giving the gift of holiday spirit

Now that cyber monday is over, its important to be aware of smart, affordable gifts for one and all. Usually, I just think about all the things that I've wanted to buy all year, for myself and for others.  But now that I have my own home I really love the idea of gifting holiday items. It's fun and jolly!

The first thing I want to mention is the lovely advent calendar, pictured above, that my mum sent for Felix. She got it at the National Gallery in London, and each door opens to a different painting that hangs in the gallery. So sweet! It's nice to have special things you only put out during the holidays. It also makes sense to me that seasonal housewares and decorations make perfect host gifts. Things like this:

nativity nesting dolls $29

felted wool radish ornaments $10 for set of 3

noel, by crabtree and evelyn: the perfect seasonal combination of cedar and spice  (the incense is the best, but they don't even make it anymore)

rim cookie cutter $6.50 for 3

glass oyster ornament $8.99 

striped taper candles--similar here, $24 a pair

the classiest of all christmas albums, about $15 on vinyl

midcentury paper ornaments $8 for set of 2

the most delicious tin of biscuits  

I'm working on some more of these, but it's also coming up on finals week.
In the meantime, here are some gift guides from last christmas past:

the gift of gold
the gift of organization
gifts for the little ones
gifts for the kitchen
gifts for the gentleman 
gifts for the special lady 

forget everything I just said!

All of those ideas were stupid, these are the most magical earrings I've ever seen, and the best mother's day present of all time! Mainly because they're on sale right now at Leif for 55% off their original price. Honestly, even at a discount, this much to much to spend on a mother's day gift (how much are people really supposed to drop on this holiday anyway?) but, aren't they oh so beautiful? 

mothers day gifting, 2014

Mother's Day is a week from tomorrow, you guys! What are you even going to do about it!? Welp, Here are some ideas of mine!

I struggle with the notion that mothers day gifts ought to be domestic, and I don't know if many Modern Mothers truly have time to hang around baking these days. But, Chase gave me one of these pie birds for my very first mother's day, and I thought it was the sweetest most perfect gift! You'll know from personal experience if this is the sort of thing your mother would actually need... $10, Le Creuset

So she isn't the pie-making kind? Rather than suggesting that she prepare you a pastry, how about something a little more functional? I use my Keep Cup every single day, and I bet if she had one, she would too. You can design one in her favorite size and color-combo, or choose the somewhat chicer limited edition cork-and-glass model. Include a gift card to her favorite coffee shop for a more comprehensive offering. From $9.80, KeepCup

Or how about my good old fall-back suggestion, the zippy pouch! I turn to them again and again because, well, ladies love them! There's one for every taste and pricepoint, of course, and you'll have no trouble finding one to suit, but I'm particularly taken with the ones my friend Ogechi makes by hand in Chicago. So chic!  From $50, eyeofthesunoa

I'm so excited to see that Garance Doré has released her own line of stationary! Something about it strikes me as particularly appropriate for mothers-day--so feminine, so stylish! From $4.50, Rifle Paper 

Speaking of feminine and stylish, I just discovered this Etsy site that offers the loveliest hand-made underthings. Sexy and comfortable in equal measure. A floral print always says 'mothers day' to me!

From  $24, Egretta Garzetta

Or tell her she's beautiful with the gift of her own face! Etsy is a great place to find vintage hand mirrors and vanity sets, and you can basically name your own price--I like these ones!

For something a little more modern, this water-resistant sunnylife spearkerbox beach radio is perfect not just for the beach, but for picnics, patios, or anywhere the summer takes her! Keeps smartphones and mp3 devices safe from the elements while allowing you to play your own music anywhere, all summer long! So handy, so cute! $49.99, anthropologie

How about her very own picnic throw blanket to go with it? These are striped to perfection. Go the extra mile and have it monogramed for a mere $8.50, with her initials, or even "mom"! Currently on sale for $39, West Elm

Make it a picnic she'll remember with a box of sea salt caramels from Goumas Confections. You can't possibly go wrong! 

But if you really want to knock her socks off, spring for tickets to that show she's been dying to see. Both paul mccartney and fleetwood mac are currently touring; either are sure to be a hit with mothers across the land! (this mother anyway...)

p.s. Some ideas from last year, and the year before!

gifts for the special lady

Because special ladies deserve extra special presents! Don't you agree?

Perfume is sort of a cliché, but that's because it's a luxurious gift that ladies love! Choose her signature scent, or find a new one that captures her personality. Byredo's Gypsy Water, by the super-sexxxy Ben Gorham, is at the top of my list. Starting at an unfortunate $110.

Pajamas are another classic christmas gift. Just pick some especially nice ones--wouldn't she look adorable in these? Very Coco Chanel. $98 

And to keep her from changing out of them, try bringing her her breakfast in bed on this handy reversible acacia serving tray. It doubles as a lap table when you flip it over, which is perfect. $42.88

Top it with one of these super cute one-cup tea sets--or an equally jolly infusion coffee pot, if she prefers! $35-$36. 

Speaking of coffee, isn't this combination bag clip/scoop so handy? Meant for sealing and dispensing coffee grounds, but also good for bags flour or sugar, if she bakes. A perfect stocking stuffer! $8.56

If she's in to stationary, these gold-embellished zodiac birthday cards are just the thing, and so so magical. Set of 12 folded birthday cards (one for each sign) with matching inserts, $36. 

Not sure why this girl looks so glum... this faux-fur snood is the most luxurious thing I can think of, and looks just about as warm as can be! $70 at Topshop (find similar styles for $24.50 at Circles of Softness). 

The Portable Dorothy Parker is a must-read for every modern woman, so if she doesn't have it already, you should buy it for her. No one is wittier or more hilarious--a true role model! This is one of my favorite books of all time! $17.59

This Donna Wilson wool throw is the perfect thing in which to wrap up while she reads. Admittedly pricy, but it is hand knit--in Scotland, even! And so cheeky! $298

Lily Dawson grew up across the street from my grandparents, and guess what: she's making jewelry now! Her pieces are super on-trend, totally affordable, and best of all, absolutely gorgeous! Choose from a range of handmade rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets, starting at $10, at Lily Dawson Designs. 

gifts for the gentleman

Not to say that I've only be suggesting gifts for women up until this point, but sometimes boys can be particularly tricky. You understand. 

if there's one thing I've learned, its that boys just want to be cozy! Imagine him wrapped up in one of these all winter like a Stark of Winterfell. $79

Men also enjoy a beverage of quality. Luxury mixers, gifted alone or alongside a bottle of his favorite fine liquor, make a gift you know he'll really use. This cardamom clove syrup looks especially tasty. $11

Plus he needs something nice to drink it from! Just choose the appropriate vessel for his favorite drink, then buy at least a pair, so you can use them together! Solid copper mugs for Moscow Mules, $9 each (add a monogram, or silly emblem, for $7)

Or if they're more of a coffee drinker, these stanley thermoses are classic. $19-$32 

Men also appreciate useful objects, be they rich or humble. Bonus points if they're small enough to fit in the palm of your hand--they're handier that way. For example,

a tin of mink oil ($6) to protect and polish his leather items. Or try cream for his hands if he's rough on them at work; a masculine lipbalm if he's frequently outdoors in the wintertime; or some of the best-smelling after shave balm--products he'd use every day if he had but is perhaps unlikely to spring for.

Other tiny, giftable objects include these horn scoops, $15

and these pebble tape measures. $17

Any of these would fit tidily inside one of these very giftable wooden and leather boxes, but he likely already has something he could keep in it. $29.

It's a bottle opener, and a hammer! $4.50

Lastly, for the mason: these golden equilateral triangle nails, $28

gifts for the kitchen

You can't go wrong with kitchen gear. It's a solid, platonic gift, good for people who cook and encouraging to those who don't. Here are some things I think would be nice to have around!

I've only used one of these once, but I really liked it! Very quick for chopping parsley, or anything, and so zen. Or maybe tao? I like this model, from the Nigella Lawson line, but it's proving pretty hard to track down. But of course there are plenty on the internet, just google mezzaluna or ulu knife. 

These tiny rubber-dipped wooden bowls are adorable! And you can put anything in them. Spices, dips, small snacks... Anything! I like this marbleized set of four, but she offers them in lots of colorways and combinations. Starting at $8, Wind & Willow. 

Speaking of adorable, how sweet is this little hedgehog potguard! Also available in moose or owl. $7

I checked this out from the library some months ago and I really loved it. It includes plenty of tasty and not-so-tricky recipes for things like salty chocolate sablée, Rose gelée, and how to make your very own sea salt. Equally appealing is the inspiration: author Caitlin Freeman is head pastry chef a the Blue Bottle Cafe at the top of the San Francisco MoMA, and all of her desserts are modeled on works of modern art featured at the museum. I loved the Kudless smores, and of course, the Thiebaud cakes! This book is for anyone who appreciates sweets, art criticism, and the challenge of negotiating two distinct media in order to create a cohesive work of art. Starting at $13.87

To serve up their resulting creations, why not this adorable glass pie plate? Something they almost certainly don't already own. $35.90.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: dishtowels are a good gift! Considering their visible and quotidian presence in one's life, it only makes sense to get the most beautiful ones you can find. I like the selections at Huset, Zara Home, and, if you're lucky enough to live in the UK, of course Liberty London. 

Plants are nice to have around, especially if you can use them in your recipes! A rosemary tree is festive and seasonal, and will make any kitchen smell amazing. Aloe plants are nice too, and easy to care for! $49.99. 

Do they have a butter bell? An olive jar? A honey pot? Probably not, but how sweet and wonderful! Or what about mustard jar--just the thing to hold a batch of this delicious tart cherry mustard I made for thanksgiving that I just wanted to tell you guys about because its real easy to make and so tasty! Le Creuset accessories, around $30 each on Amazon.   

How handy is this cookbook/tablet stand? I especially like the splash guard, it would make me feel a lot better about using the ipad in the kitchen. $24.99

Finally, they may truly have everything they ever need, but you can never have too much salt! $16