Overview of The Slate Culture Gift Guide
Slate’s holiday crossover special (hosts Willa Paskin, Dana Stevens, and Chris Melanfee) is a light, conversational gift guide that mixes concrete recommendations (most items ~≤ $100), pop-culture box-set picks, and a mini-essay on the history and cultural role of gift guides. The hosts trade practical, whimsical, and media-driven suggestions—everything from a microwave popcorn bowl to Criterion box sets—while reflecting on why gift guides both delight and overwhelm modern shoppers.
Key themes and framing
- Gift guides as cultural objects: The hosts view them as both useful and overabundant. They traced the form back to early 1900s department-store catalogs and noted how the Internet, affiliate links, and algorithmic marketing have multiplied guides exponentially.
- Ambivalence: Guests admit they often “shop for themselves” through guides, enjoy beautifully curated lists, but feel fatigued by the sheer volume and commercial incentives.
- Physical objects & storytelling: The group values tactile, well-produced objects (box sets, printed catalogs, catalogs left on coffee tables) and bonus materials/extras (booklets, commentaries) that deepen appreciation for a film/album/show.
Notable historical & cultural points
- Early 20th-century department stores (e.g., Green Hut; Can Sons & Co.) produced illustrated “Christmas gift guides” that functioned as advertorials—very recognizable predecessors of today’s lists.
- A 1961 Esquire gift guide included contemporary technology (portable tape player)—illustrating how gift guides capture the cultural moment.
- Retailers and platforms continue to revive the catalog form (Restoration Hardware’s thick catalog; Amazon’s children’s toy catalog), now targeted and powered by data.
Host picks — quick reference (who suggested what, why, and who it’s for)
Chris Melanfee (Hit Parade)
- Revolver (Beatles) 50th‑Anniversary box set (Giles Martin remaster)
- What: Deluxe remaster of Revolver with outtakes, a substantial booklet; CD/vinyl-style packaging.
- Why: Revelatory outtakes, historical context; great for Beatles/music nerds who like deluxe physical editions.
- Price: ~ $100 range (white-album set noted as much pricier).
- Mad Men Blu‑ray box set (complete series)
- What: Full Mad Men series on Blu-ray with commentaries, mini‑docs, and extras.
- Why: Deep extras about 1960s culture/advertising; ideal for serious rewatchers and TV/film buffs who value physical supplements.
- Can't Slow Down by Michelangelo Matos
- What: Cultural history of 1984 (music, media, events).
- Why: Well‑researched, readable chapters—good bedside or short‑chapter reading for pop‑culture history fans.
Willa Paskin (Decoder Ring)
- Salbury silicone microwave popcorn popping bowl + Amish Country Popcorn sampler
- What: Microwave silicone popper (no oil needed) paired with high‑quality popcorn kernels (novel colors—e.g., purple kernels that pop white).
- Why: Low‑cost, reduces mess, makes movie-night popcorn easy and romantic; good for casual movie watchers and at-home date nights.
- (Playful pick) Cherry‑shaped toilet brush/cleaner
- What: A toilet brush disguised as a cherry (quirky bathroom accessory).
- Why: Sparks joy; turns an ugly utilitarian item into something whimsical—good for hosts who like pop‑fun home accents.
Dana Stevens (Slate film critic)
- Bordalo Pinheiro–style fruit bowls (cantaloupe / fruit-shaped ceramics)
- What: Ceramic bowls that look/textured like fruit (Portuguese maker Bordalo Pinheiro and many knockoffs).
- Why: Delightful trompe-l’œil ceramics; visually playful for people who like novelty tableware or design objects.
- La Gatti chenille throw blanket
- What: Big, soft knitted/chenille throw (cozy, couch‑size).
- Why: Perfect for movie-night cuddling and cozying up—practical and comforting.
- Sculptural/food‑shaped candles (example: orange-shaped candle, multi‑pack on Amazon)
- What: Candles crafted to look exactly like fruit, baked goods, etc.
- Why: Visual delight and collectible display pieces; some buyers may prefer not to light them (they’re decorative).
Practical takeaways / who these picks suit
- For the music and media obsessive: Beatles Revolver box, Mad Men Blu‑ray box set, and physical media like Criterion releases (hosts praised the added value of extras and booklets).
- For cozy movie nights at home: microwave popcorn popper + gourmet kernels, a large chenille throw, and a good box set or streaming choice.
- For design/novelty-lovers: trompe-l’œil ceramics and realistic food/craft candles—great for people who like items that “look like other things.”
- For a laugh or a small delight: whimsical functional items (cherry toilet brush) make memorable, inexpensive gifts.
Notable quotes
- “Gift guides are…deeply cultural objects.” — on why guides matter beyond commerce.
- “I go to gift guides to get ideas for other people, but I find I’m actually shopping for myself.” — explains the self-directed pull of curated lists.
- “There’s nothing like a box set… the physical presence on your shelf.” — on why physical media still resonates.
Where to find the exact items
- The episode references that direct links to each recommended item are collected at: slate.com/culture-gift-guide
- Sponsor mention: Apple Gift Card was the episode sponsor (recommended as a flexible gift for culture lovers).
Final notes
- The hosts kept their selections accessible (many under $100) and mixed practical, sentimental, media-rich, and silly options—aiming for a friendly, useful holiday slate of ideas rather than an exhaustive luxury list.
- If you want a quick, mood-based shopping approach: pick one media-rich object (box set or book), one cozy consumable (popcorn/blanket), and one whimsical home piece (trompe-l’œil bowl, novelty candle, or playful cleaning tool) to create a satisfying gift or movie-night kit.
Happy holidays — and for the curated links to everything discussed, see slate.com/culture-gift-guide.