Every holiday season, I find my timeline filled with gift guides. This year, I have seen a lot of gift guides try to tackle certain niches, like the “whimsical girl” or “cool girl,” but I haven’t seen many that I felt did those vibes justice.
In my opinion, a lot of these videos fall short by recommending trendy, impersonal stuff that will end up at Goodwill in 2 years and is still, somehow, over $100. My cool friends don’t do garbage, and they’re miles ahead of every trend at all times.
Below is my roundup of thoughtful gifts to give your coolest friends. I have included examples across price points, so no matter your budget, you’ll still be able to wow your friends with ‘superior’ taste.
1) A book that will teach them something
Your coolest friend probably loves hearing about other really cool people. A memoir is perfect for that. These can be written by a celebrity that they love or about a subject they are interested in to make the gift personal. This is the perfect way to make your friends even cooler by giving them the gift of knowledge (and an item to look mysterious with in a coffee shop).
Cost: Book prices vary depending on where you buy them, but I suggest buying from a local bookstore or a secondhand store.
I suggest:
Educated
Summary (via Amazon): Born to survivalists in the mountains of Idaho, Tara Westover was seventeen the first time she set foot in a classroom. Her family was so isolated from mainstream society that there was no one to ensure the children received an education, and no one to intervene when one of Tara’s older brothers became violent. Tara’s quest for knowledge transformed her, taking her over oceans and across continents, to Harvard and to Cambridge University. Only then would she wonder if she’d traveled too far, if there was still a way home.
When Breath Becomes Air
Summary (via Amazon): At the age of thirty-six, on the verge of completing a decade’s worth of training as a neurosurgeon, Paul Kalanithi was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer. One day, he was a doctor treating the dying, and the next, he was a patient struggling to live. And just like that, the future he and his wife had imagined evaporated. When Breath Becomes Air chronicles Kalanithi’s transformation from a naïve medical student “possessed,” as he wrote, “by the question of what, given that all organisms die, makes a virtuous and meaningful life” into a neurosurgeon at Stanford working in the brain, the most critical place for human identity, and finally into a patient and new father confronting his own mortality.
The Body Keeps the Score
Summary (via Amazon): Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, one of the world’s foremost experts on trauma, has spent over three decades working with survivors. In The Body Keeps the Score, he uses recent scientific advances to show how trauma literally reshapes both body and brain, compromising sufferers’ capacities for pleasure, engagement, self-control, and trust. He explores innovative treatments—from neurofeedback and meditation to sports, drama, and yoga—that offer new paths to recovery by activating the brain’s natural neuroplasticity.
A Philosophy of Walking
Summary (via Amazon): Gros draws attention to other thinkers who also saw walking as something central to their practice. On his travels, he ponders Thoreau’s eager seclusion in Walden Woods; the reason Rimbaud walked in a fury, while Nerval rambled to cure his melancholy. He shows us how Rousseau walked in order to think, while Nietzsche wandered the mountainside to write. In contrast, Kant marched through his hometown every day, exactly at the same hour, to escape the compulsion of thought. Brilliant and erudite, A Philosophy of Walking is an entertaining and insightful manifesto for putting one foot in front of the other.
2) A new way to learn
Cool people know stuff. Giving your friends something that will help them expand their skillset is thoughtful and practical. These gifts build lasting skills rather than adding to the clutter.
I suggest:
A Masterclass subscription ($120 for 1 year)
A MasterClass subscription is the perfect way for them to learn more from experts, and they have over 2,500 lessons. This is a great way for your cool friend to develop a new skill or pick up a new hobby, anything from creative writing to poker (and more).
A MasterClass subscription is one of the pricier gifts on the list, although for the resources it provides, this price makes sense.
A ClassPass subscription
ClassPass gives subscribers a monthly amount of credits to use for fitness, wellness, & beauty. This is an unconventional way to learn, but it’s a great way for them to have a trial of different class types so they know what types of activities and studios they like.
The prices of packages vary by location, but you could easily give them limited access to the most basic plan, just so they can dip their toes in.
A subscription to a language app like Duolingo, Babbel, or Memrise.
Cool people are always learning a new language. Gifting them a subscription to their learning app of choice is the best way to ensure they will be speaking their newest language imminently. Depending on the app, year-long subscriptions are between $60 and $100.
3) An elegant way to store water
At least for me, when I go to my cool friends’ houses, I am always amazed by the little details they have curated. A carafe is both functional and beautiful, and a great way to give someone something they likely haven’t splurged on themselves. These are also very useful for dorm living; they’re a great way to always have water handy in a more “elevated” way than just a simple water bottle.
Carafes also have flexible pricing; you can source them from local artists, bigger glass companies, or even T.J. Maxx or HomeGoods.
I suggest:
The Cherry Carafe from Lila Philadelphia ($40)
This carafe is a cherry-shaped vessel with a stem cup. It is so cute, made of tinted glass.
The Modern Carafe from Sprezz ($75)
This beautiful carafe is hand-blown borosilicate glass, designed in Italy. This vessel does not come with a cup, but it stores 31.5 oz, so it’s a great pitcher option.
Fazeek’s Vice Versa Carafe – Pink + Green ($129)
This carafe is also hand-blown and made from high-quality borosilicate glass. It has a very unique design and stores 1.4 L when full.
4) A beverage to sip and ponder with
The coolest people I know are always drinking something I have never heard of. A bottle of your coolest friend’s favorite wine, a bag of their favorite coffee, or even a non alcoholic spirit is always thoughtful and easy. To spice things up, you could also get an elevated version of their favorites, such as small-batch spirits or coffee blends.
I suggest:
The Macklowe Whiskey Red Label: Kentucky Straight Bourbon ($69.99)
This bourbon is a small-batch release, described by the brand as having “a creamy vanilla backbone and layered with toasted oak, honey, and spice”. Its finish “lingers with warm baking spice and subtle char notes”, making it a perfectly refined bourbon for your coolest friends. I recently tried this, and it’s definitely worth the higher price point.
Oona Wine: Barbera Rosé 8-pack ($68)
Oona Wine comes in the most adorable cans that are the equivalent of a glass of wine, so your coolest friend can enjoy a class without cracking open a whole bottle. They have even been featured in Vogue!
Figlia Fiore ($43)
Figlia is a non-alcoholic aperitivo described as an “ode to the spritz”. The flavor profile is rose, bitter orange, and clove — best served over ice. This NA aperitivo is the best way for your coolest friend to sip in style, without the alcohol content.
Joshua Tree Coffee Company’s The First Roast ($18)
This coffee is the perfect way to elevate your coolest friends’ caffeine game. It’s roasted in small batches in Joshua Tree, California, on a Loring Smart Roaster.
5) A plant to cultivate
Plants are practical gifts that help transform spaces. There are options for your friends whose thumbs aren’t so green, plants that they’d have to actively try to kill, or even more advanced seed kits for your friends who really know what they are doing.
I suggest:
Zodiac Seed Kits from PlantGem ($26-30)
This seed kit is for the cool friend who knows their way around an outdoor garden. The colors of these flowers will brighten up their flower beds, while also having a curated aesthetic.
Planter’s Choice Bonsai Starter Kit ($26.99)
This kit is a perfect DIY that will lead to a mini tree with some perseverance. This is a great way for your cool friend to cultivate a plant of their own. This kit is very simple and easy, even for those who do not have a green thumb.
Ionantha Guatemala Air Plants from House Plant – 3 pack ($10.99)
These air plants add dimension to any space. They are also very easy to take care of, another great option for cool people who have no gardening experience.
6) A cool way to tell time
Whether this be a vintage watch, a unique wall clock, or one to sit on their bedside table, cool people love telling the time in ways other than just looking at their phone. This gift is a blend of function and style that is timeless (no pun intended).
I suggest:
Author & Co. small Author Literary Quote Clock ($209)
This digital clock has a quote for every single time. It features over 13,000 curated quotes that span seven centuries and six continents of literature. The Author Clock is perfect for your cool bookish friend.
Classic Black Kit-Cat Klock ($59.99)
While these clocks have been trendy for years, to me, they are timeless. Quirky and fun, the Kit-Cat Klock is a great wall clock option to spice up any space that your coolest friend has.
Sage and Saber Single Dial Watch Choker Necklace (Gold) ($85)
Sage and Saber have a bunch of cool clock jewelry. This choker is the cool girl’s answer to “what time is it?” even if the clock doesn’t actually work. This comes in gold and silver, to match every cool person’s vibe.
7) A whimsical piece of jewelry
Whimsical jewelry could be anything from a unique ring, statement necklace, or delicate anklet. Cool people love cool accessories, and jewelry is an easy one that comes in varying price ranges.
I suggest:
Linea Carta Aquamarine Wishing Bracelet ($16)
Wishing bracelets are made to (eventually) break apart. You tie the bracelet and make a wish, and when it falls off, your wish comes true. This is a cute accessory and a great gift to get your cool, whimsical friend. These also come in varying price ranges and can be found on Amazon or Etsy.
Lot 28 Design Jelly Hoops ($125)
These hoops from Lot 28 Design are unique and fun, adding color to your cool friend’s look. Perfect for anyone with a great sense of style and pierced ears.
Permanent Jewelry
A great gift for your cool friend is a piece of permanent jewelry, such as a necklace or a bracelet. These are usually dainty chains that are welded on so that they “never” come off, usually lasting a few years. All of my coolest friends have these, and I am sure yours will love it too. You can gift them this through a gift card to any local jewelry store doing them, like Cat Bird.
I hope that you’ll use these suggestions this holiday season. And if you’re a cool person reading this, I hope this list isn’t too offensive.
Happy shopping!
