Podcast Summary: "gift ideas that people will actually like"
Podcast: anything goes with emma chamberlain
Host: Emma Chamberlain
Date: November 27, 2025
Episode Overview
In this lively, candid episode, Emma Chamberlain offers a comprehensive, anxiety-busting holiday gift guide for 2025. Admitting that gift-giving isn’t her natural love language, Emma curates a list of creative, genuinely useful presents anyone would actually want, with special emphasis on thoughtful, unique, and personal touches. Her aim: to banish “gift anxiety”—the fear of giving or receiving wasted, unwanted things—and to inspire listeners with ideas that bring real joy and daily delight.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Gift-Giving Anxiety and Mindset
- Emma’s vulnerability: She shares her own discomfort with gift-giving and receiving, driven by fear of waste and awkward reactions.
- “Gift giving causes me a lot of anxiety because I want to get something for someone that they're going to use. I really don't like wasting things.” (00:43)
- Underlines that gifts should be practical, personalized, and functional, not just “stuff” for the sake of traditions.
2. Curated, Personalized Gifts
Emma’s best advice: Curate gifts that relate to shared experiences or the recipient’s interests.
- The “You Have To Try This” Basket (03:00)
- Assemble a basket of favorite items you’ve raved about, which the recipient hasn’t tried yet—think lip balm, candy, Chamberlain Coffee, books, stationery.
- Works for anyone, even grandparents, by picking objects that bridge your tastes and theirs.
- “There's something very personal about a basket like this with items that you've talked about with your loved ones before. Put them on to new stuff curated by you.” (05:56)
3. Upgrading Everyday Essentials
- Personalized Toiletry Bags (after ad, ~18:30)
- L.L. Bean monogrammed toiletry bags, used “for everything” in multiple sizes.
- “The little embroidery on there just adds a bit of personalization. This is something that everyone could use, especially someone who travels a lot.”
- Aesthetic License Plate Frames (20:23)
- Funny or cute frames are unexpected, surprisingly delightful, and easy to personalize.
- “I have one on now that says ‘I'm speeding because I have to poop.’ How funny is that?”
- Custom Glasses Cases (23:00)
- Homemade, monogrammed, or hand-painted: “This is a daily use object that could be more fun, and that's always a good gift.”
4. Tasteful Accessories (That Aren’t Clothing)
- Simple, High-Quality Scarves (25:20)
- “Clothes are so personal… but a really nice, simple, neutral scarf… that's a great gift. The key is quality and material.”
- Embroidered Iron-On Patches & Pins (27:10)
- Custom ones with names or niche interests add personalized flair to bags, jackets, etc.
- “You can pick out the colors and the font. It’s like a cute personal accessory that again, the person receiving the gift might have never thought of before.” (28:40)
- Personality-Matched Charms (31:00)
- Put together a themed charm bracelet or necklace; Emma loves Helen Ficalora for intricate charms.
5. Useful Home & Kitchen Goods
- Unique Coasters & Glassware (33:35)
- “Coasters are a good gift for someone in your life who doesn't have coasters… or for the friend who has boring coasters, maybe get them a fun coaster.”
- Statement Throw Pillows (37:36)
- Go for striking, artistic, or hand-embroidered pillows as both gift and décor.
- Jewelry Boxes or Stands (39:55)
- For friends always losing jewelry; “even just for your friend who likes jewelry.”
- Handmade Vase & Dried Flowers (42:55)
- Emma loves pairing a unique vase with dried flowers for lasting impact. “Dried flowers will last forever. It’s kind of like the gift that keeps on giving.”
- Artistic Clocks (47:12)
- Digital for Gen Z, artistic handmade for décor.
- Stanley Cups (48:50)
- “You'd be shocked at who actually would like and use a Stanley Cup.”
- Kitchen Essentials (fun & functional):
- Butter dish or mortar and pestle – “something that can be left out because it’s beautiful but also is useful.” (51:10)
- Microplane zester/grater – “...has a wooden handle…so sharp and it grates so, so well. A staple.” (54:39)
- Stylish salt & pepper grinders, accompanied by high-end peppercorns and salt (56:27)
- Unique oven mitt, special chef’s knife, cute dish towels, ceramic egg/berry cartons, handmade sponge holder (varies, 59:30–1:11:07)
6. Cozy Comforts & Work-From-Home Upgrades
- Backrest Pillow + Lap Desk (1:12:23)
- Emma wants both for working in bed or on the couch.
- Silk Eye Mask for Travelers (1:17:08)
- She prefers the Slip brand, but other options work well too.
- Cozy Bathrobe (1:18:36)
- “I am such a robe girl…robes will always be used.”
- Nice Socks (1:20:44)
- High-quality wool or fun, fashionable socks.
- Personalized Hair Brush or Comb (1:22:23)
- Hand-painted or monogrammed for a daily upgrade.
7. Small Luxuries & Thoughtful Gadgets
- Vintage Hand Mirrors (1:23:44)
- Handmade or painted, both practical and beautiful.
- “Naughty” Skincare Devices (1:26:07)
- LED face mask, microcurrent tools, or cold/hot wands: “slightly unnecessary but also kind of awesome.”
8. Hyper-Personal & Unique Gift Ideas
- Niche memorabilia (band/movie/TV-related gifts) (1:30:04)
- Most thoughtful gift Emma ever received: a handmade Coraline doll of herself.
- “It is…such a nice gift. Truly one of the most thoughtful gifts I've ever received.”
- Cute, Unusual Stuffed Animal (1:33:54)
- For all ages! Preferably handmade or unique.
- Handmade Pet Accessories (1:35:09)
- Special food bowls, leashes, or collars for your friends’ animal companions.
9. Creative/Art Supplies
- Art Supply Starter Packs (1:37:00)
- Watercolor kits, clay starter sets (Emma recommends Sculpt brand), encouragement for everyone to “make art more.”
- Fancy Journals and Pens (1:39:32)
- “I received an engraved notebook as a gift once...such a nice, thoughtful gift.”
- Paper Planners for 2026 (1:40:38)
- Great for analog organization fans.
10. Quirky Extras & Outdoor Gifts
- Fun Mousepad (1:41:55)
- Emma loves her vintage Apple mousepad.
- Bird Feeder/Bird House (1:42:32)
- Handmade ones add charm—even if they don’t always attract birds.
- Wind Chime (1:44:22)
- Emma’s dad’s idea: “I love the sound of a wind chime. It's so peaceful.”
- Board Games (1:45:15)
- Emma recommends Ticket to Ride, Clue, Yahtzee, Chess.
- Donation to Charity (1:47:40)
- “If there's somebody on your list who truly has everything…donate to charity in their name. Somebody did this for me once, and I was like, that is the nicest, most thoughtful, most perfect thing I could ever ask for.”
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On gift-giving anxiety:
- “Everything about it makes me anxious and nervous and uncomfortable. But it is an inevitable part of the holidays for most of us.” (01:19)
- On functional gifts:
- “There's nothing worse than a gift wasted. A gift that’s just collecting dust in the receiver's closet. That's a shame for everyone involved.” (02:13)
- On choosing scarves:
- “An itchy scarf is somewhat polarizing. Like some people are cool with it, some people are not. I'm somebody who is not. I cannot handle an itchy scarf.” (26:50)
- On everyday items as gifts:
- “There's something fun about accessorizing everyday items.”
- On meaningful, niche gifts:
- “One of the most thoughtful gifts I've ever received was a handmade Coraline doll that looked like me...that is the nicest, most thoughtful, most perfect thing I could ever ask for.” (1:30:40)
- On giving to charity:
- “I don't need stuff. I don't want gifts. I'm good...donating to charity in their name, I think that's a really wonderful idea.” (1:48:03)
Recommended Gift Categories & Timestamps
| Category | Description | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------|--------------| | “You Have To Try This” Basket | Curated favorites (“You have to try this!”) | 03:00 | | Personalized Toiletry Bag | Monogrammed, practical for anyone | 18:30 | | License Plate Frame/Glasses Case | Fun, personal upgrades | 20:43–23:00 | | Scarves & Fashion Accessories | High quality, neutral, or personalized | 25:20–31:00 | | Pins, Charms, Patches | Custom or personality-matched | 27:10–31:00 | | Coasters & Glassware | Unique designs, useful for home | 33:35–36:55 | | Throw Pillows & Jewelry Storage | Artistic statement pieces | 37:36–41:35 | | Handmade Vase & Dried Flowers | Low-maintenance, decorative | 42:55–45:46 | | Clocks & Stanley Cups | Digital/retro, practical | 47:12–49:33 | | Kitchen Gifts | Butter dish, mortar/pestle, zester, knife, towels, etc. | 51:10–1:11:07| | Backrest Pillow & Lap Desk | For cozy productivity | 1:12:23–1:17:08| | Cozy Bathrobe, Socks | Comfort staples | 1:18:36–1:21:07| | Hair Brush/Comb | Painted or monogrammed | 1:22:23–1:23:44| | Vintage Hand Mirror | Unique, painted or antique | 1:23:44–1:25:16| | Skincare Devices | Fun but extra gadgets | 1:26:07–1:29:57| | Niche memorabilia | Movie, band, show-related gifts | 1:30:04–1:33:54| | Stuffed Animals & Pet Accessories | For both adults and pets | 1:33:54–1:36:29| | Art Supplies, Journals, Planners | Creative outlets and organization | 1:37:00–1:41:55| | Mousepads, Birdhouses, Wind Chimes| Quirky extras, outdoor charm | 1:41:55–1:44:22| | Board games | Emma's recommendations | 1:45:15–1:47:40| | Charity Donation | For the person who has everything | 1:47:40 |
Final Thoughts and Tone
Emma keeps the energy upbeat, self-deprecating, playful, and above all, real:
- “I hope that this was helpful. It actually helped me…probably too many [ideas], and hopefully you feel the same.” (1:49:12)
Her advice promotes mindful consumerism, deep thoughtfulness, and a sense of fun—reminding listeners that the best gifts are often personal, surprising, and genuinely useful. If all else fails? Donate in someone’s name.
For full gift details and Emma’s irreverent, cozy commentary, listen to “gift ideas that people will actually like” on Anything Goes with Emma Chamberlain.