A chance for you to have a rummage around my mind and see what I’ve been reading, eating, enjoying and thinking about long after I probably should have moved on.

I’m always finding things that would make great presents, even when I haven’t got a whole gift guide to put them in yet. This gives them somewhere to go, and perhaps gives you an idea for someone, or possibly yourself.

Here’s what to expect:

• Reading: What I’ve been reading, underlining and finding excuses to bring up in conversation.

• Eating: A meal, a recipe or something bought on the understanding that I deserved it.

• Playing: What I’ve been listening to and where I’ve been spending my time.

• Obsessing: Whatever I’ve developed a mildly unreasonable attachment to this week.

• Recommending: Something good enough to warrant an unsolicited “you need to try this” message.

• Treating: A little something for myself. I’m a person worth buying presents for, too.

*Weekly is the ambition. Please don’t hold me to it in a court of law.

So, here goes...

Reading - Working Hard by Grace Beverley

I am fully in my autumn arc right now. I’ve invested in a diary, always do this in September, back to school , Naturally I’m expecting quite a lot from this version of myself.

This post from Working Hard, Hardly Working and The Productivity Method felt well timed: five questions to help you take stock of your life. I liked the reminder to notice what’s already working and what you’re proud of, before drawing up another list of things to improve.

The question that stayed with me was how I’d feel in six months if nothing changed. Worth giving a proper answer to. Conveniently, I now have somewhere to write it.

A little life audit is an excellent excuse to look at stationery, here are a few diaries and planners I’ve had my eye on. A gift for someone starting a new chapter, or who shares my belief that getting organised begins with choosing a nice cover.

Eating - Chilli Peanut Oil

Joe made a delicious Thai green curry this week and topped it with chilli peanut oil. A small detail that deserves some recognition, alongside the person who made me dinner.

White Mausu Peanut Rayu Chilli Oil and Lao Gan Ma Peanuts in Chilli Oil are two to look out for. A lovely addition to a foodie gift, or something to take round to the friend who always cooks for you. Wine is lovely, but so is introducing someone to their next condiment obsession.

Playing - Spotify DJ

I’ve been playing a lot of Spotify DJ recently. Sometimes it’s lovely to have someone else make a decision, even if that someone is my phone.

It’s also got me thinking about music as a gift. I spotted a custom vinyl product from Cutsy and love the idea of making someone a record of songs that mean something to you both. The soundtrack to a friendship, a relationship or a particularly good summer. A grown-up mixtape, essentially.

Obsessing · Animal Print 🐆

I’m a seasoned leopard print stan, so this is less a new obsession and more an ongoing commitment. Joe’s parents gave me a gorgeous Anine Bing cap for my birthday in, you guessed it, leopard print. They know their audience.

The shops are full of animal print right now, which is excellent news.

Recommending - 1SE App

I’ve been recording a second of every day in 2026 on 1SE, and this week I realised how glad I am that I’ve kept it up. A little film of my year, including the days when nothing much happened, which turn out to be quite lovely to look back on. There’s something about watching your own life back that makes you feel a bit more fond of it. Quite possibly the best thing I’ve done with my phone this year. Highly recommend to everyone.

Treating - Thomas Lélu x BURGA Phone Case

I was very kindly given a Thomas Lélu x BURGA phone case for my birthday. I’m quite a visual person, and a few well-chosen words in lovely handwriting will usually get my attention. Put them on something I use every day and I’m easily won over.

My mum understandably questioned the price. But that’s precisely why it made such a lovely present: something I wanted but couldn’t quite justify buying for myself.

Until next week, approximately.

Love, Kate x

So, in the name of gifting better booze, I’ve pulled together a few ideas that feel a little more considered than grabbing whatever has the nicest label on the way to the till.

Curated Bundles

I’m very into the recent upgrade of the humble alcohol gift set. We seem to have moved on from miniature bottles rattling around in a cardboard box and entered the era of considered bundles that you’d be pleased to receive.

The inspo behind this article was the Daylesford Signature Cocktail Gift Box from M&S. Two pre-mixed cocktails (margarita and a martini), two gorgeous green coupes alongside a pair of embroidered cocktail napkins. It’s the sort of present I’d choose for a couple, cool gal host, or someone whose home is Pinterest-worthy at all times.

For the Bloody Mary devotee, the Bloody Mary Gift Box from The Pickle House feels much more personal than simply handing over a bottle of vodka and tomato juice (cringing at the thought). It comes with Bloody Mary mix, pickles, salt and a garnish - all the bits for a bloody good home cocktail hehe.

As I went window shopping (or rather internet shopping), I came across NIO Cocktails’ Postcards from Japan, which I love as an option for someone who likes trying something new. The cocktails come in beautifully illustrated little pouches, each inspired by the flavours of Japan, so there’s a sense of discovery to the gift too.

I adore NIO’s whole Postcards from… idea. There’s Japan, New York, France, Venice and Hawaii, which gives you the opportunity to make it feel that little bit more personal. You could choose somewhere they love, somewhere they’re desperate to go, or somewhere they already have a trip planned. In that case, I’d pair it with a Lonely Planet guidebook for a little something to look forward to gift.

It feels more like gifting someone an experience for the evening than simply gifting them alcohol.

Making Your Own Bundles

Ready-made bundles are a godsend when they contain exactly what you want to gift and come in at the right price. When they don’t, DIY-ing your own bundle is the perfect antidote. Below are three examples of how I’d build one around their drink of choice.

I’d build the bundle around everything you need for a proper Aperol Spritz: a bottle of Aperol, Prosecco and some soda, with a pair of beautiful Spritz glasses. Add dried orange slices for garnish, then lean into the Italian aperitivo theme with olives, fancy salted crisps or a little bag of pistachios or salted almonds. Essentially, aperitivo hour wrapped up and ready to gift.

For the Dirty Martini lover, I’d build the bundle around a really good bottle of gin or vodka, a bottle of dry vermouth and, most importantly, some good olives with plenty of brine. Add a pair of beautiful Martini or Nick & Nora glasses (and/or a cocktail shaker), cocktail picks and something salty to snack on.

For the friend who would always rather open a bottle, I’d go for a good wine, beautiful glasses and a few carefully chosen accompaniments for an evening that requires very little planning beyond putting the corkscrew to work. I’d add a bottle stopper with a bit of personality too, something fun, slightly fabulous (like this) and worthy of being left out on the bar cart.

Gifting Champagne

Champagne is one of those gifts that already comes with a sense of occasion. It says there’s something worth celebrating here, whether that’s a birthday, an engagement or a new job.

I can think of two occasions when I’ve given Champagne as a gift and felt pretty proud of myself afterwards. Not because I’d tracked down the fanciest bottle I could find, but because there was a reason behind each one.

For my uni friend Elin’s 30th, I found a limited-edition Moët & Chandon in Fenwicks. It had a metal coffer featuring artwork by Art Nouveau trailblazer Alphonse Mucha (a name I hadn’t thought about this much since my art GCSE days). The design is all about beauty, abundance and generosity, which felt rather perfect for Elin.

Secondly, for my boyfriend’s sister’s wedding, I went down the personalised route with a Veuve Clicquot arrow sign, customised with their new surname. The arrow was a subtle nod to their next chapter together which, yes, is a little sentimental, but if you can’t be sentimental at a wedding, when can you?

When buying champers as a gift, PLEASE don’t just think about which bottle to buy, think about why that bottle is for that person. Limited editions, personalisation and little keepsakes can make an already celebratory bottle feel much more considered.

What should I ask myself before buying alcohol as a gift?

• Can I make it personal?

  The best alcohol gifts usually have a reason behind them. Maybe it’s their usual order, a bottle from somewhere you’ve been together, or something that nods to an occasion. It doesn’t have to be elaborate, it just needs to make sense for them

• Do I know what they actually drink?

  This is a big one. I personally don’t really like spirits, so while I’d be very grateful if someone gave me a beautiful bottle of gin, the reality is it would probably sit untouched on my shelf. If you’re not sure, think about what you’ve actually seen them order, serve at home or talk about liking.

• How much do I want to spend?

  A thoughtful alcohol gift absolutely doesn’t need to mean an expensive bottle. Decide your budget first, then work backwards. A smaller bottle paired with a beautiful glass, their favourite snack can often feel far more special than spending the entire budget on the alcohol itself.

Ultimately, gifting alcohol well is less about knowing your vintages and more about knowing your person. Remember what they order, what they actually like and the little details that will make it feel like theirs. You don’t need to be a sommelier, you just need to have been paying attention.

Now that I’m in my thirties, more of the people I love are starting to think about entering this completely new chapter of life: having children. It’s made me think a lot about what you actually give someone when so much of their world is about to change.

I think the things that stay with people are often the ones that make life feel a tiny bit easier or softer. Something that makes the house feel calmer, reminds your loved ones they still exist outside of nappies and feeding schedules.

So this is my version of the perfect new-parent hamper: a mix of small luxuries, practical everyday items and things that might quietly become part of family life.

Curated Baby Hampers

Ready-made hampers are perfect when you want to send something that feels generous and considered, but you don’t necessarily have the time or headspace, to source every little thing yourself. Having a collection of useful, thoughtful things arrive all at once, especially at a point in life when everything suddenly feels new and busy is a god-send, I imagine.

I’d always look for one that feels well-chosen rather than overfilled. A few thoughtful things will usually feel more meaningful than a box crammed with extras just for the sake of it.

I especially like hampers where the basket, box or a tiny suitcase can be kept afterwards. Once the baby grows out of the clothes or the treats have been used, it might end up holding outgrown baby clothes, favourite toys, first shoes, hospital bracelets, cards or the keepsakes you can’t quite bring yourself to part with.

Baby Books

I didn’t realise how lucky I was when my parents read to me. At the time, it was just part of the day. A story before bed, the same favourites read over and over again.

Looking back, I think that’s what makes books such a meaningful gift for a new baby. You’re not really just giving them a storybook. You’re giving the parents something in the future they can return to, night after night.

A few cult classics are always a safe bet:

• The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter

• Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney

• The Tiger Who Came to Tea by Judith Kerr

• We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen

• Each Peach Pear Plum by Janet and Allan Ahlberg.

Bonus points for choosing books that have already been loved by you when you were younger and might now become part of someone else’s family story.

Photo Frames

I think photo frames are slightly underrated as gifts. We take a gazillion photos of everything now (I do anyway), only for most of them to live permanently in our camera rolls.

A beautiful frame gives one of those photos somewhere to actually exist.

For new parents, I adore the idea of giving a frame before the photo has even been taken, whether that would be a first family photo, a picture with their sisters and/or brothers, their first proper smile - the list goes on.

Celebratory Champagne or Prosecco?

This is optional, but a new baby feels like one of those occasions that deserves a proper cheers. Champagne is the obvious classic, Prosecco is light (if I’m being brutally honest it’s my favourite) are easy and celebratory gifts.

A bottle gives them something to save for themselves. It doesn’t need to be opened straight away, in some respects I’m glad it doesn’t. It can sit in the fridge until there’s a quiet evening or a milestone.

If you’re not entirely sure what sort of fizz to buy, check out Lucy Hitchcock, aka @partnerinwineuk on TikTok and are brilliant places to start for recommendations that feel a little more considered than panic-buying whatever has the nicest label (my pet hate I may add).

If the new parents don’t drink, obviously don’t turn up with a bottle of champers. The sentiment is still the same: give them something they’ll actually want to say cheers with.

Chocolates

Chocolate feels like a treat, but hot chocolate feels like a hug.

For a new parent, I love the idea of both: something they can reach for when they need a quick treat, and something that encourages them to stop and have a moment to themselves.

There’s a reason chocolate is the cure after a dementor attack in Harry Potter (yes, apparently this is where we’ve ended up). Chocolate is comforting and capable of making you feel just a tiny bit more human again.

I’m not suggesting new parenthood is quite the same as encountering a soul-sucking dementor (and, if this analogy hadn’t already made it abundantly clear, I do not have children yet), but I imagine there’s stressful and draining days when having chocolate within arm’s reach feels less like a luxury and more like sensible planning.

Hand Cream

I know it might seem a little excessive to get excited about hand cream, but I love the idea of giving someone something that creates a moment of calm. Something to use, smell and enjoy when the day feels busy or overwhelming.

A good hand cream represents those little pockets of calm that are easy to miss. A few seconds to notice the smell, the feel of it on my hands, and the quiet luxury of something a little indulgent, gets properly used and quietly becomes part of someone’s routine.

Candles

In the same vein, I think a candle can be a great addition, as long as the scent is soft and not too overpowering. Just enough to make the space feel a little calmer. Nothing too dramatic, just a gentle reminder that they deserve to feel looked after too… a much more relatable want for new parents

I imagine that tiny shift in atmosphere can feel like a mood-lifter - lighting a candle while feeding the baby, tidying up or finally sitting down at the end of the day.

My two top picks:

1. Seychelles Scent by The White Company: I was always going to sneak a White Company candle in somewhere (former employee haha). Seychelles is one of those scents that just makes a room feel nicer. The scent has a perfect mix of bergamot, coconut, amber scents, and is a crowd pleaser. It feels luxurious without being too much.

2. Happiness Scent by NEOM – Neroli, mimosa and lemon make it fresh and sunny without being overpowering. I love the sentiment behind the scent, the brand has described it as creating your own small version of happiness. For someone in the middle of a huge life change, I think that feels particularly lovely.

The Bit That Matters

I think the best hampers, are the ones that feel like someone has really thought about the people opening them.

None of it needs to be extravagant, or cost the majority of your monthly salary. It just needs to say: I thought of you. That’s it.

Which is what good gifting has always been about.

When I was younger, I used to ask my mum what she wanted for her birthday, Christmas, Mother’s Day… whatever occasion was next.

Her answer was always the same: “Some peace and quiet would be nice.”

At the time, I remember thinking: wrong answer. Now, in my 30s, I kinda understand.

Life feels relentless sometimes. There is always something demanding your attention. Notifications. Plans. Work. Noise. The pressure to keep up with everything, all the time.

So if you want to gift someone a little calm, here are a few ideas I genuinely love. Not because they are extravagant, but because they make ordinary life feel softer in my opinion.

A Scent That Transports You Somewhere Else

A scent changes the atmosphere of a room almost instantly

Last Christmas, I went to a Flâneuse party in Ancoats and met Lucy, the founder of Natural Isle. You know when someone creates a brand that feels completely aligned with who they are? She gets it.

I’ve ordered from her twice since, and I already know another order is coming soon. Both scents I have bought, bring stories and feels intentional rather than mass produced.

I think when you genuinely connect with a brand, gifting becomes much easier. You are not just giving someone a candle. You are giving them a feeling. A mood. A moment.

The Signature Candle in particular reminds me of walking into one of those hotels that smells incredible the second you arrive.

The scent blend is deep leather, soft spice, sandalwood smoke, rosewood and amber. I am no fragrance connoisseur but it smells comforting and expensive in a quiet way.

What I love most is how a great candle turns ordinary moments into rituals.

• Lighting it while reading

• Cleaning the kitchen on a Sunday evening

• Having friends over for dinner

• Making your home feel like somewhere you actually want to slow down in

That is the best kind of gift… something that quietly improves everyday life.

A Camera That Helps You Slow Down?

There is something refreshing about taking photos you cannot instantly edit, upload and delete five seconds later on Insta. A Klik camera naturally slows you down.

I haven’t actually bought it for myself yet or gifted one to anyone, but one of my friends has one, and every time I see the photos she takes, I’m reminded how chic it is to capture moments without trying to perfect them.

Not every memory needs filters, captions, or approval from other people online.

A Ritual That Forces You to Switch Off

This one always takes me back to living in Helsinki, and memories of evenings spent in Sompasauna.

A Finnish sauna is a centuries-old tradition rooted in deep relaxation, cleansing, and harmony with nature. The Finnish understand something many of us have forgotten: rest is not something you earn only after exhaustion.

A sauna and ice bath experience is definitely worth considering. Sitting in silence, warming up slowly, then BAM shocking yourself awake in freezing cold water. Your brain finally stops racing through emails, notifications, to-do lists, and all the tiny worries you carry around every day.

Sauna spaces are starting to appear all over the UK now - can recommend Rooftop Saunas in Hackney, RAW and FIX MCR in Manchester).

It feels like people are craving slower rituals again and I’m not mad about it.

I hope these ideas have sparked a few of your own, which is really the whole point.

The best gifts make someone feel seen. They say, I thought about you when you weren’t in the room.

A thoughtfully chosen gift will always beat something expensive, generic or bought because TikTok said it was trending.

People remember how a gift made them feel, not what it cost. As Maya Angelou famously said: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

The best gifts fit naturally into someone’s life. They are useful, comforting, beautiful, or joyful. They become part of daily routines rather than something left untouched in a drawer.

Experiences are underrated too. Food, drink, flowers, skincare, a candle burned on a slow Sunday morning. These gifts create moments instead of clutter. For people who already own everything, consumables are often the answer.

And for the love of God, personal does not have to mean personalised. Initials are optional just saying.

Relevance is the real luxury.

The best gifts have a story: why you chose it, what it reminded you of and where you found it.

Good gift giving is a skill (I don’t make the rulesh, not a talent. It can be learned and refined over and over. You do not need endless options, you need better ones.

That is the art, I am afraid

So what is this?

Kurated by Kate was inspired by something friends have told me for years: “You always give the best gifts.” In 2025, on a hen do in Barcelona, a conversation with my friend Georgie about a gift I had chosen for her finally sparked the idea for this Substack.

After months of overthinking, rewriting, second guessing, and trying to make my first post perfect, I realised the whole point of thoughtful gifting is sincerity, not perfection.

So here goes.

I’m treating this as a space for thoughtful gifts recos that actually mean something.