Gift Guides: Back to Normal?

After almost two years of total upheaval, things are starting to look a little more normal. Vaccinated & boosted - people are headed back into the office, on the road and out to the activities we’ve missed so much. Here are a few gifts that might be helpful to get back in the swing of things.

Back to real shoes. For dressing up his kicks, now that slippers are no longer an option. Crimson & White Striped Laces from Whiskers.

Back to shopping in-person (as opposed to in app). A sharp super sleek wallet that is heat bonded rather than stitched and clasps shut with an internal magnet. Apex Slim Sleeve from Bellroy. I also love this one with a cheeky cut out for currency to peek through from Hard Graft.

Back to reality - because unfortunately these are probably going to be part of our new normal for a while longer - a mask subscription that sends him four fresh ones each month. Keep it basic with the neutral tones or try some of their brights and artist series. Minimalist 4 Pack from henry. They also come in kids sizes for little ones who are back to school. Or opt for a pack of these, my current favorites.

Because if masks are our new normal - a little something to soothe and protect dry chapped skin. A must for long flights or days in the office. Shield and Soothe Mask from MasqueBar

Back to needing an office caffeine hit. For keeping in her desk drawer to fight 3 pm zoom fatigue. Strainer and Tea Blend from The Chai Box.

Back to commuting - a snap on controller that works with most iPhones. More Minecraft on the Metro? Backbone One Mobile Gaming Controller available on Amazon.

For younger back seat commuters, an educational riff on the the fidget silicon bubble popping game. Pop It Letters and Numbers available at Target.

Back to hands on - a pocket sized sanitizer that does not smell like tequila. Noshinku Travel Sized Sanitizer from Nordstrom.

Or trying to stay hands off - Sigma Touch Tool from Cooper Hewitt.

Back to low battery - for moments when time near an outlet might be fleeting (welcome back to air travel) - a super fast charger that boasts incredible charging speeds for Macbooks and iPhones. Nekteck USB C Charger available on Amazon.

Back to bringing their lunch - a drop-proof, shake-proof, squish-proof lunchbox that guarantees no flattened sandwiches or bruised bananas. Bentgo - available at Target. For something a little more adult - don’t miss this perennial favorite.

Back to bringing their coffee (or at least picking it up at the coffee shop next to the office) - a sustainable travel cup made from waste husk generated in the production of coffee. Dishwasher safe, durable and recyclable at the end of its life through Huskee’s closed loop system. Huskee 12 oz cup with lid (available in a range of sizes) from Huskee or Amazon.

Back to hosting - a handsome serving set to make home-cooking feel glam even after almost two years of little else. Primordial Brass Serving Set from Leif.

Back to toasting - a delightful set of stacking cocktail glasses that form a Koi. Koifish Glasses from DOIY Design. I equally love these vintage-style Italian tumblers and the exquisitely tinted Estelle Wine Glasses.

Back to checking their phone on the walk to work - touchscreen gloves where every finger is touchscreen enabled. Insulated Touchscreen Gloves from Mujjo.

Back to needing more than five minutes between waking and logging into the first zoom of the day, which means getting serious about sleep hygiene. Banish screens from the bedroom with this gradually brightening beautifully designed alarm clock. Loftie Smart Alarm Clock available at Tuft and Needle.

Back to analog notes at in person meetings - made better by a flashy rose gold writing instrument. Caran D'ache Ballpoint Pen in Brut Rose available on Amazon.

Back to going out and parties - for capturing those moments they’ve missed so much. Fujifilm Instax Mini Camera available at Target.

Back to touch ups on the fly- a chic flip out mirror to tuck in their bag. Pocket Mirror in midnight from Poketo.

Back to setting goals and getting organized either at the office or at home. These well-designed notepads with layouts for everything from self-care to team meetings might help them get started. Productivity Notepads from ink + volt.

Back to taking their keys with them when they leave the house (if they can find them). A new keyring, Cow from Heath Ceramics, Malachite Acetate from my favorite earring source, Machete, Arrow from Jayson Home, and Scream Inside Your Heart from Glad & Young Studio.

Back to meeting face to face and because the Zoom “Touch Up Appearance” filter doesn’t exist IRL - and selecting skincare for yourself is so overwhelming that picking for someone else is out of the question. Haldi is a great online service where after completing a quiz on your skin issues/concerns a real person puts together a plan for you using your existing products and filling in the gaps with some new things. I love everything they’ve picked for me. Gift Card to Haldi.

Back to hard pants - just kidding - we’re never doing that, but no one needs to know. Stretchy, slimming, and somehow still presentable. Perfect Pants from Spanx.

Back in office (at last) - The White House by Lego available at Kohls.