r/IAmA • u/GoodHousekeeping Verified • 15h ago
We are Good Housekeeping shopping and gifting experts, ask us anything!
Hey r/IAmA! We'll be hosting a Reddit AMA on October 15 at 12 p.m. EST with three shopping experts from Good Housekeeping to help you get ready for the holiday season.
- Alyssa Gautieri: Senior gift editor who knows exactly what to get for everyone on your list.
- Marisa LaScala: Deputy Editor and parenting expert with the inside scoop on the toys and trends kids are after this year.
- Brie Schwartz: Commerce Director and product expert who cuts through the hype to find gifts actually worth buying—and the best deals on them.
Drop by with your questions—we're excited to help make the holidays a little easier!
Proof: https://imgur.com/a/gdzV4mq
2
u/perscepter 12h ago
I have a bit of a reverse of the usual problem: I need some help figuring out what to say when people ask me what I want for the holidays. I really don't like telling people exactly what to get me as a gift. If I know what I want, I'll buy it for myself. What I tend to like to get from friends/family is something that they're particularly knowledgeable about, or that they like and recommend, or that they did some research to find. It feels great if they introduce me to a new hobby, or share something they're excited about, or just get me something silly that fits my personality. Gifts like that make me feel cared for, and I get gifts that I wouldn't have thought of myself or that save me time/effort trying to research on my own. But that's all a mouthful and comes off as sort of demanding, and not everyone has the time or ability to do all that.
What would be a polite way for me to answer that question when it comes up, without being evasive or sounding picky?
1
u/cdnDude74 11h ago
I've started making an Amazon Wishlist for things under $150 that are neat, cool and I kinda want but wouldn't want to waste my money on it.
I use that list for family and friends who ask me what I want.
Dollar figure is relative of course, but this puts a line between the very specific things I want because I'm being very particular about them and something that won't break their wallet while making them feel nice about getting me something I'll actually want.
1
u/FiliaDei 14h ago
Have any of you been around since before shopping on the internet became common? If so, how has your job changed in the meantime?
1
u/Tarantio 12h ago
How often do you see a product you love drop in quality, and what can we do to avoid buying these inferior replacements?
1
u/JediLibrarian 12h ago
Do you believe that the preponderance of women in roles like yours has an impact on the gift guides you author? If so, what steps do you take to try to get male perspectives?
1
u/Bigfoop 11h ago
hope you guys are all having a great week!
how do you guys, if you do at all, vet new "gifting and shopping experts" and what sticks out most to you about the way people do it?
do you find yourselves to be easy to gift for or the hardest?
what sort of mistakes do you find too many friends and family making in thinking about the right gifts for others?
thanks!
1
u/spindriftstan 11h ago
what are your thoughts on sending out links to gift registries (myregistry, giftlist, Amazon) for birthdays and holidays? is it helpful or tacky?
1
u/flaky_sea_salt 11h ago
I live in a small apartment and don't have room to store unwanted gifts that often come from family members. What are some very small or non-tangible gifts that I can put on my wishlist instead?
1
u/tropicalnorm 11h ago
Do you have any recommendations for someone who is self-admittedly very bad at gifting?
1
u/jspepper 10h ago
What do you get for the person who is hard to find gifts for? Yes, speaking in third person to really just mean me.
I hate getting gifts, even as a child. When one family friend asked what I wanted when I was 10, I said cash. Since this is my birthday month, and the holidays are coming up, how do you find gifts for those people that are not easy to shop for, or just are uncomfortable getting gifts? Not giving, I rock at that and enjoy doing so.
Thanks and happy early holidays!
1
u/crocsinsocks 8h ago
Why is every gift list the same, portable speakers, Airpods (or equivalent), some kind of eye mask for some reason, overly expensive house gadget people use once, candles, and for men, always digital wireless thermometer, tool gadget that tries to do too much, grilling utensils and something golf related?
1
u/lrglaser 7h ago
I own a startup food company. What type of gifts/pitches catches your eye to feature? Is it the pitch, the product, the story behind the brand? What is the best way to start a relationship with an editor? When is the best time to start that relationship (when you are launching, pre-launch to share the story/journey, or new product)?
1
1
u/Dragontastic22 15h ago
I have no kids of my own, but I'm a guncle to an 8-year-old. He's into Youtube and at the age where brands matter. (I remember being at that age. I didn't want just an animalistic bean bag. I wanted a Ty Beanie Baby.) What are the specific brands that matter to kids now?
1
1
u/cutdownthere 13h ago
Damn, this is a really cool AmA. Ok I'l bite. I'm thinking of going on a honeymoon at the beginning of next month - ideas for couples experiences ? Also ideas on HOW to gift the wife. Throughout marriage I mean not just the honeymoon (but also like to make it memorable for her). Thanks!
-1
2
u/kitten_orchestra 14h ago
My husband (40M) of 16+ years likes experiences as gifts (I do too). I have already gifted him spa days, massages, wine and paint nights, pottery classes, cooking classes and pastry classes in the past. We have also been to both Universal Studios in the US, and are not into Disney or amusement parks as such.
He is introverted, interested in books, cars and racing, national parks and traveling, and he’s an adventurous foodie and a decent cook.
What new experience can I gift him, in California or the west coast, preferably within $500? Thank you!