For our very first Substack gift guide, we asked a few friends for help—and they really delivered. Katherine Lewin shared perfect presents for the food lovers in your life, which makes sense since she’s the genius behind one of our favorite NYC stores, Big Night. Megan O’Neill—who creates super chic, sustainable shoes using recycled fish skin for her brand Nayla—brought effortlessly cool Brooklyn vibes with her technicolor selection of gifts for your favorite maximalist. And content creator Heather Summers put her impeccable taste on full display with picks for your hardest-to-wow friend. From electric green slip-ons to incredibly luxe hand soap, plus plenty of bags (duh), here’s everything that made the list!

Katherine Lewin, owner of Big Night

Glassware is my obsession. We set out to design a tumbler that is as beautiful as it is versatile—something that makes a glass of water look as gorgeous as a fancy cocktail. Our Luce Glasses are handblown in the US, and what you can’t tell in the photo is just how amazing it is in the hand: super light, yet not so fragile you’ll be worried about breaking it. I truly think this is a gift for anyone: your mother-in-law, your best friend who just moved into a new apartment, or a coworker you love.

My stocking stuffer of the year is this set of aperitivo spoons—and the tin is so cute, they absolutely don’t even need to be wrapped.

Perhaps my favorite new Big Night product of this year—we designed this olive serving set with one of our favorite NYC-based studios, Fredericks & Mae. I keep calling this piece “a little goofy and a little sexy” because I really think it is! The green olive serving board has a perfect little divet for the hot red pimento bowl. A perfect gift for the host who already has everything.

On my personal wishlist is a bag that can truly do it all—I’m often running around town between my three shop locations, the gym, dinner plans, and who knows what else in between. I am sending out a little hint to my loved ones that I would love to carry around the Jack in suede espresso all day every day in 2026.

This is just joyful—a stripey potholder with an embroidered tomato. The kind of thing you pull out of the drawer and it makes you smile, even if you’re just heating up leftovers.

Megan O’Neill, CEO of Nayla

You find yourself yearning to chop onions, mince ginger, and shell shrimp when this alluring cutting board is part of the equation. The confetti pattern literally elates me. It fancies up any kitchen, is an absolute essential if you’re a home chef, and it makes tedious chopping a lovelier, more aesthetic endeavor.

I’m more hoarder than minimalist and looove to tote around too much with me during the day. Can’t help it! I can’t not use this big-ass bag. The roomy, slouchy shape fits comfortably against me—even in bulky, winter coat weather—the stripes shift the look to something subtly sporty, and omg the print. It’s the good leopard print, you know?

I make these! I love that I can sort of look like sh*t and then slip into them, and all-of-a-sudden my lack of trying looks intentional and many notches chicer. The shock of green is the best statement—I’m fun! I’m alive! I’m liberal enough to wear neon green! it says—and the mules (and all NAYLA shoes) are sustainably handmade in Peru from upcycled fish leather, which is pretty darn cool. Fish leather has this awesome buttery texture, like a viby-er, softer snake skin. And they’re comfy-as hell (got that cushy foam insert in there), so I’m unhindered and always feel like me as I dash around Brooklyn.

I might want to move into Cafe Mars as much as I want to wolf down all the deliciousness on the menu. I’m constantly craving Chef and owner Paul D’Avino’s riff on traditional Italian delights: garlic monkey bread, sumptuous pastas (the menu changes a lot, and each iteration is somehow better, yummier, more soul-warming, more palette-pleasing than the last), refreshing salads, and gorgeous boozy cocktails that make the whole meal feel extra celebratory. The aesthetic is magic: vibrant (hot-pink bar chairs; I don’t want to eat in a beige restaurant), un-geometric (lots of voluptuous curves in the furnishings, which makes the room feel cozy and fun), and gloriously welcoming. Perfect for date nights, friend nights, family nights, or any night when you want to feel that zing of a truly inspired creation.

This vase by Match has been on my own personal wish list for quite some time now. Timeless in every way. Fill it with a gorgeous bouquet and hand deliver it to a loved one!

This scarf from Janessa Leone is the perfect gift for literally anyone. Who doesn’t love a wrap scarf/blanket/shawl situation? Incredibly versatile, incredibly chic.

I am burning this Diptyque candle as we speak. This scent is divine, especially for the holidays—without being too “on the nose” or overpowering. The thing I love about Diptyque candles is that they’re incredibly potent. Even a small one will have your entire house smelling like heaven!

Loewe hand soap = totally luxurious and gift-worthy. And I’m a sucker for tomato-scented things.

This PT bag scratches an itch and is at the top of my wishlist. Something about it feels so nostalgic and timeless. I think it would just get better with age and wear—who doesn’t love that?!

I swear by this trio by Vintner’s Daughter. I’ve been using these products for months now and they’ve made SUCH a difference in my skin. It’s great for any skin type, making it the perfect gift for the skincare lover in your life.

P.S. Still need gift ideas? Check out our holiday gift guide!