Two posts in two days?! Apparently every other month I publish like a *real* substack writer. See you all again in February (kidding but probably). In lieu of a ‘Stuff I Like Post’ this month’s product centric publication is a gift guide for the Runner in Your Life™ because there haven’t been enough gift guides this year (*sarcasm). I’ve titled it ‘Don’t Buy Them Shoes’ because seriously - don’t buy them shoes.

Unless you have a Runner in Your Life™ who wears the same exact shoe day in + day out or you know they’ve tried on something fancy but are trigger shy due to price or they’ve literally said to you ‘buy me this one shoe’ do not buy them shoes. If you want to buy them shoes buy them a gift card because no one, literally no one, will be mad about a gift under the tree that says ‘I know I’ve given you sh*t about the number of shoes by the front door but I’m ok with one more purchase because it’s Christmas.’

The Holiday shopping season has been off to an annoyingly slow start - although we have seen an uptick in sock sales so maybe it’s picking up? Q’s 2 + 3 are bigger pushes for running stores (marathon season makes the world go round) but bills are still due in Q’s 1 + 2 and quite frankly I love shopping for other people (+ myself, let’s be serious). There’s something about picking the right gift for someone that I find so rewarding. My husband much prefers Thanksgiving because food + football, two things of which I could care less. I love the anticipation of the Christmas, the coziness of the season (where it actually feels ok for the weather to be frigid), the counting down till Christmas Eve, going to bed wondering what might be under the tree when I wake up. I want to see what’s in my stocking but more importantly I want you to see what’s in your stocking, because I already know it’s awesome.

Stuff I Like - December Edition

Katherine Douglas

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December 20, 2024

Have you been putting off your holiday shopping as much as I’ve been putting off writing about it? Do you feel a mild sense of panic every time you receive an email warning you that today is the last day to order in time for Christmas delivery? Stressed every time you glance at the bare tree in the corner of your living room?

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I wrote a gift guide last year, published five days before Christmas because while I love gift giving + shopping, I am not one who does this in August. I’m very much a last minute shopper because apparently I love the added stress of ‘will it arrive in time’ because apparently my life does not contain enough stress. Last year’s gift guide included things you could buy at a drug store because if you procrastinate long enough, this might be your only option. My parents divorced when I was 12, and it wasn’t until after college I finally realized that because my mom played Santa for us, no one was playing Santa for her. I also didn’t realize this until Christmas eve, and since my hometown is a tiny one, the only option open we could find was our local Rite Aid. My mom received a stocking full of York Peppermint Patties and lotion.

It’s the thought that counts, right?

So in honor of having a few more days (+ by few, I mean three), this year’s gift guide is a little nicer, a little nicer and all the items come from tmyhe store (because slow sales remember?)

1. A Gift Card to Your Local Running Store

    

   As previously stated, no one will be mad to receive this gift. They might, however, be mildly annoyed if you attempted to buy them something, got their size wrong + now it’s their responsibility to return it. Most stores (mine included) relax their return policies to account for gift giving but it’s still annoying for all of us when someone returns old product a month after we expected to sell through it.

    

   Added bonus for those of you who’re really lazy (or left your shopping till the absolute last minute) you don’t even have to leave the comfort of your couch to purchase!

   

2. Socks! Socks! Socks!

   (sung to the tune of shots! shots! shots!)

    

   No runner will be mad about a stocking stuffed with stockings. We all love socks, have a million socks, and yet struggle to find a matching pair in the morning when it's time to go for a run. This time of year is the *perfect* time to stock up as this is when all the really fancy socks come out to play. Merino wool is hands down my absolute favorite fiber for running in the winter, especially for outfitting my feet. Naturally thermoregulating + moisture wicking (have you ever seen a miserably cold, wet sheep? I think not) this is the ultimate tool for keeping warm + blister free in the cold, wet winter weather.

    

   Because the yarn is more premium, these socks usually clock in at a slightly higher price point therefore will feel all that more luxurious wrapped with care under the tree.

   

    

3. A Bougie Coffee Table Book (or Magazine)

    

   Ok so one of these is a preorder but honestly who’d hate getting a gift in April randomly sent to their house? I love pre-ordering books because not only does it help the author1 but also I totally forget I’ve purchased it until I get the shipping notification. Girl math if I don’t remember making the purchase (or if it’s a 2025 expense for a 2026 product) then it’s basically free, right?

    

   Runher is the first editorial style, quarterly magazine for women. I contributed as a founding retail member on kickstarter. I told my accountant it was a marketing expense but also there’s no way as a female founded/owned/operated business that I couldn’t not contribute. Give the gift of a subscription - no one will be mad. This is the only magazine I’ve fully sold out of.

    

   We hosted Salt + Flickers for their West Coast book launch tour and I love them so much I got their art tattooed on my forearm (true story). A coffee table book is a pain free, less permanent way to enjoy their art.

   

    

4. Muscle Rubs + a Theragun

    

   Name a runner who doesn’t roll out of bed each the morning + hobble around until their feet/hips/hammies properly warm up. We all suck at *actually* stretching2 so instead of a foam roller, give the gift of something that does the work for them. I bought a Theragun mini last month when I threw my back out and I had the same reaction to owning one as I did when I got my first Iphone : how have I not had this sooner.

   

    

   Bonus points if you include a gift card to a bougie spa so they can get themselves a *proper* massage.

   Also enjoy this video from the Theragun website. Who doesn’t want the convenience of working out some knots while waiting for their fancy dinner to arrive on date night?

    

5. Incense, Bath Salts + An Old School Running Journal

   For the Runner in Your Life™ who needs to chill the f*ck out, get them the gift of calming the f*ck down. Think of this as your Type B influence on all your Type A running friends. Encourage some rest days with a gift that says ‘less is more,’

   

    

6. A Fancy Ass Bag to Put All Their Shit In

   They look simple but they are workhorses. I’ve wanted to carry Epperson Mountaineering for as long as I had the idea of the running store because I was absolutely obsessed with their lightweight nylon backpack. Since their minimums were high (+ I didn’t know enough to just *not* meet the minimum) I also stock a variety of their totes as well.

    

   Fun fact if you *do* decide to buy shoes, Norda shoes come with their own shoe bags. I don’t know why but I feel like this makes the $295 price point a little more palatable.

   

    

7. Warm Ass Running Gear

   Especially if the Runner in Your Life™ isn’t prepared for the cold. Or maybe they are, either way no one is going to complain about something warm and cozy they can wear during or after their run. I have a million cold weather pieces that are inappropriately warm for the California Cold™ that is SF in the winter and I still wear them. Not for running obviously, I’m not a monster - but they are the first pieces I’ll put on when I get home and want to procrastinate the shit out of a shower.

   

    

8. Merch From Their Favorite Running Store

    

   It doesn’t have to be from my running store but I do think our merch is the coolest (completely unbiased of course).

Now that we’ve done all the hard work for you, all you have to do is add to cart, sit back + wait 2-3 days for your gift to arrive. Or if you’re local, buy onine + pick up in store! If even this isn’t easy enough for you, there’s always the drug store.

*k