Thanks It’s From eBay: The Holiday Special
The art of timeless giving.
When I first started using eBay, it was mainly for home goods, inspired by my then-roommate Sophia (co-founder of Thalo and a close friend). I love home goods—they make the perfect gifts because there’s something for everyone: the person who loves to host, the homebody, the one who struggles with decorating, and so on.
I stumbled into a Guzzini hole on eBay and found plenty of items I think would make fantastic holiday gifts. The brand has been around since 1912, so some are old, some are new, but all would make me very happy to receive as a present.
I love these serving plates. I’m actually going to get a set for one of my friends for the holidays. I love the shape and I think it’s a really great way to add a pop of color to your table. I also wouldn’t hate to see them sitting out on a counter to hold fruits and vegetables. If you have a friend that loves to bake like me, a food scale is also a great option. Modern ones offer a little more functionality, but this is a lot less heinous looking than the one I currently use.
A drying rack seems like a boring gift, but it is a practical one and this one looks more like a piece of art next to your sink than something to dry your dishes on. Matching in color scheme, there is a penguin-inspired thermos that would be perfect for hot water or coffee at the end of a dinner party. And these would look great with your favorite ice cream or gelato.
For the non-kitchen/dining home goods friend, there’s a chic desk organizer/calendar that Guzzini made in I believe the ‘80s that’s selling for three times the price on 1stDibs. This is listed as a citrus basket but I feel like it could serve a variety of non-food related purposes, like adding architectural eye candy to your home.
One of my other close friends, Cori, has given me books for the past few birthdays, which I love because she’s gotten me some of my favorites over the years. I think a book is a great gift for a few reasons, but mostly because I think what you choose says something deeply personal about your relationship with the person receiving it. The reason why I’m suggesting eBay for books is because you can find some unique variations. Once I got Cori a book by an author we love that came with a collector’s DVD of the movie version*. As I said, this feels quite personal, so I’m not sure how much my book suggestions will resonate with you all, but just in case… here are some I love. I also recommend checking out what is reading for more book ideas.
Short Cuts (DVD 2004 Criterion 2-Disc Set W/ Book) Robert Altman Raymond Carver*
*SIGNED* WELCOME TO THE MONKEY HOUSE~NR FINE 1ST/1ST EDITION~ ~ KURT VONNEGUT (Wishful thinking)
I think silver makes for great gifts, and people responded really well to my first all-silver roundup (and my Taxco roundup). I’ve included another silver roundup at the end of today’s newsletter in list format. I also asked some friends whose taste I admire to see what they’re gifting this holiday season…
Thanks It’s From eBay is a passion project centered around my love of secondhand shopping and my desire to encourage more people to do it. It’s fun because I get to do it with all of you. If you'd like to support my work, upgrading your subscription is the best way to do so.
Grace O’Neill Dougherty, Jelly Sandwich
I love vintage Alessi, especially this little thing. I'd never ever spend this much money on an espresso machine at my actress salary, but maybe in another life. Norma Desmond would have had her espresso from something like this. This one is great too, but looks a little more modern than the previous. I think they're both really special. As of now I'll continue to romance with my Moka Pot. It gets the job done.
I first saw these Jurgen Teller images of Sofia Coppola in an old issue of Purple Magazine. I will most likely end up buying this if no one here does it first. I appreciate these images because they are fashion but not too in your face. I like the simplicity of them, not too overdone, and very honest. I'd frame this and put it in my bathroom.
Hopefully my boyfriend doesn't read this because I plan on getting him this for Christmas. He and I always have Chet playing at home. His trumpet is irresistible.
*Grace also curated two perfect gift guides, check out part one and part two.
Heartleigh Little
I used to spend 364 days a year counting down to Christmas morning. There was something truly magical about the holiday season and how my parents would transform our home into an absolute wonderland. This time of year still feels special, but since finding out that Santa wasn’t real, Christmas has never been the same for me. And neither have Christmas gifts, for that matter. For better or worse, my taste for giving and receiving has streamlined; fewer, better things. Here’s a few suggestions of everyday luxury that will make it onto my list and easily someone else’s. If it’s not Santa, hopefully it’s Hermès.
This watch is sleek, sophisticated - a dial for every day of the week. You can’t go wrong with customizable jewelry. And surely, no one will have the same.
I was immediately enamored when I saw someone carrying this tote a few weeks back. All the punch of a Birkin with none of the fuss. Enough said.
And this is the perfect cashmere scarf from a classic Scottish mill. I love items that are practical luxury.
Abe Santana
These glass dishes are psychedelic – and 5 for the price of 1? I don’t know if I’m reading this right, BUT, if I am: you should get these. I saw someone post one of these on Instagram last week and immediately typed it into the eBay® search bar. There’s a lot of options, but most are about this price for 1. You can decorate your apartment with these, or, you can keep one and give the others to 4 different friends, or, give them all away and hopefully you’ll get a handful of your holiday shopping done.
Unrelated, but just an FYI to anyone reading this, I am the first person to refer to Margiela as, “Marge,” or, “Margie.” This half-a-century-old shirt is real Margie, not the faux Maison Martin kind. I feel like if you or anyone you know is a super tidy cook or works with their hands a lot, sleeves can be an issue. The sleeves here come pre-rolled and there’s something that feels elegant and poise about it that I can’t translate into words. The closest way is probably by explaining the reason I even looked this up in the first place. While in Basque Country visiting the Cristobal Balenciaga museum, I saw a photo of the designer sitting in his studio wearing a shirt similar to this and decided to save it for later. I realized I’m too much of a goddamn mess to pull this off, and would rather one of you beautiful Thanks It’s From™ Substack subscribers have a chance with it for yourself or a loved one this holiday season.
These mugs are a bit boho chic and the perfect colors for hot matcha or coffee this winter. The green would contrast beautifully and the brown would be just at home. Also, the double finger handles? Extra safety, but the fancy pinky stays mobile? Say less.
Nour Kabbani
I wear my tan London Fog trench coat almost exclusively in the fall/winter. I figured that it was time to get a navy one to add to the rotation. I feel the most chic in a trench coat/loafer/scarf combo!
I’m obsessed with this girl on TikTok who restores vintage Coach bags! Ever since I found her account, I’ve been scouring the internet for the perfect vintage Coach bag I can use as my work bag. I also never look at measurements so might just buy it and hope for the best…
I don’t even smoke but I can’t stop thinking about this vintage cherub cigarette case. It’s cute enough to make me consider smoking… jk… not really?
Ana Salazar, Brainwashed
Due to the fact that my boyfriend and I are deep in the process of moving in together, I've come to the realization that homegoods are the *perfect* gift.
With citrus season coming up, I knew I wanted to treat myself to a vintage glass juicer like this one. They're so sturdy and easy to clean, plus they keep me from spending money on plastic bottles. I feel as though it's a very underrated gift.
I also recently learned that gifting flowers without a vase isn't very nice. Thankfully, eBay has an extensive variety of them. Which is nice, because you can really curate the arrangement to match your loved one’s personality (picture this with black calla lilies). And if flowers are your fallback, "I don't know what to get this person" gift, go for a murano glass pitcher—whoever gets it will most definitely use it for future gatherings or dinner parties.
Aside from kitchen gadgets, I plan on gifting something from the primitive folk art world to my boyfriend. I haven't fully decided what it is I'll get him, but I'm between this wooden stool or this collection of antique, miniature village homes to place throughout the apartment.
The Silver Selection
Taxco sterling silver and baltic amber statement pendant (it’s on the pricier side, but it’s really so beautiful)
3 vintage shell ashtrays (3 gifts in 1)
Vintage dice ashtrays (again, a girl can dream)
Swirled necklace and bracelet set (one for you, one for your friend)
Bonus Tip: There’s also a lot of gorgeous gift wrapping (ribbons, papers, etc.) and old stationery on eBay… <3
I would love to help you find gifts on eBay for your friends and family. Feel free to leave comments below on what you’re looking for. Paid subscribers get priority.
Just divine
The citrus basket!