The 27 items that made this year's gift guide

I only included items I’d *actually* be thrilled to receive

On Wednesday morning, in a blur of sadness and shock, I went into the kitchen and started baking. I first made a pumpkin loaf, letting its warm, spicy aromas fill the house. I slowly separated muffin liners from one another, placing them in each designated compartment and eventually filling them with a batter that baked into fluffy muffins. Baking is often what I turn to when I'm anxious and lost—the predictability is as comforting as whatever emerges from the oven.

The pumpkin loaf didn't last the day - G polished off the last of it that night, sharing his final bites with Sloan. I ate the muffins in bed yesterday morning, along with my coffee, both cats, and what can only be assumed to be a stress-induced cold. It reinforced the importance of finding pockets of joy when things feel most overwhelming. Whether baking, going for long walks, or rolling calls with friends while in the bath. I hope you're all taking care of yourselves and one another now and for the foreseeable future.

In the meantime, I've created a gift guide I hope inspires you this season, filled with 27 of my favorite things, all of which I'd love to receive. xx

• Eleonor Bostrom Matchstick Cat: For the cat lover in your life.

• Anthropologie Bow Metal Serve Set: These would be fun to pull out whenever you're serving dessert.

• Tina Frey Champagne Bucket: I treated myself to this champagne bucket after years of stalking it online. When I finally came across it in a boutique in Ojai, I bought it without any hesitation. It's an investment, but if you have someone who loves wine and/or entertaining, this is a must.

• Fazeek Two Tone Coffee Plunger: A gorgeous two-tone French Press that encourages leisurely weekend mornings.

• Amber Interiors Koi Easel: A cookbook holder (plus your favorite cookbook) is such a thoughtful present.

• House of Gleason Personalized Napkins: A set of cocktail napkins that you can personalize with a kitschy phrase (I'm considering getting "Greasy G's" for G).

• Weston Table Kitchen Towel Set: I love it when gingham is done in less traditional colors, and my interior designer friend swears these hand towels are the best.

• Tsubota Pearl Lighter: My friend has this tortoiseshell lighter that she keeps next to a candle on her coffee table, and it would make a sleek little gift.

• Leatherology Train Case: I've loved these beauty travel cases since my makeup artist friend introduced them several years back.

• Business & Pleasure Co. Placemats: These scalloped placemats would make setting the table so enjoyable.

• Lavune Evergreen Candle: This pine-scented candle is the epitome of understated luxury, with its crisp, woodsy aroma.

• Mark & Graham Luggage Tag: I bought myself a set of these personalized luggage tags and the joy they spark every time I travel cannot be overstated enough.

• Musae Studio “L’Amore” Plate: A lovely plate worthy of hanging in the kitchen.

• PLOP Pottery Striped Butter Dish: For the toast enthusiast in your life: a ceramic butter dish that would make a lovely addition to a kitchen counter.

• Canasuc Paris Rose Sugar Cubes: I used to buy these in bulk anytime I went to Paris, but now you can get these beautiful rose-shaped sugar cubes delivered overnight.

• Santa Maria Novella Fresia Wax Tablets: Wax tablets to hang in your closet and will transform your entire space (I have the tobacco-scented ones in mine).

• Cousin Home Skirted Wine Coaster: An elegant wine coaster so stains on your tablecloth are a thing of the past.

• Porta Bestia Serving Set: Luxe serving spoons are such an underrated hostess gift.

• Papier Monogrammed Stationery: One of my favorite gifts to give (and receive!): chic monogrammed stationery.

• Stephanie Dawn Matthias Bow Ring Dish: A sweet bow dish (I own one myself) for jewelry and trinkets.

• Stick Candles Maple Candle: These pink stick candles are great on their own, but they would make even more of an impact if given with vintage candlestick holders.

• Bylinen Stockholm Rattan Tray: Any design-oriented person in your life would appreciate this scalloped rattan tray to corral books, a candle, and a vase.

• Edie Parker Jelly Tabletop Lighter: The coolest/kitschiest lighter that deserves a permanent place on someone's coffee table.

• Weezie Lightweight Robe: My favorite colorway in the softest robe.

• Jenni Kayne Leather Napkin Rings: Understated, minimalist napkin rings are surprisingly difficult to find, and these (paired with these napkins we own and love) would make a great gift.

• C&C Engravable Brass Matchbox: The fanciest brass box (that you can get monogrammed with your recipient's initials).

• Piecework Puzzles That’s Amore Puzzle: One of my favorite hostess gifts when I stay at someone's house is an upscale puzzle (bonus points if the subject matter applies to the person).