62 Perfect Presents: The 2020 Gift Guide for Everyone
The holidays can be an exciting or dreadful time depending on who you are, and especially this year I don’t know whether to continue moping or to use the holidays as an excuse to cheer the fuck up. No matter how hard we may try to disdain this time though, the euphonious sound of holiday music, the crisp white sheets of snow that pile up outside our windows, and the excuse to spend ridiculous amounts of money on ourselves and our loved ones could not be more tempting.
I have always been obsessed with giving gifts and finding the most precise gift for people, to really curate the experience. I have made this a priority without even spending a lot of, or any, money most of the time. People enjoy gifts that speak to who they are, who you think they are, or what you appreciate about them. It isn’t about how many 0’s are on the tag, and if they are that person, then they don’t deserve ANY gifts. The joy on one’s face when they open your gift is one of my favorite moments ever and is the main motivation for why I love scouring online and every store for the most perfect present.
With that being said it’s overwhelming to look through hundreds of websites and deals to find things that could work for anyone and everyone, so I decided I would take on that anxiety (not that I need any more) and do the hard work for you! This gift guide I created is resourceful and multi-faceted, all to help you cross off multiple people on your list at the same time. For the clever cook, passionate lover, cheesy companion, anxious homebody, cool cousin, artistic roommate, has-everything mother, do-gooder ally, conscientious buddy, frustratingly-difficult father, here is the Fried Picklez 2020 Gift Guide!
THINGS TO RELISH:
Custom Papier Notebook or Planner: Papier is the best notebook and planner company, I am fully obsessed. They have a wide selection of great covers for their products that are also customizable so you could write your name or “keep out” on the front to protect your thoughts. They’re affordable, practical, and gorgeous!
Retroviewer of Memories:A great cute throwback, Retroviewer is a special old school viewfinder that you can custom make by adding photos into. It’s super easy to create and such a fun, authentic gift.
Donation to an Organization They’re Passionate About: There is nothing more heartwarming than giving someone a gift that supports something they truly care about. Making a donation in their name to a cause or organization that your person supports is a great gift for this holiday season. It’s not only an easy way to give back but also a way to see your friend smile immensely.
Your Poppy Flowers Kit:Who doesnt love getting fresh flowers? Usually you have to be with the person you want to gift flowers to but Your Poppy has beautiful flowers that are ready to be sent out anywhere. The great thing about getting the Kits is that they’re build your own and come with video tutorial so they can be arranged in any way.
The Farmer’s Dog Food Plan: If you are still feeding your dog brown little gross pellets STOP NOW. The Farmer’s Dog was started to give dogs fresh food with REAL ingredients. They have human-grade food for your pet in eco-friendly packaging to make sure your dog is as healthy as possible. Everyone who makes the switch loves it, both pet and owner!!
Birchbox Subscription: The perfect gift for someone who you’re unsure about what specific products they like but know they love everything self care and beauty. Birchbox has subscriptions where they send out a box of goodies every month. The 6 month plan starts at only $14 a month and retails for much more!
Museum Membership: Nowadays, going to a museum is one of the only indoor activities that you can do safely. A great gift for your art lover friend is a membership to their favorite museum or to a museum they’ve never been to that you think they’d like. A museum is not only a great place to admire art, but a place to get away to, work at, etc.
CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES:
Breda Studio Watch: These watches are not only the perfect style, but affordable as well. I have never been a watch person but I am obsessed with following Breda on Instagram as they have the best aesthetic. For anyone who you think needs to step up their watch game, definitely check out Breda Studio.
Staud Pet Portrait Bag: Staud came up with the incredible concept of a collection of customizable clothes and bags to rock your lil pups. The Customer Shirley Leather Bag is my favorite; if I had a supper (cough cough faj where’s my puppy) I would buy this immediately.
Cynthia Rowley Cashmere Wool Snuggie: This Cynthia Rowley Cashmere Merino blend snuggie is the best thing to be wrapped in on Christmas Morning while you sit by the tree. A must for the upcoming cold winter, anyone and everyone would love this new, improved, and luxurious version of the infomercial classic.
Uniqlo HeatTech: My family has been Uniqlo Stans forever and it is my favorite thing to turn people on to. One of the bestsellers is their HeatTech line which is basically undergarments such as unisex tops and leggings that have special technology to keep you extra warm. Anytime from December until May you will find me and my parent wearing these under our clothes. It’s such an easy way to layer and stay warm. Trust me, this is the best and useful gift for someone.
Baboon To The Moon Duffle: Baboon To The Moon is a great duffle bag company, perfect for any and all adventures. They use top notch materials to make the best and durable bags. Not like we’re going on trips anytime soon, but still a great purchase for your favorite jetsetter, backpacker, or weekender!
Lay-z Loungewear Sweat Set:If you’re late to the quarantine Tie-Dye game, look no further than Lay-z Loungewear. My friend Leah created this Tie-Dye company in quarantine and has the greatest products. I have sweatpants, bandana, and a tank from her that I love. Lay-z also has crewnecks, hoodies, and more! Since it’s inception, Leah has been donating 15% of it’s proceeds to Girl Trek, a public health non-profit that supports healthy living among Black women.
Monogram Wallet: Who doesn’t love a monogram, especially those of us who love our initials! A monogrammed wallet or card holder is such a simple way to nail a gift, it’s something that everyone always needs.
Everlane Cashmere Rib Beanie: We should all take pleasure in wrapping our bodies in Cashmere this season and a great choice for your friend to be cozy is the Everlane Cashmere Beanie. Perfect for those of us who love rocking a hat all winter long, it is the best option to keep heads and ears warm even on the coldest days.
Morgan Lane Pajamas: Let’s leave wearing Roller Rabbit in 2020 and try to be more original…I beg of you…and to help you with that, Morgan Lane is a great alternative for a luxurious pair of pajamas! I love the Money Stripe, Fairy Dust, and they even have custom embroidery!
Lululemon City Sweat Jogger: For the guy who is jealous of your soft, comfortable leggings, get them a pair of the City Sweat Joggers. Perfect for lounging, working out, or just looking good, this is the most comfortable pair of sweatpants that your person will never want to take off. They’re soft, naturally breathable, and have Lycra in them for extra stretch.
KROD’S Jewels:My best friend Katrina Rodriguez started her own affordable and trendy jewelry company called KROD’s Jewels. Katrina is always the person you see and want to ask her where she got her jewelry from so her starting this line was a no brainer. She has grown immensely and I am so proud of her! There are amazing pieces, including a necklace NAMED AFTER ME!!!! (The Victoria!) When she told me this news I was literally crying, forever honored!
Parade Underwear:You’re probably sick of my talking about Parade at this point but honestly it’s such a great and simple gift to get for someone. The best sustainable, breathable, colorful underwear on the market, and you can get 20% off using code “friedpicklez”!
Fur Lined Birkenstocks:Your feet need to stay warm this winter. A Dream slipper of mine are the Shearling lined Birkenstocks. Basically a way to say to your friend that they deserve to walk on clouds all day, everyday!
Customized Converse: This is a great option for your fellow sneaker head. I have been customizing converse since I was in middle school, I remember it’s actually how I ended up memorizing my dad’s credit card number for the first time, so the beginning of my online shopping addiction. Customizing converse is a more special option than buying a shoe everyone else has, we loveeeee individuality!
Brandon Blackwood Kuei Bag: Black Designer Brandon Blackwood has been seen taking off over quarantine as we popularize Buying Black and discuss the problem of Systemic Racism in America. He first blew up for his purse that says “End Systemic Racism” on it. He has a lot of other bags that are great for whoever you love who’s into trends including the mini, bold, bag trend.
Negative Underwear Wireless Bra:For those who have completely ditched bras, there are always certain situations you get in where you NEED to wear one and it’s absolutely dreadful. When I have to wear a bra, I love something that is wireless because that’s what’s the most comfortable. Negative Underwear has the best Non-Wire bras that comes in neutral yet elegant colorways.
Kris_Nations Chill Pill Necklace: Because we all need a little chill nowadays. This super cute necklace is a funny yet accurate way to describe how we’ve all been feeling lately.
Girlfriend Collective Activewear: The hottest sustainable and size inclusive activewear, Girlfriend Collective is taking over the athleisure industry. They have different types of tops, leggings, shorts, bras, etc for all types of movement and bodies.
Clothing With Your Face:For the person who loves a cheesy joke gift, a custom pair of socks or underwear with your face on it, their partners, or their cat, is definitely the way you should go. I got my dad socks with my face on it last year for Christmas and he loved them and wears them all the time and it’s hilarious.
SELF-CARE:
Cancelled Plans Candles: I swear these are the next candles to take over. Cancelled Plans has a variety of exquisitely smelling candles with the most perfect names. Social Anxiety, Student Loans, Introvert, and I Miss High Five, just to name a few.
Ripple+: A product to help retire a bad habit, Ripple+ is a zero-nicotine, plant derived smoking alternative. Basically a juul but instead of nicotine it is only plant extracts. This is the perfect gift for someone you know who needs to quit the nic. There are four different flavors all tailored for a different sensation.
CBD Honey: CBD Honey is exactly what your people need to help get them out of bed in the cold and dark mornings. Started by two Black Female best friends, this honey has 7mg of CBD per teaspoon which is supposed to help with calmness, relaxation, and irritability.
Dipsea Audio Porn Yearly Membership: If you haven’t discovered audio porn yet, you’re missing out. It’s taking over the game and is such a better way to ~get into the mood~. Perfect for a party of one, a couple, whoever, Dipsea has enjoyable stories written by professional writers and spoken by actors. They have over 300+ stories and there are constantly new ones being released. These stories really take you into a different universe that feels realistic unlike when watching regular porn. There are all different types of stories for everyone’s enjoyment.
Chillhouse Chill Tips Press On Nails:Because who knows when we’ll safelybe able to get manicures again and while we wait we wanna look cute! Chillhouse doesn’t make your drugstore press on nails, these actually look pretty and stay on.
Custom Black and White Cookies: William Greenberg Desserts in NYC makes great Black and White cookies but what makes them extra special is that these come in different COLORS! Green, blue, purple, pink, orange, you name it! Such a fun and delicious gift for someone and they ship nationwide.
Raaka Oat Milk Chocolate:For those of us that have chocolate sensitive stomachs, this is the perfect gift. Raaka makes Oat Milk Chocolate (coconut milk as well) that is Vegan, NON-GMO, Gluten Free, Cane Sugar Free, Soy Free, and Organic. We all know Oat Milk is the queen of all the milks but Oat Milk Chocolate now? Really raising the stakes!
Non-Alcoholic Apéritif Ghia: For my sober and sober curious brothers, sisters, and siblings, you must buy them Ghia. Ghia is a heavenly non-alcoholic apértif that has the tagline of “We’re A Drink To Remember”. For those who don’t drink but love the elegance of having something special to sip on, this is the perfect gift that’s like giving a bottle of Veuve minus the hangover!
Brightland Olive Oil:Brightland makes the most aesthetically pleasing, delicious olive oil on the market right now. There are a variety of types depending on what you like to use olive oil for such as salads, meat, baking, etc. It’s fresh, 100% extra virgin olive oil, that will definitely raise the bar in someone’s kitchen.
BODY:
Scalp Brush:Everyone needs a scalp brush and the self care guru in me is loving that these are gaining popularity. They can be used on wet or dry hair and with product or without. Perfect for helping with dandruff buildup, exfoliation, and an electric one is a plus for extra special TLC.
Necessaire Body Serum:The most special and worth it body product to splurge on for someone. Necessaire, which you have probably seen every influencer post about, has an iconic Hylauronic Acid for your body that will keep your skin hydrated all winter long. An ideal gift for the lover of long baths and hot showers. It’s always sold out for a reason…
Jack Black Beard Grooming Kit:Whoever you know with a beard probably isn’t taking proper care of it…well here’s the perfect gift for them. This set from Jack Black has everything in it perfect for beard grooming including a wash, lube, oil, and comb. Even though No Shave November has passed, they will still need this.
Inkbox Semi-Permanent Tattoos: For the indecisive friend, Inkbox is a great way to see what they would look like with a tattoo. They’re semi-permanent and stay on for about 1-2 weeks. They have thousands of styles to choose from and also an option to upload your own design so if you have an idea you want to test out, Inkbox is definitely the way to do it.
Quip Toothbrush:This was my favorite gift I got last Christmas and it’s a toothbrush. But not any toothbrush, the best one I’ve ever used in 22 years of life. Quip is a sleek, electric toothbrush that will change the way you brush your teeth. It has an automatic timer for 2 minutes so you’ll always know when you’ve brushed enough and they send you refills of brush heads every three months. I can’t recommend this enough and everyone has teeth so you cannot go wrong with this one.
BOOKS:
The Vanishing Half Book by Brit Bennet:One of the most popular books of 2020, The Vanishing Half is about two twin Black sisters living in the south in the 50’s who part ways at age 16 and how their race affects them in two completely different ways as one of the twins works to pass as white while the other one lives her truth as a Black woman. A great read for everyone to open their eyes to the intricacies of racial identity.
Accidentally Wes Anderson, The Book:The best coffee table book for maybe the friend who just moved into a new space. The Accidenatally Wes Anderson book that started as an Instagram, has photos that fall under the alluring category of “Wes Anderson Aesthetic”.
How to Cook Everything by Mark Bittman:9 months later and I unfortunately have not developed any true cooking or baking skills. Since we are staying home more and especially as it gets too cold to eat out, it can be a scary time for those of us who don’t know how to cook that well This cookbook by Mark Bittman is one of the bestsellers for how to cook simple and easy dishes. A great gift for someone who just moved out alone or for someone who needs to stop desperately spending so much money on Uber Eats.
Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad:Let’s face it, the movement of working towards ending systemic racism will never be over even though your friends or relatives might think so. For white people, it can be uncomfortable to talk about race and white privilege but Layla F. Saad’s book Me and White Supremacy is the perfect gift to start becoming more comfortable with it. The best read for someone you know who wants to do more but doesn’t know how.
HOME:
Keith Haring Chess Set:Everyone and their mother is running to learn how to place chess thanks to The Queen’s Gambit. How cute is this Keith Haring board and pieces set from MoMa?
Stella Tribeca Marble Tray:These versatile trays are from one of my favorite stores in my neighborhood, Stella Tribeca. Owned by my great friend Mischelle Arcus, it is the most beautiful, aesthetically pleasing home store around. You can get everything from yummy smelling candles, beautiful comfy sheets, and adorable stuffed animals here. Mischelle has an eye like no other and my mom has already purchased this tray for me and I’m so excited!
New York Times Custom Front Page Puzzle: For the person who loves to sit around and do a puzzle, get them this one of special custom NYT Cover pages. You can choose any day from 1851 to 2020 of importance such as a birthday, anniversary, graduation, etc.
Mask Rack:I’d never think I would see a Mask Rack on someone’s gift list, yet here we are. The Mask Rack is self-explanatory, a rack for all your masks. Something small and easy to put up right by your door so you never forget to wear your mask. It can also hold keys, hand sanitzer, gloves, all the things we can’t leave the house without nowadays.
DIY Sushi Kit:For a great night in, use this make your own sushi kit that has everything you need to make your own rolls from home. Sugarfish who?
VeriLux Happy Lamp:Let’s try not to gatekeep Seasonal Depression this year, everyone has it. When the sun sets earlier, we get tired faster, it’s more difficult to get out of bed, and overall everyone is just happier in the summer. These lamps mimic the feeling of natural sunlight which helps increase dopamine, energy, and improve sleep. Perfect to help with not just seasonal depression, but quarantine depression as well.
Slip Silk Pillowcase:For everything Silk, Slip is the place to go. I splurged on the Slip Silk Pillowcase and honestly it was such a good purchase. Silk not only is beneficial for your skin and hair health, but also just lavish to sleep on. For those who love to stay in bed for hours on end, treat their head to something special.
Self-Adhesive Wallpaper:For anyone you know who has been complaining about being in the same space for the past 9 months, try helping them spruce up their homes with self-adhesive wallpaper. Safe for rental apartments and your bank account, this wallpaper is a way to add an accent wall or decorate a whole room. Such a fun gift to help re-energize their space for the new year!
Squatty Potty: If you haven’t realized you’re pooping wrong, where have you been? Squatty Potty is the best bathroom accessory, one that actually makes a difference. Our bodies were meant to squat and the Squatty Potty improves your health and makes going to the bathroom more comfortable. Let’s all enter 2021 with better colons thanks to Squatty Potty!
Personalized Star Map:For the Astrology lover, this personalized map of stars is such a thoughtful choice. You can do a print of what the sky looked like the day they were born, got engaged, had a child, etc. If you know they have Co-Star or The Pattern on their phone and check it everyday, get them this.
Phone Sanitizing Box: If you haven’t been SCRUBBING your phone whenever you get home at the end of the day, then we can’t be friends. Instead of the half-assed paper towel and sanitizing spray I use, we can all get these phone sanitizing boxes to step up our game. It uses UV rays to sanitize of phones of any germs and bacteria. Not only does it clean phones, you can also use it for headphones, keys, wallets, glasses, credit cards, etc.
Minder Computer Stand:For the person you know working hard from home till God knows when, this is a perfect choice. Adjustable, efficient, and improves your posture, this gift will make them light up with joy!
Our Place Always Pan:This is an ideal gift for anyone which is probably why you’ve seen it on every gift guide you’ve looked at. The Always Pan is the 8-in-1 magic pan that is perfect for the fancy chef in your life or the person who only has space for one item of cookware. Not only does it Braise, Sear, Steam, Strain, Sauté, Fry, and Boil, it is specifically beautiful enough to always sit on top of your stove.
Mohawk Lollipop Holder Centerpiece:As I stare across my room at my Jonathan Adler dresser, I think about how everything this brand has for the home is just so on spot trends, colors, etc. This Mohawk Lollipop holder is ridiculously cool to put anywhere in your home and can also hold flowers, candles, anything you want.
WELLNESS:
Melissa Wood Health Membership: For the workout lover who is a little unmotivated about working out from home, Melissa Wood Health has an A+ online video program that I love! She has all different kinds of workouts for different parts of our bodies and for different lengths of time. I love that she has a lot of shorter workouts, around 13-17 minutes, because they’re easy to feel like you’re doing something good for your body in a short amount of time. It’s a mixture of yoga, pilates, barre, and strength training.
Bala Bangle Weights:The best ankle and wrist weights on the market and the chicest by far. These can be a great joint gift with the Melissa Wood Health Membership.
Massage Therapy Gun:Well we all want a TheraGun but don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on one. This is a great dupe I found for the person you know who’s always complaining about something in their body hurting. A father, boyfriend, grandmother, whoever you buy this for it will definitely help loosen up their joints.
Rad Axle Body Roller:We are all tense and need to roll out our muscles. Either we’re stuck in bed all day from doing nothing or hunched over at some makeshift desk to work from home, the Rad Axle Body Roller is the best one for your muscles.
Thank you for making it to the end! I wish you all the best holiday season, may the odds of being the best gift giver be ever in your favor with the help of my gift guide!
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