Add to Cart – “2025 Aunties Unwrap Gifts”

Hosts: Kulap Vilaysack & SuChin Pak
Release Date: December 22, 2025

Episode Overview

In this lively holiday episode, real-life friends and self-proclaimed “Aunties,” Kulap Vilaysack and SuChin Pak, treat listeners to an impromptu and highly entertaining gift exchange. Interwoven with authenticity and their trademark humor, the pair unpack the significance of what they give (and receive), share stories of family, aging, and personal quirks, and offer listeners a peek into the sentimental and practical considerations that drive their shopping—and gifting—decisions.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Auntie Banter & The Realities of Aging

• SuChin and Kulap riff on the joys and tribulations of aging, the struggles of self-taping auditions, and the realities of living with family and young children.
  • “My face is mainly dissolving into my jowls. Who knew that was going to come in my 50s?” – SuChin (01:11)
• Kulap shares the challenge of doing acting auditions at home while her mom observes:
  • “Twice I had to say, mom, you’re breathing too heavy. It’s distracting me. I need you to sit up.” – Kulap (02:57)
• Discussion touches on skincare struggles, the humor of physical changes, and relatable frustrations (“you think you live in space? Nah, bitch, let me drop your face past your ears.” – Kulap, 01:33)

2. The Philosophy of Gift-Giving

• Gifts that “disappear” (consumables, essentials) top the list; shoes, jam, and practical beauty items are all considered prime territory for auntie presents.
  • “Shoes are a different thing. They’re a different thing than a tchotchke... shoes are in a different category.” – SuChin (05:27)
• There’s a vocal disdain for “stuff,” and a clear preference for thoughtful, sometimes utilitarian gifts that also spark joy:
  • “Here’s some more chaos and unregulated shopping.” – SuChin, reading her card to Kulap (06:15)
• Kulap’s mom lounging in the background, the presenters in pajamas ("sleeping pajamas" swapped for "waking pajamas"), and holiday fatigue are recurring motifs.

3. Gift Unwrapping: Surprises and Mix-Ups

Gifts from SuChin to Kulap:

• John Derian Sticker Book 2 & Wrapping Set
  • “There are like more than 800 stickers in this... different sizes of his, like, botanical signature imagery.” – Kulap (07:39)
• Cupcakes and Cashmere book, and a classic red and white twine spindle (“This is year round, baby.” – Kulap, 09:23)

Gifts from Kulap to SuChin:

• Hedley & Bennett x Rifle Paper Japanese-Style Apron
  • Major laugher ensues when SuChin’s apron is misembroidered with the name “Wendy.”
    • “Wait, do I keep Wendy? Because it’s kind of funny.” – SuChin (12:05)
    • “It is really funny that everyone’s like ‘why does it say Wendy?’ and like, none of your business. Funny.” – Kulap (12:12)
• We Love Jam Four-Jar Set
  • “You guys don’t understand—here in year six we get really, really intimate. We get dildo intimate, you know, deep inside. And this jam is the lube...” – SuChin (14:09)
  • Flavors include Blenheim apricot, blackberry vanilla, blueberry lemon, raspberry mango passionfruit.
• Door Shoes (by SeaVees)
  • “What is a door shoe? ...An elegant... slide you have by your door—it has to be closed toe and it has to be something that if you were caught out, you wouldn’t be embarrassed wearing.” – SuChin (16:47)

More Gifts from Kulap to SuChin:

• Pick a Color by Souvankham Thammavongsa book (“You absolutely devoured.” – SuChin, 18:46)
• Judy Doll Mascara, Judy Mascara Remover
  • “Judy Doll mascara. I’ve been thinking about this mascara a lot.” – SuChin (20:05)
• Sarah Creal Eyeliner (listener recommendation: “It’s so good that I’ve gotten it in black and brown…” – Kulap, 21:08)
• Sarah Creal Makeup Bag (gift with purchase; “I’m gonna put my jam full of mouthwash in here in 2027 and who it got to stop me?” – SuChin, 22:37)

4. Mistakes and Pure Auntie Humor

• The apron mishap with “Wendy” instead of “SuChin” brings running jokes (“Should we, in our next recording, we’ll have to sit here in our Wendy aprons.” – SuChin, 23:36)
• Both recognize and celebrate the deep comfort and lack of mystery in their friendship—the joy of always knowing exactly what the other would want, leading to gifts that are “no guesswork.”

5. Small Businesses, Strategy, and Sentimentality

• Both hosts stress supporting small businesses, local makers (even when connected to Target), and the value of items being practical, beautiful, and sentimental.
• “I’ve cut down my Target buying immensely…but of course I got the John Derian.” – Kulap (09:52)
• “Support small businesses and shop local. Okay, sure, as if any of that was a factor in me buying those shoes.” – SuChin (17:55)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Melting like a soy candle with no parabens.”
  — SuChin introducing herself (00:44)

• “You wish you could do a self-tape like a selfie, you know, at the correct angle. Cause boy oh boy, the way that I look like a thumb...”
  — Kulap (01:45)

• “In year six, we get really, really intimate. We get dildo intimate, you know, deep inside. And this jam is the lube.”
  — SuChin, on their longstanding friendship and jam gifts (14:09)

• “There’s no guess. There’s no guesswork. And if you know me, it’s to know I love chocolate and I love jammy.”
  — SuChin (14:47)

• “No one. No one. Who got to stop me?” — Playful declaration by SuChin on using gifts any way she wants (22:47)

• “But that’s how Asians age. You know that—it’s a plump grape, and then before you know it, it’s a raisin.”
  — SuChin on aging in Asian families (23:59)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:44 – SuChin introduces herself with signature flair ("Melting like a soy candle with no parabens")
• 01:11–01:45 – Discussion on aging, auditions, and the realities of "melting" faces
• 05:01–06:22 – Reading of gift card and shoe gifting philosophies
• 07:39–09:13 – Unwrapping sticker book, wrapping kit, twine, and the philosophy of multi-use gifts
• 10:23–13:10 – SuChin opens “door shoes,” discusses practical gifting, apron mix-up, and the Wendy embroidery error
• 14:09–15:55 – Unwrapping jam set, the humor and intimacy of deep friendship, and commentary on “disappearing gifts”
• 16:18–17:55 – Door shoe reveal and explanation, with banter about Crocs and style
• 18:35–22:47 – Beauty/extras: book, mascaras, eyeliner, makeup bag, and further affirmation of their gift-predicting prowess
• 23:36–24:09 – Affirmation of comfort in their auntie personas and a hilarious take on Asian aging

Episode Tone and Style

The episode is fast, funny, full of affection, and feels like eavesdropping on two hilarious, insightful best friends delightedly one-upping and comforting each other through the ups, downs, and absurdities of modern “Auntie” life.

Who Should Listen?

Anyone interested in the joy (and chaos) of thoughtful gift-giving, seasoned friendship, embracing both aging and sentimentality with humor, and adding (or removing) things from your metaphorical life “cart.” Fans of small businesses, beauty products, and cozy lifestyle podcasting will especially enjoy this candid, laugh-out-loud holiday episode.