This is the Friday post at Downtime, a feel-good weekly roundup of recommendations and delightful distractions. If the email cuts off, you can view it on the web.

Let’s be honest: this weekend is chaos—Thanksgiving prep and holiday sales mania, all on top of the general happy life chaos. Personally, I’m feeling woefully behind on all things holiday, catching up after nearly two whole months down for the count with all sorts of daycare-borne illnesses.

Though I’m usually firing on all cylinders by the end of November on the gift-shopping front, I’m tempted to keep things simple this year. Here’s the formula I’m embracing for many giftees on my list: a book, selected just for them, paired with something cozy.

Books make some of the most thoughtful gifts. The best presents aren’t flashy; they’re the ones that make someone feel seen and cared for. A thoughtfully chosen book says, I see you, I know your taste, and I think this story will bring you joy.

One of the most meaningful gifts I’ve ever received was in fourth grade. My teacher, Mrs. Davis, had a tradition of giving each student a carefully selected book, wrapped in brown paper and tied with twine, with a handwritten note on the inside cover. For me, she chose The Shakespeare Stealer by Gary Blackwood, a middle-grade novel about an orphan in sixteenth-century London tasked with stealing Hamlet. It was dense, ambitious, and unlike anything I’d ever read. I was ten! That gift didn’t just show she saw me as a bookworm—it showed she believed in me. I’ll never forget how special that felt.

I tell this story because, while books as gifts might sound simple—even boring—they don’t have to be. It’s all about the personal touch. Wrap it beautifully, include a note about why you picked it, and add a small extra to complete the experience. A novel set in England? Pair it with a tin of tea. A romance? Add a bar of good chocolate. A self-help book? How about a journal and a pen?

Three examples, above: Claire Keegan’s soon-to-be-adapted book paired with chocolate mice, as a book-side treat (because mice…are…small?? let’s roll with it). A collectors’ edition of Bridgerton with a special edition tin of tea. And lastly, the book that lit up everyone’s group chats this year, paired with a coquettish box of Swedish candy that evokes the froufrou femininity of the now-infamous motel room the main character redecorates.

Of course, I realize this advice won’t work for everyone (some people—gasp—do not read books!). For them, may I suggest an audiobook instead?

I want to know: What’s the most thoughtful, low-cost gift someone has ever gotten you?

Leave a comment

—Alisha

P.S. There is so much fun chatter happening in our new Geneva chat, and lots of readers looking for others to join them in IRL book clubs and meetups. Paid subscribers, please see this post from last week for details on how to join.

In today’s newsletter…

• My gift guide for cozy little luxuries

• The few sales I’ve actually got my eyes on¹

• Fun links and reads, including a page-turner of a book on my radar

And here’s a sneak peek of what to expect next…quite a lot!

• Next Friday, Nov 29th: Ask Downtime: Your Toughest Gifting Questions, Answered! (Paid subscribers can submit last-minute questions here. There are a lot of requests for what to get dads, so we’re good there….)

• Tuesday, Dec 3rd: A very special interview and a relaunch of sorts.

• Friday, Dec 6th: All the Downtime gift guides.

  • 10 Gifts Under $50

  • 10 Gifts for the Homebody Who Just Wants to Be Cozy

  • 10 Bookish Gifts for the Big Reader In Your Life

  • Plus a few more surprise gift guides :)

Gift Guide: Cozy Little Luxuries

I’m breaking from the usual format this week again. Rather than share recommendations, I’m offering a list of gift ideas to get the holiday season started. 🎁

Most of these picks are under $50, with just a few splurge-worthy options above that.

1. A beautiful edition of a classic book they love.

2. An artful claw clip made in Italy.

3. A stunning, sculptural ring. **

4. I love this oil painting to liven up a room.

5. A delicate and artful earring as an upgrade to the everyday hoop. *

6. The best eye serum I’ve ever tried—super hydrating, refreshes your eye area overnight, a spreadable texture that your skin will just drink in. (20% off with code ALISHARAMOS)

7. A charm for your Kindle. !!

8. This splatterware mug has been on my wishlist all year long. Made in the Pugliese region of Italy, known for their ceramics.

9. An elongated signet ring. **

10. A hefty, objet d’art style tray for your little trinkets.

11. You can never go wrong with Diptyque; this luxe candle has notes of rose, sandalwood, mimosa, and iris—under $50.

12. The most charming brass candle holder. *

13. One thing about most of the women I know is…they’ll go wild for a pouch. *

14. A modern romance novella for them to sink into on cold night. *

15. A silk pajama set with pretty piped detailing and a flared sleeve silhouette. Chic!

16. These socks are the nice socks to get or give. *

17. Champagne face luminizer—I’ve been testing this and it indeed makes me feel so sparkly and dewy, but not in a showy, going-out-tonight way. *

18. I’m convinced that anything that’s hand-blown glass instantly feels so special and luxurious. These are made in Belgium.

** = a local small business

* = a woman-owned small business

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A few fun links to click…

• COMMENTS: Thanks for sharing all your favorite mouthwatering Thanksgiving recipes in last week’s comments section! [Downtime]

• RECIPE: This marriage of two Thanksgiving pies is kind of brilliant: “classic pumpkin pie with pecan praline sauce” [Smitten Kitchen]

• READ: “What Happens to All Your Compost? Meet the Person Who Handles It.” Delightful. [NYT *gift link]

• READ: “Could we rethink gift giving?” It’s radical, but if you are feeling gift guide fatigue (which I knowingly exacerbate…), this is a refreshing read. [Living Small]

• READ: Writer Jia Tolentino shared what she feeds her kids with The Green Spoon and it was my favorite read of the week. !!

• A BOOK ON MY RADAR: Where the Library Hides by Isabel Ibañez. A lush immersive historical fantasy set in Egypt filled with adventure, and a rivals-to-lovers romance. Sounds like a perfect page-turner!

• FOR KIDDOS: I’m appreciating this diverse roundup of Christmas books for kids. [Can We Read?]

• POTENTIAL WEEKEND PLANS:

reductress

A post shared by @reductress

Early sales to shop from brands I actually like and use…

• Kosas. This has quickly become a favorite beauty brand of mine. My favorites include the AirBrow gel (for brush-and-go ease) and the Brow Pop Nano eyebrow pencil (the super fine tip is the best).

• Land’s End. Everything is 50% off! The famous Nancy Meyers approved sheets are on sale now and I just bought the long version of their packable down coat for no-fuss daily wear.

• Snif. I didn’t think I needed laundry scent boosters until I tried these…I’m in love with the Rain Check scent—very fresh without being too Febreeze-y. It got a five-star review from my husband, who is very picky about scents. You just pour this in where the fabric softener goes during a wash cycle. Everything is 20% off right now.

• Todd Snyder. I shared this on my Instagram, but this brand is my go-to for husband and guy gifts (this sweatshirt is a fave). You can use ALISHAR20 for 20% off—or get 30% off everything with code BLACKFRIDAY30, from 11/23-12/3.

✨ DOWNTIME SUBSCRIBER GIVEAWAY ✨

I’ve been giving away nice things every week as a way to say thank you to the paid supporters of Downtime. Congratulations to Rebecca D. who won last week’s ROZ haircare giveaway!

If you’d like to join our paid community and be eligible for giveaways and other perks, click here. Thank you for reading!

PREVIOUSLY ON DOWNTIME

10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week Nov 15 Read full story

Bookmarked with Michelle Martin Alisha Ramos · Jun 4 Read full story

Take care and hope you have a very happy Thanksgiving next week. x Alisha