This year, our holiday celebrations might not look the same as they have in the past. While we can’t celebrate in person this year, we can still host festivities by video chat, phone call, or postponing altogether until it’s safe to gather. No matter how you plan to celebrate, it’s more important than ever this year to remind our loved ones we care about them. This can mean a thoughtful note, spending meaningful time together (whether in person or virtually), or sending a gift meant just for them.
My latest book is a love letter to friendship, so I wanted to put together some gift ideas that go with the book to share with your best friend. Send them to a friend you read the book with or wrap them up together for a whole gift package.
A Zabar’s Gift Basket
In Five Years is a love letter to New York as much as it is to friendship. Whenever I want to show someone I care, I’ll send them a gorgeous Zabar’s gift basket filled with classic New York goodies. Two of my favorites are the Touch of Zabar’s basket and the Mom’s Bundle of Love (which works double if your mom is also your best friend!).
Friendship Bracelets
When I moved across the country last year, I was moving away from some of my best friends (and closer to others). When you’re not a couple train stops away anymore, it’s nice to have a reminder of the special people in your life. I love these cuff bracelets from Etsy, which come inscribed with morse code for “best” and “friends” (or can be customized to say something else!). They remind me of the matching half-heart necklaces everyone had as kids, except the coded message and metal finish give them a more grown-up feel.
A New York Mug
New York has a lot of great institutions, and a mug from any of them would make a great gift companion for a cozy night of reading. Some of my favorites are from the New York Public Library and the Met, but you can’t go wrong with a classic I <3 NY design either.
I Was Young I Needed the Money Wall Art
This design is a replica of a piece of art I’ve been searching for for ten years with no luck, so I was thrilled to find this version from RizzleandRugeeToo on Etsy, which comes in two design options and can be further customized, so it will be sure to match their décor. The original makes an appearance in In Five Years and comes to mean a lot to Dannie and Bella. I hope it will mean as much to you and your best friend after reading In Five Years!
Bonus: The Dinner List (and more!)
Looking for another book to send with In Five Years? The Dinner List also features New York in December, a strong female relationship, and ice breaker question: if you could have dinner with any five people, living or dead, who would they be? Or, if your best friend is a Shakespeare buff, my YA retelling of Romeo and Juliet from Rosaline’s point of view, When You Were Mine, has a gorgeous new cover out just in time for holiday shopping.
No matter how you show your loved ones you care, they’re sure to appreciate it in these especially tough times. Celebrating the holidays may look different this year, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still experience the magic of New York (or Los Angeles, or wherever you may be!) this December.