My final question for Drew Barrymore was the same question I always have when it comes to the topic of gifting: What’s your go-to gift for the person who is impossible to shop for? Her answer could not have been more on-brand. “You can get mason jars,” she began. “And you can fill them with rain water. Just collect some rain water.” What a perfect example of why the entire world loves Drew Barrymore, in all her quirky glory. She feels like a big sister, someone you would want to go to for advice—perhaps gifting advice, specifically. After all, she seems like the kind of person who knows how to organize a potluck, throw a
baby shower, or pick the right gift for a new boyfriend. For this reason, Barrymore is now the chief gifting officer for Etsy.
The actress admits she’s an avid, longtime customer of the online marketplace, and she’s been a judge for the Etsy Design Awards in the past. “I always think the best gifts are the things you want for yourself, the things that you almost don’t want to hand over,” she says, adding that she has to be conscientious not to overwhelm herself. Gifts can be small; don’t overthink it. She’s particularly a fan of personalizing anything and everything. “If someone etches, engraves, or monograms something, you know that it took them time,” she says. “They had to think about it, they had to execute it, and it’s all about you. And it really isn’t anything hard, but it feels so big.”
As CGO, she’s also weighing in on hot topics: Can you keep gifts from your ex? (Yes). Is it weird to gift in a situationship? (No. “If it’s too much for that person, you just bought yourself a gift. Bye.”) And what’s the verdict on regifting? (You’re not regifting, you’re upcycling.) Most of all, Barrymore believes gifts should be personal, which makes her the perfect champion for Etsy’s newest innovation: Gift Mode. The AI-powered tool asks who you’re shopping for and the occasion and then offers users a long list of interests and hobbies to choose from. It then presents a set of gift options tailored to your precise search. Now you can find a thoughtful graduation gift for your pickleball-obsessed neighbor in a flash.
“If you’re thinking about somebody and you show that in any way, shape, or form, that will make them feel so good,” Barrymore says. “Your gifts probably mean more to people than you realize.” With that, scroll on for some of Barrymore’s curated shopping list, just in time for you to pick up a Valentine’s Day gift.
