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The Annual How to Live Holiday Guide
Happy holiday gift-guide season, the time of year we’re tempted to spend what we don’t have, justify impulse buys for ourselves, and fall prey to psychological marketing. My favorite season.
My preferred gifts, in order:
Handmade
Experiential
Chosen with care (versus “just tell me what you want”)
Most guides sort gifts for her, for him, for parents, for siblings. Mine is for your friends—and, of course, for anyone else you love.
I hope you find something that truly delights.
For Your Cool Art Friends
SADAK Hand Painted Street Signs in India (book): A visual itinerary through the historical-economic changes of Indian society over the years.
Beau Coup Cool (hat): What’s an artist but a person who wears a trucker hat?
Alphabet by Sonia Delaunay (book) First Edition/1st Printing 1972 Hardcover
Embroidery III (art) By the artist, and premium member, Astrid Cravens (Hi, Astrid!)
Dedcool (fragrance) Build your own sample pack of scents. The Gen Z’ers in your life will be impressed.
Ares Maia (zine) is one of my favorite zine makers. Her work is hard to come by, but give it a shot. It’s well worth it. The only zine for sale I could find is Echoes of Brazil.
Ursula, (subscription) buy your friend a subscription to this magazine of contemporary culture published by Hauser & Wirth
For Your Friends Who Host
Ginger Table makes handcrafted alcohol-infused gumdrops. (adult candy) Custom make your own!
Uncommon Projects (housewares) sells hilarious tea towels for people with a sense of humor.
Ceramicist Caroline Wallner at Tivoli Tile Works (tableware) spins clay into whimsical dinnerware and other delights for the home.
Gryffon Ridge is my go-to spice shop. (sugar and spice) Their flavored sugars and salts are always a hit.
Darling Sweets makes exceptional toffee and liquorice candy. (sweets) My sister-in-law introduced these to me. They are problematically delicious.
Save 30% for Black Friday at Medik8!
Black Friday is here, but these skin care deals won’t last long! Rediscover your skin's youthful glow with Medik8, the British clinical skincare brand, delivering results without compromise. There is no better time to shop Medik8’s best-selling, results driven skincare at 30% off!*
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For Your Wellness Friends
Paris-based Astier de Villatte (scent) is behind these incredible incense sticks.
What’s better than a fun yoga mat (fitness) to perk up your practice? (I wouldn’t know, I don’t practice, but I do love this mat).
Gallimard makes my favorite notebook to write in—Les Mots. (stationary) (See below for their matching tote, which I own and love.)
Goatboy are the only soaps I buy. (soap) They work the best; they smell the best. Discovered them years ago at the Union Square Farmer’s Market and never looked back.
Melt Hand and Foot Therapy Balls (physical therapy tools) These are great for anyone over 40, and all your arthritic and Plantar Fasciiatis friends.
Cosmic Balance Hat, (accessory) because why not announce your goals?
For the Homebodies
Sezane sells homeware, I had no idea. (kitchenware) I love this set of 4 espresso cups. (Pairs well with Caroline Wallner’s ceramics!)
The Nomad Wax Co (accessory) sells this very handsome weighted eye mask, filled with flax seeds and lavender.
The Criterion Channel (subscription) is a wonderful present for almost anyone.
Mountain Rose Herbs sells glass tea pots! (homeware) I want one!
Diptyque makes my favorite candle—Baies (fragrance) which is crazy expensive for a candle, and why I always ask my mom for it. But the scent. My god. It’s perfect.
Homebodies are often secret DIY’ers. There’s a good chance they’ll love this Indigo Tie Fabric Dye Kit. Okay, yes, it’s me. I’m the secret DIY’er who wants it! (art supply)
Nothing better than a Transit Books Subscription—5 books a year for $70. Amazing picks; good cause. (subscription)
Until next week, I will remain…
Amanda
P.S. Thank you for reading! This newsletter is my passion and livelihood; it thrives because of readers like you. If you've found solace, wisdom or insight here, please consider upgrading, and if you think a friend or family member could benefit, please feel free to share. Every bit helps, and I’m deeply grateful for your support. 💙
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Quick note: Nope, I’m not a therapist—just someone who spent 25 years with undiagnosed panic disorder and 23 years in therapy. How to Live distills what I’ve learned through lived experience, therapy, and obsessive research—so you can skip the unnecessary suffering and better understand yourself.
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