Monogrammed Socks and a Stool That Holds 1,000 Pounds
A Big Undies Gift Guide
There has been some discourse this year about how no one really needs another gift guide (objectively true) but I sometimes feel like I’ve been waiting my whole life for someone to ask me to write one. It feels like a “what’s in your bag” reveal to me—just endlessly entertaining, a peek inside someone’s head, whether it convinces me to buy something or not.
So, no one has asked me to write a gift guide but I am doing it anyways because I like reading gift guides and I love giving people gifts and I think I am good at it.
Most of my gift recommendations aren’t for clothes. I think it’s really hard to give other people clothes. This is partially because sizes and styles change so quickly, and also clothes are expensive! But if you feel differently, please let me know in the comments! I also hope you’ll share your gift ideas, what you are giving or hoping to receive, and if you’ve seen any gift guides that really light you up (Helen Rosner’s is always a standout.)
If you like this post and want access to more like it—the 20 items of clothing I wore for 60+ days, how I’m rethinking shopping, the best sweatshirts—I hope you’ll hit subscribe.
BIG UNDIES 2024 GIFT GUIDE
You may recall me considering buying my dog her own bag? If I was going to get one, this would be the one, right? This is a great gift for anyone who has a pet they adore. If no pet, Abbode has a bunch of other charming options, like this tea towel embroidered with a family recipe.
I learned about this bra from Jenny Rushmore of Cashmerette, who makes sewing patterns and is kind of a garment expert. If she likes this bra and thinks it has something special to offer, I implicitly trust that. And I really like it, too! It’s comfortable and it has held up well.
agrees!
These would be great socks just based on the materials, but you can get them personalized for an extra $5 and there is NOTHING more chic than having your name on your socks.
THE COLORS on these are amazing! I love the modernized Chelsea Boot look plus the stretchy panel means they will fit bigger calves.
When I got this stool I sat down with trepidation, despite its claims that it can hold 400 lbs. It’s not CUTE. It’s lightweight and made of plastic. But, I use it almost daily to put on my shoes, to sit on if I need to do a task low to the floor (rearranging my bottom cupboard; cleaning the baseboards, etc). I haven’t sat on it for hours at a time so I don’t know how comfortable it would be for long term seating, but it’s also highly portable (it has a carrying strap!) and I could imagine myself using it in a situation where I am waiting in a long line or in a restaurant that has seating that doesn’t work for me or camping or at a protest. I think it would also be a great thing to have around if you have fat friends but not fat friendly furniture! I also recently discovered there is a taller & wider version that holds up to 1000 lbs and honestly… I’m probably going to order it.
Vintage Monogrammed Things
This could be a whole gift guide unto itself. But, if you can find the right initials, it’s so fun to give someone a vintage monogrammed thing. For linens-y things search “embroidered” or “monogrammed.” For jewelry, try “engraved” or “signet” or “victorian love token.” The “vintage” filter on Etsy is helpful for weeding out the wedding party gifts. I like these cute old fashioned laundry labels and lace monograms I wouldn’t say no to this ring even though it’s not my initials.
If this is a wedding ring, I don’t want to hear about it. I love the simplicity of this piece. It looks comfortable and wearable but also sparkly and lovely and it’s made by a queer jeweler in the Hudson Valley.
Cute and cozy and cooler than all my other shoes, what more can I say?
I have a slightly older version of this chair, but it’s great. It’s more comfortable than the collapsible stool, but also harder to carry. That said, if I’m going somewhere that isn’t a long walk, this is the chair I’m bringing. Another great thing to have for your backyard if you have friends coming over who might not want to sit in your patio furniture which is possibly made of twigs. Get one and keep it in the garage! I keep mine in the trunk of my car.
Yeah It’s Jewelry, Nameplate Necklace
You probably don’t need me to sell you on nameplate jewelry, but I love this necklace! I am constantly contemplating getting another one—my last name? My dog’s name?? BIG UNDIES??? Remains to be seen.
Everyone already knows about thigh rescue but I’m really into this new soap that’s specifically for your armpits. I don’t shave and I have sometimes doubted whether my regular old body wash was really doing enough, especially post-workout. This soap really seems like it’s doing something and I appreciate that.
Dinnertime SOS, Amy Palanjian
I gave a copy of this book to my sister and her partner who just had a baby and it immediately won over my mom who is visiting them. It has such good, easy recipes. It’s really for ANYONE, especially anyone who maybe sometimes struggles to feed themself. My mom recommends the shrimp tacos!
Lizzie Fortunato, Gold Hoops & Earring Charms
I wear small gold hoops pretty much every day and take them out only for special occasions. But I’ve been curious about a slightly bigger hoop and I also like that you can add little charms onto these—freshwater pearls? A strawberry carved out of coral? (Also, 20% off with the code LFHOLIDAY)
Quince, Scalloped Edge Napkins
These are so pretty I’m considering buying them for myself and then embroidering my initials in the corner and carrying them around as hankies, maybe even using it as a bib. Is that weird??
Cook This Book, Molly Baz
I tried to convince myself I didn’t need a copy of this book even though the master beans recipe is on my frequent flier list. I find the way Molly refers to things and shortens names to be a little offputting, to be honest! But someone recently told me about another amazing recipe from this book and I think that pushed me over the edge. Hoping to find a copy of this in my stocking.
Loam makes amazing products that feel very of a place—New Mexico—which makes their products fun to give to friends who live far away. I swear by Loam Oil, the Nettle Balm is also great, and I REALLY want to try the Virga Hydrosol. What sounds better than misting yourself with desert plant essences? It’s the next best thing to visiting a New Mexico hot spring.
Food / Restaurant Merch, Vintage or New
This is one of my favorite things to give to people and the options are almost endless. You could gift a hat (or any merch item?) from a restaurant you’ve been to together, or one you hope to go to together, or just one of your longitme faves. It’s also really fun to search for restaurant merch on eBay—you can look at old merch from places that still exist (Pat’s pizza visor?) or just search a town or city name plus “vintage matchbook” (Who wouldn’t want this?) Here are a few of my current faves: Fish & Whistle, Monroe’s, Little Red Cup Tea.
What Goes With What, Julia Turshen
This book is just smart and usable and I think everyone should have a copy—but it’s also kind of revolutionary in the way it conceives of recipes as charts. If the idea of being able to riff endlessly on a basic framework is appealing to you, you’ll love this cookbook.
This is one of my favorite tools to use when I need some wisdom. The illustrations are gorgeous and the accompanying texts are magical. It’s a nice alternative to tarot and a great way to learn about and connect to plants. It always feels supportive to me and I’ve given it to a few friends over the years.
Worn, Sofi Thanhauser
I started listening to this on audiobook and was ENRAPTURED and decide I needed to buy a physical copy because I want to go back and re-read parts—not because it’s dense! Because it is so fascinating and enlightening! The book goes over the social histories of five different clothing materials and the histories and anecdotes are just riveting. I can’t wait to have a hard copy.
If you like Big Undies, you might be excited to hear about these big undies. They look similar to the badly missed Arq high rise underwear, but Archer Wren is a new-ish brand. I’m excited to try these out!
Oh, AND—that $700 denim shacket is now on sale.
You can find all the links here.
I’d love to know, what are you giving? What are you hoping to receive? Are you shopping or abstaining?
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Such a great guide! I admit, I only use gift guides to gift myself. Can't wait to try the Archer Wren undies and considering getting the nameplate necklace with the word "resist".
I started smiling as soon as I saw this, because I was hoping/waiting for you to put out a Gift Guide, and probably should have asked! You have such good sense about these things!!! I have been mostly deleting the gift guides that have been filling up my inbox, because they're mostly stupid/impractical/WAY too expensive.
I made handmade jewelry and/or small ornaments for almost all of my friends this year. I bought/sourced the materials throughout the year. I got a couple of small gift cards for those who don't care for these things. I'm going to bake cookies and quick bread for people at church and neighbors. I've had some big expenses this year, and I'm making do the best I can with what I have :)