Oh hello there!
To make up for my prolonged absence (I’m very sorry about that), I am coming to you with a red-hot, artisanal, hand-crafted, not-your-usual-gift-guide gift guide. Everything on this list I would be simply delighted to receive (hint to everyone in my life).
I would also be delighted for you to receive these things, so feel free to just forward this email along with a “yes please” note!
As the kids say, let’s get into it:
Kitchen Gifts
I think little kitchen upgrades make a lovely gift because they’re the kind of thing you don’t want to spend your own money on but you definitely want to have. I am partial to these:
Tinned Fish Dish ($26): Pair it with some tinned fish and that’s a perfect gift.
Gold Measuring Cups and Spoons ($70): So lux.
Colorful Glass Measuring Cups ($60): Make baking even more fun.
Mugs (yes, they need their own category)
Who doesn’t love a cute mug?! You can go simple and elegant or quirky and odd. Plus you can find tons of vintage mugs on Etsy. Pair a mug with a nice bag of coffee beans or some fancy hot chocolate for a more elaborative gift. Some of my favs:
Helen Levi Salt March Mug ($68): Simple, elegant, special.
Campagna Mucca Coffee Mug ($56): I would smile into my coffee every morning.
Hand-Made Fruit Mug ($67): Do I even need to say anything? It’s just so cute.
Coffee Table Books
Coffee table books are another in the category of “things I want but I don’t want to buy.” Thoughtfully selecting a coffee table book for someone tailored to their interests — a place they’ve traveled, an artist they love, a burgeoning hobby — is such a lovely gift. These are a few on my wishlist:
Surf Shacks ($60): I have been eyeing this book for years. I want to live inside it. I might just.
J.Crew: ($125): Just released this year, I’ve been drooling over this one. I think as a former employee they should send me one, no?
David Hockney ($30): At $30, this is a steal! One of our best living artists! I might have added to cart.
Pillows (of course!)
Before you buy someone a pillow, make sure you have a pretty good sense of their style and vibe. But if you can nail gifting the perfect pillow — that’s chef’s kiss. I would be gleeful to receive any of these:
Playing Card Pillow ($50): Just something so charming about this.
Green Velvet and Pink Fringe Pillow ($41): Funky and fantastic.
Not My Monkeys Needlepoint Pillow ($112): Furbish has a ton of these cute needlepoint pillows, including this Taylor Swift inspired one. You can also search for these on Etsy and find vintage ones at a lower price point.
Shell Pillow ($160): I am simply obsessed with these. I own one in pink. It’s perfect.
Other Home Goods
If pillows feel too high-risk, there’s plenty of other fun home decor items to gift. These are a few ideas that I think anyone would like to get:
Matchbook Prints ($28): Furbish has a ton of these matchbook prints so you can pick one based on someone’s favorite restaurant, location, or a special place you went together. Or, get matchbooks from their favorite places and frame them.
Vintage Brass Candlestick Holders ($30-$40): Etsy has so so many of these. You can pick a few and gift them with some beautiful or quirky tapers.
Block-Print Quilt ($76): I’ve been on a real bedding kick lately and am obsessed with these block-print quilts. I have one from India that I layer on my bed in winter. I also love this white and blue one.
Colorful Linen Napkins (set of 4 for $50): Tell me you wouldn’t be delighted to open these up.
Silver Shell Bowl ($60): If it’s a shell, it’s for me.
Little Luxuries
This is the catch-all category for the those silly, expensive, ridiculous, delightful things I want but have no good reason to buy. Little luxuries are also known as ideal gift items.
Tie Dye Socks ($95 for 5): Probably self explanatory, but these are the ultimate little luxury. You could buy the set and give them to different people (or give all 5 to me if you want).
Laptop Case ($55): Tell me why this is the cutest laptop case I’ve ever seen.
Rhode Pouch ($75): I think the intended use for this is toiletries? I’d use it as a purse.
Polo Bear Handkerchief ($83): Nothing says holiday like the polo bear. These handkerchief-style scarves would make such a fun, expected gift. I also love this blue bandana style one.
New York Coffee Cup Charm ($178): I love every thing Catbird makes, and this New York Coffee Cup is just so good. You can also go the vintage charm route — there are a ton on Etsy. Pick a few and put them on a gold chain — bam, a perfect personalized gift.
And I didn’t even touch on skincare, beauty, fashion, or jewelry. If you want gift recommendations for those things, leave me a comment. Have a specific gifting challenge — drop it in the comments, I bet I can tackle it. This is my idea of fun.
Happy holidays!
P.S. — Another great gift idea (and perhaps more in the spirit of the season and less in the spirit of capitalism) is a donation to an organization, especially one that has special meaning. I am partial to World Central Kitchen and local food banks.