Category: Gift Guides

I love wrapping gifts. The humble packages that result and wait under the tree are a lovely tradition of patience and anticipation.

This year, I used brown wrapping paper, an old table cloth that I tore into strips, leftover gift tags, raffia, ornaments from Crate and Barrel, and fake berries from an old decoration to wrap many of our gifts under the tree.

You’ll need to set aside a good two to three hours to wrap gifts depending on how many you have, and make sure to have several types of tape on hand. For awkwardly-shaped packages, I use packaging tape to hold everything in place as opposed to regular scotch tape.

Ornaments work great as an alternative to bows and ribbons, and cost about the same (although I found these for cheaper). Try stringing raffia, string or ribbon through the holes in a relatively flat ornament (see top photo) to add a quick embellishment; a treat before you even tear off the paper. Smaller ornaments can be attached just like gift tags.

I love that extra bit of delight.

Even though you and your best friend are both coupled up – in fact, she just got married – you still make time for much-needed girl time for venting and laughing. Combine two or three of these gifts to show your appreciation for your long-standing friendship.

Jellyfish Ornament, $16, squiggly tentacles seem suddenly cuddly when crafted of raspberry crochet.	Has a Temper Necklace, $45, mixed vintage and modern chains are adorned with a feather rhinestone brooch.	Bright Booklets, $14, sand-dollar booklets with brightly colored pages.
Popcorn Maker, $30, theater-inspired popper makes fresh, light popcorn for every girls’ night.	Platinum Notebook, $14, silver florals adorn the kraft cover of this travel-sized notebook.	The Newlyweds’ Cookbook, $19, following the nuptials, newlyweds get cookin’ with this recipe book built for two.
Barlesque Soap, $5, handmade, this soap cleans, smooths and stimulates.	Oatmeal Soopascarf, $150, seven feet of oatmeal comfort.	Kate Spade Striped Socks, $20, with prep school charm, these knee-highs lend a dash of cheer.
Everything Bag, $140, roomy hobo style bag in organic cotton denim in indigo.	Bought, $11, a glitzy, glamorous, and gossipy novel.

Spending the holidays with your sweetheart? Don’t forget to package something up for his younger brother who just got a new job and is still engaged in the finer pursuits of leisure.

If it’s your first Christmas with the family, grab a lower-priced stocking stuffer. If it’s your second or third, go for something with a little more weight or split a gift with your boyfriend.

Outlaws, $30, adventures of pirates, scoundrels, and other rebels.	Cremo Cream, $8, the astonishingly superior shave cream.	Bonobos Polo, $68, not too tight, not too baggy.
Sonic Fabric Tie, $90, recycled and plays music… really.	Banana Republic T-Shirt, $33, cotton ‘text’ graphic long-sleeve tee.	The Search for God and Guinness, $17, drunkenness is next to godliness.
Hard Graft Wallet, $120, slim with room for his phone and credit cards.	John Allan’s Sport Shampoo, $14, ideal for an active lifestyle.

Your mom has always been your best friend. From asking you, “Do you want to be right, or do you want to be happy?” when you get in a fight with the boyfriend, to reminding you that, “Everything will get done, it always does,” you’re not sure where you would be without all her advice. Of course, she says she doesn’t want anything for Christmas, but that’s one thing you’re not listening to.

Custom Pet Doodle, $50, because the dogs deserve family portraits too!	Baggu Bags, $8, collapsible, reusable, shopping bags.	Teabag Mug & Teaspoon Plate, $72, organic porcelain with beautiful whimsy.
Alice.com Gift Card, $50, take household shopping off her to-do list.	Oatmeal Fig Tea Towel, $24, a bold fig leaf is hand printed with roll folded hems.	The Help, $12, start a mother-daughter book club with this optimistic, uplifting novel.
Butterflies & Insects Calendar, $22, because butterflies remind her of her own mother.	Framed Memory, pick a favorite photo or memento and add a large mat.	Brandi Carlile: Give Up the Ghost, $11, music you can enjoy together.

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.