The Low-Lift, High-Delight Gift Guide
The easy, joyful gifts worth giving this year.
Thanks to everyone who shared what types of gifts you’re looking for this year. This is a guide to gifts that taste good, don’t cost a fortune, and add a little sparkle to the season. Happy Holidays!
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry!
In a recent IG poll on @dothepot, 93% of you said you’re drinking less alcohol. Low-dose cannabis drinks are a surprising gift and fun to share with friends and family.
Pro tip: Start with half a can, wait 30 minutes, then decide if you want more.
I love to mix sparkling water with cannabis drinks in a special glass.
Cann is known for its yummy fruit flavors, and I like blood orange best.
Brez has more of a bitters vibe and tastes great with a mixer.
If you’re still on the fence, grab a free can of Cycling Frog (my favorite flavor is Black Currant) and set yourself up for Dry January.
If I’m not bringing a 6-pack of THC drinks to a party, my signature gift for the host is this women-owned olive oil. It’s perfect on avocado toast, pizza, or even ice cream.
I love a gift that keeps on giving. Noma’s Taste Buds Membership delivers quarterly product drops in 2026, along with special access to events and exclusive merch from Copenhagen’s most iconic kitchen.
Butter had a moment this year — as a food, a color, and an aesthetic. Lean into it by gifting fancy butter in a beautiful dish. Or order a delicious butter cream cake from California-based Susie Cakes, which now ships nationwide.
If you want a project, Chef Amanda Jackson’s canna-butter recipe is one of the most clicked-on pages on our website, year after year.
Reading is Fundamental
Did you know that even a few minutes of reading can help your nervous system settle?
A University of Sussex study found that just six minutes of reading reduced stress more than listening to music, walking, or drinking tea.
So take a few minutes for yourself this holiday season — and here are some great books to share.
Ruth Asawa: A Retrospective
Learn about Ruth Asawa’s incredible life and innovative work, which for many years was dismissed as craft. Follow her from a Japanese internment camp to Black Mountain College to raising six children in San Francisco. If you’re in NYC before February 2026, don’t miss her exhibit at MoMA!
Sofia Coppola Archive
Scrapbook-style inspiration, personal notes, and behind-the-scenes photos from the iconic filmmaker. Of all the books in my house, this is the one my Gen Z babysitters are most curious about.
ShoeDog by Phil Knight
A founder memoir that reads like a thriller. Nike is a mega brand now, but in the early days the questions were more about whether the company could pay its bills than dominate sportswear for decades.
Kingmaker by Sonia Purnell
Step into the fascinating life of Pamela Harriman — aristocrat, courtesan, and trusted daughter-in-law of Winston Churchill. A juicy story that re-examines her impact on global power and politics.
Good Things Come in Small Packages
A few gift ideas to help you finish off your list.
The cheek brightener that looks good on everyone
Easy at-home nail polish for natural nails
A very useful meat thermometer
AirPods, which never disappoint
For the sleep data-curious: the Oura Ring
Give the Gift of Financial Literacy
A treasure of a book is Priceless Facts About Money by Mellody Hobson. Technically for kids, all readers learn fun facts and the building blocks for a positive relationship with money.
The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel has a succinct, story-based approach to making better financial decisions.
Start or contribute to a child’s 529 College Savings Plan, which can also be used for up to $10,000 per year in K–12 tuition.
Don’t forget to max out your 401(k) or retirement accounts before the end of the year. Open or contribute to a Roth IRA for yourself and grow your investments tax-free.
Quality Time
I’m happy to say I met my goal of watching 25 movies in 2025! What got me over the line? Family movie night. These might not be the most sophisticated picks, but while the kids are on school break, make perfect popcorn and enjoy a little couch time together.
I’m more of a reader than a gamer, and even I’ve been having fun playing Battleship, Chess and Uno. In small doses 🙂
A Quick Note About the Podcast
After six years and more than 300 episodes, I’ve decided to pause How to Do the Pot. It’s been one of the great honors of my career to reach listeners in all 50 states and over 100 countries, and to open up conversations about sleep, stress, pain, menopause, and how women think about their health.
The show received recognition from the Webby Awards, the Signal Awards, and the Anthem Awards — something that meant a lot to our small team.
A lot has changed in cannabis and in podcasting, and it feels like the right moment to take a breath. What hasn’t changed is my belief that women deserve better information and better options for their well-being. And lately, the questions I’m hearing most — about women’s health, menopause, drinking less, and how AI is shaping daily life — are exactly where my curiosity is headed.
Thank you for listening, sharing episodes, sending notes, and bringing me into your ears each week.
I’ll be writing about all of this here on Substack, and I hope you’ll stay with me.
Wishing you a very happy holiday season, and thank you for being here.
If this gift guide was helpful, a ❤️ or a comment always makes my day — and helps more people find it.
Warmly,
Ellen
Such a beautiful, thoughtful list! And an ADORABLE photo of you and your guy. Have a wonderful holiday! xoxox Melissa
Ah I loved this!