Category: Character

Your older sister lives in England, has a British husband and loves France. In many ways, she’s the opposite of you, a little kooky, and you’ve always wanted to be just like her. Air-mail your love with these treasures.

Blaue Blume Tea Pot, $128, make drinking tea a glamorous and seductive affair, with gold shoes.	Savon du Marseille Soap, $23, indulging her francophile tendencies.	Vintage Camera Photo Album, $10, a place to stash her adventures.
Leather Backpack, $557, just in case one of you should become rich, this goes on the list.	Antique Ferrotype Necklace, $80, for her love of history.	The Elegance of the Hedgehog, $9, translated from French on the bourgeoisie.
Vintage Brass Unicorn, $20, a charming reminder of her childhood collection.	Copper Tortoise Grater, $37, because she first taught you how to cook and likes river animals.

A passionate changemaker and businessman, your boyfriend’s father has a lot of heart behind his intimidating exterior. And he’s a lover of cigars, which really says it all.

I don’t know much about cigars, so I just visit the local cigar bar and ask for recommendations. They also told me Fuller’s Pullers was the best online resource for cigars, so I’ve gone ahead and included a random mid-level selection from that site in case you don’t have a cigar bar in your city.

Gentleman’s Travel Shoe Bag, $14, his loafers now have a better place to travel than in a plastic bag from the supermarket.	The Audacity to Win, $16, chronicles the campaign that in many ways functioned as a $1 billion start-up with laser-like focus and discipline.	Padilla Cazadores, $25, the pre-light aroma has light floral and savory notes that sets the expectation for a great smoke.
Open: An Autobiography, $14, one of the most gifted men ever to step onto a tennis court shares a beautiful, haunting autobiography.	Business Card Case, $60, an engraved brass reminder that reads, “In It To Win It.”

Your boyfriend’s mother has welcomed you with open arms and you can’t wait to catch up with her over the holidays. She’s stylish, loves to entertain family and friends, and you’re so happy she raised such a wonderful son.

Pinwheel Notebook, $14, for jotting down favorite places, ideas and inspirations.	Poppy Fields Make-Up Bag, $60, poppies have long captivated and enchanted.	Pixie Candlelight Holders, $30, perfect for entertaining.
Kate Spade Thermos, $30, a snow day staple, cozy and fun.	A Year in the Country Soaps, $70, each soap represents a different month at the Beekman farm, capturing every season.	Oak Tea Towel, $13, linen screen printed with creamy oak leaf illustration

With all the lay-offs this year, chances are one of your good friends is working on their own. Here are some gifts for your newly self-employed friend and their motivation.

Linkable Lined Notebook, $14, lined pages that open flat with front cover pocket linking system.	Blu Dot Rack, $90, from flat to fabulous in no time.	Oh Joy! File Collection, $17, perfect starter kit for a home office or a cubicle.
Bonox Clock, $18, wake up! Petite vintage-inspired alarm clock.	2010 Color a Month Planner, $25, keep track of plans and promises, with plenty of room for notes and musings.	Marimekko Mousepad, $20, Finnish and modern.
Great Ideas Bottle Journal, $18, fabric hardbound journal with lined or blank paper.	Elephant Paper Clips, $7, for good luck.	Design Inspiration Poster, $20, start their collection.
Kraft Paper Notepad, $12, elevate grocery lists and honey-do notes.

I was at brunch with Ryan this morning and I was asking him about the upcoming holidays and the gifts I had planned for different people. And I asked him if he knew what he was getting different people.

“No, it’s too early to be thinking about gifts,” he replied.

“Really? You think so? People start shopping the day after Thanksgiving though.”

“Yeah, way too early.”

“So when do you buy gifts? The day before Christmas?”

“Exactly. That’s the best time.”

Which, okay, really doesn’t surprise me because my mom used to tell me my father did the same thing. But just in case you want to give it a little more thought, I’ve put together a gift guide chock-full of great gifts, most under $100 , a ton under $50, and a few luxuries thrown in here and there.

I’ll do one or two posts a day throughout the week, starting tomorrow. Hope you guys love it!

PS – Make sure you don’t miss any gift guide posts, subscribe to Design & Style on Modite.