04: Sandy's 2025 Gift Guide
It’s been years since I’ve done a holiday season gift roundup. I was recently invited to contribute five recommendations to an Internet pal’s newsletter, and thought it would be nice to share a full list with my friends, too. Every gift on this list has been tested, tasted, used, and admired by me personally—so the quality control is baked in. Additionally, I have a mix of pricier ideas, very affordable, non-tangible, and DIY options here for your consideration. Lastly, there are no affiliate links for this list. I just like the things I listed and since joining the Perfectly Imperfect community in January, enjoy reading and writing recommendations!
Catspring Yaupon Tea (Variety Pack)
Yaupon tea is the only caffeine source indigenous to the United States, and grows abundantly on the Gulf Coast. I first encountered Catspring Yaupon Tea when I stayed at the iconic El Cosmico Hotel in Marfa, TX and have been drinking it ever since. Catspring is an Indigenous, women-owned, small business who understands the land and plants they’re harvesting. The tea has a gorgeous earthy taste, that brews into a clear and smooth drink you can enjoy hot or iced—and you can re-steep it a second time!
Custom Portrait by Derek Erdman
For my 18th birthday, one of my best friends bought me a double-side painting by the Chicago artist Derek Erdman. A couple of years later, I ran into him selling his work at Pitchfork Music Fest and bought a bench with Lebron James’s face on it, which has been a fixture in my home ever since. As a prolific pop artist, his work dons the walls of many Chicago businesses and homes—he’s kind of an icon, trust me. He does custom commissions, so long as it’s not a pet portrait! We commissioned him to make a digital portrait for our wedding postcard, and the results were incredible. Best $50 I’ve spent in years!
Detail Their Car
There are many types of love languages, and the one I’m keen on is “acts of service”. Every new year, I like taking the car to our neighborhood car wash and spring for full-car detailing. I’m talking inside, and out—it’s like your car is getting a day trip to the spa. It depends on where you live, the size, make, and model, but $200 + tip makes you feel like you’re driving a new car off of the lot, at least until your dog sullies the car with his dirty little paws and shedding. 10/10, would recommend.
If there’s one thing you need to know about me, I love obsolete technology. I also love owning my media (and sharing what I own with others). I bought a refurbished iPod in 2024 as part of my conscious uncoupling with Spotify, and my relationship to music & choice have changed immensely in the last year. I’m no longer driven by an algorithm, I spend some of my free time ripping CDs to my old laptop and loading up my iPod like it’s 2006, and I love that my music is, well, mine—ad free, at my fingertips.
Nothing says “I love you” like a homemade gift—especially perishable gifts that you spend your time and talents making. My favorite recipe is from Salt Fat Acid Heat by Samin Nosrat: Nekisia’s Olive Oil & Maple Granola. Just typing about this cereal is making my mouth water… it has crunch, salty, sweet, and nice depth of flavor from the olive oil. I package mine in big mason jars with a handwritten expiration date and a nice bow. It’s best served with Greek yogurt, fresh seasonal fruit, and a drizzle of honey or pomegranate molasses.
For those who know me, you’ll likely hear me singing the praises of some new product I found on the internet. Before I quit Tik Tok, I was influenced to try non-American toothpaste for the remineralizing agents that are not often found in US teeth-cleaning products. For a good year, I was deeply obsessed with Japanese toothpastes, but have since switched my loyalties to Marvis, an Italian toothpaste brand that has gorgeous packaging and really crispy minty flavors. It’s been a long time since I’ve had a cavity, and I am convinced it’s because I switched toothpaste brands and NOT because I have five crowns.
On the subject of teeth, I have a notoriously insane sweet tooth. If dessert is an option, I am having it. Every day occasions a sweet treat, regardless of the weather, time of year, or mood. In 2024, I made a point of visiting one of the brick-and-mortar locations of Bon Bon in Manhattan to stock up on sour, sweet, and marshmallow gummies—unsure of what would be my favorite. Turns out, I love them all! If you’re not able to peruse the Wonka-esque experience of shopping for bon bons in-person, no worries, they have sampler packs that can be delivered right to your door. I have a jar of these in my pantry that I bought late-summer, and it’s such a delight to feel like I’m either in Sweden or NYC when treating myself to a little morsel.
Used DVD player from the thrift store or eBay
I challenge you to walk into a thrift store electronics section and not find a DVD player and a wall of DVDs and Blurays. Given my little manifesto on the importance of obsolete technology, it should come as no surprise that I am currently in my DVD era. In 2016, I got rid of most of my DVDs and CDs before a cross-country move, an action I’ve been working to rectify in the last few years as I’ve become more disillusioned with streaming and binge-consuming media. Lately, my favorite way to catch a flick is to borrow it from the library and watch it at home on my $6.99 used DVD player, curled up on the couch with my dog.
I’m calling it, the best gift I received this year was a pair of RoToTo slipper socks from my dad back in February. These Japanese-made socks are thick, warm, and have a little rubber gripping on the bottom so you won’t slip as you putter around the house making tea in the morning. I recently brought them with me for Thanksgiving in the high desert of Oregon, and my toes stayed warm the entire trip. I know socks make a great gift, but these socks are extra special because they are perfect.
LL Bean Flannel Nightgown (new or on eBay)
True story: Kirsten was my favorite American Girl. I loved reading about her travels from Sweden to the US, learning about Saint Lucia Day, and even had a branded cookbook that taught me to make Swedish pancakes and Swedish meatballs. What I also loved about Kirsten was her 19th century prairie style—which it turns out you can don in the year of our Lord 2025. My mom bought my sister and I matching LL Bean flannel nightgowns like… 12 years ago, and I look forward to wearing mine every single year. I feel like a Victorian child who has taken ill when I wear it, but in a cozy way. And because gender is a construct, feel free to wear one regardless of your pronouns. Everyone looks good in a dressing gown.
Keeping the cozy, Swedish vibes going, may I recommend Danica Design candles? Made from beeswax, these hand-dipped candles come in a stellar array of colors and add brightness and twinkle to the dark and chilly season. Leaning in to the Swedish concept of fredagsmys (cozy Friday), I suggest turning the big light off, lighting some of these candles, donning your LL Bean nightgown and RoToTo socks, powering up your DVD player, and popping some of those Swedish gummies into your mouth. What could be better?
