Gifts for people who already have it all

But could actually use this *one* more special thing

today’s post is my first ever somstack holiday gift guide (ok, hold the applause!). i rounded up an edit of cool, special and often one-of-a-kind gifts for the people in your life that u might *think* have everything…but they probs don’t have this👇

I can’t believe it’s already been a year since i’ve had to think about Christmas/white elephant/end-of-year gifts. my gifting strategy stays the same every year - i try to give a gift that feels like a surprise - unexpected and a bit rare. the anticipation of seeing how the recipient will react is the gift i give myself. lol.

with the 100 other things going on between Thanksgiving and Christmas, buying an Amazon gift card can be tempting, but…

if you’re up for the challenge, I’ve put together a list of ideas that will level up your gifting game - or at the very least, help you feel inspired. each idea is special, comes with a good story and will hopefully save u a gift receipt.

1. Jewelry from Ferian London

I’ve known Leonie Branston, the founder of Ferian London, since 2001 - she was actually my first boss at Jcrew (she was the Director of Accessories while I was the assistant designer in charge of socks.) Fast forward to 2017, after moving to London to be the head of women’s design at Margaret Howell, Leonie launched Ferian - ceramic signet rings and other one-of-a-kind pieces - handmade with details like vintage cameos that she sources herself.

I’m huge fan of everything on the line but am partial to the vintage Wedgewood ceramic cameos. There’s something about ceramic that’s set into gold that feels so special.  All the cameos are vintage and have been collected by Leonie over the years  - some date back to the 1950’s - so once they are gone they’re gone.

Also an aside - I own the intaglio oxblood lion ring- it’s the only ring I own. From anyone - period.

Please check out the product story on her website - this quick paragraph will not do it justice to what Ferian stands for.

2. Handmade glasses from Gayle Spannaus

Where do I start with Gayle? I’ve known Gayle for over 15 years - I first met her at Jcrew where she oversaw all of styling (your fav Jcrew catalogue cover was probs styled by Gayle) and we continue to work together today at Alexmill. for anyone lucky enough to know Gayle, u know a day on set is full of beautiful images as well as laughs. When she’s not styling she’s also blowing glass in Brooklyn - a few years back I bought a few of her glasses - clear with these floating clouds of colour - like confetti - made in small batches and not one is like the other. 

gayle's glasses. My fav is when they’re filled with ice and sparkling water. 

Gayle doesn’t have a website for her glasses which makes makes them more rare I guess but dm her here @gaylespannaus- I’ll give her a heads up ;)

3. Bits and bobs from A Young Hiker

I’m a huge fan of Buly in Paris so when its founder, Ramdane Touhami, opened A Young Hiker I knew I’d love that too. I visited the new store last month on a trip to Paris and was instantly charmed by everything inside including the staff (and you can see my review from last summer’s trip here)

It’s filled with amazing sweaters, this awesome purple puffer and a pretty clever dog bowl -  I bought a few things - but my fav things were the El Capitain Carabina earring and its mate, the Fuji. 

El Capitain Carabina earring and its mate, the Fuji secured on work trip to Paris (FYI before getting on the flight for every work trip to Paris I promise myself not to buy anything personal but it’s soooooo hard)

I don’t climb mountains or walls and am the last person to volunteer for a hike but I am a fan of all things surreal - the modest carabina recast in silver and gold! Mind blown! Pretty cool - so cool I picked up a pair for my sis.

there are also a few under $100 pieces that are great for gifts:

• cappuccino cups for the espresso obsessed

• a packable tote for the coworker with the longest commute

• a fun pennant for your very adventurous little cousin

4. One-of-a-kind Vintage from Skat

On the same trip to Paris we dropped by Skat - small very cool vintage store in the Marais. Well-curated and not overwhelming thank goodness! It was there that I found this Katherine Hammett dress- beaded gingham barely-there slip - since I don’t wear dresses I just thought it would be the best birthday gift for someone - very cool, a bit pricey for a gift but rare which I loved.

this dress reminded me of a story back in 2001 -  for a friends 30th bday -instead of each friend buying her an assortment of mediocre gifts, her gay besties all pitched in and bought a single super gift- a pair of killer Louboutin heels which she had been eyeing at Barney’s

I’ve always loved the idea of gifting something vintage esp if it’s a special piece that the person had passed on once upon a time and has been dreaming of ever since. AND with the resale market kind of on fire right now finding that rare piece isn’t as impossible as 10 years ago. 

a few more budget-friendly pieces on skat right now that i love:

• dainty pearl necklace for the older sisters in our lives

• glass vase for your aunt who loves hosting

• this silk cami for…yourself?!

I’m including another great vintage site - @shopmodig - there currently is this epic tartan Isaac Mizrahi gown from 1989 on the site - this gown is one of the reasons I wanted to be a designer ;)

5. Hand painted monogrammed totes

   My no-fail gifting advice is always to make it personal. Alexmill has a great monogrammed shop we just launched - you can get handpainted or hand embroidered initials on your favorite Alexmill totes.

   i’ve used this gifting trick on even the most hard to please and it always works. yes including your fancy mother-in-law that “doesn’t want anything!”

   

   alexmill’s “make it personal” gift guide. handpainted monograms on my favorite totes. what could be better?!

   

   This monogrammed canvas tote is done by the nyc based Stuart Morrison. I worked with Stu a million years ago at Jcrew - he always had the best eye and best outfits.

6. Handcrafted metals from HW studio

Heath Wagoner is a metal worker and friend doing beautiful objects out of his studio in Brooklyn. He hand makes and hand finishes everything- on his website you’ll see a wide range of products from cutlery to bar ware to aperitivo accessories but my fav things are his objects.  

I own the harissa tube in brass as well the sardine can and a custom made fish bracelet- - the tube and can just sit on my table next to some other fav objects and the bracelet I wear everyday -

all of these objects are conversation starters and all are smile inducing which I like to think is  the main function of these forms.

ok there you have it - places to shop for gifts for the people that have it all. what other gifting situations are you stuck on?! if i get enough questions i’ll do another gift guide;)