5 little treats for these strange and uncertain times

Eater Staff

Francky Knapp is the commerce writer at Eater. She misses Altoids Tangerine Sours, loves giving Maldon salt as housewarming presents, and leaves the subtitles on for every show.

Little treat culture? In this economy? The question of whether or not people are still treating themselves during these increasingly strange and uncertain times has been top of mind at Eater this week. What does everyday decadence look like when a dozen eggs cost $10 — if they’re even on grocery shelves to begin with?

Many of my coworkers are scaling back on the treat life, which seems wise and grounding. Others, like myself, have amped up their little treat quota, feeling as if the absurdity of the times begets the absurdity of a little more little treat spending: On an esoteric level, it’s about choosing to treat yourself with kindness and curiosity, and not guilt, when you feel bad about buying a $7 morning bun, or splurging on a stupid, beautiful smoothie. I know, I know — you can smell this pep talk a mile away; the one reminding you that capitalism is a life or death choice, that we’re all out here grinding in the shadow of Mr. Monopoly’s top hat, etc. But instead of opting for consumer ignorance or apathy, I suggest recalibrating where you can find luxury in your daily life.

The key to respecting the balance of the little treat economy is to first understand what itch your treat will scratch, at what cost, and then perhaps think about how you can elevate them into a ritual. Always thirsty? Invest in a bedside carafe that makes you feel like you’re in a five-star hotel. Trying to scale back the bar bill? Host friends for drinks with some embroidered cocktail napkins. One of my coworkers is a big fan of treating herself to a store-bought ice cream cake, another keeps grocery store flowers around the house. Oftentimes, I’ll buy a blue glass bottle of Saratoga spring water at the bodega in lieu of a generic $1 plastic bottle, because it reminds me of Tŷ Nant, the luxury Welsh mountain mineral water that was a staple on Frasier, a show that definitely indoctrinated me into little treat culture.

Below, I have pulled five little treat ideas from my own life that I keep coming back to. Some are edible, others are just gawk-able. Most importantly, they’re all delightful.

Francky Knapp

Shabondama Japanese hand soap (300 ml)

I am a proud fan of clout-heavy hand soaps. However, some finger bubbly by brands such as Aesop or Loewe can cost you from $40 to $80, and that just doesn’t leave much money for more silly treats, does it? I suggest opting for the just as cool (if not cooler, because it’s not striving for luxury status) addition of this Japanese hand soap to your kitchen sink set-up. Shabondama’s foam hand wash boasts some beautiful graphics, for one, and doesn’t include any fragrances, coloring agents, alcohol, or synthetics. Plus, you can easily buy refills online.

Mineral Creek Wilds Snack Mix

Finally, a snack that tastes the way Taos feels. Or, as the folks behind the chef-developed Mineral Creek snack mix so poetically put it, a snacklike “Autumn in the canyonlands. Falling leaves, warm sun, a meandering stream.” This hearty snack is a sweet and savory blend of roasted pecans, puffed fava beans, black sesame, and pepitas; hatch red chile, habanero, and crunchy carrots and corn with a lick of bright apple cider vinegar. A kaleidoscopic snacking experience, if ever there was one.

Created Co. Ceramic-Lined Nomad Flip To-Go Cup (8 oz)

Listen, drinking water out of plastic Nalgenes and metal canteens tastes like making out with an airport bathroom sink. Created Co., however, has been perfecting a line of ceramic-lined to-go cups of all shapes and sizes over the past decade, and it includes this 8-ounce lavender beauty that makes me feel like I’m sipping my coffee from actual drinkware. No more lingering smells, no weird metallic aftertaste, and it’s dishwasher-safe.

Bokksu Japanese Savory Snack Box

Bokksu is one of the Eater shopping team’s favorite places for loading up on Japanese treats, and its rotation of themed snack boxes has included an ode to Lunar New Year, an All Asian Oreo bundle, and Cat Lover’s Box, to name just a few. I suggest sending yourself the signature Savory Snack Box to stack up your little treat reserves with wasabi potato chips, OFU smoked crackers and peanuts, and more.

Sophie Lou Jacobsen Everything Salt Bowl

Eater editor Rebecca Roland says she enjoys “serving snacks out of tiny bowls” to feel fancy. Keep an eye out for intricate dessert bowls and coupes in thrift stores, or consider bringing home one of the whimsical pieces by the French-American designer Sophie Lou Jacobsen if you have a slightly bigger budget. The designer’s chic salt bowl sure would look great with some Maldon flakes, but you could also place it on your entry table and fill it with Swedish fish, Milk Duds, or Skittles. Cathedrals everywhere for those with eyes to see, as they say.