The OffBeat #40: The OffBeat Gift Guide

Unexpected selections from $6 to $600

One of my college roommates and I used to maintain a “Happy List” of things that made us—well, you know. At some point post-graduation, I don’t remember when but probably in the thick of the I’ve-been-thrown-into-real-adulthood-without-a-clue-what-to-do despondency of my early 20s, I started my own Happy List. It has things like “really good carrot cake,” “genuinely laughing really hard,” “a really good breakfast buffet,” “silent auctions,” “sourdough bagels,” “unexpected trail mix” (there are a lot of food entries)—and “gift guides.”

I’ve always loved gift guides, I think because I appreciate curation, taste, making people happy, and LISTS, and gift guides sort of gloriously bring all those things together.

Herewith, the 2023 OffBeat Gift Guide (no affiliate links):

$5-$25

• Fun die-cut bookmarks: Stick of butter! Ear of corn! Dumplings and chopsticks!

• Fictional hotel notepads: For movie buffs (think: Kellerman’s Resort from Dirty Dancing, The Overlook from The Shining, and The Grand Budapest Hotel).

• A legit yoyo: Designed by Lucca Zeray for Areaware.

• Ugly sweater blend coffee beans: From my favorite coffee brand here in Philly, Rival Bros.

• Mini zodiac puzzles: 70 pieces, 100% recycled paper, unlimited fun.

$26-$50

• Muse Machine: A deck of 150 cards by Gretchen Rubin (author of The Happiness Project) with somewhat mysterious creative prompts to consult whenever you feel stuck; note, expected ship date: December 1–22.

• Customizable abacus: For their kid or their desk.

• Female chefs playing cards: A deck celebrating some of the U.S.’s most trailblazing chefs, like Missy Robbins and Angela Dimayuga.

• Chrome fortune cookie: Insert your own fortune!

$50+

• Smart typewriter: A drafting device for anyone who writes without the distraction of the Internet; when it’s time to edit, your drafts wirelessly sync to the cloud for export into your software of choice.

• Custom couple etched wine bottle: Memorable gift for a duo (parents, aunt and uncle, friends recently wed or with a new house).

• Storyworth subscription: Preserve memories and meaningful moments in a keepsake book.

• Wall Scrabble board: Exactly what it sounds like, beautifully handmade from wood and metal.

• Coffee advent calendar: Twelve 100% Vietnamese Origin coffee and creamer combos.

Happy holidays to you and yours,

Allison