60+ Gift Ideas, Winter Boots and the Best Brooklyn Restaurants

Open Questions: Holiday Edition!

Hi friends! 

We’re here with our second installment of Open Questions, but with a festive little twist! We are talking gift guides, how to shop for men (categorically), we get existential about boots and tell you where exactly to eat in Brooklyn. 

Thanks to Allie, Amy, Becca, Eve and Molly for submitting this excellent batch of q’s!

Happy shopping/eating/gift giving,

Rach + Cait 

Q: Can you share a gift guide? Also, what are some “non-toxic masculinity” gifts for men? 

CP: Yes! Tis the (damn) season for this! Gift giving is one of my love languages, so I’m delighted to think/write about it. As far as gift guides go, here’s a round-up of things that I think would be fun to gift, are reasonably priced-ish and can hopefully provide some inspo: a Dieux reuseable eye mask for the skin-care obsessive, the Susanne Kaufmann Mallow Blossom bath for someone who deserves down-time, this chic red pleated tote from Abacus Row for your friend who frequents the farmer’s market, this portable Sonos speaker for your relative who loves music AND camping, this gorgeous deck of cards would be great for your buddy who loves an after-dinner game, this cookbook for the Francophile, these chocolate tins for your pal who just binged The Gilded Age, this beautiful jam collaboration with The Met for the Serena to your Blair, this monogrammed vase from Domingo Ceramics or this smiley jewelry dish from The English Boys for the newly engaged or married gal on your list, lastly this ice bucket from Rosemary Home or this plate from Domenica Marland or these coups by &Klevering for the perpetual host/hostess.

The men in my life (specifically my Dad) are by far the hardest to shop for, in that they outwardly want for nothing! Lately, I have taken the approach of cobbling together a bunch of little things I think they each might like that would fit loosely within a theme. Like, is your boyfriend/husband/brother/Dad going on a trip soon? Is there a restaurant there you could get him a gift card to? Does he need a dopp kit or cord organizer for that travel? I also think experience-based gifts are a nice thing! Maybe there is a concert or game that is coming to his city soon you could go to together? In terms of classically masculine gifts (which, to me, is grilling and booze?) I DO think there is a way to riff on those that still feels personalized and not stale. I have gifted my father-in-law a custom set of grilling tools with a quote that he always says (“cooking is just applied chemistry”) engraved on the top of the kit. In a similar vein, this oyster shucker (via Laura Jung’s male gift guide) is cool and would be a nice compliment to a “cheese of the month” club! Or, gift some of your favorite local spirits to spruce up their bar carts. I’ve given my father-in-law and brother-in-law Forthave amaros, Little City or Son of Man vermouths, and St George gin. And for those who don’t drink, yet again I am here to plug Ghia! 

RKH: Literally adding all of your ideas to my gift note! That is one of my gifting pro tips - add to a little note in your phone with gift ideas for important people as they come up all year! This has helped me so much with procrastination-induced panic around holidays and birthdays. I digress! Some ideas, mostly based on things I’d also love to receive (*ahem*). 

Gifts should imitate life, IMO, and isn’t everyone who has a pet obsessed with theirs? I love using a custom pet piece as a jumping off point for just about anyone, whether you commission art from the myriad of options on Etsy, consider one of Staud’s custom pet bags, a Susan Alexandra pet necklace or beaded bag (would this be an issue of Open Tabs without a SA mention? I think not!), or one of Katie Kimmel’s vases (looks like custom commissions are currently closed, but there are many already made cuties!). I recently had this artist on Etsy create a custom golf club cover with Stella’s face on it - but you could easily do a hat, sweatshirt, socks, etc. The world is really your oyster. 

I love a special book for just about anyone, and an opportunity to get very custom! A cookbook from one of their favorite restaurants or bars, a gorgeous coffee table book that transports them to one of their favorite places, or even a book that just makes you think of them (opportunity to gift your bestie Everything I Know About Love by our girl Dolly Alderton here!). 

For my fellow beauty obsessives - no better time than Christmas to ask for a Mason Pearson hair brush (or TBH gift one to yourself). I will elaborate on this in a future issue, but just trust that it’s 100% worth the price point. And the travel size pocket brush makes for a great stocking stuffer! If you aren’t sure which one to ask for, the Tressence guide is really helpful (and conveniently, many markdowns rn!). Other ideas … a Machete comb that looks pretty on a dresser, a Slip silk pillowcase, and the Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream is an enduring crowd pleaser. Nail art stickers are a fun stocking stuffer (I love these from Olive & June, the Alice in Wonderland collection at Mooncat, or this style from Inked by Dani!). And if you have a partner that steals your skincare on the regular - the holidays are a great time to get them their very own!! 😇 And if you’re running out of time, I’ve never met anyone who was mad at receiving a spa gift card for the holidays. 

For the host/hostess, I love an elegant wick trimmer/snuffer set like this matte black one from Hudson Grace, a beautiful vase is always nice … I’m obsessed with everything Morgan Peck creates. And fill with fresh flowers - eliminates the scramble for water! I think a cute glassware set - like these Ichendorf Milano Christmas tumblers at Coming Soon - is also so sweet and festive! A cozy blanket (obviously has to be Barefoot Dreams! Also just an FYI that you can often find less expensive options at Nordstrom Rack) and a delicious hand cream are also a very sweet way to say thank you. Flamingo Estate has a gorgeous collection of gift sets, or one of Helen’s Wines curated gift boxes is always a crowd pleaser! Mouth is literally watering right now looking at the caviar dreams box with Lays potato chips! 

For the fitness FREAKS in our lives (I love you all and you’re my inspo), consider upgrading their hand weights from Target to Bala’s Weight Kit, a gift card to Sporty and Rich or Bandier, or a few months of a subscription to The Pilates Class or Sky Ting TV (or Sky Ting’s cute merch!). 

Let me attempt to wrap this up with some suggestions for the dudes … I find it helpful to lean into existing hobbies and interests and uplevel. For example, finding a vintage poster from a favorite band’s show or sports memorabilia from their team (eBay is your bestie!). Upgrading their luggage - I love a leather or waxed canvas duffel (Shinola, Filson, L.L. Bean, Barbour, and Carhartt all have some great options right now!  And this J.Crew bag is currently more than 50% off … ). A leather key fob or passport holder monogrammed with their initials or nickname is a fun stocking stuffer. Also a reminder that guys can wear jewelry too - I love Mejuri for its “starter” price points if this is a new area of exploration!). I am currently very into the Champion x Percival collab and their latest drop is so cute (honestly considering purchasing for myself!!). 

And as a last idea - may I suggest a custom illustration of their favorite bar or restaurant (or pet!) courtesy of my friend Karly? She has generously offered our readers a promo code - opentabs15!

CP: So much to co-sign here, starting with a Google Keep gift list updated year-round (in a shock to no one, I use this tactic too), a Mason Pearson (gifted myself the travel size — worth every penny), Helen’s Wines anything forever 💘 and double yes to chic wick trimmers! Having been the lucky recipient of the latter from you, can confirm it is an incredible gift to receive! 

Q: Do you have any homemade gift ideas? 

CP: Oof, this is not my area of expertise! Decidedly not a *DIY girlie*, as much as I wish I was! The ONLY homemade gift I’ve given in the past that I think bears repeating is a custom recipe book. I made this for my husband for our first year dating anniversary, I think? It included things we cooked together and I dug up recipes for some of our favorite restaurant dishes too. We still have the book and I am proud of my little 24 year old self for putting it together! I used My Publisher for that one but Artifact Uprising seems like a slightly more elevated site to use. My mom gifted me a similar cookbook (but more hand-made and more beautiful than mine!) and it’s a treasure to have an archive of family recipes from both sides, handwritten by my mom/grandmothers. Also, I don’t know if this counts but we are “making” something to bring to a friend’s holiday party and that thing is — Carla Lalli Music’s batched martinis. Obviously, this wouldn’t work as a bow-tied gift, but is something I’m excited to make/contribute to the celebration.

RKH: Batch martinis is genius! Whether to gift or just keep in your own freezer (!). This question is an opportunity ripe for sentimentality!! I love the idea of making something already in your possession that’s currently shoved into a drawer feel special with framing - invitations, saved tickets, a matchbook collection, etc! Like, you could make this. I was able to pull this off with Gaw’s newspaper clippings from the Chicago Cubs’ 2016 World Series win, although smuggling these out of the apartment to the frame shop was a risk. Proceed with caution based on replaceability! In a similar vein, the National Gallery of Art’s Open Access free downloads paired with a thrifted frame could also work for an art lover in your life! I’ve seen some TikTok tutorials around how to make these look really nice (helpful one here!). 

Q: What are your favorite shoes for winter — like, timeless loafers and/or a workhorse boot with a block heel? And, a related q: What socks would you recommend that can be visible (in a loafer or oxford but would also hold up in a boot, doesn’t need to be thick)?

CP: Finding winter footwear that needs to function in ~weather~ (but doesn’t look purely functional) makes my brain short-circuit sometimes! For loafers, I splurged on a pair of Celine lug loafers (like these but in black) I found on Vestiaire last year that I truly wear almost every day. The lug sole makes me feel OK stomping around gross/wet city streets but the loafers themselves are well constructed enough to work in many outfit scenarios. I also have had my eye on these Hereu cream-colored ones! 

As for a great boot with a block heel, welcome to my current hyperfixation Google search! I wear my Ganni zip heavy-duty boots (these look like a nice alt, considering both are obviously riffing on The Row) for when it’s really cold/snowy, but I have been trying to identify where and when I would even wear a “regular” boot instead of a heel, loafer or sneaker. And I have come to the conclusion that… maybe I am not a boot person? Ha! Some seem to have too tall of a heel for everyday, some look like they would show wear too quickly if they weren’t worn on bone-dry pavement (unrealistic!). The closest thing I’ve found to my platonic ideal everyday boot is the Toteme City Boot. The toe shape feels refined to me and the block heel/elastic ankle seems incredibly comfortable/durable. These COS ones are cute, much cheaper and in the same vein. As my search for that progressed, I also stumbled across these Prada mules, which have a similar shape and now, of course, I’m much more compelled by. Cut to — me obsessively refreshing the page in hopes that they will go on sale for the holidays! Other options I have seen and liked are these patent ones by By Far, these soft ones by Acne, or these tall ones from Staud. 

Sock-wise, I just bought some J Crew cashmere socks during “Cyber week” that are cushy but still thin! I also have a zillion pairs of the fail-safe Falke black semi-sheer sock which I wear honestly most days. This Stems duo (via Courtney Grow) looks good too! Lastly, a Harling Ross influenced purchase, I do love the Hue crew sock for sneakers/workouts and think they would be cute under an oxford! I’ve also heard great things about Comme Si. I’m excited to check out their new pop-up at Hudson Wilder! 

RKH: Big +1 to the Hue crew socks (they’re just the perfect length!), and those Staud boots are also in my cart! I never thought I’d consider a kitten heel again after sophomore year homecoming paired with a Jessica McClintock bubble dress, but here we are. On the boots front, I became a big fan of Alohas this year - I have the East Alli in brown crocodile, but am also considering the black or stone beige/white combo (on sale!). Similar but different - I also loooove everything Paris Texas, and the Anja Snake Print boots are really speaking to me. I’m also realizing that this question was also likely speaking to practicality re: footwear and winter, so as a PNW girlie I must profess my love for Sorel. I have a few different styles, but consistently get compliments on the Kinetic Caribou Sneaker Boot. They’re surprisingly comfortable and functional (waterproof sneakers for a dog walk, don’t mind if I do!) but don’t present as “a winter shoe.” I really like the new bleached ceramic and spice colorways! On this topic, I feel insane but also feel intensely like I want a pair of Moon Boots (?? who is she), and am kicking myself for not ordering a pair of the Farm Rio puffer boots earlier this season. As far as socks go … I love a girly ruffle, sheer with a fun print, or a knit that adds a pop of color! 

Q: Do you have any Brooklyn restaurant recs?

CP: Do I ever! I won’t shut up about where to eat in New York, which is an *Easter egg* for the new year/a new business…🙊 is saying it in “print” manifesting? 

It’s hard to cast a wide net, because there are so many spots in every neighborhood and, similar to gifts, it’s specific to your own taste. But, I’ll try and compile a crème de la crème lineup! I’ll also acknowledge my south Brooklyn bias — we live in Ft Greene, so a lot of the places I go to most are in this area. That being said, I genuinely feel you get more Brooklyn bang-for-your-buck, walkability wise, over here so I stand by these recs! 

For starters, coffee wise, I love Petit Paulette (they have pebble ice for iced drinks!), IXV, Rita & Maria, Head Hi, Marlow & Sons, Buddies, Daughter or Salter House (get a Bagel Bunny bagel!). For pastries, numero uno has gotta be Otway bakery, croissants at Almondine, cinnamon rolls at Leland, kolache at Brooklyn Kolache, donuts at Fan Fan or Peter Pan (where Zendaya works in the Spiderman movies!), Qawah House for honey bread, Radio Bakery for a north Brooklyn all-star bake shop or whatever cake they are serving at Little Egg. Breakfast burritos should be from Sante Fe BK or Ursula, tacos at Ramirez or Nene’s. Bagels from Frankel’s (special!) or Bagel World (classic!) pizza is for sure L’Industrie, Paulie Gee’s, Cuts and Slices (if you don’t mind waiting in line), Fini (specifically the white slice) or a grandma slice at Baby Lucs. For brunch/lunch, pancakes at Chez Ma Tante, Agi’s Counter is dreamy, bahn mi at Ban Be, Misi Pasta or Roman’s for a long, Italian lunch on the weekends is a real treat. For dinner, Margot is our new neighborhood go-to, Saint Julivert is a perfect seafood restaurant, Miss Ada for Mediterranean (honorable mention to picking up dips and baklava at Damascus Bakery), Place Des Fetes is elegant and also delicious (hard to do!), Four Horsemen lunch is my favorite (and one Rach can vouch for, since we went together!) but dinner there is also ideal, and Harts is a must for me at least once a quarter. Can’t miss drinks include martinis at Bar Blondeau, frozen cosmos at Long Island Bar, wine at Rhodora, Frog Bar or June, cocktails at Elsa, Bar Goto Niban or Weather Up, vermouth at El Pinguino, beer at Torst, or feel like you’re in “Cheers” at Congress. Wow so many thoughts — whoops! Hope this brain dump helps! Truly just the tip of the BK iceberg.

RKH: Mic drop! Case closed!! As a proud early stage user of your new venture (!!), can confirm that I have never once been steered wrong by a CP restaurant rec. ENJOY, dear readers!