Sourcing for 3 Valentine's Day Gift Guides + a Travel Assignment
Plus links to a bunch of newly published stories!
Happy December, everyone.
I think this will be my final newsletter of the year, but you never know!
This week, I’m wrapping up December assignments for Business Insider, AAA, Yahoo and more in between travels (just returned from Cabo). My boyfriend and I are off to Florida next week to visit his parents, then going on a Virgin Voyages cruise (my first time sailing with the brand!) around the Caribbean, then Joshua Tree National Park for New Years (and our 1-year anniversary) followed by a few days in Vegas. It’s going to be a very busy and fun month!
But, before I disappear for the remainder of 2025, it’s time to start working on Valentine’s Day gift guides, so I’m including that info below. And I have one more assignment I need your help with.
Oh and here’s my full list of published holiday gift guides:
1. Best Gifts for Travelers
2. Best Gifts for Dudes
3. Best Gifts for Her
4. Gifts for Hosts
5. Practical Gifts That Make Everyday Life Easier
6. Best Gifts for an At-Home Spa Experience
Have a great week and happy holidays if we don’t connect again until January,
Jill
PS: Have you followed me on Yahoo yet? Please do! And check out my profile to see the types of stories I’m covering (pretty much anything under the lifestyle umbrella, with a heavy emphasis on travel, food, and ecommerce … I’m open to interesting pitches).
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***Recently Published Pieces***
(Thank you for your help!)
US News & World Report: Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas
US News & World report: Norwegian Cruise Line’s Aqua
Eating Well: A Cardiologist and a Nutrition Researcher Share the Top 4 Frozen Foods for Heart Health
Southern Living: Your Veggie Leftovers Might Not Be As Safe As You Think—Here’s What You Need To Know
Business Insider: I visited Lisbon for the first time. Though I did a few things right, there’s a lot I wish I’d known before I left.
Business Traveler: Flight Review: British Airways 787-10 Business Class from London to Riyadh
Southern Living: This is the Vegetable I Wait All Year to Eat
US News & World Report: The 7 Best Panama Canal Cruises for Seniors
Eating Well: The #1 Activity to Boost Your Memory, According to Doctors
ShermansTravel: Why Cruising Is the Ultimate Way to Explore Asia’s Highlights
Southern Living: The Best Time To Book A Cruise For The Lowest Prices And Best Perks, According To Travel Experts
Taste of Home: I Tried the ‘Secret Sauce’ at 7 Fast-Food Restaurants to Find the Best One
Reader’s Digest: I Finally Caved and Tried the Buzzy Tech Feature on Royal Caribbean’s Latest Ship—Here’s What I Liked and Didn’t
Eating Well: Experts Say This Dairy Product May Help You Lose Visceral Fat
Reader’s Digest: Carnival Cruise Line Announces a Huge Beverage Change—And Fans Are Divided
EatingWell: The 6 Best Cereals to Help Lower Cholesterol, According to Dietitians
Forbes: Father’s Day Gift Guide 2025: First-Class Experiences For Executives
Forbes: Chasing Elite Airline Status? Make a Vacation Out of it.
Forbes: Father’s Day Gift Guide 2025: 12 Ways to Gift Quality Time Together
Forbes: How to Elevate Your Coach Class Ticket to a First Class Flight
Business Insider: I flew business class with Qantas, Singapore, and American Airlines. Here’s how they compare — and which is my favorite.
U.S. News & World Report: Cruise Weddings: How to Get Married on a Cruise Ship
U.S. News & World Report: The 7 Best Bachelor Party Cruises
The Points Guy: 8 amazing places to use points for a trip to the Caribbean
US News & World Report: Star of the Seas vs. Icon of the Seas
Reader’s Digest: Norwegian Cruise Line’s Aqua Offers All the Fun of a Megaship on a More Manageable Scale
Reader’s Digest: I’ve Been on Two of the Biggest Cruise Ships in the World—Here’s the One I Would Be Most Excited to Sail on Again
Reader’s Digest: Is This New Cruise-Tipping Trend a Huge Etiquette Faux Pas?
Reader’s Digest: This Surprising Cruise Feature Is Disappearing from Ships Around the Globe—Here’s What You Need to Know
Reader’s Digest: Carnival Cruise Line Is Suddenly Charging for These Popular Beverages—And Passengers Are Fuming
Business Insider: My mom and I went to Mexico, but her suitcase went to India. Now, there’s one travel mistake we’ll never make again.
Taste of Home: This is Why Some of Your Avocados are Stringy
Eating Well: The 7 Best Canned Foods for Cognitive Health, Recommended by Dietitians
The Points Guy: Oasis of the Seas cruise ship review: What to expect on board the original Oasis Class vessel
Oprah Daily: Feeding My Soul in the Valley of the Sun
Reader’s Digest: Don’t Make This Expensive Mistake On Your Next Cruise
Reader’s Digest: Carnival Cruise Line Is the First to Ban This Controversial Item on All Sailings
Reader’s Digest: How to Score a Cruise Upgrade—For Free!
Thrillist (my first byline for this outlet!): How Realistic Is ‘Doctor Odyssey’?
Business Insider: I frequently visit Las Vegas between Thanksgiving and Christmas. It’s one of the best times to experience The Strip.
Southern Living: I’ve Been Cruising For Over 25 Years, Here Are 22 Things You’ll Be Glad You Packed
Reader’s Digest: It’s Not Your Imagination: Flights Are Getting Longer—Here’s Why
Taste of Home: Why Are There So Many Food Recalls Right Now?
Reader’s Digest: Here’s How to Tell Which Side of the Car Your Gas Tank Is on—Without Getting Out
Business Insider: I spent $50,000 on my kitchen remodel. These 5 splurges were totally worth it — but I have one expensive regret.
US News & World Report: Bucket List Cruises for Seniors
Business Traveler: What Is It Like to Fly Singapore Airlines Business Class on the A350?
AARP: Don’t Make These Mistakes on Your Visa Application (my second story about getting denied entry into Vietnam)
Reader’s Digest: Don’t Miss This Black Friday Cruise Deal to Score 75% Off a Second Guest
Reader’s Digest: What Is the 5-4-3-2-1 Packing Method, and Why Do Travel Pros Swear by It?
The Points Guy: 10 hotels with Michelin-starred restaurants — and how to use points to pay for them
Southern Living: The 8 Best Cruise Itineraries That Sail Out Of Southern Ports
Reader’s Digest: Royal Caribbean Is Raising Its Gratuity Fee—Here’s What You Need to Know
Reader’s Digest: A Swiftie’s Guide to New Orleans: 12 Things to See and Do
Reader’s Digest: The First Thing You Should Do When You Board a Cruise
US News & World Report: Utopia of the Seas: The Best Dining, Amenities and More on Royal Caribbean’s Newest Ship
AARP: A Suspected Blood Clot Landed Me in a Cruise Ship Medical Center
The Points Guy: 10 Best Asia Cruises
The Points Guy: 8 Best Australia/New Zealand Cruises
Southern Living: Royal Caribbean’s New Utopia of the Seas
Town & Country: A Savannah Itinerary for Every Traveler
Southern Living: 12 Tips To Know Before Taking Your First-Ever Cruise, According To Veteran Cruisers
US News & World Report: Crystal Symphony Review: First Impressions of Crystal’s Revamped Ship
Southern Living: 11 Etiquette Mistakes You Might Be Making on a Cruise
Reader’s Digest: July Luggage Review: I Tested the Carry-On Pro on Multiple Overseas Flights
Insider: I Tried Princess Cruise’s Premier Package and It’s One of the Best Deals At Sea
Taste of Home: Amish Chicken and Noodles
Copper Courier: 8 Phoenix Rooftop Bars
Virtuoso: The Sun Princess Sets Sail with Some of the Most Exciting Entertainment at Sea
Reader’s Digest: After 20 Ocean Cruises, I Took My First River Cruise—Here Are 6 Ways It Was Better
EatingWell: 10 Foods Rich in Vitamin K, Recommended by Dietitians
Reader’s Digest: I took the Beis Front Pocket Carry-On on Multiple International Trips, and It’s a Winner
Now, it’s time to get the word out! When you and your clients share your coverage on social media, please be sure to tag my accounts: Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn (and please connect with me yourselves!).
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—— Current Editorial Needs ——
1. Yahoo: Sponsored Valentine’s Day Gift Guides
Current available topics include:
Valentine’s Day Gifts for Her That Don’t Miss
A no-duds gift guide for readers shopping for women. I’m looking for universally loved picks: skincare and hair tools, cute sleep + lounge, candles and home upgrades, jewelry organizers, bags, perfume sets, sentimental-but-stylish gifts.
Gifts for the Guy Who Buys Himself Nothing
Men rarely treat themselves — this is your shot. I’m seeking super-practical but elevated gifts across grooming, comfort wear, gadgets, home/chef items, and weekender gear. If it solves a real pain point or gets daily use, it’s a win.
Anti-Valentine’s Day — Treat Yourself Anyway
I’m putting together a fun, confidence-forward Valentine’s guide for Yahoo focused on self-gifting. Think: cozy self-care upgrades, solo date-night treats, glow-up beauty, indulgent snacks, and little luxuries with daily ROI. Anything that helps readers feel good without a partner required.
These guides are sponsored and priced very affordably since the total cost is split among a group of brands. I have limited category slots—if you want info on fees and deliverables, just say the word.
Subject line: Yahoo VDay Gift Guides
Email: JillSchildhouse@gmail.com
Email by: December 23
2. Franklin Prosperity Report: Dupes for Popular Travel Destinations
Looking for pitches (and can quote travel experts, too!) on dupe destinations for popular vacation spots to help save money or just have an overall better experience to avoid overcrowding, etc. …. think: Hawaii, Italy, French Riviera, etc.
In your pitch, please explain WHY and HOW it’s a dupe, what you’ll see there, how it compares to the real thing, how much money you’ll save, why it’s a better experience, etc.
Subject line: Franklin Travel Dupes
Email: JillSchildhouse@gmail.com
Email by: December 10
Enjoy your travels Jill! Happy Holidays and Happy Anniversary!