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A Casual Guide to Holiday Gift Giving (and Getting)

A not-so-subtle list of everything your favorite astronauts want under the tree this year.

We’ve been very good in 2019. You probably have, too. Which is why we’re providing inspiration for what to give and what to get — and a peek at what might be making the rounds at the C/A white elephant shindig.

Black and white cover image of a book titled "RIHANNA," featuring a woman with short hair, closed eyes, and holding a large leaf. She is adorned with multiple rings and a bracelet. The title is mirrored and reflected below her. The book has a light pink spine.
A person stands on a rocky coastline overlooking the ocean. The cover of "The New York Times Style Magazine" is titled "Once upon a time, in a land far away..." and mentions original fictional chapters about various cities globally.
A light blue rectangular cooler bag with the word "Coolest" printed on the front in black. It has a zippered pocket, multiple attachment loops, and black straps. One of the straps is padded with the word "vibe" written on it, also in black.

Katie-Lee Faulkner, Account Supervisor

“I love Rihanna. She moves with grace and purpose in everything she does, and her thoughtful interviews get me every time. She’s an absolute icon. While we await the elusive new album — now that’s what I want for Christmas this year! — this stunning coffee table book will have to do.”


Katie Bridges, Senior Editor

“You know how many copies of the Sunday New York Times my nearest Barnes & Noble stocks? One. Wanna know how many times I’ve snagged that one copy? ZERO. This year, I’d love a subscription to the Sunday times, please and thanks. I love reading New York Times Magazine and T online, sure — but I’d realllllly love a whole mess of dog-eared, highlighted, coffee-stained issues on my bedside table.”


Rachel Adams, Editor

“I love frosty beverages. Thanks to Coolest’s Vibe soft-sided cooler equipped with a universal mount, waterproof outer zippers and super insulation, my frosty beverages can go everywhere I go.“

A poster for "The Family of Man" exhibition with a black and white photo of an individual playing a flute in the center, surrounded by overlapping colorful rectangles. Text reads: "Created by Edward Steichen, Prologue by Carl Sandburg, The Museum of Modern Art, New York.
A pair of brown suede sandals with fluffy white shearling lining on a light wooden surface. The sandals have two adjustable buckled straps each and a cork footbed. The brand name is visible on one of the buckles.
A black baseball cap with the phrase "SORRY TO THIS MAN" embroidered in white capital letters on the front, set against a solid mustard yellow background.

Leigh Flayton, Senior Editor

”The Family of Man is my favorite book of all time. It’s culled from a seminal 1955 photography exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art. My family had a cloth-covered copy when I was growing up, and I spent countless hours marveling at how people looked and lived in countries around the world. It is a remarkable art piece, but also an uplifting look at humanity — thereby serving as a most excellent gift. In 2015, MoMA published a 60th-anniversary edition, and you still can get both hard- and soft-cover copies.”


Ellen Ranta Olson, Senior Editor

“All I want for Christmas is a new pair of Birks. Preferably the furry kind — perfect for those brutal Arizona winters.“


Lizelle Galaz, Senior Art Director

“The best moment of 2019 (and maybe one of the most iconic memes of our lifetime) turned apparel by the one and only Keke Palmer. Sadly, I’ve met my merch quota for the year, but I would gladly accept this as a gift. Until then, here’s my absolute favorite use of said meme.”

A tan-colored tote bag with two handles and a zippered exterior pocket on the front. The bag is displayed against a plain white background.
A HyperChiller, partially covered in ice, stands beside a glass of iced coffee. Cream is swirling in the black coffee, creating a marbled effect. The background is split horizontally with a white top and golden-brown bottom.
A white high-top Converse sneaker with orange trim and laces is displayed against a solid orange background. The sneaker features the classic Converse star logo on the side and black stripe details along the sole.

Colleen Ringer, Managing Editor

“If I can’t have a Cardinals playoff berth or a winning Fantasy Football team this year, I guess this recycled bag is cool, too. I can use it to carry all of my hopes and dreams for the 2020 season.“


Drew McCullough, Editor

“Let’s face it — iced coffee is infinitely better than that hot bean water people call ‘coffee.’ I’m not sure anyone can really explain why, but it’s a thing. The problem is that you just can’t make iced coffee at home like they make at coffee shops. And that’s a fact, Jack. So in hopes of saving a few bucks every day, I’m putting the HyperChiller at the top of this year’s Christmas list. Cheers to a chilled cup of joe.“


Sheriden VanHoy, Art Director

“It’s a hard life for someone who wears the same pair of converse every day by choice. It’s also hard being a style icon with a touch of punk. With the weight of the world of my shoulders, a new pair of Converse with insoles that aren’t so worn down that I feel like i’m basically walking around with pieces of paper under my feet would be dope. But also look at that touch of orange — whoa.“
A group of ballet dancers performs on a dimly lit stage with a blue background. The dancers are in various poses, with the central dancer in an elevated position with arms above the head. The text "Arizona's Premier Ballet Company, Phoenix Ballet" is displayed at the top.
A smartphone screen displays a recipe for Tomato-Parmesan Soup. The top part of the screen shows a bowl of tomato soup garnished with Parmesan cheese and a spoon on a white surface. Below it, text details yield, time, and part of the recipe's introductory paragraph.
A colorful book with abstract patterns on the cover, mainly in pink, green, yellow, and blue. The title "ONE LINE A DAY" is printed in large capital letters. Below, it reads "A Five-Year Memory Book." The book stands upright against a light background.

Tia Peterson, Digital Producer

“The fact that the Phoenix Ballet performs just down the street from the C/A office makes Date Night a no-brainer, hint hint. I’m hoping for season tickets, but we can kick things off by catching an early dinner at Cibo followed by a performance of The Nutcracker.”


Paul Peterson, Chief Client Officer

“I’m often teased for my child-like palate and a fear of ‘too many flavors’ (grilled cheese and tomato soup really is a perfect meal), but I’m making a concerted effort to overcome my fear of raw chicken and to learn how to cook this year. I’m great at following directions, and a New York Times Cooking subscription allows you to build your recipe collection and download a shopping list, which is awesome for a novice like me. Prepare to be wowed at next year’s holiday potluck.“


Savanah Yaghsezian, Digital Marketing Assistant

“In 2019 I wanted to read more for fun, so my goal for 2020 is to write more for fun! To get myself started, I’d love to get my hands — or rather pens — on this chic version of a ‘one line a day’ journal. The best part? I can use it for a full five years and compare how my day-to-day life changes over time.”
A cozy, brown moccasin slipper with a fluffy, cream-colored wool interior. The slipper features a leather lace tied in a bow on top and a stitched seam along the front. It is placed against a background split into white and red sections.
A retro concert poster for Elvis Costello at the Apollo Theatre in Glasgow on January 12, 1979. The design features a pattern of yellow and white dots forming a partial circle on a black background with event details in white and yellow text at the top.
Book cover of "William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Mean Girls" by Ian Doescher. The cover illustration shows three women in pink outfits with one holding a small dog. They stand around a medieval cauldron with a book inside, under a night sky with a full moon.

Sonia Friedman, Account Director

“These are hands down, the comfiest, most coziest slippers around. My current pair has survived seven-plus years and countless trips out of the house when I’ve ‘accidentally’ forgotten to take them off.“


Marc Oxborrow, Creative Director

“Swissted is the work of designer Mike Joyce, who combines his love of punk rock and Swiss Modernism to produce speculative posters for concerts from the ’70s and ’80s. In the best modernist tradition, he uses simple elements — one typeface, basic geometric forms — to create dynamic compositions that somehow capture the anarchic spirit of the music in an ordered way. I guess what I’m trying to say is these posters would look great on my wall.”


Felicia Penza, Art Director

“It is so hilarious to me that someone took the time to dissect the salacious gossip of teenage girls in a full-length film and translated it into Shakespearian dialogue. Can you imagine if they do this with Pulp Fiction next? I would buy EVERY book and assign parts to my friends to do a read through at dinner parties… you know, just for fun.“

The image shows a book titled "Bibliophile: An Illustrated Miscellany by Jane Mount" on a marble surface. The cover features vibrant illustrations of popular book spines, including "To Kill a Mockingbird," "Harry Potter," and "Beloved," among others.
A black and silver electric razor with three circular shaving heads is shown against a dual-color background. The device features an on/off button and an indicator light that is glowing green. The razor has a sleek design with a textured grip for easy handling.

Audrey Hall, Art Director

“What could be better than a book about books for people who love books? A book about books for people who love books and illustration.“


Colby Karren, Digital Marketing Specialist

“In my opinion, shaving cream and disposable razors are for the birds. Having the chance to look freshly shaved in 10 seconds is a habit i’ll gladly adopt. Electric shavers are perfect for travel or when you need to get out of the house in a hurry. Especially for someone who can’t grow a proper beard.“

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