Issue #246: mismatched sneakers, mug personalities, confetti 🎊

Editor's Note

What makes a gift thoughtful?

Taking inspiration from our readers' stories.

🕵 A gifting strategy: "For my birthday, my sister bought me a laptop/carryall bag. I had saved the link to the bag months ago on my Pinterest. She looked through my boards for gift inspiration. It was such a thoughtful gesture, and a total surprise! I'm going to use her trick going forward—easiest way to get exactly what someone wants and still have it be a surprise for them." —Patty N.

✨ A pick-me-up for tough days: "Last Christmas, my fiancé and I had Christmas just the two of us and we only did stockings, which to us means little thoughtful or fun gifts. The BEST gift I got was my own Red Robin seasoning bottle (I am a clucks and fries aficionado). It is my favorite I-had-a-bad-day food, and now I can have it at home too." —Katie M.

• They're here! You can now shop all of our holiday gift guides. Browse our top cozy picks, our favorite kitchen & food gifts, the very best presents under $25, and LOTS MORE. 🎁

• A question for you! When you meet a new person for the first time—whether it is at a party, through a friend, on a date, at work, or something else—what do you like to ask them? In other words, what are the questions you like to ask to get to know someone that isn’t “What do you do?” We’d love to hear your ideas!!

• We're hiring for a part-time remote role! We’re looking for an experienced Sales & Account Manager to join our small and scrappy team. Is it you?! Find all the details and apply here.

weekly picks

• I enjoyed Kyle Lucia Wu’s writing style in Win Me Something, about a biracial Chinese American nanny of a privileged and somewhat precocious nine-year-old. Wu is great at getting at the nuance of everyday interactions.

• Make wine shopping for your next dinner party or night in a breeze with Laithwaites. You can get a case of six expert-curated, top quality wines for $49.99 (and free shipping!). As a GNI reader, you'll also get two free 99-point Italian reds and a pair of stemless glasses. Sponsor

• If you could use a mug that best reflects your personality, which one are you?

• I keep thinking about two very different podcast episodes. 1) This episode on quitting from A Slight Change of Plans. It totally reframed the concept to me—it’s not about giving up, it’s about needs and expectations shifting. 2) The first episode of Storytime with Seth Rogen, all about the chance encounters that happen in our life, and how they can lead to something totally unexpected (bonus: Paul Rudd is involved, and it’s quite funny).

  • Plus, a Guest Rec from CEO and Founder of EveryStylishGirl Nana Agyemang: “I love the Relationsh*t podcast and this episode on ultimatums. It focuses on when it’s okay to give your partner another chance or not. I highly recommend it for humor and honest dating feedback.” 

• I’m not ready to spend this much on sneakers, but I'm gonna keep staring at these deliberately mismatched ones.

• How do you create more time for art? (Downtime Dilemma by GNI)

• A somewhat reassuring read for those of us that live in places where it’s about to get cold, yet we don’t love winter. (The Atlantic)

• “My garden is my revolution.” (The New York Times)

• Why are we biased to think that others don’t like us very much? (Vice)

• “Frictionlessness is not the key to life it’s often made out to be” (Maybe Baby)

• Department of Care…coming to a city near you? (Bloomberg)