Article Detail
23 Oct
Each year the holidays roll around, presenting a particular set of challenges that, though familiar, never seem to get any easier. While menu-planning for more than ten people and figuring out where an entire assortment of extended relatives will sleep are certainly toward the top of that list, the clear winner for sheer difficulty always seems to be finding the perfect gift for everyone on your list. What makes it so difficult? For one, you can use repeat strategies for all the other tricky tasks that arise. Did that pumpkin pie go down well last year, or did that turkey come out of the oven cooked just right? Repeat the recipe! Did you have to invest in an airbed for the cousins last year? You can reuse it! A gift? Well, you simply can’t rely on an old staple year after year. And it should, ideally, reflect the receiver’s personality. But don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. Whether you’re shopping for your best friend (you know, the one that “has it all”), the aunt you only see once a year, your mother-in-law (never easy), or your college-aged niece, we are here to lend a helping hand. Our editors have scoured the globe to unearth the best, most unexpected, where did you find that? types of presents. From the amusing to the emotional, from the heartwarming to the hysterical, you’ll find the best suggestions that range from luxurious beauty products to fun (and easy) crafts to irresistible accessories. There’s a pick here that will delight her, whoever she is.
H.A.N.D. Coffee Carafe Set
A delicate and gorgeous countertop tool for the coffee aficionado, this pour-over style carafe will help to create the ultimate brewing experience. The double-walled heat resistant glass is made to insulate your fresh brew, while also protecting your hands from the heat. The copper dripper is constructed from stainless steel and is designed to prevent blockage from coffee powder, which results in a more refined and satisfying taste. Engineered to perfection, it’s almost impossible for your recipient not to enjoy their morning cup of joe when it is brewed using this piece. What’s more? It serves as an eye-catching accessory, even when not in use.
Exfoliating Body Scrub
She works hard, so why not bring the spa to her? This pleasing grapefruit scrub transforms that elusive quiet time into a real moment of zen. This exfoliate is as gentle on skin as it is on the environment (it’s microbead-free). And soothing plant-based Ingredients, like chamomile and aloe vera, soften tired areas, while crushed apricot seeds and volcanic rock matter gently slough away dead skin cells on spots like elbows, knees, and heels, to leave her feeling silky soft. A follow-up to her favorite body wash, this natural scrubber primes the body for moisturizing to keep skin bright and hydrated.
Marble Cheese Servers
These gorgeous, weighty pieces are as versatile as they are glamorous: They’re ideal for setting out on a counter or bar cart to serve cheeses or small portions of hors d’oeuvres, but work just as easily in any other room in the house, making them a go-to gift for just about anyone. You can place a few in a lineup on your dresser as a chic display tray for earrings and bracelets, set them on a pedestal sink to hold decorative bar soap, or keep them on your coffee table to act as impromptu coasters. Available in three shapes.
Small Sashiko Pattern in White Leather Change Purse
White leather. Hand sewn. Hand printed. Vegetable dyed. Oh my! This small envelope-shaped change purse, which measures approximately 4.5 inches long and 3 inches wide (other sizes and designs also available), will delight the woman who the appreciates artful construction that makes an item uniquely her own. The hand-applied splash art means the lucky recipient can be absolutely sure no else will have the same design as she does. Instead of a zipper, this tiny catchall features a classy gold-tone button. Because it’s made to order and ships from Portland, allow two to three weeks for processing.
Jewel Garden
No garden-variety gift, this trio of assorted succulents will add a natural touch to any office or kitchen window and become a daily reminder of the thoughtful gift giver. Even if the recipient doesn’t have much of a green thumb, she’ll know just when and how much to water these hardy plants thanks to the accompanying care kit and water dropper. Best of all, the elegant packaging comes with a holiday-themed sleeve to complete the gift. Rather send a message of love instead? Change the sleeve design to any one of the five options, from “I love you” to nothing at all.
Mini Martini Gift Set
Raise a toast to her (and the holiday season) with this individual-sized stainless steel martini shaker. And, if she’s a big fan of chocolate martinis for one, she’ll be pleasantly surprised when she opens the 3.5-ounce mirrored mixer and discovers that it comes pre-stuffed with chocolate-covered martini “olive” almonds. (They’re not real olives but they are real almonds.) At just six inches tall, the shiny shaker is easy to tuck into any drawer—but also looks great on the shelf in her bar or kitchen. And if you want her to feel like the life of party for real, be sure to personalize the product with her name or initials.
Verloop Stacked Knit Tassel Bag Charm
For the funky friend or fashionista that seems to have it all, this soft charm is a great addition to any accessory collection (no matter how large or small it already is). Have her attach this plush piece to her favorite everyday tote or bucket bag—at 12 inches long it’s sure to stand out and make a statement. This playful knit charm is also available in two other color combinations—yellow ombré and rainbow—so one is sure to fit her personal palette. Make sure she is prepared to get compliments and inquiries from, well, just about everyone.
Burberry Beauty Festive Lip Velvet Set
With this set, her dreams of having the perfect pucker will become reality. Four lux-looking gold tubes come packaged in this compact collection. The pint-sized tubes make them easy to stash in a small clutch or the side pocket of her everyday tote bag. The shades range from cherry red to deep cabernet and glide on effortlessly. And each one will go the distance—the moisturizing formula and matte finish will stay put no matter how late the dinner or holiday party goes. Pro tip: The recipient can even try mixing two different shades to create a completely custom color for her pout.
HAY Bits & Bobs Bowls
She’ll want to dot her dresser and nightstand with these colorful glass trinket trays. Available in four different sizes and five colors ways, the mix-and-match possibilities are essentially endless. Knickknacks, baubles, and charms can be kept hidden, yet are easily accessible when needed. Consider scattering a few of these throughout your home to add dimension to a space that lacks some color. Waited until the last minute and don’t have tons of time to spare? These sleek, lidded containers can be delivered to your door in just two days.
Neon Mini Bowls
For the woman who loves a punch of color, a set of three vibrant bowls for her spices, keys, or rings. With so many uses, the hand-dipped neon bowls are not only practical, but also feed her decorating style in multiple rooms across her house. Made of solid beech wood, with a soft rubbery plastic bottom that makes each one slip-resistant and extra durable. The set comes in three colors (pink, orange, and yellow) and, at only 2.5 inches in diameter (each bowl holds about two tablespoons), they’re small enough to hold only what you really need, but big enough to make a lasting impression.
Minimalist Folio
A sophisticated accessory for the hardworking woman in your life. This vegan leather, 13-inch portfolio is roomy enough to tote her tablet, notebook, cellphone, pens, and more around the office or about town. Need to ensure sensitive documents stay put? Use the metallic hardware on the bottom two corners to secure the top flap in place. The neutral blush color is a no-brainer for everyday use, but consider other options that might suit her even better: navy, metallic pewter, and olive. Also available in large or extra large sizes that will fit her work laptop as well.
Glossier Black Tie Gift Set
This beauty gift set includes a universally flattering eyeliner, a lustrous lip gloss, a tube of cheek glow, and a pastel pink nail polish that will produce a subtly elegant look, no matter who is wearing it. Whether you give one to the college co-ed, the young professional, or the established corporate phenom on your list, each piece of this set will come in handy individually or used all at once. Bonus: All of the goodies are pre-packaged in a pretty box and topped off with a black satin bow, so extra wrapping is not required.
Woven Necklace
It’s a looming trend—literally. Wall hangings and woven art are all the rage these days. Take it down to a wearable level with this pure cotton fringe necklace made by a Chattanooga, Tennessee-based artist on a miniature loom and stitched to a stoneware pottery base. It’s an artful pick for a graphic design grad student, your pottery-loving mom, or a fashion-forward friend or coworker. The 35-inch pendant not only elevates your usual jeans and a T-shirt combo, but also looks great when paired with a little black dress. Wear it on its own or layered with other metal jewelry pieces.
Film Noir Nights Makeup Kit
It’s hard to decide what’s prettier—the art deco exterior of this makeup kit, the eye-popping light-up interior, or the actual products themselves. Meant to be reusable, the lid of this set flips open to reveal an LED-lit mirror, evoking the vanity tables of starlets of film and stage. Tucked neatly inside of the kit are two of Charlotte Tilbury’s greatest hits—Matte Revolution Lipstick in Opium Noir (a deeply rich burgundy hue, new for this holiday season), and her Rock’n’Kohl Iconic Liquid Eye Pencil in Bedroom Black (just right for creating that cat eye flick).
Fox Warming Neck Pillow
For the perpetually busy den mother who tends to carry the weight of the world (or at least her family’s whirlwind schedules) on her shoulders, this soft, soothing neck pillow is the perfect pampering present. It’s made of plush fleece, with an organic wheat insert that keeps this unique pillow snugly in place even if she’s moving around. At the end of a long day—or any time she has a spare moment—she can heat it in the microwave or the oven, and then wrap it around her neck. It stays warm for 45 minutes to melt away all her tension.
Wooden Dominos
A new twist on a classic favorite, this handmade game is crafted in solid maple, sanded to a pleasingly smooth feel, and oiled with an eco-friendly finish that protects the wood and allows it to wear well for years to come (a good thing, as this set is sure to get a lot of use). Packed in their own coordinating storage bag, the tiles are laser etched with a hexagonal pattern, which replaces the standard dots with a cooler, more graphic design—each hexagon represents one dot on a traditional domino. Since this set is handcrafted (and ships from Canada), allow one to two weeks for production and shipping.
Living With Pattern
Textile designer Rebecca Atwood demonstrates how to effortlessly mix patterns and incorporate them into all areas of the home using examples from well-styled residences throughout the country (including a few formerly featured in Real Simple!). A visually stunning and informative coffee table book, it’s broken down into three parts: an explanation, room-by-room examples, and project suggestions. Atwood shares insights on how to let your personality shine through the patterns you bring into your home, and even shares some of her favorite resources for finding the best ones. Send this guide to your fresh-out-of-college niece or your motif-appreciating mother-in-law.
Restorative Botanical Perfume Oil
Everyone loves a luxurious gift like perfume, so take it one step further and give her one that’s truly special. This fresh pick is packed with unexpected health and beauty benefits, too. Crafted in small batches in New York out of all-natural oils, it’s scented with sakura, or cherry blossom, for a sweet fragrance reminiscent of apple and citrus. Full of antioxidants said to prevent early aging and great for stimulating the mind and spirit, apply it to pressure points like wrists and temples. The conscientious-minded will appreciate that it’s vegan and not tested on animals, while those who prioritize practicality will love its airline regulation size (1 ounce) and travel-friendly rollerball design.
Listography: The Game
Make family game-night fun for even for your most Type-A friend. Based on the popular Listography books, an interactive journaling series that invites readers and users to create personally meaningful lists based on thought-provoking topics (Literary Listography, for example, includes an entry for a list of favorite book characters, while Food Listography invites the culinary-inclined to list foods associated with specific friends or family members), the board game version takes this idea and twists it into friendly competition. Players score points based on the number of similar or unique answers in their lists—the first one around the board wins.
Allen Wrench Set
High style where you’d least expect it—in the hardware aisle—this Allen wrench set combines form and function in a way that is (dare we say?) elegant. Not just a pretty design, each wrench is a different hue in a pleasingly coordinating color palette, making it easy to identify specific sizes, not to mention spot even the tiniest tool (which happens to be bright red) in a sea of black and stainless steel implements. Made from a special alloy, this set is the hardest and longest wearing in the industry, up to 20 percent stronger than other hex wrench sets.