Last-Minute Gifts That Deliver Instantly

Plus: my favorite emerging fashion voices on Substack.

Partnership consideration for today’s letter is provided by Gucci and Burberry. If you would like to work with The Love List in 2026, please email lauren@aire-ny.com.

Oh hello there, procrastinators! It’s now the weekend before Christmas and Hanukkah is well underway. Have you done nary a lick of shopping? That’s okay, I’m not going to judge you. Since we’re well past the shipping deadlines for many retailers, I’ve compiled a list of thoughtful gifts that deliver instantly — okay, and a few who promise very fast shipping. Nobody will know you waited until the last minute, promise.

A well-directed subscription makes a great gift, not only because it usually delivers via email (no gift wrapping or shipping delays!), but also because every time your recipient uses it, they’ll think of you. Truly a gift that keeps on giving.

Last year, I compiled a list of worthy Substacks that I still stand behind, which I have revised and updated for 2025. But I’ve discovered a few new voices since then, who I’m sharing below. Some of these I found in an open thread I posted where I asked emerging fashion writers to introduce themselves and their best piece of work. You can scroll that here, lots of good stuff to discover.

New Substacks on My Radar:

• Late Filing: Late Filing is a London-based newsletter about style, culture and contemporary life by Fedora Abu, former Associate Editor at Mr. Porter. Great fashion reporting.

• trademarked: How is the concept of an EIHG one I didn’t know of this time last year??

• FROM THE SOFA : Chic missives from the well-curated life of designer Liz Damrich.

• Another Fashion Newsletter: Sogole entered her flow state late this year and cranked out some banger breakdowns on fine jewelry, sale schedules, and other deep-dives that took her newsletter from sometimes-read to don’t-miss.

• The In-Between: Geri’s weekly roundups are worth the subscription alone.

• i/Edit: Personal interviews from leading creatives who work in fields including fashion, architecture, design, photography, food, and beauty.

• The Ceiling: A shoppable wardrobe platform and newsletter about making thoughtful fashion choices.

• Worth Noting: A beautifully-composed culture and design letter from talented graphic designer Natalie Catalina.

• style toast: easy-to-consume, beautifully-presented, archetype-driven fashion content.

• The Voice of Reason with Carole Radziwill: one of the first times I hung out with Carole, she told me a story about making out with Liam Neeson at Andy Cohen’s Christmas party. Her Substack is equally as dishy.

• Godfrey's Guide: a new beauty newsletter from legendary editor Jean Godfrey-June.

• S.P.A. : Incredibly niche newsletter about bathing culture for the spa and sauna devotees.

• Baskets for Breakfast: Slow crafting for a fast world from Underwater Weaving founder Erin Pollard.

• Gift Guide: defies category, much like its author, Kaitlin Phillips.

• A Whimsical World: The platonic ideal of a founder newsletter from LES Collection’s Lauren Sands.

• Driving Shoes: A curatorial shopping newsletter with great taste.

• passerby: Interviews with the women who pass us by.

• Add 2 Cart: Really, really well-written fashion reporting from Max Berlinger.

• Please Note by Cassandra Grey: Like Cassandra needs an introduction? Please.

And of course, I’d love to see you gift a subscription to The Love List:

Subscriptions for the Cultural Heavyweight:

• The Paris Review: for the writerly.

• Criterion Collection: for the aspiring film buff.

• New York Times Games: for just about anyone.

• Cultured Magazine: for the art collector and culture vulture.

• Frederic Magazine: for the interiors enthusiast.

Arrives by Christmas (Order by Dec. 23):

TRUDON Ernesto candle // Flamingo Estate Jasmine and Damask Rose soap brick // Emme Parsons Danielle loafers // OSSA linked gemstone wristlet // Joanna Vargas face mask set // Yves Durif The Shaper brush // Abbode “Girl Dinner” napkins // Vintner’s Daughter cleanser // Printworks Art Lover book puzzle // Frame x Ritz Paris baseball cap