The 2023 Holiday Gift Guide

The National Parks Pass is a fantastic gift for just about anyone anywhere in the United States. Chances are they live near a national park and it will open up amazing experiences all year long.

The people who claim they don’t want anything usually appreciate a sentimental gift. Print Your Vinyl lets you make a groovy custom vinyl to commemorate special occasions and special people. Judging from the examples, they can turn out really nostalgic and fun!

This is the best thermos out there. They fit comfortably in your hand and your bag, don’t have too many plastic pieces, and they keep drinks hot for the whole day. 

We love that this Crate & Barrel cookbook stand comes with a splatter guard, Though you always know which ones are best by how stained they are! 

If the cookbook stand is too much for you, this Leatherology book weight is4 the minimalist’s answer for how to keep your cookbooks open is here. 

We discovered these in London, and they bring a touch of beauty to coffee and dining tables or desks. They work as placemat, extra large coaster for that persistent crowd of mugs and glasses, landing pad for vases and miscellany, and even as a mousepad. They come in lots of patterns—not just this Christmas one!

Giving the gift of dental hygiene feels cheesy, but few people will willingly make the jump to spend $12 on floss. This stuff is a game changer though (it was recommended by my dentist) and makes for a great stocking stuffer!

I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect spoon rest that won’t drive me nuts trying to line my utensil up perfectly, but also just isn’t a plate…this one fits the bill.  

This is an eccentric little find based on our mother’s hatred of hotel coffee makers and her need to constantly have a thermos of hot water in hand.

Every traveler needs a scarf to double as a blanket or to whip out when the weather changes on a dime. This blend of silk and cashmere is impossibly light yet warm, and it packs down small.

This is the whimsical Italian dinnerware dreams are made of. They’re made with terra cotta clay and hand-painted. Every meal feels like you’re dining al fresco, and you can mix and match colors and designs for a dopamine inducing experience whenever you open your kitchen cabinet.

If the gift recipient is more of a Francophile, this dinner set may be the last thing they expect, but just the thing they didn’t know their every day needed.

My travel life can be divided into 2 parts: before noise-cancelling headphones and after. These are a game changer. Various family members use Sony WH-1000XM4 or the Bose QuietComfort, and are happy with both.

I’m now the kind of person who will pop my night-guard in and put my eye mask on for an overnight flight. This one swaddles your whole head in silky comfort, giving you the best chance for some shut-eye.

Just about all of the spices from Diaspora Co. are great quality, delicious, and and gorgeously packaged to help your traveler recreate the flavors from their adventures.

It’s not a question of need. It’s about walking into any room and being knocked on your tush by Miffy-tastic delight. Currently sold out at the MoMa design store, you can still find it elsewhere.

If I could’ve fit five of these into my carry-on luggage on my last trip to London, I would have. Luckily they ship internationally!

Support your local museum by buying the gift of museum membership! This is great for anti-“stuff” people as well, who are looking to minimize clutter or who value experiences over things!

I was able to fully give one of these a whirl at a friend’s wedding this year and decided that it’s worth the investment. Every little picture is a little souvenir, and the fact that you’re using film makes every picture a fun little artistic challenge.

These centerpieces give some art and big museum energy to your every day. If monkeys aren’t your thing, there’s loads of beautiful items to shop!

Unlock Asian dad level with Oofos. They’re the best for tired feet (we often cook in them all day to ward off fatigue) and feel like heaven after wearing heeled shoes. Add socks and rock them like an Asian dad.

Sarah loves this robe, because it’s long, comfy without being bulky, and made of organic cotton. She predicts that she’ll be living in it this fall/winter, and has it in the moss green color, which at the time of this writing, is half price at $34!

This is a great one for parents and grandparents. You can upload new photos remotely right from your phone, so your loved ones have a regular flow of new pictures to display.

Our house isn’t complete without a dinner bell. When everyone’s outside roving around the garden, it’s the most efficient and enjoyable way to let people know that there’s food hitting the table. Ours recently cracked (from some overenthusiastic dinner-belling by ahem…me) so we’re actually in the market for a new one, and a sturdy cast iron bell is just the ticket.

These whimiscal candle holders are so beautiful and cast a great light. Perfect for a mantle or dinner table.

This blanket is light and airy, but super warm for nights on the couch. It’s definitely a luxe splurge item, which might not be an everyday purchase, but makes for a special gift!

Having a good board game is key. If you know a fan of Settlers of Catan who’s looking for a new challenge, try out 7 Wonders Duel, which is a 2-player game that comes Sarah and Justin approved. Know a nerdy couple, parent/child, or set of friends or siblings who loves board games? This game involves a surprising amount of depth and strategy! You can also try the regular 7 Wonders game which can involve up to 7 players.

We love this baby blanket for its peaceful design, covered in protective animal spirits—buffalo, elk, and wolves. Seattle-based 8th Generation is a native-owned brand (owned by the Snoqualmie Tribe) and supports Native American artists! We stopped into their store in Seattle earlier this year, and found lots of beautiful art and textiles.

File this under things that I wouldn’t buy for myself, but sincerely wish someone else would.

Bring back the majiang/mahjong! We appreciate this CB2 mahjong set for the heavy duty storage case it comes in and classic design (though it is technically missing some Chinese game pieces). There’s also this classic HK-style set from Pearl River Mart.

This jewelry box looks exactly like pricier versions, but is half the price!

We like how low-profile and simple this one is!

This Shinola watch box is a nice option for those looking for something sleek and simple.

If you’re looking for the wow-factor in a gift for the person of stature with a watch collection, here it is.

If you have a lot of hair, these jumbo clips are actually jumbo and stay put with French-made acetate and springs that stays strong over the long-run. I know it’s pricey, but if you know someone who is picky about their hair…

This J. Mclaughlin bag looks just like an extremely popular, yet pricy designer version for so much less. It’s too good not to include on this list!

Keeping the dupe train running for maximum savings but no less delight, this Vivienne Westwood watch is an excellent, very budget friendly ringer for a Rolex.

Finally, may we humbly suggest that for anyone who loves cooking, Chinese food, family stories, or this blog, a copy of our first cookbook, The Woks of Life: Recipes to Know and Love from a Chinese American Family might be the holiday gift you’ve been looking for! Order from the links below!