What the Strategist Editors Unwrapped for Secret Santa

“I got Emma Wartzman. I figured I’d fail on anything kitchen-related because that’s her area of expertise, so I checked her Instagram and saw she takes film photos. I got her a Kodak M38 35-mm. Film Camera. I think I’ll get one for myself too, actually.” – Crystal Martin, senior editor

“I got Ambar Pardilla, and I bought her this nail polish from Catbird. She wrote about buying a different shade back when they launched their line (and I know she loves Catbird in general), so I thought this shimmery, sparkly silver one would be a fun pick for the holidays.” – Emma Wartzman, kitchen and dining writer

“As a nod to the ‘Cyclops-looking headlamp’ she wrote about, I bought Brenley Goertzen a beanie from the Uniqlo and Anya Hindmarch collaboration (much of which has since sold out — so I was very proud to have somehow gotten this hat), embroidered with two little inquisitive eyes (a Hindmarch signature). Since it’s made from the famous Heattech fabric, I think it’ll brave the Minnesota cold (where Brenley’s based) well.” – Ambar Pardilla, writer

“For Kitty Guo, I chose a clip-on hair scarf featuring a small (on-trend) bow. And with my few extra bucks, I picked out a soothing bath balm to help her unwind after a long day.” – Brenley Goertzen, junior writer

“Senior editor Simone Kitchens has waxed poetic about her Hasami Porcelain milk pitcher and sugar pot in our Slack chats before, so I got her this wooden ashtray that can stack neatly on top. Apparently, she already owns one, but recently broke it and was about to order another one — so it came right in the nick of time!” – Kitty Guo, writer

“I got Dominique Pariso a roll-top caviar dish (link to the search here; this item is prob the closest) and this $8 caviar (salmon roe) from Netcost Market in Rego Park. I was inspired by a message in the #strat-chats Slack room about a Fortnum & Mason lobster bottle opener, which got me thinking about fancy serveware that’s also a little stupid. At first I was thinking about caviar spoons, but this dish captured my imagination. You can store anything in it, not just caviar — butter, candy, cigarettes.” – Erin Schwartz, writer

“I got Strategist editor Maxine Builder, and I gifted her this: Ware of the Dog makes really adorable dog toys that I think are genuinely just cute gifts for humans as well. I told Maxine she could keep it for herself, give it to her dog, Harmony, or share.” – Dominique Pariso, writer

“I got Lauren Ro, who I know uses a Hobonichi Techo planner, so I got her a stencil for it. Plus, these incense matches I came across recently that I’ve been curious about. And this fizzing bath cube.” – Winnie Yang, senior editor

“I got Liza Corsillo, but because we’re pretty close, I found it really hard to find a fun gift for her! I opted for something pretty boring, but she had asked me last week about any good audiobooks, so I went with a (real) book from one of my favorite writers, Heidi Julavits, called Directions to Myself, a memoir about motherhood and raising boys.” – Lauren Ro, writer