Gift Guide 2025
Hullo! ’Tis the time of year when I get to become a licensed shopaholic as I scour the internet for months in search of materialistic items that match the essences of my loved ones. In my travels, I happen upon quite the number of Things that I would be thrilled to include among my possessions and while I am often weak and just buy them for myself and wait to open them until Chanuka, oftentimes even I can’t justify my hoarding tendencies.
Like with most of the entries on this list! Here’s another gift guide followup to 2020 and 2022, for your reading (or purchasing) pleasure. All things Millennial, Jewish and pop culture:
Lego Book Nook: Sherlock Holmes
A book nook is a little diorama, a little bigger than a novel, that sits on your shelf among its friends. I first noticed them a few years ago on Etsy, beautifully intricate handmade pieces for sale, soon followed by crafty DIY sets. I bought a brick-building set two years ago that was lovely but not well constructed, and which was promptly destroyed when my son tried to pick it up. But I longed for a Lego version! AND NOW IT EXISTS!!
Jewish Rings by Dear Elaan – Website or Etsy
If you’re tired of Magen Davids and want another way to announce your heritage/allegiance to the world, might I suggest this line of cheeky jewelry? I’m personally drawn to the earnest WILD JEW or HINENI rings, but the ones with Jewish-type foods are also a load of fun! BAGELS and SCHMEAR go together particularly well.
Pin of the Vi-and-Jinx record in the opening credits of Arcane
When a writer tells you their influences or “comps” (comparisons), listen to them! Their work is often in dialogue with their inspiration. So when an old friend mentioned that Netflix’s Arcane is on her list, I figured I’d give it a shot. It’s a serious, adult animated series set in a steampunk world that interplays science and magic. (It’s part of a video game I know nothing about, so you don’t have to either.) I really loved the first season, though I’ve been plodding through episode 8 of the second season for like … a year now? The opening credits show a jukebox that plays a record with the two sisters’ faces on it, much like this pin.
I have a thing for hot air balloons and I am actively, as we speak, trying not to purchase this ridiculous set piece from the Pottery Barn collab with Wicked. It’s expensive and takes up valuable real estate AND I WANT IT SO BAD. I DON’T OWN A BAR CART. I DON’T USE ICE. BUT IT’S SO PERFECT.
Talk about taking up real estate – I’m not sure what the ideal set up for this Polly Pocket-esque spice village would be, but these puppies are made to be on display. A hanging gardens staggered shelf situation? It’s a bit of a patchka for my personal tastes, but man, this set is CUTE.
Deluxe Limited Edition of Howl’s Moving Castle
I walked into Booked, this week and sitting on the top shelf at the back of the store was this STUNNING new edition of one of my favorite books. (Better in person than in the photo, btw.) My mother bought me my first copy of Howl in a European airport bookstore, and it had foil reflective bits and Howl’s flashy coat and it was really loud and cool. Of course I lent it out, and it’s gone now, and now I only have the boring brownish aughts version, and every other cover since then has been so boring and uninspired. But this copy just took my breath away. Did I need another copy of this book? No. Is it going to be one of my Chanuka presents? No question.
NAP shirt stylized as a GAP shirt
It’s the GAP logo, except it says NAP. Because I need a nap.
Bernadette Banner is not my favorite YouTuber, nor do I understand half of the things she does, but the authenticity of her enthusiasm in her projects is so infectious! Sure, I’ll watch you source a hundred-year-old skincare routine. Why not? And she made an OnlyFans for her ankles. Genius! Her most recent collab was to create a Joan of Arc dress and armor with a legacy embroidery company called Hand & Lock, who apparently are so secure in their niche that they can run around making crazy intricate embroideries for YouTube channels. They put out this little kit inspired by the panel they made alluding to Joan’s death.
Ah, being called old. It’s the gift that keeps on giving! Since aughts fashion is to Gen Z as eighties fashion was to my adolescence, ergo, we now have the opportunity to buy a new classic Juicy purse. The Daydreamer – my constant and noble companion from high school through college and beyond – was pulled from their website before the release, but this cute little domed number has all the bells and whistles that once made Juicy the icon and the moment.
Happy holidays, America!