The Next Edit - Issue #024
It's the most wonderful time of the year....or is it?
🧠 ONE BIG IDEA
Sorry to be a downer …..but I really don’t like the holidays. I never have - not even as a kid. To me, it feels like “manufactured fun” and “forced joy” and something you just have to get through.
I know - bah humbug!!!
What I DO like about this time of the year is trying to find the perfect gift for the people who mean the most to me. Something unique that shows them how well I know them and what they like. Something that says, I have been paying attention. Something that they REALLY love when they open it. It’s like a game, I love the hunt.
So how can you find that perfect “WOW” gift for the people you love? I start with asking myself some questions to narrow down the field.
🔧 TRY THIS….
Ask yourself these questions for each of the people who you are buying gifts for this year…
1. What matters most to them right now?
What are they focused on, struggling with, excited about? What phase of life are they in? (Perfect gifts align with current priorities.)
2. How do they spend their time?
What do they do on a typical day, weekends, evenings, vacations? (Clues to what they’d actually use.)
3. What do they talk about wanting but never buy?
Repeated mentions, researched-but-not-bought items, “one day…” things.
4. What feels like a small luxury to them?
Soft things, great coffee, a night away, beauty, tech, organization, books. (People rarely splurge on their own mini-upgrades.)
5. What do they uniquely value?
Comfort, time, beauty, experiences, creativity, health, connection, simplicity, status, personal meaning.
6. What frustrates them?
Neck pain, lost items, always cold, bad hair days. (A gift that solves a pain point is unforgettable.)
7. What would make their daily life easier?
Look for friction: mornings, commuting, tech, meal prep, organization, sleep, travel.
8. What would make their daily life more joyful?
Something beautiful, sentimental, funny, indulgent.
9. What is their love language?
Gifts, quality time, words of affirmation, acts of service, physical touch.
10. What would make them feel seen?
Something you’ve noticed, an inside joke, shared memory, symbolic item, nod to their identity or interests.
11. What’s the story behind the gift?
Why this gift? What does it represent? What message does it send? (Great gifts are stories.)
🗂️ ANDREA’S LIST
Once you have some answers you can start your search for the perfect gift. So where to begin? Here are some of my favorite lists.
1. Oprah’s Favorite Things
The gold standard. Thoughtful, joyful, and full of “I would never have found this myself” discoveries. A perfectly balanced mix of luxury splurges and affordable treats.
2. New York Times Wirecutter Gift Guides
Practical, minimal, and research-based. Wirecutter tests everything, so their recommendations are actually useful (and never clutter).
3. The Strategist (New York Magazine)
Trendy, smart, culturally plugged-in. They excel at niche guides like “Gifts for People Who Have Everything” and “Gifts We Actually Bought and Loved.”
4. Real Simple Gift Guides
Tasteful, calm, and aesthetically pleasing—perfect for women 40+, organized adults, and anyone who appreciates simplicity elevated.
5. Good Housekeeping “Best Gifts” Lists
Expert-tested gifts across beauty, home, wellness, and sentimental categories. Surprisingly modern and very reliable.
6. BuzzFeed Shopping “Things We Tested and Loved”
Surprisingly excellent picks from real testers. Affordable, practical, and actually delightfully clever.
7. The Skimm - Sleigh List
Cool gifts for everyone on your “A” list.
Do you have lists you love? Please share!
💬 THE LAST EDIT FOR 2025
This year, I’m going to try to focus on finding the perfect gift for the people who mean the most to me, to make sure they know I’m paying attention all year long, NOT just at the Holiday’s.
See you in the next edit.
Andrea
I’m afraid I have the same holiday dread you do. I just remind myself of the joy it brings other people I love, and that makes it easier.
I think there are more people than we realize who feel the way you do about this time of year. Your post may help take some of the awkwardness out of the season for others. AND holy wow, thank you for the excellent gift-giving resources!!