Sarah & Beth’s Favorite Things from 2022
This year in homage to Sarah’s love of all things Oprah, we thought we would share our favorite things! These are the items that saved our lives, items we just plain loved, items we found insanely useful. We mentioned these things throughout the year on the podcast, our premium channels, and social media and have collected them here. There are a wide range of price points and a characteristically diverse array of items. We hope you find it useful and we hope you share it if you do!
You can also check out last year’s Gift Guide Here.
This post contains affiliate links!
Sections
The Gift of Pantsuit Politics
If you’re looking for a gift for a Pantsuit Politics fan in your life, here’s where you should start!
Pantsuit Politics on Cameo (a personalized video from Sarah & Beth!)
I think You’re Wrong (But I’m Listening): A Guide to Grace Filled Political Conversation
Now What? How to Move Forward When We’re Divided (About Basically Everything)
Pantsuit Politics Premium Subscription via Patreon or Apple Podcasts
Unfortunately, neither platform has yet released a way to gift subscriptions directly. Our recommendation on Patreon is to use your credit card to pay for an annual subscription and then turn the account over to the person you are gifting. For Apple, the best route seems to be a version of the Patreon method or an Apple gift card.How to Listen to a Podcast (Follow and listen on your favorite podcast player Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube)
The Gift of Advent
At our most recent Ask Us Anything live event for our Premium Members, Sarah mentioned that she’s usually ALL IN on Advent Calendars, but she felt she needed some fresh inspiration.
We got so many wonderful recommendations that we wanted to share them with you.
Activities (would be fun for kids or adults)
Snacks and Treats
24 Teas of Christmas (Vahdam India)
Dolly Parton Advent Calendar (Williams Sonoma) (our love of Dolly is well documented at this point)
Handcrafted Caramel Advent Calendar (Uncommon Goods)
Holiday Gourmet Assorted Chocolate Gift Box (Godiva) (we were looking for a chocolate calendar that didn’t have the same kind of chocolate every day this seems to fit the bill)
Popcorn Shed Gourmet Popcorn Advent Calendar (yes, we’re sharing TWO popcorn calendars. this one is popped and has a “candy” feel the next one is pop your own popcorn with a variety of seasonings)
Christmas Popcorn Advent Calendar (Williams Sonoma)
As a general tip from our Ask Us Anything, apparently Aldi has ALL the advent calendars, but you should check with your local store for their release date, because they go fast!
Beauty and Personal Care
Liberty Beauty Advent Calendar (this is EXTRAVAGANT and no one on our team actually has gotten this, but it looks so luxurious that we simply had to share)
NYX 12 Day Advent Calendar (Makeup)
Fun for Kids
Countdown Adventure Box (Love Pop) (I am unreasonably excited about this one. Also, they have adventure boxes you could do any time)
Other ideas for the Holiday Countdowns
The Alternative Advent Calendar (this is actually a book by Gillian Monks with 25 daily activities to connect you to the season regardless of your geography or background)
Advent Give Away Calendar- add 25 items to charity bag, or your Buy Nothing Group.
The Gift of Reading
Whenever we mention a book on the podcast, we add it to our page on Bookshop.org. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores and we receive a commission if you get books there, but it’s also a great place to see what we’re reading.
Pantsuit Politics on Bookshop.org
Some of our favorite authors on the podcast this year were:
Dr. Becky Kennedy, Good Inside
Rick Steves, Travel as a Political Act
Lisa Sharon Harper, Fortune
Jason Kander, Invisible Storm
Kristin Kobes Du Mez, Jesus and John Wayne
Colin Woodward, American Nations
Sarah’s Favorite Books of the Year:
Beth’s Favorite Books of the Year:
My friend Cyndi recommended the Cilla Lee Jenkins series for Ellen. She was so right. I almost can't read a chapter without tearing up, but in a good way.
How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy by Jenny Odell
Beth will probably have More to Say about From Reopen to Reinvent: (Re)Creating School for Every Child by Michael B. Horn and The Wal-Mart Effect by Charles Fishman
The Gift of Style
Able
This year we joined in a partnership with Able and have fallen pretty hard for their products. If you choose to shop at Able this holiday season you can get 30% off the entire site using the code PANTSUIT30
These are some of our favorite things from Able:
Sarah’s travel backpack: Isabel Heritage Backpack
A shirt so perfect that both Sarah AND Beth sing it’s praises. Meghan Drapey V-Neck Tee
I love this bag — Rachel Utility Crossbody just the right amount of compartments, holds so much more than you might imagine, it's lightweight for such a large bag, choices on straps for how you'd like to carry it, beautiful leather. -Beth
I also love the Debre wallet, as you know, because VERTICAL credit card holders. I also really like how it's distressing as it gets tossed around in my bag.
These Ann Twill Straight Leg Pants are ridiculously comfortable, complete utility players, and always look polished. I'm wearing them with everything — blazers, denim jacket, sweaters, tees.
Merly Jacket. It's a best-seller for a reason
Other Things We Love
UEU Women’s Cozy Yoga Sweatpants with pockets (aka Beth’s Magic Pants that you actually CAN wear anywhere)
Beth: I’m currently obsessed with this. Sometimes I wear it as a dress. Sometimes I wear it as a jacket. I have it in black and olive. I can't promise that I won't order it again in another color.
Lake Pajamas. It is all good. It is all I wear - literally. -Sarah.
Zip Pouch Pro from Alpaka Gear (this is the pocket ORGANIZER Nicholas uses)
Sauberkugel (Magic Purse Ball)
GoodR These sunglasses are so sturdy and fun - we love them
Personal Care
Oil of Olay Regenerist, CeraVe, Air Dry Foam (Sarah)
Caudalie Facial Mist (Grape Water Moisturizing Facial Mist)
Honeypot This is not an affiliate link, but the Honeypot Company makes the most thoughtful and gentle period and other products, and we love them.
The Gift of Paper and Pen
We believe in the power of an empty page here at Pantsuit Politics and devoted fans of all things planner, calendar, and journals.
The Gift of Yum
When a virtual casserole just won’t do…
Rarely has an idea captured our audience so completely as Snacking Cake. Sarah and Beth discussed how much they were enjoying Snacking Cakes outside of politics on this episode after the passing of Queen Elizabeth. If you are reading this and somehow haven’t gotten a copy or checked it out from your library, consider this your sign that you should: Snacking Cakes: Simple Treats for Anytime Cravings: A Baking Book by Yossy Arefi
Half Popped Pop Corn and Kettle Corn Half Popped Popcorn Our friend Melissa sent these to us and they were SO GOOD (popcorn was an unexpected theme of this year’s gift guide)
If you like chocolate, Tony’s Chocolonely make the most delicious chocolate (if you happen to be reading this in the UK, they also have an advent calendar)
Beth got this delightful Alice and Wonderland Tea Set because she wanted something that could feel a little spooky for Fall, but wasn’t limited to one season. (Double points for whimsy)
The Gift of Family Fun
We might not be traditionally “fun” but we love having fun with our families.
Beth gifted the Holland family What’s a Meme: Family Edition during her summer visit and they have loved playing it!
Beth is newly obsessed with this Horse Racing Game, which is an absolute blast for tailgating.
On a recent episode of Dear Beth, a listener asked Beth for recommendations for a family event for a wide range of age groups. These were Beth’s recommendations for kids: Outer Space Sensory Bin and Stack Your Chickens
This Safari Bowling Playset is FANTASTIC. Beth gave it to her niece and she had such a blast. There are so many ways to play with it. It's a fabulous gift for the under 4 set.
Sometimes when talking about global events, Sarah or Beth will invite their kids onto the podcast or premium channels to talk about the news. Earlier this year, Beth’s daughter Ellen joined her on the Good Morning news brief, and this World Globe Black & White got almost as much attention as the headlines.
The Gift of Mail
You know we love a subscription box here at Pantsuit Politics.
For Good News on the regular, our friends at Good Good Good make the nicest newspaper. Branden Harvey, the founder of Good Good Good was on the show this year and if you’d like to subscribe to the Goodnewspaper you can use the code Pantsuit to support good news and get your first month of the print newspaper free
Sometimes with a subscription, you can end up with way more of something than you can use or things that you want to try but never actually do - that is not the case with this one: Artisan Candle Subscription
Bouqs Flower Subscriptions I had one of these this year and it was lovely to have flowers to send for a birthday or anniversary ready to go (and prescheduled) and when I didn’t have an occasion to celebrate, I just sent them to myself -Maggie
The Gift of Experience
For those of you looking to gift experiences this year…
Travel
If you visit her Instagram @bluegrassred, Sarah has highlights from Memphis, New York, South Florida, Indiana, Austin and more that are full of parks, restaurants and other recommendations
If you are going places, Beth recommends these packing cubes. They WILL in fact make your travel life better.
Experiences of all kinds that we loved
Beth talked about going to New York to see Into the Woods with her sister on this episode of the podcast., and dropped a little bit of wisdom, “when you feel ‘I want to experience this thing with this person,’ whoever it is, however a little sense it makes, that is the message of Into the Woods that you keep going back. And I think that just continuing to go is a really beautiful and truly political act also.”
Sarah’s personal ministry is recommending that people see Brandi Carlile Live in Concert
We are eagerly awaiting the 4th season of Succession and Sarah and Beth are looking forward to watching this season in real time and talking about it outside of politics next when it comes out (there’s still time to catch up!)
You KNOW Sarah loves her Peloton - if you Peloton, one of her favorite rides is Florence and the Machine.
Our biggest recommendation: whatever you love, whether it’s a musical, piano lessons, or something else take your people and do it.
Gifts for New Parents
Alise added to her family this year and we wanted to share some of her recommendations for those of you with new parents or new babies in your lives.
Nurtured 9 gift boxes - Beth bought me a subscription to receive these boxes the first few months after Oliver arrived. It was so meaningful to get something that was meant for me, but also practical for this season of life. They have a lot of gift options and you can buy their products individually. My favorite products and the ones we still use the most consistently are these super comfortable pajamas, this cute swaddle blanket, and this super basic but quality teething ring.
Hair clips - Once Oliver learned to grab, wearing my hair down became a constant, painful battle. I bought myself a very basic new set of hair clips, but finding a pretty set that matches New Mom’s style and makes her feel a little fancier than she feels would be a great stocking stuffer.
A fresh home-cooked meal - A DoorDash gift card is an incredible gift; we used every penny of every one we received. However, in the post-partum haze of frozen meals and takeout, one of the best moments was when my husband’s coworker showed up with a grilled pork loin and grilled fresh vegetables. So simple, but we were so hungry for fresh food. If you live close enough to do this, it is a wonderful gesture.
Water Bottle - This phase of life demands an absurd amount of hydration. We already had a lot of water bottles, but my sister bought me one of these when I became pregnant and we liked it so much I bought my husband one a few months later.
Storage Bins - We bought these storage bins for our den just before Oliver was born and they have been an unexpected delight. We use one for baby laundry so there’s a nearby place to toss dirty burp clothes or onesies, one for toys, and one for books. We’ve also used them on car trips for easy access to a few necessities while on the road and trying to keep Oliver entertained. They are good quality for the price and easy to clean.
Gifts for New Babies
Captain Calamari - SO many of our listeners insisted we needed this toy. Maggie agreed and graciously bought it for us. Everyone was right. The Captain was Oliver’s first friend.
Tommee Tippee pacifiers - There are much cuter pacifiers out there, but Oliver accepts nothing else and I’ve heard the same from other parents as well.
Little Tikes 2-in-1 Snug 'n Secure Swing - Save this for supported sitters, but we just bought Oliver this swing and he loves it. My mom has the same one and my 2.5 year old nephew still adores it.
Halo Sleepsack Swaddle - This swaddle was a lifesaver for us. We still use it every night as a sleep sack even now that we’ve stopped swaddling.
Matthew Paul Turner books - If you, like me, have deconstructed your childhood faith and aren’t quite sure how to introduce ideas of spirituality to your own child, Matthew Paul Turner’s books are perfection.