👋 Hey, [Lenny](https://twitter.com/lennysan) here! Welcome to a ✨ special edition✨ of my weekly newsletter. Normally I tackle reader questions about product, growth, working with humans, and anything else that’s stressing you out at the office. But this issue is a little different…
Happy holidays, everyone! For something a little different, I thought it would be fun to put together a gift guide to help you win the holiday season. Below I’ve curated 50+ products that I absolutely love, which would also make great gifts. Enjoy!
Focus and productivity
1. [Centered](https://centered.app/): My main to-do app, and probably my most-used app period. It combines a simple task list with flow-inducing music, distraction reminders, and a community of fellow-concentrators. Use code FLOWWITHLENNY to get 50% off your first year.\*
2. [Taika Matcha Latte](https://taika.co/products/matcha-latte/): My go-to drink when I want to focus. Delicious, effective, and goes great with Centered. It’s made from organic ceremonial-grade matcha, a blend of adaptogens and functional mushrooms, and is designed to keep you feeling awake, aware, and inspired. Use code LENNY to get 20% off (or use this link).
3. [Magic Mind](https://magicmind.co/): My other favorite focus-inducing drink, made by my buddy James Beshara. Pairs well with green tea. Use code LENNY23 for 23% off.
4. [Jabra Elite 85h Wireless Noise-Canceling Headphones](https://www.amazon.com/Jabra-Wireless-Noise-Canceling-Headphones-Copper/dp/B07RS8CFJZ/ref=asc_df_B07RS8CFJZ/?tag=hyprod-20&tag=&linkCode=df0&hvadid=343288438787&hvadid=343288438787&hvpos=&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6076254961062063397&hvrand=6076254961062063397&hvpone=&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9032091&hvlocphy=9032091&hvtargid=pla-781643475970&hvtargid=pla-781643475970&psc=1&adgrpid=68271436279): I’ve been using these headphones for years and can’t recommend them enough. No matter what’s going on around me, they help me focus and stay in the zone. Originally a gift from my mother-in-law.
5. [Mailman](https://www.mailmanhq.com/): A Gmail plugin that batches your incoming email and keeps your lizard brain from getting distracted by the endless trickle of new email. It’s a game-changer. Use code LENNY for 50% off an annual plan.
Travel
1. [Topo Designs Global Briefcase](https://topodesigns.com/products/global-briefcase?variant=39897590071349): My favorite travel bag. Fits 3-4 days of clothes, has plenty of room for electronics, and includes a special slot for a laptop. It also looks great, and you can wear it as a backpack.
2. [Alaska Bear Pro Contoured Sleep Mask](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074MQ2CG9/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1): For anyone who has trouble falling (or staying) asleep when there’s light outside. I’ve tried a lot of sleep masks, and this is my favorite because it leaves lots of room around the eyes.
3. [Combo Lightning and Micro USB charging cable](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015STFVU6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1): Never make the mistake of bringing the wrong charging cables again.
4. [Vacu Vin Wine Saver Pump](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07ZTXD1R6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1): Removes air from your wine bottle to keep wine tasting new for a few extra days.
5. [Atlys:](https://www.atlys.com/) Get a visa for 195+ countries in minutes (not days).\*
6. [K9 dog backpack](https://www.amazon.com/K9-Sport-Sack-Adjustable-Veterinarian/dp/B075ZG46SY?th=1): For any dog owner in your life. Here’s our little guy in action:
Books
1. *[Am I Overthinking This?](https://www.michellerial.com/) [and](https://www.michellerial.com/) [Maybe This Will Help](https://www.michellerial.com/) by Michelle Rial: An unofficial box set—my wife’s bestselling first book, Am I Overthinking This?, and the prequel, Maybe This Will Help*, which just came out this week. They’re great gifts for the chart-lover in your life, and you can get both for under $30.
2. *[The Cold Start Problem: How to Start and Scale Network Effects](https://www.amazon.com/Cold-Start-Problem-Andrew-Chen/dp/0062969749/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0) by Andrew Chen:* After three years of work, Andrew’s book is coming out in two weeks. It’ll be an instant classic, and a great gift for founders and growth teams.
3. *[A Short History of Nearly Everything](https://www.amazon.com/Short-History-Nearly-Everything/dp/076790818X) by Bill Bryson:* My current obsession. I’ve learned more about the world per-page than from any other book. A great fit for anyone who’s curious.
3. *[The War of Art](https://www.amazon.com/War-Art-Through-Creative-Battles/dp/1936891026/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=) by Steven Pressfield:* For anyone in your life doing creative work.
4. *[Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar](https://www.amazon.com/Tiny-Beautiful-Things-Advice-Sugar/dp/0307949338) by Cheryl Strayed: For anyone in your life going through real-life sh\t.
5. *[Ready Player One](https://www.amazon.com/Ready-Player-One-Ernest-Cline/dp/0307887448/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1637785838&sr=1-1) by Ernest Cline:* For anyone in your life trying to understand how the coming metaverse may look.
6. *[Finite and Infinite Games](https://www.amazon.com/Finite-Infinite-Games-James-Carse/dp/1476731713) by James Carse:* A mind-bending (and short) book that changed the way I looked at life.
7. *[Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives](https://www.amazon.com/Sum-Forty-Afterlives-David-Eagleman-ebook/dp/B001TKA0VO/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=sum&qid=1637786189&s=books&sr=1-1) by David Eagleman:* Short, hilarious, and infinitely creative.
Newsletters (that aren’t already free)
1. [Drawing Links](https://drawinglinks.substack.com/) by Edith Zimmerman: A comics newsletter with short illustrated stories about her life.
2. [Letters from an American](https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/) by Heather Cox Richardson: A newsletter about the history behind today’s politics.
3. [2pm](https://2pml.com/) by Web Smith: Analyzing the intersection of media and commerce and how those principles are applied elsewhere.
Home
1. [iOttie wireless fast-charging stand for iPhone](https://www.amazon.com/iOttie-Wireless-Charging-Charger-Qi-Certified/dp/B07GT2G5B3/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Ottie+Ion+Wireless+Fast+Charging+Stand%2C+Qi-Certified+Charger+iphone&qid=1637782031&sr=8-1): Best device I’ve found to charge my phone at night.
2. [COCOFLOSS Coconut-Oil Infused Woven Dental Floss](https://www.amazon.com/COCOFLOSS-Coconut-oil-infused-Designed-Cruelty-Free/dp/B0108T9C2E/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=coco+floss&qid=1637777056&sr=8-6): Seriously, try this floss.
3. [Magnetic Measuring Spoons](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001GAQKKW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1): Love these friggin’ spoons. Easy to keep together, easy to use, easy to wash.
4. [U-Taste cooking tongs](https://www.amazon.com/U-Taste-Heat-Resistant-Non-Stick-Silicone-Stainless/dp/B083SGH6CY?th=1&psc=1): Useful for mixing, grabbing, dropping, turning—basically, everything.
5. [Italic](https://italic.com/referral): High-quality products from the same manufacturers as top brands, but without the brand name and for 50%-80% less. Great for sheets, towels, sunglasses, jackets, shoes, and so much more. Almost too good to be true.
Writing
1. [Writer.com](https://writer.com/): A browser extension that helps you write better. Has completely replaced Grammarly for me.\*
2. *[On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction](https://www.amazon.com/Writing-Well-30th-Anniversary-Nonfiction-ebook/dp/B0090RVGW0/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1637786344&sr=1-1) by William Zinsser:* The book that taught me the most about writing well.
3. [MUJI gel ink ballpoint pens](https://www.amazon.com/Muji-Point-Black-0-38mm-Japan/dp/B01N8QNC59/ref=sr_1_5?gclid=CjwKCAiA4veMBhAMEiwAU4XRr3Q1q3HqaoVkYlq3bj3q8kgXLB4ZHUZLnBlJ7LwNY-Iegmad6GrazxoCxp8QAvD_BwE&hvadid=178329398298&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9032091&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=10822700442691433796&hvtargid=kwd-4737523358&hydadcr=27292_10167455&keywords=muji+pens&qid=1637788493&sr=8-5): Hard to beat these pens for quality, reliability, and affordability.
Other great apps
1. [Hand Mirror](https://handmirror.app/): See what you look like on camera before you start your Zoom.
2. [PictureThis](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/picturethis-plant-identifier/id1252497129): Magically identify plants just by taking a picture of them.
3. [Mem](https://mem.ai/): My go-to note-taking app—and so much more. “As simple as Apple Notes. As powerful as Google Search for your mind.”\*
4. [Rocket](https://matthewpalmer.net/rocket/): Easiest way to use emojis on a Mac.
5. [AllTrails](https://www.alltrails.com/): An unbeatable gift for your outdoorsy friends.
Art
1. [Katie Gong](https://katiegong.com/)
2. [Meghan Shimek](https://www.meghanshimek.com/)
3. [Tricia Choi](https://www.roaringartistgallery.com/tricia-choi)
4. [Molly Kars](https://mollykars.com/)
5. [Nicole Lavelle](https://buyolympia.com/Item/nicole-lavelle-doing-it-anyway)
6. [Donate on someone’s behalf to DrawTogether](https://www.gofundme.com/f/draw-together-classrooms): Art kits to boost kids’ creativity.
Donate to a nonprofit
Each month I’ve been donating a portion of my job board’s revenue to a nonprofit that helps underrepresented groups learn tech skills (to eventually fill these open roles). Here are my five favorite charities:
1. [BlackGirlsCode](https://wearebgc.org/): Building pathways for young women of color to embrace the current tech marketplace as builders and creators by introducing them to skills in computer programming and technology.
2. [Hidden Genius Project](https://www.hiddengeniusproject.org/programs/): Training and mentoring Black male youth in tech, entrepreneurship, and leadership skills.
3. [/dev/color](https://devcolor.org/): A global career accelerator for Black software engineers, technologists, and executives.
4. [Techtonica](https://techtonica.org/): Partnering with tech companies to provide free tech training, laptops, living stipends, and job placement to women and nonbinary adults in need in the Bay Area.
5. [Code2040](https://www.code2040.org/): Increasing the participation and leadership of Black and Latinx people in the innovation economy.
\If you see an asterisk, I’m an investor or advisor to the company. Mostly because I find a way to invest in the products I love most.*
Got anything else to recommend? Leave a comment!
✨ Happy holidays to you and yours ✨
If you’re finding this newsletter valuable, consider sharing it with friends, or subscribing if you haven’t already.
Sincerely,
Lenny 👋