【middleman radical eroticism】

Despite Dale Cooper's perfect mantra on middleman radical eroticismTwin Peaks, giving yourself a gift can feel difficult. If it's easier for you to spend money on other people than on yourself, take heart: You're definitely not alone (and you're probably at least an OK person).

Still, it's nice to treat yourself every once in a while, so consider gifting yourself one thing — just a single good thing — this holiday season. Even if you choose a small item, it'll feel good. Plus, if you already know what the gift is, it's impossible for the gift to be disappointing.

Here are 12 good ideas.

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1. A too-expensive candle

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Spending $40 on a candle might seem excessive. That's because it is excessive, even though there are definitely pricier candles out there.

Still, this is your big gift to yourself, so drop cash on a fancy scent cylinder if you please. This 9-ounce one is from Mejuri (the place where everyone on your Instagram feed gets their delicate gold jewelry) and has "light notes of tuberose, violet, and lily" with "hints of jasmine and moss" and "base notes of amber and moss." Reviewers find it extremely relaxing.

Price: $40 at Mejuri

2. A holiday skincare set

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Sephora releases several rounds of holiday gift sets every year, and they can be incredibly useful if you want to try a range of products without springing for a full-size of each one. (Related reminder: If you only want to try a tiny amount, they'll generally give you a little sample of full-size products, too.) Here's a set of mini Fenty Beauty lip glosses that looks nice.

Price: $42 at Sephora

3. A KNIFE!

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Respect the star of the greatest viral video ever by getting yourself a versatile kitchen knife. You'll be safer in the kitchen, more precise in your work, and just a little closer to emulating your faves from the Bon Appétittest kitchen.

Price: $34.19 on Amazon

SEE ALSO: Privacy-focused gifts for the paranoid tech lover

4. That diffuser you've meaning to buy

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One thing I love to do is go into Muji on my lunch break and stare at the essential oil diffuser, maybe graze it wistfully a little bit, then leave the store with nothing. This year, I'm getting myself that diffuser. Mark my words!

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Price: $69.59 at Muji

5. A blanket you'll use forever

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If you can swing it, you may as well stop buying 1-2 $20 throw blankets every year and get yourself an Investment Blanket™ instead. The Pendleton Glacier National Park blanket is classic, goes with everything, looks pleasant on a couch, and — most importantly — is extremely warm.

If you're afraid you'll spill soup on it, get it a darker color like the Grand Canyon.

Price: $229-299 at Pendleton

6. Just like, a cake

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Screw it. Get a fancy-ass birthday cake. Eat the whole thing. Whatever.

Price: $50 at Milk Bar

7. Stationery

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Maybe you want to get into analog correspondence in 2020. Maybe you simply want to justify using the phrase "analog correspondence." Get some pretty stationery for yourself and see whether you start writing five letters a week to your long-distance friends. Even if you don't (and you probably won't), it will still look lovely on your desk.

Price: $22 for 12 notes and envelopes at Rifle Paper Co.

8. Stamps with your face on them

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Did you know that you can order custom stamps? You can. Why not place a large and indulgent stamp order using an image of your gorgeous face, then use them to send your analog correspondence? Every single person on earth — yes, even that person — would love to get your visage in the mail.

Price: Varies at PhotoStamps

9. This lip mask with a lot of fans

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You'd be forgiven for not considering a lip mask (seriously, it's just for your lips) as a core part of your skincare routine. People adore this one, though, and while it rests firmly in the "fun extras" category, $20 is not the most expensive niche skincare product out there by a long shot. Even if it doesn't transform your lips (there's no holy grail, after all) the berry scent is lovely.

Price: $20 at Sephora

10. Some new houseplants

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If you're dying to get into plants but want to save your energy for care-taking (noble), The Sill will deliver plants nestled in attractive ceramic pots right to your door. Your only job is to keep them alive. Or, if you've got a black thumb, you can opt for a faux or preserved version.

Price: Varies at The Sill

11. A niche subscription box

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Giving subscription boxes to other people is fun, but it has one major downside: You literally never get to see the gift IRL. Giving a subscription box to yourself, on the other hand, means you'll get to see the gift on a regular basis for many months. Crucially, you'll also get to use it.

Rachel is a subscription box for tights, which is about as niche as it gets. Sign up and you'll get 2 pairs of tights (that you choose from the Rachel website) every one, two, or three months.

Price: $27.50 per box

12. A silk pillowcase

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A silk pillowcase screams "unnecessary indulgence," but investing in one may be genuinely useful if you want to protect your hair or have sensitive, irritation-prone skin. Plus, sleeping on silk is luxurious as hell. Pair it with an eye mask, maybe? Eat that Milk Bar cake in bed? Light that candle? Wow, your life rules.

Price: $43.99 on Amazon

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