Gwyneth Paltrow: Holiday AMA

Summary

The goop Podcast – "Gwyneth Paltrow: Holiday AMA"

Host: Gwyneth Paltrow
Episode Date: December 2, 2025

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Episode Overview

In this special Holiday Ask Me Anything (AMA) episode, Gwyneth Paltrow opens up to listener questions about the challenges, joys, and unique traditions she navigates during the holiday season. In her signature candid and warm style, Gwyneth dives into everything from managing stress and burnout to her favorite holiday recipes, family dynamics post-divorce, meaningful gift ideas, and the wellness routines she keeps—even when life gets chaotic. The episode is rich with personal anecdotes, honesty about anxieties, and practical, heartfelt advice.

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Key Topics, Insights, and Memorable Moments

1. Managing Holiday Stress and Burnout

• Volume of Responsibilities: Gwyneth discusses the "sheer volume of things" she must juggle during the holidays, including running goop, organizing family events, and a new movie release.
  • "What stresses me out most during the holidays is kind of the volume of things that have to get accomplished before the end of the year..." (02:37)
• Burnout Reality:
  • "I'm already burnt out. I'm so freaking burnt out right now, I can't barely see straight." (03:34)
• Her Coping Strategies:
  • Prepping gifts and lists early
  • Ensuring sleep and downtime
  • Setting "really early bedtimes" and avoiding alcohol until she officially clocks off

2. Savoring the Holiday Season

• Enjoy the Little Things:
  • "I love it when everybody's together, and I try to really savor the moments and build time to take long walks or to cook things together... really just letting time slow down." (04:02)
• Handling Complicated Family Dynamics:
  • Acknowledges that every family has its issues, and the holidays can intensify them.
  • Her technique: self-talk, empathy, and seeing the "whole person" beyond triggers.
    • "If something happens that makes me feel frustrated or annoyed, I literally just will talk to myself through it... just breathe. It's not a big deal. Don't be triggered." (04:30)

3. Hosting, Presence, and Family Traditions

• Staying Present While Hosting:
  • Recognizes it's hard to be both the host and be fully present, but finds prep work helps.
    • "It's hard to host and be totally chill and present. Like I have not mastered how to do that yet..." (06:00)
• Evolving Traditions:
  • Her family celebrates both Christmas and Hanukkah, keeps old traditions like pajamas, long beach walks, and "Boxing Day" gluttony and board games. (06:43)
• Wellness Routines:
  • Sticks to exercise and sauna, even during chaotic times. "It keeps me very grounded." (07:30)

4. Advice for Young Adults Returning Home

• Ways to Contribute:
  • Simple contributions like making a side dish or baked good, or bringing conversation card decks ("The And: Family Edition") to facilitate meaningful connections. (08:09)

5. Heritage, Decorations, and Post-Divorce Holidays

• Relishes Both Jewish and Christian Traditions:
  • Loves Hanukkah candle-lighting and classic Christmas, including music and traditional dishes (Martha Stewart’s roast turkey, family stuffing, etc.) (09:07)
• Decorating Timeline:
  • Tree goes up first week of December; her grandmother (humorously) kept it up until Easter. (10:19)
• Navigating Post-Divorce Holidays:
  • Recommends an honest, individual approach—considering personal comfort vs. family unity
    • "You have to really think about, is it gonna cost you a sense of integrity to do it... and focusing on kind of love and forgiveness and togetherness..." (10:59)

6. Beloved Holiday Recipes

• Favorite Dish:
  • "Stuffing is my favorite food." She prefers a classic with stale white bread, onions, celery, and herbs—no sourdough. Loves making stuffing waffles with leftovers.
    • "I like to do this thing where I take some leftover stuffing, mix it with a beaten egg, and then put it in a waffle iron... Oh my God, it's so good. And you get all the crispy edges and then put a poached egg on top." (16:07)
• Vegan/Gluten Free:
  • Suggests baked sweet potato w/ maple syrup & pecans, cornbread stuffing (gluten free), spiced rice, and crispy garlic greens. Recommends asking AI for recipes. (13:23)

7. Food, Cocktails, and Hosting Favorites

• Latkes Are a Family Favorite:
  • Served with applesauce or crème fraîche and caviar. (17:22)
• Favorite Holiday Cocktail:
  • "Spiked eggnog. Eggnog with brandy. I like mulled wine too." (23:47)
• Cranberry Sauce:
  • Admits secret love for canned Ocean Spray (vs "goop approved" homemade). (20:57)
• Leftovers Enthusiast:
  • "I love leftovers. I love a turkey sandwich... with cranberry and with stuffing and gravy on it..." (20:39)
• Holiday Work Party Outfit:
  • Points to her own new "Gwyn Collection" black dress, describes an upcoming bow-back style. (17:45)

8. Holiday Gift Giving Philosophy and Inspiration

• Thoughtful, Personalized Gifts Are Best:
  • Enjoys picking out items friends and coworkers have mentioned throughout the year (e.g., boots, mugs).
• Favorite Gifts for Different Groups:
  • Oura ring (for health-focused friends, 27:48)
  • “The Find” secret curation page on Goop for unique ideas (24:33)
  • Monogrammed items, LL Bean totes, personalized ornaments for generic/last-minute gifts (28:45–29:28)
• Experiential Gifts:
  • Values experiences and subscriptions for people who dislike material gifts (26:44–26:56)
• College-Age Kids:
  • Honestly, they want money, but she tries to get something they've mentioned, like rare Adidas merch (27:02)

Memorable Quote:

"What is such a great, inexpensive gift?... The L.L. bean boat and totes with a word or the person's name or an initial. I think those are so great... you can't go wrong with something that's personalized or monogrammed." (28:45)

9. Self-Reflection, Mental Health, and 2026 Intentions

• Lessons from 2025:
  • Discovered a new tendency toward anxiety, which was previously unfamiliar to her. (32:10)
• Coping with Anxiety:
  • Meditation, body scans, and evening baths: "I feel like the water takes off the energy of the day... you can feel your heart beat in a hot bath... there's something about it that really grounds me." (33:14)
• Priorities for Next Year:
  • Letting go of anxiety, practicing more grace, and working "smarter, not harder." (34:32–35:16)
• Gratitude:
  • Grateful for the film community’s warm response to her new movie, which genuinely surprised her. (34:57)

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Notable Timestamps

• 02:37 – Holiday stress and time-saving strategies
• 03:34 – Burnout honesty
• 04:02 – Savoring moments, slowing down
• 04:30 – Handling family conflict and triggers
• 06:00 – Balancing hosting with being present
• 09:07 – Jewish and Christian holiday traditions
• 10:59 – Co-parenting and navigating holidays post-divorce
• 13:23 – Vegan/gluten-free holiday recipes and using AI for help
• 16:07 – Stuffing (her favorite food) and the stuffing waffle trick
• 17:22 – Family-favorite latkes
• 20:57 – Canned vs. homemade cranberry sauce confession
• 23:47 – Favorite holiday cocktails
• 24:33 – Goop's secret "Find" curation page for special gifts
• 27:02 – Gift ideas for college-age kids
• 28:45 – Monogrammed and personalized gifts
• 32:10 – Newfound anxiety, mental health reflections
• 33:14 – Bath as grounding ritual
• 34:32 – Health priorities and resolutions for new year
• 34:57 – Surprising gratitude: film community support
• 35:16 – “Work smarter, not harder” as a 2026 intention

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Additional Lighthearted Moments

• Gwyneth jokes about her husband Brad being "the worst" for holiday cheer—a self-aware, gently teasing moment: "Brad is like, he hates Christmas music, he hates Christmas decorations... He looks forward to it being over." (12:49)
• On pie baking: "I'm a bad baker. My crust is so fucked up, it always falls apart or it's like dry... I just, I'm a cook, not a baker." (31:18)

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Overall Tone

Warm, personal, and relatable, Gwyneth creates room for the honest messiness of holiday life—balancing tradition, togetherness, modern pressures, and self-care with moments of vulnerability, good humor, and practical wisdom.

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For Listeners

This AMA episode is an inviting listen for anyone looking for authentic advice, clever holiday ideas, and comfort that even Gwyneth Paltrow is human and finds the holiday season as delightful, stressful, and occasionally overwhelming as the rest of us.

Transcript

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

Thanks for tuning in to today's podcast, made possible by our friends at Cartier.

[Cartier Narrator]

I've always loved the way that jewelry can tell a story across time. With Cartier, that story often begins with the panther. First appearing as a spotted motif on a watch in 1914, it's become one of the maison's most endured symbols. It was reimagined in 1935 by Cartier's visionary creative director, Jeanne Toussaint, who brought the panther to life in three dimensions for the first time. Bold, magnetic, powerful, she turned it into something iconic. The newest Panthere de Cartier creations continue that lineage. Two panthers, face to face. Sculptural, yet flexible channel. An alluring intensity. They feel timeless and yet alive in the present moment. That's the magic of Cartier. The craftsmanship, the history, and the way these pieces invite you to imagine your own story within them. Shop the Latest creations on Cartier.com.

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

When you are pioneering anything or introducing new ideas to the culture, you get criticized. You do? Yeah. Did you hear about that?

[Guest or Interviewee]

I didn't find the one. I found someone I respected, and we made it the one.

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

In the sort of longing kind of view of love. People understand each other as if by magic.

[Guest or Interviewee]

Nothing in itself is addictive on the one hand. On the other hand, everything could be addictive if there's an emptiness in that person that needs to be filled.

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

I now know that nobody changes until they change their energy. And when you change your energy, you change your life.

[Cartier Narrator]

I'm Gwyneth Paltrow. This is the GOOP Podcast, bringing together thought leaders, culture changers, creatives, founders and CEOs, scientists, doctors, healers and seekers here to start conversations. Because simply asking questions and listening has the power to change the way we see the world. Here we go.

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

Hi, I'm Gwyneth Paltrow. Welcome to the GOOP Podcast. Today we're doing a special holiday ama. So thank you for your questions. I have not yet seen what they are, so I'm going to be surprised. And let's get to it.

[Audience Member or Caller]

Okay. What stresses you out most during the holidays and how do you manage it?

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

What stresses me out most during the holidays is kind of the volume of things that have to get accomplished before the end of the year. So organizing food and going to the market and gifts and, you know, trying to deliver on the quarter at goop. And this year I have a movie coming out on top of it all. So I think it's just like the sheer volume of things that I have to do and what I do to Sort of manage it. I mean, I do try to. I do try to do the gifting thing as ahead of time as I can. I like to just make sure I'm organized with my lists and who's coming when and what are we gonna eat, and then make sure that I build in a lot of sleep and downtime over the holidays.

[Audience Member or Caller]

Building off of that, how do you create space to slow down and avoid holiday burnout?

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

I usually am crawling to the finish line by the holidays, and this year is no different. How am I gonna manage burnout? I'm already burnt out. I'm so freaking burnt out right now, I can't barely see straight. So I think just really early bedtimes. No alcohol until I clock off. That's my plan.

[Audience Member or Caller]

Best tip for actually enjoying the season instead of rushing through it.

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

I love the holidays. I love it when everybody's together, and I try to really savor the moments and build time to take long walks or to cook things together. Like, I just really appreciate that time being at home with nothing to do and no meetings to take and really just letting time slow down.

[Audience Member or Caller]

Advice for handling holiday gatherings when family dynamics may be complicated.

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

I mean, I think all families have dynamics that are complicated at one point or another. The holidays can obviously exacerbate that, I think, also because there's a sort of pressure to really feel happy and. And sometimes relationships, existing stuff and stuff in the past, you know, make. Make things feel fraught for certain people. I think for me, I just try to, like, avoid my old triggers as much as possible. And I. I try to talk to myself. Like, if something happens that makes me feel frustrated or annoyed, I literally just will talk to myself through it and just be like, gwyneth, just breathe. It's not a big deal. Like, don't be triggered. I kind of. That's sort of my best trick. And then I always remember, try to, you know, to see the whole person. Like, sometimes we get stuck seeing people in these dynamics because we've been in them with that dynamic with the person for so long. But if you can see somebody who's, you know, tough, like, as how they were as a kid, and sort of feel them as a whole person and cultivate empathy, that also helps, too.

[Audience Member or Caller]

How do you stay present with family and friends while also running the show?

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

It's hard to stay totally present with family and friends when you're running the show. But I think prep work is great for that. Like, before people arrive to get a lot of stuff done. And then, you know, I mean, look, it's hard to host and be totally chill and present. Like I have not mastered how to do that yet, but I do, like once, especially once we sit down for the meal, then I try to really get sink into my chair and really enjoy the company and the food.

[Audience Member or Caller]

What does the holiday season look like now that your kids are older and are there traditions that you've kept from since they were children to now?

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

So even though my kids are older, we still do the same thing every year. We're always together. We do Christmas and Hanukkah. We have a really fun Christmas morning. We usually take a long time to open presents and then have a long walk on the beach and you know, eat and stay in pajamas. And then we also do kind of Boxing Day, which is a holdover from our days in the uk where we just have another day of glorious gluttony and total relaxation and board games and stuff like that.

[Audience Member or Caller]

What's a wellness routine that you keep despite the chaos of the season and why it's so important to you?

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

You know, I really like my routine of exercise and sauna. It's kind of the, it keeps me very grounded. I feel like when I'm doing my workout, it's a way to, you know, move any frustrations through the body and out. I really like the practice of sitting in the sauna and just taking some time and chilling out. So those are the two things that I make sure that I do. Even if it's just like a long, a long walk, it's really important for me to move.

[Audience Member or Caller]

What are some small ways to contribute as a 20 year old daughter going back home for the holidays since moving out?

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

That's a very sweet question. I think, you know, making something is really nice, like making a little side dish is nice or you know, bringing a baked good, something like that that feels like you're adding to the bounty. I think just anything that's simple and kind of the more homemade, the better. The other thing that would be fun to do is maybe to bring like one of those great decks of cards that ask questions and everybody can go around taking turns and asking questions. I really, I can't remember the name of the cards that I like. The and is that what they're called? Yeah, I think the and and they have a great family edition and I think it's like $20 and it really makes like the family sitting around a fun experience.

[Audience Member or Caller]

What traditions do you enjoy most from your Jewish and Christian heritage?

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

I'm so lucky to have Jewish and Christian heritage. I Love Hanukkah. I love the symbolism. I love the spirituality of it. And, you know, just. And then, of course, my kids love the eight nights of presents. Who wouldn't? But I really enjoy lighting the candles. We always do a big group hug and light the candles, and it's a really special moment. And I love Christmas. My husband is a little bit of a Grinch, so he's the opposite. But I love the decorations. I love the Frank Sinatra Christmas album. I really get into the holiday spirit. I love decorating. And we have a traditional menu that we do every year. I always make Martha Stewart's recipe for perfect roast turkey, and we have our stuffing recipe and our sweet potatoes and all the things. So we never really deviate that much. We never. One year we added fried chicken to the mix, which I thought was weird, but Brad really was into the idea. But this year, I think we're going traditional.

[Audience Member or Caller]

Do you put up a tree?

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

Yes. Oh, my God.

[Audience Member or Caller]

How early? A couple people asked, when's too early to put up a tree?

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

When's too early to put up a tree? I mean, I know people that do it after Thanksgiving. Like, I think that's pretty acceptable. I think before Thanksgiving, then you're dealing with a dead tree. But I think we're doing it. You know, I usually do it like the first week in December, I would say. My grandmother used to keep the Christmas tree up until Easter. So talk about a dead tree. But by New Year's, I think that first weekend.

[Audience Member or Caller]

Time to take it down.

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

Yeah, exactly.

[Audience Member or Caller]

How do you navigate the holidays with your kids? Post divorce, there were a few people that asked advice for how to navigate the holidays after a divorce with kids.

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

Yeah, I mean, look, I think, you know, if the inclination is to do it together as a family and whatever permutation that family is currently in, I think it's a really nice thing to do, but also not at the expense of one's feeling of, you know, comfort and boundaries. And I've been thinking about this idea a lot of, like, you know, I was talking about this with a friend who was saying that she really wants to have the holidays with her ex husband for the kids, but she's sort of. If she's really honest with herself, she's not that comfortable. And so, you know, we were sort of talking through this the other day, like, what is the right thing to do there? And I just think it's very individual. And you have to really think about, is it gonna cost you a sense of integrity to do it, or are you okay you know, being a little uncomfortable and sort of pushing yourself into a new area and focusing on kind of love and forgiveness and togetherness. And, you know, I remember back in the day thinking I'm just going to remember all the best qualities about my ex, like, you know, when we first got divorced. And that was really helpful to not, not focus on the reasons why you're not together, but the reasons why you love the person and why, why you loved them. But I, but I do think it's also important to stay in integrity. So it's, I think have a close your eyes and ask yourself the real question.

[Audience Member or Caller]

Do you have any traditions that you've picked up from Brad that he brought to the relationship that you love? I'm kidding.

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

Brad is the worst. Brad is like, he hates Christmas music, he hates Christmas decorations, he hates roast turkey. Like he hates the traditional dinner.

[Audience Member or Caller]

Anything he looks forward to?

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

No, he looks forward to it being over.

[Audience Member or Caller]

I think that's a lot of people though, really. I mean, I love it, but I think a lot of people just think of stress.

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

I feel very alone in my house and my love for Christmas, although all the kids love it, so they're on my side.

[Audience Member or Caller]

Do you have any vegan or gluten free friendly holiday dishes that you love?

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

Yeah, absolutely. So what I love about the holidays is how adaptable all the food is and how you can make all the sides vegan. So you can make like a delicious baked sweet potato with maple syrup and pecans, you know, and with a little coconut oil, you can make all kinds of greens with crispy garlic. For example, you can make, you know, a cornbread stuffing that's gluten free with lots of onions and celery sauteed in olive oil with lots of herbs and seasoning. And make like a delicious stuffing so you don't have to put eggs or milk instead of. And I think it's great to sort of lean into those, lean into the vegetables and I think too like a nice, beautiful rice dish, especially if it has like some clove and some raisins, like some holiday spice in it. That's another good kind of vegan gluten free option. And lately I've been asking AI various AI platforms for help with that kind of thing. And it's incredible the recipes that you get. So I would also like you could put in what I just said, but ask them for an exact recipe and you'll get something great.

[Cartier Narrator]

I've always loved the way that jewelry can tell a story across time. With Cartier, that story often begins with the panther. First appearing as a spotted motif on a watch in 1914, it's become one of the maison's most endured symbols. It was reimagined in 1935 by Cartier's visionary creative director, Jeanne Toussaint, who brought the panther to life in three dimensions for the first. Bold, magnetic, powerful, she turned it into something iconic. The newest Panthere de Cartier creations continue that lineage. Two panthers, face to face. Sculptural yet flexible channel an alluring intensity. They feel timeless and yet alive in the present moment. That's the magic of Cartier. The craftsmanship, the history, and the way these pieces invite you to imagine your own story within them. Shop the latest Pantere Creations on Cartier.com.

[Audience Member or Caller]

I know you mentioned the Martha Stewart recipe, but what's your favorite thing to cook during the holidays?

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

Stuffing is my favorite food. Like, I love stuffing. I'm very specific about it. Like, it can't be sourdough bread. It has to be like stale white bread with tons of onions and celery. I do it with butter and I do it with poultry seasoning and lots of herbs. And I love it leftover the next day. Like, I. I like to do this thing where I take. Take some leftover stuffing, mix it with a beaten egg, and then put it in a waffle iron.

[Audience Member or Caller]

Yum.

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

Oh my God, it's so good. And you get all the crispy edges and then put a poached egg on top. So good.

[Audience Member or Caller]

Do you use a recipe for your stuffing or is it just from memory?

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

I don't use a recipe for my stuffing anymore. Really? I mean, I have it on the GOOP website. The one that I use. Yeah.

[Audience Member or Caller]

What's your least favorite thing about holiday hosting?

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

I mean, I guess it just can be stressful that it's just, you know, you want the food to turn out right and it's like a lot of dishes cooking at the same time and I think that's the most stressful, like timing everything out.

[Audience Member or Caller]

Yep. What is your family's favorite thing that you cook this time of year?

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

Probably latkes. I make really good latkes with. There's the applesauce and then there's creme fraiche with a little caviar. I love a latke.

[Audience Member or Caller]

You're gonna do a holiday themed boyfriend breakfast? I should those waffles stuffing waffles.

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

Should I do that?

[Audience Member or Caller]

You should.

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

Okay.

[Audience Member or Caller]

Advice on what to wear for a holiday work party. It's kinda cocktail attire.

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

Wow. Funny you should ask. We just kind of released a Gwyn collection for this exact thing. We have a real. A couple of really nice black dresses. One that just launched and one that's coming the first week of December for with our holiday capsule. I think just like nice chic. The one that's coming in December is really nice cuz it has a higher neck and a bow in the back. It's not too sexy, but it's not, you know, it is nicely. It's just, it's feminine. It's really pretty.

[Audience Member or Caller]

Favorite traditions around the holidays in New York City?

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

Well, when my kids were little we always used to go to the Nutcracker in New York City which was so much fun. Thank God they're over the stage of wanting to like go to Rockefeller center and see the tree. Cause that is the world. Like the traffic is so intense and the people, the volume of people on the sidewalk. But we like to go to the theater. Like we like to go. We're usually in New York City before Thanksgiving and we usually go and see a play.

[Audience Member or Caller]

Your ideal Christmas morning?

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

My ideal Christmas morning would be to sleep in.

[Audience Member or Caller]

What's sleeping in for you?

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

Sleeping in for me would be like 7:30. That would be really nice. And then just, you know, coffee and presents and food and just very chill.

[Audience Member or Caller]

Do you have a favorite holiday memory over the years?

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

Well, last year we went to Italy for Christmas and it was really special to be over there. You know, these Catholic countries do Christmas so beautifully. You know, candlelit processions and beautiful music and that was really special vegetable side.

[Audience Member or Caller]

Dish that isn't boring.

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

I mean I always love really crispy Brussels sprouts. If you're feeling really adventurous, you could deep fry them and then toss them with some sriracha and a little bit of fish sauce for something really zingy and unexpected.

[Audience Member or Caller]

Eggnog, yes or no?

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

I love eggnog. Especially spiked eggnog with brandy in it. I love it.

[Audience Member or Caller]

Go to olive oil.

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

You know, I just really make sure that it's not. It doesn't have to be a special brand or anything but I think just high quality olive oil that is olive oil and not a blend of oils is really important. I like that. What's that brand that. The squeezing one. It's like Grazza. I like Grazza. That's nice. I also like Costarina. That's a really good one. There's a ton of great artisanal olive oils out there.

[Audience Member or Caller]

You kind of answered this one, but leftovers? Yes. No, maybe.

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

I love leftovers. I love a turkey sandwich. I love a Hot turkey sandwich the next day on good bread with cranberry and with stuffing and gravy on it. Oh, my gosh.

[Audience Member or Caller]

I feel like you've answered this one in the past, but canned or homemade cranberry sauce?

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

I like canned cranberry sauce. I know it's not goop approved, but I love the ocean spray jelly cranberry thing. I grew up on it and I am never not eating that. I also do like the whole cranberry sort of sauce that when I, you know, you do it with like orange and clove and stuff like that. That's good. But nothing replaces that of ocean spray deliciousness.

[Audience Member or Caller]

Most memorable gift you've ever received.

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

Oh, that's so tough. I don't know. My husband always gives me really thoughtful gifts for Christmas. I can't think of the best gift I've ever received, but just something that makes you feel understood, you know?

[Audience Member or Caller]

Yeah. All about the thought.

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

Yeah. Like, I got a great meat thermometer one year. I was very happy with it.

[Audience Member or Caller]

What are you reading right now?

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

Right now? I'm not. What is the book that I'm finishing that I started? Well, I just read Scott Galloway's book, which was really interesting about manhood in America. But I'm reading a novel too. That's excellent. And for some reason I'm having a real menopause moment where I can't remember the name of it.

[Audience Member or Caller]

Home or away for the holidays? Home.

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

I love being home for the holidays. I don't want to get on a plane and like schlep and be in a weird bed. I just want to be home.

[Audience Member or Caller]

Do you prefer to get dressed up or stay in pajamas on Christmas day?

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

I would say pajamas till the afternoon and then a nice walk and then dinner in real clothes. Apple really likes when we dress for the holidays too. So it's a tradition. Yeah.

[Audience Member or Caller]

Would you rather host or be a guest?

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

I would rather host. I mean, I mean, being a guest is lovely too, but I guess I'm just so used to hosting and I think I would feel like a fish out of water.

[Audience Member or Caller]

What's your hosting philosophy? Simple or all out?

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

I think it's somewhere in the middle. Like, I love things to look beautiful and I love a lovely place setting and decorations. But I also like it to feel homey and home style and sort of like, you know, family style service or like a buffet. Something. Something comfortable.

[Audience Member or Caller]

One hosting rule that you swear by.

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

In bed by nine?

[Audience Member or Caller]

Always.

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

Always.

[Audience Member or Caller]

Do people know it by this point? Like, do they start to see themselves out or do you have to be like, no, it's time to go. No.

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

Sometimes people are like, wait, it's 8:55. Finish the story quickly because she's going to kick us out.

[Audience Member or Caller]

Favorite holiday cocktail?

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

Spiked eggnog. Eggnog with brandy. I like mulled wine too.

[Audience Member or Caller]

It's very cozy.

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

Yeah, yeah.

[Audience Member or Caller]

Top gift for your gal pals.

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

I like to do, you know, I like to do personalized things. I always love to send a Gwyn sweater because my friends love them. Also. We did this really awesome metier travel bag this year which is so beautiful. It's like it actually if you want it to, it can come with all the products already inside, which is so cool. But it's this beautiful yellow leather and they made an extra long handle for me. So this is really nice too.

[Audience Member or Caller]

What is advice for a gift for a friend that has great taste?

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

So we have this kind of secret page on goop.com called the Find which if you put it in search, it'll come up. And it's a really special curation of unusual things. Hard to find things. That's where I always send my friends who say I have somebody to shop for. That's really difficult.

[Audience Member or Caller]

Best gift for coworkers.

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

You know, I like to sort of think about the person and as opposed to sort of like a blanket gift. So I don't know, I try to make think of something that I know that the person will actually like. It could be one. One time I did like a personalized mug. One time I did like somebody on my team really loved my boots. So I got them boots. Just things like that. I try to pay attention during the year to what people are saying they want. And then I like to order those really early whenever I think about them.

[Audience Member or Caller]

Gift idea for a male fiance.

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

My God, that's so broad. What kind of guy is this? I mean, I mean I always like to start with what are they fans of, right? Like does he love a sports team? Is he. You know, like one year I got Brad this great thing they were doing that he's obsessed with the movie Jaws. And then I saw it was Jaws 50th anniversary and they issued like the watch that the captain wore, whatever. So I got him that, you know, so things that are like meaningful to the guy, you know, like I could get Brad any like Boston sports team, like collectible thing or any Bruce Springsteen thing. I think those kinds of things are nice like just so that they feel like scene as well.

[Audience Member or Caller]

Ricky hates gifts, so I have to go experiences. So I'll be Like a round of golf somewhere that you haven't been. Like, he hates gifts. It's very hard.

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

Does it like to open gifts?

[Audience Member or Caller]

No. And I love giving gifts, so it makes it very challenging.

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

What about something like, you know, like a subscription to something that is sort.

[Audience Member or Caller]

Of a good idea?

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

You know what I mean? Like, I don't like a whiskey thing or then you could make. Or a sake thing. Like you could make a meal. It would arrive, so it would be a gift, but it would also be like you could build an experience around it.

[Audience Member or Caller]

That's a great idea. Okay, I'm writing that one down. All right, well, gift ideas for college age kids.

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

I mean, college age kids really want money, right? I mean, that's kind of what they want. But I try to get my kids something that they've mentioned over the course of the year. Like, I'm trying to find my son, like one of those Adidas Oasis merch things. It's really hard to find, but I know he wants it, so I'm trying to scour the Internet.

[Audience Member or Caller]

Anyone listening?

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

Yeah, if anyone here works at Adidas, please could you help me buy an Oasis Adidas jacket for my son? Thank you.

[Audience Member or Caller]

Favorite health gadget to give as a gift.

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

I love to give the Oura ring. You know, I think it's great. A lot of people love it and a lot of people in my life are starting to get more and more health conscious and focused on their sleep and their steps and stuff like that. I think it's a really great gift.

[Audience Member or Caller]

Gift for a new daughter in law who is hosting us this year.

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

That's nice. I mean, I think it's nice to bring her something to lighten the load, obviously. Like, I don't know, I'm big on, like bringing great pies and stuff like that. I also think, you know, anything that makes hostessing feel a little more special, like monogrammed napkins, for example, and anything that, you know, will make her feel kind of proud when she sets the table.

[Audience Member or Caller]

Do you have a go to gift when you have no idea what to get someone?

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

Yeah, I do. You know, I go for a monogram. Like what I. You know, what is such a great, inexpensive gift? We probably have to do it right now because of the Is, you know, the L.L. bean boat and totes with a word or the person's name or an initial. I think those are so great. Or a personalized ornament. Like, personalized things are so fun because you don't have to spend a ton of money, but it's like there's no doubt that you thought about the person weeks before the holidays and then got them something. So I think that's. You can't go wrong with something that's personalized or monogrammed.

[Audience Member or Caller]

Is there a gift you keep on hand for last minute giving?

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

I love the tomato candle from Flamingo Estate. I think that's. Anything from Flamingo Estate, you know, is always a great gift. I mean, I think goop gifts are really awesome, but then sometimes I feel like, are people gonna think that I'm getting this because I have a company discount?

[Audience Member or Caller]

You just have a closet full of goop items for last minute, which I.

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

Do and I would want, but sometimes I'm like, well, maybe I want this stuff.

[Audience Member or Caller]

I'm sure they're still excited. Do you have a gift that you're excited to give this year that you already got or that you have in mind?

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

Well, I really want to get my son. Ooh, let's see. Yeah, I mean, I don't want to say what it is because I'm going to ruin it, but there's a couple of things I'm really excited to give.

[Audience Member or Caller]

So. Have you already started your shopping?

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. Are you crazy? Who are you dealing with?

[Audience Member or Caller]

True. Is there anything on your wish list this year?

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

I'm really into that. French jewelry designer, Marie Lichtenberg. I would. I mean, it's expensive, but I would not be unhappy to get something. I would also like something experiential too. You know, I think Ricky's right about that. Like, it's nice to get something that then you're gonna go do and look.

[Audience Member or Caller]

Forward to and then you have the memory. I feel like you were. If you look back at G, maybe you got over the years, you don't remember them all, but you remember the things that you maybe did together.

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

It's true. It's true. So I think maybe something like that would be really nice.

[Audience Member or Caller]

Do you have a favorite pie to.

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

Make or to buy?

[Audience Member or Caller]

Either. Do you make pie from scratch?

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

I'm a bad baker.

[Cartier Narrator]

Okay.

[Audience Member or Caller]

I would not think that.

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

I just, like my crust is so fucked up, it always falls apart or it's like dry. I'm just not. You know, it's like there are cooks and there are bakers and I'm a cook, so I really don't. Every time I try to make a pie, really, the crust is like cardboard. I don't know what I do wrong. Maybe I over roll it or who knows? But so I like to buy pies.

[Audience Member or Caller]

Favorite pie to eat.

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

Oh, well, during the holidays, I love pumpkin pie. Pumpkin and pecan.

[Audience Member or Caller]

Do you have a favorite spot you get it from?

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

Well, Carissa's Bakery out on Long island, if we're out there. Or I guess the apple pan makes great pies. Yeah. Good stuff that somebody was telling me. And, of course, Winston's.

[Audience Member or Caller]

What is something you've learned about yourself this year?

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

This year, I've learned that I am prone to anxiety, which I never had until this year, which has not been that fun of a lesson.

[Audience Member or Caller]

Yeah. Does it feel heightened now, going into the holidays?

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

It feels. I mean, it sort of depends on the day, but it feels like last night, it felt very heightened. And then sometimes, like, it's inexplicable. And then sometimes I feel totally in my body and Zen, so just another way hormones are ruining my life.

[Audience Member or Caller]

Are there any tricks that you've come across that can help?

[Cartier Narrator]

Benzos.

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

No, I'm kidding. I mean, you know, I try to meditate in bed. That does help me. Or do, like, body scans?

[Audience Member or Caller]

Yep. Do you use, like, an app that runs you through a meditation or do you do it on your own?

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

I usually do it on my own. Although sometimes I will if it's really bad and I can't get out of my own head. There's some really good apps out there.

[Audience Member or Caller]

Kind of speaking to that. What's a ritual that's been grounding you lately?

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

You know, I'm like, I love to walk, and I love to take a bath. It's very simple. But I just feel so grounded. I really have not been skipping my bath at all lately at night because I just. I feel like the water takes off the energy of the day, and I feel like, you know, you can feel your heart beat in a hot bath, and it's like, all the dilation, and I don't know, there's something about it that really grounds me.

[Audience Member or Caller]

What's one thing you're letting go of as we head into 2026?

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

I don't know. I mean, I feel like I would like to try to let go of this anxiety. I would try to, like to let go of whatever is, like, making my nervous system so on the fritz. But, you know, it's like, I. I think at this point in my life, I've let go of so many of the things, like the people, places, and things that I wanted to let go of. And, like, I feel. I feel pretty good about the choices that I've made and the company I keep.

[Audience Member or Caller]

Is there something you're prioritizing for your health or happiness in the new year.

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

You know, I'm not like a big resolutions person or like, you know, I kind of believe that every day. I'm sort of always working towards just like, as opposed to trying to be something or do something or not do something. I think maybe it's just more grace in this coming year.

[Audience Member or Caller]

What's something you're grateful for that surprised you this year?

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

I guess I'm grateful that, like, the film community seems to be happy that I did a film. And it's very sweet and I'm very surprised by it and it's, it's. I don't know, it's been lovely.

[Audience Member or Caller]

What intention are you carrying with you into 2026?

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

I guess just to continue to work smarter and not harder.

[Audience Member or Caller]

I like that.

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

Let's see how far I get. It's not always easy to give yourself permission to slow down this time of year, but I am going to try to practice what I preach. So that being said, we're going to take a little break on the POD till the new Year. So thank you so much for tuning into the GOOP podcast. Thank you for being a listener. I really appreciate this time that we have together and I appreciate your support and a very, very happy holidays.

[Cartier Narrator]

Thanks for tuning in. This has been a presentation of Cadence 13 Studios. I hope you'll listen, follow, rate and review all of our episodes, which are available for free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Odyssey or wherever you get your podcasts.