The Sparrow's Gift Guide

For the esoteric baddie on your list

Everybody’s made one of these already, and I’m no Rayne Fisher Quann (love u queen), but here’s a list of mostly stuff I also want. Enjoy, little Sparrows!

xoxo Aiden

A Bougie Candle

Le Labo, Diptyque, something else that’s French or French-adjacent— everybody wants an expensive candle, nobody wants to purchase an expensive candle.

A Cashmere Throw or Scarf

Joan Didion favored merino wool, which is always a great choice. Regardless of material, keep her warm and cozy this winter with a scarf that doubles as a blanket. If you know her well enough to know her style and size, you can level up to one of the many 100% cashmere Saks Fifth Avenue sweaters I’m seeing on Depop for $30-40 lately.

THE Acne Studios Mohair Scarf

If you’re really balling, you already know she wants one…

Olivia Nuzzi’s Book

If your girl is smart enough to fog a mirror, she does not want to purchase this book, but she does want to chime in on the “Joan Midion” discourse with all her sparkling wit. Your girl’s, not Nuzzi’s.

Playboy Specialty Birkin Issue

I ordered this for Annika Jade Levy’s review of Chris Kraus’s new book (loved it), and proceeded to be scandalized when the issue of Playboy I ordered turned out to be, in fact, an issue of Playboy. If your bitch gay, she’ll love this. Just be sure she knows what Playboy is…

Chris Kraus’s New Book

I’ve had the privilege of listening to Kraus read a selection live. It’s amazing. All of her signature wit, memorable characters in whom a reader can’t help but invest, and the perfect setting for a warm winter evening under a cashmere throw.

A Scentbird Subscription

If you’re locked in long term, give your girl the gift of one of the few worth-it subscription boxes on the market. Nobody is paying me for this promo, so you know I really mean it. Scentbird allows users to select perfume samples, including designer fragrances, for a fraction of the price.

An Art Book

If you know her well enough to know who her favorite artist is, get her one of theirs, like this Wyeth book, arranged by Wanda M. Corn, which I thrifted for five dollars.

If you know her favorite museum, they’ve probably released an art book— you should get it for your girl. I saved up three holidays’ worth of B&N gift cards to purchase this one from The Met, and it’s one of my most treasured possessions.

A Catwalk For Her Coffee Table

Your girl is always eyeing these at the bookstore, but can’t quite justify them to herself. If she’s a fashion girl, she yearns for the heyday of Chanel, and would like to experience it vicariously through pictures.

A Bonnet

Leave your incredulity at the door. If she’s a baddie, she wants one.

Bones and Wet Specimens

If she’s a baddie, she’s also a freak. Trust me, she wants assorted bones.

Mary Shelley’s Original Frankenstein Manuscript Reproduction, SP Books

This one’s not so much a universal recommendation as it is a personal manifestation. I would actually kill someone to obtain this. Fair warning, it’s expensive.

Merry Christmas, you filthy animals! <3