24 Killer Newsletters That Make Great Gifts

Subscriptions arrive immediately, no gift wrap required!

We’re down to the wire. Christmas is tomorrow, as is night one of Hanukkah. At this point, I hope you’re wrapped and ready. But watching my guy run out today to buy gifts on Christmas Eve reminds me that not everyone is prepared for tomorrow yet. Should you be one of those folks, don’t fret!

You can still give a thoughtful gift that will arrive on time: newsletter subscriptions.

By my (and only my) definition, a gift-worthy newsletter (one worth not only paying for, but paying for on someone else’s behalf) is:

• professionally presented

• established

• has a deep enough content archive to warrant paying for

• is published on a regular, reliable cadence

• is written by someone credible and knowledgeable

• provides real value to its readers

These pass that cut.

Don’t be cheap by buying only a one-month subscription; gift your recipient an entire year to enjoy reading. Spring for the annual.

P.S. Please know this is not an exhaustive list, and it is in no particular order — I have an emotional hangover from watching The Holiday and The Family Stone back-to-back last night, along with two glasses of Nebbiolo. So, I’m not at my sharpest. My brain is firmly on holiday.

That said, even though some of the people I mention below are friends, none paid me or even knew I was writing this. I just think their letters would be fantastic gifts. I’M SURE I FORGOT PEOPLE, AND IT WAS NOT INTENTIONAL (!!!!!)

I am writing this from my bathtub, in case you didn’t believe me when I wrote Bath Person. Anyway, onward.

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If they like: FOOD/DINING

Buy them La Briffe: Legendary food writer and Gourmet Editor Ruth Reichl publishes this newsletter, which is full of recipes, kitchen tips and tools, old Gourmet page tears, and missives about her storied past with pals like Alice Waters and James Beard. It is a well-rounded treat for anyone who enjoys food culture, loves to dine out, or cooks at home. 

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If they like: FASHION INDUSTRY

Buy them Puck’s The Line Sheet: If you have a fashion dork on your list, The Line Sheet, led by Lauren Sherman, is a juicy read. In-depth analysis from respected reporters is delivered in a snarky-ish tone that teeters just on the edge of a tabloid. Reading it feels like whispering gossip at a great dinner party. It's an excellent gift for someone who was dying to know who will take over Chanel or cares what’s going on behind the scenes at Goop.

Also consider Back Row: By

Amy Odell

, Back Row is an in-depth fashion newsletter with original stories about luxury retail and runway fashion. Amy is also Anna Wintour's biographer, giving her unprecedented insight and access into the world of Condé Nast. 

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If they like: SHOPPING

Buy them The Love List: YES, I’m going to plug myself. I think we’re one of the best shopping newsletters out there. Sure, you’ll get Black Friday rundowns and gift guides as expected, but also in-depth interviews with the people who make your favorite products, spotlights on independent designers you should know, hot girl anthropology, on-the-street trend reports, well-sourced and edited market pages, and menswear from a former senior editor at GQ. Think of us as that glossy magazine you miss. Best of all, we have a very robust brand culture: events, product collaborations, and an active community of women online and off.

Also consider Magasin and Shop Rat:

laura reilly

at Magasin gives you thoroughly-reported missives from the Paris Runways, hyper-thorough sale listings, and eagle-eyed luxury product excavations.

Emilia Petrarca

at Shop Rat’s brain operates on a completely different plane, taking you lipstick shopping with Alison Roman, offering thoughts on where the Pope buys his socks and insight on where to get your clothes repaired in New York.

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If they like: BUSINESS/NEW YORK

Buy them Feed Me: Similar to Line Sheet in tone, Feed Me is published daily by New York Mag alum

Emily Sundberg

and covers the modern business landscape with a refreshing lack of sterility. It also makes plenty of news itself, breaking stories and publishing tips ranging from niche NYC table topics to in-depth insights into the culture’s most fascinating business minds.

Also consider As Seen On: Presents similarly to Feed Me, minus the insularity, with beautifully written and heartfelt reporting by

Ochuko Akpovbovbo

.

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If they like: PERSONAL STYLE (Luxury)

Buy them The Cereal Aisle: Since we’re talking gifts, I think

Leandra Medine Cohen

creates the most premium product in this ecosystem. Not only did she define the category with Man Repeller (and inspire countless derivatives over the last decade-plus), but she continues to publish a meaty, well-written newsletter on a frequent cadence full of original ideas. Bonus: lots of great thoughts on being a Mom.

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If they like: PERSONAL STYLE (Accessible)

Buy them Earl Earl: A seasoned editor and fashion vet,

Laurel Pantin

does a great job of showing you how to wear something like Madewell or Rothy’s in a way that feels put-together, cool, and elevated. While there are still plenty of luxury products in her letter, she presents them aspirationally and offers lots of alternatives. Her tone is friendly and conversational. Also, more good Mom thoughts here!

Also consider 5 Things:

Becky Malinsky

has that hyper-relatable every-girl appeal that is REALLY hard to achieve because it cannot be manufactured — and she’s been in the industry forever, so it comes with a big bolster of credibility. Clothes sourced from all over are presented with style that feels original but also (and this is the trick) like you can do it, too.

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If they like: TRADITIONAL NEWS MEDIA

Buy them News Not Noise: Journalist

Jessica Yellin

got many of us through COVID. I can think of no singular news voice my circle of women trusts more, barring perhaps Kaitlan Collins. If you’re fatigued with talking heads, snark, political sparring, and sensationalized reporting, News Not Noise does a comprehensive job of reporting the news with as little bias and as much empathy as possible. MSNBC and Fox could never.

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If they like: FEEL-GOOD STUFF

Buy them The Pleasure Lists: We all need a little warm and fuzzy sometimes, and The Pleasure Lists delivers feel-good content that isn’t saccharine. It’s exactly what it sounds like: hyper-specific lists of things interesting people find pleasurable, which can include anything from morning meditations (Dianna Cohen) to Brandenberg Concertos (Rachel Seville Tashjian). Look for one from me in early 2025.

Also consider Ask Polly: Still the best advice column in the game, now on Substack. Head here for heartfelt guidance from

Heather Havrilesky

, a fellow flawed human who’s done the work.

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If they like: YOUTH/INTERNET CULTURE

Buy them After School: Skibidi toilet ?!?! Suppose you know someone trying to understand Gen Z or just a particular kid in their life. In that case,

Casey Lewis

does a killer job of decoding generational trends, language, and culture. It’s info-dense but still easily digestible.

Also consider User Mag:

Taylor Lorenz

is the undisputed Queen of the Internet. The genre of Internet Culture reporting would not exist had she not (literally) invented it. She’s recently endeavored into a newsletter that was an immediate smash hit. Don’t miss her thoughts on the dismissal of Tiktok.

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If they like: TRAVEL

YOLO Journal: Without a doubt the best travel product being published today, nobody (literally, nobody, for real) opens the doors

Yolanda Edwards

can. This is the most well-sourced, robust travel resource out there, online and off.

Also consider Window Seat:

Tori Simokov

’s approach to travel is editorial and elevated. There are no listicles here, just gorgeous gatherings of the world’s best souvenirs, hotel recommendations, and all the aspirations that inspire passport stamps.

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If they like: BEING AT HOME

Buy them Scratch Pad by The Stripe:

Grace Atwood

makes being a cat lady cool. Head here for book recommendations, beautiful bits for the home, cozy essays, and lots of online shopping.

Also consider Downtime and Extracirricular: Alicia’s letter, Downtime, is dedicated to homebodying. It feels like settling into a soft sofa by a crackling fireplace. Tembe’s Extracirricular is strictly books. She’s a fearless and peerless reviewer who often diverges from popular opinion. It makes her recommendations super compelling.

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If they like: INTERIORS/DESIGN

Buy them Schmatta: If your recipient misses the old Domino or design blogs, Schmatta should fill that hole in their heart. An abundance of quirk presented with the warmth of home.

Also consider The Arcades: This man could write the alphabet and it would be funny. Whether or not your recipient is in the market for antiques or cares about the auction world, they’ll still belly laugh.