The Group Chat: Your presence is a present

Are you tired of nonstop gift guides put together by faceless companies trying to sell their own stuff? In the interest of helping you not just survive, but thrive this holiday season, we’re coming at you with another guide for the last-minute shoppers…and this time, every single rec comes directly from a member of our The GIST Plus community or our team.

• That’s right, these are all products that actual GISTers are giving their actual friends and family. Real recs from real sports fans? Hey, that’s what group chats are for.

👑 For the pampered diva: ’Tis the damn season to live luxuriously, don’t you think?

• Crabtree & Evelyn Hand Cream Therapy. “This is my go-to stocking stuffer.” — CKL, The GIST Plus member

• Dior Lip Oil. “This is my go-to gift for the girlies and the gays. It’s the perfect blend of luxury and affordability, offering a great product at a reasonable price.” — Jaysh, Social Media Coordinator

• Peace Out Redness Reducing and Clarifying Facial Mist. “This mist is perfect for anyone (like me) who gets really sweaty, which leads to breakouts! I keep it in my gym bag and give myself a few mists at the end of a workout if I know I won’t be able to wash my face right away.” — Gabby, The GIST Plus member

👀 For your friend who’s an early adopter: She’s always looking for something new. Get her a gift even she won’t expect.

• A Raw Spice Bar subscription. “It’s a fun way to experiment in the kitchen and try new flavors.” — Alessandra, Sports News Producer

• Almave agave spirits. “I’m sober, and it’s a very good mixer for when you want to feel fancy. And Lewis Hamilton is involved! I haven’t tried the new Humo one (it’s like mezcal), but Ámbar is great and Blanco is good too.” — Mattie, The GIST Plus member

• Curious Correspondence Club. “This is an “escape room in an envelope.” Super high production value, and a lot of the puzzles/props require assembly, so if you like paper crafts, this one is for you. A great way to take a break from doomscrolling.” — Molly, The GIST Plus member

🤓 For your most practical person: Everyone has a friend who hates clutter and only wants gifts they “need.” Trust us — they’re gonna love these.

• A NYT Cooking Subscription. “NYT Cooking is my obsession, and gifting a membership to a loved one is genius.” — Katie, Content Producer

• ArcLight Pro Flat Pedals. “As a bike commuter, these are a game-changer. They really boost your visibility, and pedaling makes the lights way more noticeable.” — Schop23, The GIST Plus member

• A Letterloop subscription. “I am obsessed with Letterloop, which helps you put together a biweekly, monthly, or quarterly newsletter for your friends and family. I am in four separate Letterloops and have been using them for years to stay in touch with friends that I don't text or call as often as I'd like.” — Lisa, Sports News Producer

🎨 For your quirky, creative bestie: We used to build things. Thanks to any of these inspiring gifts, your pal can leave their mark on the world…or at least, their world.

• This Month’s Craft subscription box. “It’s monthly crafts mailed straight to you. Truly couldn’t be easier.” — Julia, Account Manager

• A book embosser. “Every time I finish a book, it’s like a reward to emboss it. You can customize it with whatever you want!” — Liz, Business Development Specialist

• A clear purse. “This bag has been super useful for attending concerts and games where there are always bag restrictions.” — Marga, The GIST Plus member