Laura Mandanas, Contributing Editor
Diptyque Philosykos Shower Gel
Diptyque Philosykos is the perfume I use and I’m obsessed with it. It’s sweet and a little bit earthy. It smells like sunshine and fresh leaves and heaven. I feel weird about spending so much money on body wash, which is why I haven’t already bought it for myself, but I would love it if somebody else bought it for me.
Mischief Maker Scarf in Navy
Everyone in my cabin at A-Camp 4.0 came prepared with impressive amounts of funny/ironic/super cute animal themed clothing, and I’ve been thinking about it ever since. (Yes, really.) I tried on a few cat sweaters last month and they just don’t look good on me. Scarves, however, look good on everyone, and I really think that owning this one would up my wardrobe game.
Hybrid Gear 2-Way Carry-On Black
I travel a lot. And even though I pack light, I’m constantly annoyed by a) how heavy my backpack is, or b) what a pain in the ass it is to go up and down the stairs with my roller luggage. This roller backpack would solve those problems for me.
Unicorn Kigurumi Pink
I would be so comfortable in this. I would look so adorable in this. Please buy this for me. I will love you forever.
Vanessa, Straddleverse Editor
1. Floral Print Dresses, Duh
Highest Praise Dress / Adrift on a Cloud Dress / When the Night Comes Dress in Emerald Dress / On the Wings of Your Fancy Dress / Art of Gold Dress
The truth is, basically every single year I want to be gifted with a million floral print dresses for the holidays. My birthday is December 21, so not only do I spend the whole month searching for beautiful frocks to wear to holiday parties and on New Year’s Eve, but I also need at least two dresses to wear for my birthday because in case you don’t know this about me, I like to make my birthday celebration last a month, minimum. This year I’m turning 25 which is a big one, so probably it should last for two months. Also, let’s be real, even if absolutely none of these events were happening, I’d still want a million floral print dresses, because that is just who I am as a person. As I said last year, ModCloth has an entire section devoted to The Floral Print Dress, which makes it very easy for me to put together a wishlist and also blow my entire life’s savings all in one go. This year I decided that maybe I should go for “elegant floral” at all these holiday and birthday parties, which I’ve decided means picking out dresses that have lacy floral patterns instead of just regular floral print designs. Which do you like best?
2. Pants Suck, Undies Rule
Think Happy Dots Undies / Energetic All Day Undies / Ros of Sunshine Undies / Take to Vacation Undies / Edgy Underneath Undies
I hate wearing pants. Honestly it’s the worst. The best moment of the day is when you get home from work or school or whatever the heck you’ve had to do that day that involves the cruel torture of putting on pants, because once you’re home you can finally take off your pants! If you haven’t spoken to your roomies about walking around with no pants on I think you should do this ASAP because honestly it will make your world so much better. Ditto to taking off your bra. Who has time for bras and pants in the comfort of one’s own home?! Not me, that’s for sure. That said, people usually respond better to you taking off your pants if you’re covering up your butt with something else while prancing around your shared kitchen. This is fair, so I’ve decided that if I’m going to continue pursuing my pantsless-as-often-as-possible lifestyle, I should have some cute undies to show off once my pants come off. If you’re looking to buy underwear I strongly suggest you check out our Boyshorts 101 Guide and the follow-up Boyshorts and Girltrunks 102 Guide but if you’re specifically interested in knowing what undies I would like to put on my body, I’m into this polka dot pair, this floral print pair, this sexy pair, this comfy travel-themed pair, and this high-waisted pair, mostly because it’s called Edgy Underneath. Wild!
3. P.S., I Love You
Owl Notecards / Hello Kitty Stationary / Lisa Frank Stationary / Watercolor Birds Stationary
I’m about to embark on this big adventure where I travel around the country and maybe even the world and I don’t plan to be on the internet very much because I keep hearing that there is life beyond my iPhone and it would behoove me and my eyesight and my wrists to explore all these wide open spaces. I can handle the idea of never clicking another Buzzfeed URL but the thought of losing touch with the humans I love is really terrifying. Luckily, before there was email and Facebook there were handwritten letters. But in order to write letters, I need some stationary. These owl notecards, Hello Kitty set, Lisa Frank set (!!!), and cute watercolor birds set seem like a good way to start my collection.
4. But She Cry Cry Cries In Her Lonely Heart
Kleenex 12 Pack
I cry all the time. I’m not ashamed. I have a lot of feelings and usually they leak out of my eyes at least once a day. Seriously, if you’ve ever dated me, I’m sorry for all the times I ruined the collar of your shirt with my tears/mascara/snot (sexy, I know). But all of that could have been avoided if I just had a pack of Kleenex on my person at all times. This gift may not seem romantic, but it totally is. You know what they say: Give a girl a single Kleenex and you’ll help her through one tearstained experience of the day. Give a girl multiple packs of Kleenex to keep in her own Autostraddle tote and you’ll help her through every tearstained experience for the rest of her life. (JK a 12-pack would definitely only last me like, a week, but still the thought is very sweet and romantic, I promise.)
Yvonne, Associate Editor
Fossil Memoir Novella Bag
My sister gave me an adorable, brown leather crossbody she brought from Italy a few years ago. Its my favorite purse because its compact, simple and it carries my essentials: wallet, keys, phone and lip balm. Not to mention it matches almost everything. So I was really sad when the buckle on it broke and fell off. I think it could be replaced but I realized maybe its time to get a new purse. Not surprisingly, I want something similar to the purse my sister gave me because I’m boring and predictable.
Classic Essentials Knife Set
Y’all I want knives for Christmas. I love cooking and I need some good fucking knives to get the job done. I have flimsy, dull knives from my college days when I didn’t cook as much. I need a pro knife to chop onions, cilantro, tomatoes, jalapeños and limes to make a mean pico de gallo. I like this set because it has the essentials and comes in a compact storage block.
Keurig Elite Coffee Brewer
I don’t own a coffee maker and it’s a problem. I need caffeine coursing through my body to write emails and edit words for this lovely website. I only drank coffee in college for all-nighters and to write 10-page papers so it’s only recently that I drink it more regularly. At my last job, I fell in love with the office Keuring because it was so easy to use. You just press a few buttons and bam! — there’s a cup of perfectly brewed joe waiting for you. So now I want one in my home.
Jamie, Writer
Book Rest Lamp
I’m convinced that the reason I need glasses stems from my chidhood years of readings books with my Carebears nightlight. I’ve got a complicated lamp set-up next to my bed now – but it’s too bright and the cord bumps into my head. This book rest lamp not only is a cute and easy way to save your place as you drift off to sleep, but it also provides a soft light that’s perfect for late night reading.
The World’s Smallest Post Service
I love miniature things, writing letters, and sending mail. This little kit is the perfect marriage of all these things. It’s got everything you need, from paper to envelope seals, to make tiny mail surprises for your friends.
Moleskine Evernote Smart Notebook
I’m always carrying a notebook and jotting things down to remember. The problem is, since I have so many notebooks, whenever I go back to find a certain note, I have to search through pages and pages to find what I need. Moleskine’s “smart notebook” allows for easy digital uploading and organizing of your handwritten notes. The “smart pages” work with Evernote’s in-app camera, allowing for certain tags to categorize each page. This handy little book will still let me stay attached to the physical act of writing while having a digital backup when I can’t find that one special line I need to finish my slam poem.
Dani RDS, Writer
Knucklecase
Technically I should be requesting the practical case that would make my commuting booty significantly happier as a result of my headphones actually being accessible/not a nightmare. Who needs practical when you can have badass? I learned about the existence of the Knucklecase through Rhianna’s Instagram, and even though the TSA would confiscate it, I want it. That’s what Christmas is for: presents that I lust after for long enough to have my loved ones chip in for them, no matter how impractical.
Pop Blocks Gray Pink Headphones
Talking about headphones, these gray pretty things make my white-adverse face really happy. I particularly like this brand because the case makes for a super practical storage situation for my relentless commute.
Mfight Line Green
A last word on my commute: my bike is neon yellow and black just like a bumble bee, so I feel like this green Line bike light would not only add to my safety, but to my bee concept as well.
Dakota Coat / Topman Trench Coat
I also most definitely want the BB Dakota coat for my fancy femme nights, and the Topman trench coat for my decidedly quiet boy nights. The fact that I live in San Francisco and rarely have a reason to wear coats this heavy is irrelevant.
Moleskine Cahier Journals
Finally, a really great, simple way to make me happy is by providing me with extra pens (I have a favorite that I buy in bulk) and Molekine pocket notebook with squared paper. Squared paper is the way to my heart.