2019 Holiday Gift Guide

The only reason I put this together is because you've been asking me for gift ideas (if you follow me on Instagram, that is).

Gifts for co-workers. Secret Santas. Kids. Parents. Men who buy themselves whatever they want.

Here are my answers.

If gift guides aren’t your thing, that’s totally fine. Just delete and and I promise #5SmartReads will return to its regularly scheduled programming next week.

But if holiday shopping has you stuck, I got your back. And in certain cases, discounts :)

HITHA’S FAVORITE THINGS

• My book, How To Pack: Travel Smart for Any Trip, is the perfect gift. Great for jetsetters, overpackers, wanderlusters, and everyone in between. It’s also beautiful, and packs really well. If you want signed copies, reply to this e-mail and I will personalize and sign bookplates for you that you can stick on the inside of the book before gifting!

• Think of Libro.fm as Audible, but supporting independent bookstores. Same great selection. Same easy-to-use app. But it’s more affordable, AND you get to give your favorite independent bookstore the sale. Use code HITHA to get 3 books for the price of one!

• I obviously think books make for the best gifts, but finding a specific book can be challenging. Lucky for you, Penguin Random House built the best tool to help you with that! I've been playing around with it for my loved ones, and the recommendations are spot on. Build your book buying list, and head to your local independent book store to buy them.

• Equilibria Women’s CBD supplements have been a lifesaver for me, for both anxious feelings and for body aches. Their holiday box - which includes their softgels, oil, body cream, and bath bombs - is the perfect gift for you or any stressed out person in your life. Want 20% off? Use code HITHABF on Black Friday, or code HITHA for 20% off your first order anytime.

• What’s thoughtful, beautifully packaged, and comes with a handwritten gift card and has an option for every occasion? Small Packages. They have gifts for your coworkers, your friends, for when bad things happen, and when someone needs some self care (especially when that someone is you). Use code HITHA for 15% off, and don’t sleep on their new holiday and social justice boxes. (I’m an investor in Small Packages)

• My Silk and Sonder monthly journals are my secret weapon for staying organized, mindful, and somewhat sane. It’s a great gift for yourself or to any overworked woman in your life. You can get 15% off with code HITHA15.

• I wear my friends on my sleeve - specifically, Meena's Phenomenally sweatshirtsand Amber's three styles printed on softest t-shirts and sweatshirts (proud owner and wearer of all of them).

• “What do I wear to work?” is the woe of millions of women - and it’s why I invested in MM.LaFleur. They are having one of their elusive sales right now. My recommendations? The Meija trousers and the Didion top. Gifting MM? Their gift boutique has wonderful options at a variety of price points.

• I’m a lot better off for taking my Ritual vitamins and Taza Ayurveda supplements. My Port + Polish pillbox is pretty enough to sit on my nightstand, and reminds me to take my supplements every morning.

• My skincare MVPs - Wander Beauty Do Not Disturb concentrate and BRB mutipolish, Taza Ayurveda body oil, Ursa Major face tonic, Naturopathica calendula cream and Manuka honey cleansing balm, Nuria Beauty Defend night cream and night jelly treatment, and Herbivore Phoenix facial oil and their Bakuchiol serum (I use this in the daytime). If you’re new to Herbivore, I highly recommend getting this set to find out what serum and oil combination works best for your skin!

THINGS $25 AND UNDER

• This collapsible cup is a cool $15 and one of my favorite things. Ever. EVER.

• If they have the latest smartphone, chances are it can be charged wirelessly. This charging pad is personally vetted and only $17.

• One of my favorite skincare tools, and only $12. Pair it with pure squalene (only $8!) and your recipient will be glowing all winter.

• This is my favorite pen - writes so smoothly, fits in my smallest bags, and looks so chic. And at $16, I own several. Pair them with a set of my favorite pocket notebooks (just $9).

• These sunglasses are a dead ringer for a Celine pair and are just $13. Pair them with these Gucci-esque headbandsfor the woman still obsessed with Gossip Girl - or loves a statement accessory.

• Byredo’s rinse-free hand wash is a little over budget (at $35), but it’s been a winner with my mother and the luxury lovers in my life.

KIDS THINGS

• Babies don’t need a lot. But both Rhaki and I love the toys that come from his Lovevery subscription (and the play gym). If the babies in your life don’t own it, definitely pick this up.

• Two words - twerking llama. Another two words - farting unicorn. I might have bought these more for myself than for my kids.

• Rho is a happy camper with a new puzzle or more magnetic tiles to build with.

• STATE gifted Rho his two newest obsessions - this art folio and toy carrier. They’re now my go-tos for kids’ gifts from here on out. Ordering them today? Use code STATEBF for 35% off. Bonus - every bag you buy from STATE results in a backpack filled with supplies and awesome things for a kid in need.

• I think inclusive gifts are great for kids of ALL cultures. And Modi Toys plush dolls and books and Bharat Babies books are our favorites to read and play with, and to give to everyone.

• Two of my favorite brands for the boys - Lark Adventurewear and Bubbsi - partnered up for the perfect kids’ gift set. The best pajamas and body cream, packaged beautifully and can be sent anywhere in the United States.

• This coloring book is special - the cause it supports, and the fact that it fully engaged my kid for up to an hour.

• If I’m buying kids’ books online, I’m purchasing them through Scholastic Store. It’s so much easier to find books by age or interest than the other major online retailer, and it feels nostalgic for me. Scholastic Book Fair day was always my favorite day in school.

If you want something more personal but don’t have the energy to find it yourself, reach out to my friends atLittle Lamma. They will help you curate the perfect gift, wrap it up, and ship it for you!

GUYS THINGS

• Cashmere sweatpants are something men will never buy themselves, but something they’ll never stop wearing once they own them. Get 30% off with code BF30 - and maybe get him two pairs while you’re at it.

• I Am Pilgrim is the book even non-readers will completely devour. You may want to preload it onto a brand new Kindle Paperwhite, since it’s about 600 pages.

• Jack Black’s line is so good that I use it (am a huge fan of the protein booster serum and lip balms). This gift set of his greatest hits is something I’m stuffing in Sri’s stocking.

• My husband and my cousin fly over 100K miles a year, and both swear by the Briggs & Riley Baseline international carry on(and Bloomingdale’s has it for $100 off). If that’s out of budget, consider Everlane’s Mover Pack(a hybrid backpack/duffel) or their ReNew Catch-All Case (I own it in pink and love it for my essentials when switching purses).

• This has been the most welcome gift I’ve given - a Dagne Dover Arlo Tech Pouch, filled with new chargers for all their devices. Dagne’s got 20% off during the Thanksgiving sales, so take advantage while you can!

• Things I’ve bought twice (for my husband and father) - this Theory leather jacket (score $150 off!), this electric toothbrush (I put new toothbrush heads in their stocking every year), and Dagne Dover’s Dakota backpack (I own and love it as well).

FOOD THINGS

• As someone who cooks frequently with turmeric, this apron is my favorite one. Pair it with Indian-ish, one of my favorite cookbooks that came out this year.

• These storage bowls are my most-used items, and my favorite. Buy them in their kitchen’s colors and let them live in bowl/lid harmony.

• Star. Wars. Cocottes.I bought them for myself, but I imagine they’d be a welcome addition in anyone’s kitchen.

• Skip the generic wine or flowers for a hostess gift and give this marble cheese slicer and a set of these cocktail napkins.

• For hostesses, avid home cooks, or people who just eat, gift them a set of Brightland’s delicious and beautiful olive oils.

• Cookbooks are my weakness, and this was a very good year for them. I’d gift one of the following - Half Baked Harvest: Super Simple, The Huckle & Goose Cookbook, Nothing Fancy, The Dude Diet Dinnertime - with a new set of kitchen towels.

COZY THINGS

• I own these pajamas in 5 colors, and they’re my go-to gift for my mom and mother-in-law, aunts, cousins, and women in my life in general. At $25/pair, they’re a steal.

• I also own 4 nap dresses (the Caroline in every print), and have been gifting them to pregnant and newly postpartum friends. They make you feel pretty, even when you’re feeling your absolute worst. Stock up now, during their 20% off sale.

• Want to know what wearing a hug feels like? It’s this caftan.

• We can’t talk about cozy things without talking about slippers. These furry slides and these faux fur slippers are affordable and supremely cozy. For a bit of a splurge, get a pair of Birdies (especially now, while all styles are 20% off). I own and love these and these.

• Scrumptious Wicks are one of the cleanest candle brands I’ve found (and I’ve been looking for a long time), and I’m obsessed with their winter collection. Go get some Wintry Forest candles (which smells like a fresh cut Christmas tree) before I buy them all. Tins start at $10 and glass jar candles at $19, so stock up for hostess and coworker gifts!

• I started needlepointing again this year, and it’s been one of the best things I’ve done for my sanity and to stay off my phone. If I didn’t have my aunt to call for help, I’d definitely sign up for SBTStitches’ online class (which comes with a beginner’s kit!)