney Ho, who is something of a nail polish connoisseur, is gifting herself this set of fun nail polishes to kick off the new year. This brand’s polishes not only “never chip,” according to Britt, but the thermal ones in this set are also temperature sensitive—so they change colors throughout the day. It’s like having many manicures in one.
- Lastly, I’m eyeing a few pieces of footwear for myself. For the house, this adorable pair of slippers featuring a dog leaping across the toes. And for going outside: I swear by my G.H. Bass Weejuns, and I’m eyeing another pair—these perfectly simple black loafers—for wearing with socks and denim all winter long. (My version of “bundling up.” Ah, the benefits of living in Los Angeles.)
