#26 Christmas Gift Guide 2023
A Packed, Obsessively Curated Gift Guide
Hello Friends,
Here’s what you can expect in this edition:
🎁 Christmas Gift Guides
🔗 Links, Jams & Gems I’D Share If We Were in a Group Chat
🍳 Recipes Plus Where to Eat, Drink & Shop
P.S., This issue is packed. You may need to read it in the browser or hit “Expand” to see the entire newsletter.
Please feel free to comment if you have questions, responses, or brilliant ideas or if you feel like sharing a favorite recipe, restaurant, or anything else.
You can also email me 💌 marlayoung@mac.com.
If you are a ✨ new subscriber, check out the archives here, including travel guides.
Here's to a beautiful holiday season!
You May Have Missed: Issue #25, I shared my tips for staying healthy during cold and flu season.
Find me on Instagram | Pinterest
To-Do List
WATCH 🎬
The Gold (Paramountplus): A record-setting robbery leads to years of investigation, corruption, and murder as the police try to identify the criminals and recover the gold.
The Old Man and the Pool (Netflix): Standup Comedy
The Holdovers (Theaters and on-demand): Set over Christmas in 1970, a history teacher has been tasked with looking after the holdovers. These students stay at school over the holidays instead of returning home to their families.
READ 📚
My Life in Rhinestones by Dolly Parton: My Life in Rhinestones celebrates Dolly Parton’s iconic sense of style through entertaining personal essays and 450 full-color photographs.
SEE 🎭
Merrily We Roll Along (Broadway): Merrily charts the turbulent relationship between three lifelong friends and traces every milestone of their lives for nearly two decades as they navigate success, show business, and unbreakable bonds.
LISTEN 🎧
The Ultimate Human Podcast with Gary Brecka: Gary Brecka is a human Biologist, biohacker, researcher, and an anti-aging and longevity expert.
Favorite Episode:
Dana White Overcoming the Leading Killer, Metabolic Syndrome
Higher by Chris Stapelton (Spotify)
Bell Bottom Country by Lainey Wilson (Spotify):
DOWNLOAD 📱
Global Entry (App): Travelers with a Global Entry membership who use the app will no longer have to use a portal or kiosk.
Keepa (App): Keepa is a price watcher and tracker tool for Amazon. Once installed, tap the share button while viewing any product on Amazon’s app or website, then look for the Keepa icon. Tapping it will bring up that product’s history so you can tell if it’s a good deal.
SURF 🌐
THE HOTLIST
✨ My meticulously curated travel recommendations.
Fort Lauderdale
Ol’ Days Farm to Table: The best coffee shop in the city. * V and GF menu.
Waco
Hotel 1928: Chip and Jo’s latest project is a historic 33-room property in downtown Waco, Texas.
Miami
Row: A collection of carefully curated objects for the home.
Flora Plant Kitchen: A vegan cafe with a Latin twist. *GF menu and fabulous coffee bar.
Fort Lauderdale
Chala Taqueria: Chala specializes in authentic Mexican tacos.
Marla’s Favorite Coffee Shops.
Marla’s Favorite Gluten-Free Restaurants.
Gifts for Everyone on Your List
Start Here by Sohla El-Waylly: The best new “how to cook” book is ideal for college grads, newlyweds, teens, or anyone wanting to improve their cooking and baking skills. Each of the 12 chapters is focused on a technique, like tasting, temperature management, or cooking with dry heat.
South Bound Tequila: The best-tasting tequila, and it’s gluten-free.
Bar Threader Earrings: I love these chic earrings.
Somo Sleep Fitness Mask: This sleep mask is adjustable and cups the eyes to create advanced light blocking. I also love that it has acupressure features to help relax someone into a better calm state and sleep. It’s also great for blocking light on airplanes so you can nap at 30,000 feet.
Burlap and Barrell Seasoning Blends: The chef on your list will love these seasonings. My favorite set is the collaboration with Sohla and Ham El-Waylly, featuring Pizza Party, Yo Quiero Taco Blend, and Nothing Hidden Ranch.
Aura Frames: A digital photo frame is a great gift for grandparents. You can send new pictures of the grandkids straight to their frame and surprise them all the time.
Zalto Wine Glasses: The best wine glasses.
Jetboil Cooking System: This compact yet incredibly efficient cooking system can boil water quickly.
Aer City Tote: This tote bag is excellent for work and travel. The bag has several pockets and room for a laptop. Aer designs some of my favorite travel accessories.
Peak Designs Mobile Wallet: A super-slim wallet that connects to any MagSafe case magnetically.
Cometeer Coffee Pods: Cometeer’s coffee pods feature some of the best coffee roasters in the country. Add hot water, milk, or cold water, and you’re ready. You can gift a single box or a subscription. My favorite is the Go Get Tiger ‘Em Tiger collection.
Goodr Sunglasses: They’re polarized, stay on during a run, and are only $25.
Shokz Headphones: Unlike other headphones that cover your ears, this design opens your ears for total awareness of your surroundings for a safe and connected listening experience.
Simple Modern 40oz Tumbler: This tumbler comes in various colors and will keep drinks hot or cold for hours.
Diso Cherry Keychain: The coolest keychain ever!
Deborah Pagani Hairpins: The hairpin queen Deborah Pagani designs the most stylish hair pieces.
Mark and Graham Pickleball Crossbody Bag: Get your pickleball enthusiast this adorable, personalized crossbody paddle bag to show up in style on the court.
Bake Smart by Samantha Seneviratne: This baking book is filled with Sam’s tips and a collection of recipes that are easy for any home baker.
Burlap and Barrel Cardamom Extract: Burlap and Barrel collaborated with a distillery specializing in making bitters to make this cardamom extract. The baker in your life will love this gift!
Ooni Volt 12 Electric Oven: This all-electric version bakes pizzas in 90 seconds and can sit right on your counter. It makes woodfired pizza spectacular.
Living Libations: One of my favorite wellness product lines is Living Libations. A few recommendations include the Self-Dentistry Kit and Brilliant Beauty Basic Beauty Kit. The lip balm makes a great stocking stuffer.
Flamingo Estate Roma Heirloom Tomato Candle: One candle will make your home smell incredible!
Studio Neat Material Dock: A stylish dock to charge Apple devices.
Box One: It’s a solo, one-player board game. Anyone you know who likes puzzles or escape rooms will love this game.
MacArthur Study Bible: The best study Bible.
Gifts for the Gentleman
Henson Razor: The Henson is phenomenal. Design and execution are top-notch. Most importantly, shaves are smooth and close.
Flashlight: An ultra-compact flashlight, that fits in the palm of your hand or comfortably in your pocket, and provides unparalleled performance for its size.
Van Man’s Tallow and Zinc Sunblock: VanMan's sunblock uses non-nano Zinc Oxide as a mineral barrier and Tallow. Tallow contains Vitamins A, D, K, and E, all antioxidants. An SPF equivalent of about 20, water resistant, nearly 100% absorbent, and no solid white residue.
Gifts for the Jetsetter
Wellness Medical Emergency Kit: The Wellness Company's prescription-only Medical Emergency Kit includes a carefully selected assortment of vital medications, preparing you for those unpredictable moments in life. Gift certificates are available.
Dagne Dover Bags: Dagne Dover has the best travel gifts. The tech organizer and the toiletry bag keep everything organized, fit way more than you’d expect, and can be easily thrown in the washing machine.
Omni Portable Charger: A functional power bank that is easy to travel with and can charge various device types, including laptops.
Oncept Phoenix Shoe: These shoes are so comfortable.
Birdie Safety Alarm: When threatened, activate Birdie's loud siren and flashing strobe light to create a diversion and to help deter an attack. It’s great for travel.
Riemot Travel Cup Holder: This luggage drink holder can "hold" your coffee, water, or beverage hands-free without spilling. *This was the popular item on my 2022 gift guide.
Apple Air Tag Key Ring: Apple Air Tags are a super-easy way to keep track of your stuff. These key rings hold the air tag. I also ordered this Air Tag holder with a strap for my travel bags.
Gifts for the Coffee Lover
La Marzocco Linea Micra: This espresso machine is on my wish list.
MiiR Mugs: I think MiiR makes the best-insulated coffee mugs. I like their line of Camp Cups because they come with a lid, but I also have their Flip Traveler for long walks and car rides.
Gifts for the Entertainer
Ranger Station Candles: Each candle is poured into a whiskey glass and comes with a perfectly paired cocktail recipe to enjoy once the candle is burned through.
Graza Finishing Olive Oil: Graza Finishing Olive Oil is made from olives that are picked early when the flavor is bold and antioxidants are highest.
Hus and Cues Game: Using only one- and two-word cues, players try to get others to guess a certain hue from the 480 squares on the game board.
Gifts for the Ladies
Lisa Says Gah Wristlet iPhone Cord: The Wristlet Cord for the iPhone features genuine, ceramic daisy pendants with the cutest glass charms.
Weezie Towels: Weezie Towels are SO worth the investment. They have beautiful embroidery options and don’t lose their softness with each wash. They are very absorbent and dry fast. They also have a discreet hook sewn into the backside of the piping, which makes their towels easy to hang up.
Bombas Slippers: Bombas slippers are so comfortable.
Gifts for Teens
Outdoor Waterproof Portable Speaker: I gave this to my nephew last year.
Shashibo Sensory Box: A great stocking stuffer for the teen who loves a great challenge.
Here’s last year’s gift guide.
Recipes
The best chewy chocolate chip cookies.
This Chocolate Ice Box Pudding is always a hit.
- Queso dip recipe is essential for game day.
These cowboy cookies are perfect for a cookie exchange party.
These mini pecan pie cookies are delicious.
Espresso chocolate chip cookies for the win.
- shares how to make latkes.
This crock pot roast recipe is perfect for a holiday dinner.
- shares Sohla El-Waylly’s 40 go-to-ingredients.
- shares some recipes from her new book including four-fat jammy egg tacos, crispy-skinned salmon, and seared and braised chicken thighs.
- Why you need Biotin on a high protein diet.
- How to Do More with Google Docs.
Morgan Wallen talks about his big year. P.S. I loved his vintage suit for the photo shoot.
The women of The Golden Bachelor share their beauty secrets.
The best cookie decorating supplies.
- put together a fantastic gift guide for the home chef.
Gift guides by
include suggestions for everyone on your shopping list.Sore after working out? Here’s how to manage.
- shared the Scotto family’s entertaining tips.
I’d love to know what you end up buying! Leave a comment and tell me.
P.S. You May Have Missed:
What an extensive and useful list, Marla! Thanks so much for the shoutout for my latke piece too!