Wes Kao's Newsletter Holiday Gift Guide 2023

Gift ideas for the founders, marketers, and builders in your life (including yourself)

👋 Hey, it’s Wes. This week, I have a special edition of my newsletter because I’m sharing my top holiday gift ideas. If you want my normal content where I share frameworks for becoming a sharper marketer, operator, and builder, check out these articles below:

1. Strategy, not self-expression: How to decide what to say when giving feedback

2. WTF does “act like an owner” actually mean?

3. Rigorous thinking: No lazy thinking

We’ll resume our regular programming next week. Subscribe to get access to these posts, and all future posts.

In this week’s newsletter, you’ll get holiday gift recommendations for founders, marketers, engineers, and ambitious builders. Enjoy.

PS This post may get cut off due to length and images, so see the full post on the web.

Read time: 8 minutes

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Happy holidays, friends! I’ve always wanted to put together a gift guide, and I’ve gotten positive feedback for product recommendations I've made to coworkers and friends over the years.

There are no affiliate links and I’m not an investor in any of these companies. These are simply products I personally use and believe are worth sharing.

In true Wes Kao fashion, this gift guide will include my thought process and the “why” behind each recommendation. Here’s what I prioritize with purchases:

• Quality. I’d rather have fewer, higher-quality items.

• Value. It’s an excellent value for how much utility it gives me.

• Form and function. It has to work as well and be aesthetically pleasing.

• Delightful to use. It needs to be something I will reach for and love reaching for.

1. Monos packing cubes

When I first met my in-laws, I had to grab something from my suitcase, and when they saw my packing cubes, they literally said “Wow.” These packing cubes look that good. They add a bit of control and polish during travel, which can feel chaotic despite your best efforts.

I used to have cheaper nylon packing cubes, but the difference is night and day. I’ve recommended them to coworkers, who have loved them too. They are high quality, a nice neutral color palette (I have these in grey), and the compression actually works.

2. Sunday Afternoon “Backdrop Booney” hat with neck flap

Over the summer, I went down a rabbit hole researching sun hats in preparation for a hiking trip. I tried 15+ hats and spent weeks researching, comparing, and learning about sun hat features. The brand Sunday Afternoon came up multiple times, with their more popular styles topping lists for best hat, including Wirecutter and GearLab’s best sun hats of 2023, but I didn't like those styles as much as I like the Backdrop Booney.

The Backdrop Booney is my favorite because it feels comfortable on your head for long periods of time, it’s easy to pack, and the neck flap covers more of your neck than Sunday Adventures’ more popular Adventure Hat styles. Plus, there’s a cool feature you didn’t think you needed until you have it: there’s a little snap button that keeps the drawstring out of your face if you’re looking down.

Zak and I both reach for this hat the most. Normally, I like the perceived safety of getting whatever is top-rated or popular, but I was very glad I tried the Backdrop Booney. I have it in the color “sand.” I tried it in the color “quarry,” which is a light grey, but found it washed me out, whereas “sand” looks good on both my husband (pink undertones) and me (golden undertones). There’s also something resonant about choosing an earthy tone for a hiking hat.

3. Purple pillow

I attended a dinner for founders hosted by a Tier 1 VC, and the topic of the Purple pillow came up at our table. Apparently, I’m not the only one who tried to steal my partner’s Purple pillow before getting my own. Also, people have strong opinions about pillows.

The original Purple pillow is polarizing: people seem to either love it or hate it. If you love it, you really love it. It’s basically a squishy slab of this silicon-like rubber. At first, I thought it was too low, but now I can’t imagine sleeping on anything higher. The brand has since created less extreme, hybrid pillows that have some fluff and a layer of the Purple grid. My sister has their more conventional pillows and says they’re the best pillows she’s ever used. I still think the original is the way to go though.

By the way, I tried the Purple mattress and hated it. Even the firmest option was too soft, gave me back pain, and didn’t provide any support. At first, I thought, if I love the Purple grid material so much, wouldn’t it be awesome to have this all over my body? Turns out, no. I recommend sticking with the pillow.

4. Areaware tall stacking planter

I have 85+ plants in my house, and I get the most compliments on this planter. It’s made by two designers in Brooklyn.

Since this planter gained popularity a few years ago, there have been lots of retailers who offer similar “bubble-style” planters, but in my opinion, the details and quality of the original are worth it. It’s simultaneously a bit whimsical, but also geometric, modern, and neutral. I have this in their small size too.

As with all planters, I recommend using a plastic liner pot for your plant, then putting that in a decorative planter. Especially for this planter, I suggest doing this because the white ceramic can get dirty from soil, and because it’s white, the soil markings can be hard to get off. Check this out if you have a friend who loves plants.

5. Curaprox toothbrushes

Have you ever seen a toothbrush that felt as glorious as the iPhone? I never thought I’d be inspired by a toothbrush, but here we are. This is a Swiss dental care brand I first discovered from my dentist. The bristles are soft yet substantial, and densely packed. It’s denser than any other toothbrush I’ve tried, in a good way.

I’ve gradually been upgrading utilitarian items that have a high frequency of use, and toothbrushes fall into this category. I love the wild rainbow of color pairings. I love seeing my Curaprox toothbrush by my bathroom sink. When a toothbrush wears out, I love laying out all the colors and picking what color I want to use next.

This would make a great stocking stuffer. I use the Curaprox CS 5460 toothbrush and buy it by the dozen on Amazon.

6. Frama hand soap

I first used this in a friend’s house in the Bay Area and fell in love. I was literally smelling my hands after this. Now, if you’re offended by the idea of a $50 soap, which I can totally understand, this is not for you. If you like Aesop, I think this is better and at a similar price point. The brand is called Frama and they’re based in Copenhagen.

The glass bottle is luxurious. I love the scent so much that I would scent my whole house with it. The brand has scented diffuser balls, but I actually think those are too expensive for what they are, so for now, I’ll enjoy the soap. I feel the need to justify this, so I will say this is my nice soap, not my daily soap, kind of like how some people have nice serving ware that they take out for special occasions.

The scent I have is called “Apothecary,” which has notes of sandalwood and is unisex. It’s the opposite of a Yankee candle scent that screams artificial vanilla or pumpkin spice. I can see a gift set of hand soap and lotion being for a friend who appreciates minimalist design and nuanced scents.

7. Black and Decker cordless handheld vacuum

Where does dust come from? I swear I’m always vacuuming and there’s always more dust. It never used to bother me, but now in my thirties, if I see dust, I must remove it. I found this vacuum a few years ago when it was Wirecutter’s top-rated handheld, cordless vacuum.

I have one on the main floor of my house and one on the second floor, and I leave them plugged in. The fact that it’s so easy to grab has made a difference in allowing me to clean in in-between moments, which has led to a overall cleaner home.

The battery life is only about 10-15 minutes, but I find that’s about as long as I want to vacuum anyway. If you are doing a deep clean, this isn’t the tool—I have a plug-in, more intense vacuum for that. If you want a tool that’s convenient and easy to grab, this is a good option. For comparison, I tried a friend’s Dyson stick vacuum and was surprised that it was weaker (less powerful suction) than this Black and Decker one.

8. Felco “6” pruning shears

You could use scissors, but the experience of using a tool that’s actually meant for cutting and pruning plants is pretty awesome. There’s something incredibly satisfying about using sharp shears to slice through plant material when pruning or taking cuttings of plants.

I didn’t realize there were so many models of Felco shears—mine is the “6” model. This is definitely a buy-once-keep-it-for-life type of product. It’s ergonomic, well-made, and I can see it lasting for generations.

9. Blackwing pencils

I discovered these while working with Seth Godin. Most people know him as a marketing legend and author, but unsurprisingly, he also has incredible taste. Blackwing pencils are iconic. They were used by John Steinbeck, Stephen Sondheim, Vladimir Nabokov, and other famous writers. It’s kind of like the pencil equivalent to Moleskin notebooks. The pencil is smooth and I like the flat eraser at the top. This could be a stocking stuffer for folks who like to write, doodle, or jot ideas.

10. Shure MV7 mic

If you do video calls multiple times a week, get a good mic. Audio quality makes a difference, so you want your voice to sound clear and strong. I remember coming across research that said consumers can put up with mediocre video quality, but poor audio quality leads to bouncing. I used to have the Blue Yeti, which I think looks cooler than the Shure MV7, but the Blue Yeti picks up on any and all sounds, including a stranger breathing three blocks away. This isn’t a problem if your environment is pretty quiet, but I switched to the Shure mic because it’s the type of mic that picks up local sound directed at it.

11. Logitech M590 silent mouse

How do people use a mouse that’s not silent? The click-click-clicking drives me nuts now. I feel like this is one of those cases where something doesn’t bother you until you realize there’s a better way. A silent mouse is the better way. I love this mouse—I just bought another one because they’re discontinuing it.

12. H&M metal tray

This metal tray looks more expensive than it is. The black metal is neutral and minimalist. I have multiple around the house. It’s perfect for corralling pencils, Post-its, AirPods, and keeping your desk clear.

13. Sleep masks better than Wirecutter’s winner

There are a lot of sleep masks on Amazon and I’ve tried many of them, including Wirecutter’s top pick of the Nidra sleep mask. These are 10x better and a third of the price. The Nidra mask was scratchy, which wasn’t a deal breaker but wasn’t ideal. I have a lower nose bridge, so light would peek in. Also, it felt very expensive for a cheap piece of fabric with straps.

On the other hand, these sleep masks are super soft on my skin, feel higher quality, there’s more padding around the eye area, and you get three masks for the price of one Nidra mask. I keep one by my bed and one in my go-bag for traveling.

14. Back massager

I jokingly say that my favorite state of being is being massaged. I love massages and am quite particular (shocking, I know) about getting enough pressure and getting into the nooks and crannies of my back.

This tool is so lovely after a long day of clenching and subconsciously holding tension. It helps me relax and fall asleep.

If you’re looking for a foot massager, I have this one in my home office. It looks like a small alien spaceship, and it’s nice for taking a break during the day.

15. Teva Tirra for women or Keen Newport H2 for men

The Teva Tirras are like SUVs on your feet. Powerful, secure, steady. If you get these shoes, I need you to reach out and tell me how much you love them. Seriously though, these are the most comfortable sandals. I have them in black, so they have ugly cool vs hiking vibes, but even if they were just ugly and not ugly cool, I’d still love them. My mom and sister both got a pair and these are their go-to sandals now too.

I’ve walked entire days all over a city in these, and when Zak’s feet hurt from sneakers (!), I still could have walked for another few miles. The adjustable strap is useful and accommodates a variety of foot widths. I like the Tirras much more than the classic Tevas with foam soles, which feel kind of flimsy. The Tirras are rubber, so there’s great traction and support.

When we were looking to get Zak a pair of comfortable sandals, he really liked the Keen Newport H2. There’s toe protection which is a nice feature, and the rubber soles are supportive and cushy. For both the Tevas and Keens, they’re waterproof so you don’t need to be delicate with them. We wear these when we run errands or go on walks in our neighborhood.

To recap, here’s the list:

1. Monos packing cubes

2. Sunday Afternoon “Backdrop Booney” hat

3. Purple pillow

4. Areaware tall stacking planter

5. Curaprox toothbrushes

6. Frama hand soap

7. Black and Decker cordless handheld vacuum

8. Felco “6” pruning shears

9. Blackwing pencils

10. Shure MV7 mic

11. Logitech M590 silent mouse

12. H&M metal tray

13. Sleep masks

14. Back massager

15. Teva Tirra or Keen Newport H2

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Thanks for being here,
Wes Kao

PS See you next week on Wednesday at 8am ET.