Each year at about 11am on Christmas day, I vow that next year I am going to pull back. There are so many of us that I tend to overdo it at the last minute with silly Amazon knickknacks to make sure there is enough to go around. This year I really am being more thoughtful. The best part of having a big family is the unwrapping ritual, which we get to drag out longer than most. But family aside, there are lots of other people in my life who need presents. So I have rounded up some of my favorites in case you are as late out of the gate as I am. Some I am giving, some I am hoping for myself!
Mink Headband in Camel: I wore fat headbands like these in the 80s... my best friend Daisy and her boyfriend actually had a little side hustle and glue-gunned hundreds of headbands. They used the money they made for a trip to Paris (and probably threw the glue gun into the Seine.) I cannot look at a headband without thinking of the very handsome 24-year-old David carefully folding cotton chintz over the foam padding while the two of them chatted it up in their tiny apartment on Spring Street. These in fur are the same idea, but the construction is nicer (sorry Daisy) – not sure hot glue and mink really mix. Great for any girl who needs a halo of winter. I might even consider wearing it as a choker around my neck since I have aged out of headbands.
Marie-Hélène de Taillac Small Kiss Charm Bracelet: I am charmed by Marie-Hélène charms for the wrist. I have purchased so many of them that I hope we still have enough for you. The beautiful tiny box alone is a gift in and of itself.
Gogo Jewelry Exclusive Petal Necklace: Speaking of jewelry… new to us this season is Gogo Jewelry. We have done many events with them over the years but this is the first time we have carried their pieces as stock. It is the chicest, coolest, sort of hippie-ish line from the brain of Gogo Ferguson, whose family has been on Cumberland Island for generations. (She actually designed the wedding rings for JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette, who got married there). They created this Petal Necklace as an exclusive for us and it would make a very special gift for my most nature-loving daughter. Sort of a grown-up version of a puka shell necklace. Although I am about to go try it on myself…
Corpus Natural Deodorant in Third Rose: For that same nature girl daughter, the natural deodorant is perfect and very chic. Maybe I should skip the junk I usually put in their stockings and just give them ALL this... maybe add some oranges like my cheapskate mother used to put at the bottom of ours so they would look fuller. That would be plenty, don’t you think?
The 1972 FIDE Commemorative Travel Chess Set: I think this was on Sid’s list but I want to make sure one of us gets this chess set. I recently made a new friend who happens to be a competitive bridge player which has inspired me to exercise my brain with some game practice. Sid is always up for competition so it helps to have a partner but this is so pretty it would just make me look smart sitting on the table… even if I just copped out and did a Wordle on my phone instead.
Misc. Goods Co. Playing Cards in Sunrise: We could also just default to Hearts. This yellow deck of cards is so punchy.
Antonio Mattei Biscotti: I can’t get enough of these cookies. I have not been to Italy since before the pandemic. So I will need to consume many packages to get my taste buds prepped. They are a beautiful friend gift and they are the perfect size to drop in a mailbox.
The Cydney Boyfriend Crewneck Sweater in Sapphire Cashmere: Trite as it may be, a new sweater for Christmas is mandatory. I have given away so many of mine this fall as hand-me-downs to my next generation that I don’t feel at all guilty asking for this one. It is perfect… lately I have been really into the shocks of color.
Hickory Candles: I got these last year for myself… and was timid about burning them because they were so great-looking that I didn’t want to ruin them. But they are meant to be used! And I know where to find more.
Trudon Louise Decorative Bust Candle: I also wouldn’t mind another pretty Louise bust candle from Trudon. I have her in cream - but the pink would look pretty in another room and be an ode to the sister theme we have going on here. Never too many women in the house. As long as I am at it maybe I could invite Marie Antoinette in as well.
Track Shorts in Ivory Multi Elm House Liberty Fabric: We have lots of legs to fill these track shorts. They continue to be one of my favorite things we make… charming and cheeky and perfect for lounging at home… sleeping in… morning walks if you, like a lot of my friends who get to go to warm places in the winter… or just my own workout at home up and down my stairs. If I put on anything that looks like Lycra, the dogs think I am going out for a run and incessantly linger around me. The track shorts totally fool them and I can get a bit of a sweat going inside without them pestering me.
Tadahiro Baba Ducking Crow Bottle Opener: On the other end of the spectrum… bar accessories are a hit with men. Is that sexist of me?
Hubs Peanuts: I suppose bar nuts are more gender neutral. Everyone loves them. If you are up for buying multiples, an assortment of the flavors is very extravagant and will push someone to have a party before they expire. If you gifted these last year, I am sorry but you need to do it again as your receiver will be expecting them. You will forever be the awesome friend who supplies the most delicious nuts.
Long-Sleeved Lucy Nightdress: We make a beautiful easy nightgown that could also work as a pool dress. (My awesome friend Yolanda Edwards of YOLO journal just bought it to wear in Greece...) My life is not nearly as international as hers, but I can dream in this one. She, on the other hand, is living the dream. Her magazine also makes a great gift… it is really more like a book as you would NEVER recycle it. What if you included an open-ended plane ticket with it?? That would really wow someone. You could read it together and then decide!
La Charentaise Women's House Slippers in Moss Suede: I think these green slippers are fantastic. I almost feel like you could wear them to the hardware store or grocery... not quite Birkenstocks but kind of the same idea.
Scallop Edge Placemats in Blue/Green Lennon Liberty Fabric: My daughter is setting up a new house and I think she needs another set of these. Last year I gave her only 4, but now she has room to host more. They don’t need to match – in fact I like them more when they don’t.
Patina Modern By Pilar Guzmán and Chris Mitchell: And on that same subject… I have actually already given her this gift a little early. Chris and Pilar are great friends but even if they weren’t, I would still think this book is phenomenal. Like a cookbook for interiors. We were lucky enough to have a book signing event with them last week in Atlanta – even luckier was that they stayed with us and told me exactly what I need to do to make my kitchen more awesome. “Easy fixes.” They know what they are doing. And the book is beautiful.
These are just some of my favorites for some of my favorites. I hope you enjoy the season and the spirit of giving and receiving (“mostly love, a few presents” is my own motto this year!)
