That Special Gift: Gift Corners No. 1

I’m most often asked, “where did you find that?” after I’ve given a gift to someone. Or even if I’m not gifting, I’m forever hunting, reading, and searching for those special items that other taste makers find amongst their own travels.

Given Black Friday / Cyber Monday and the overall holiday gifting season is hard to step away from, and I love a good gift guide myself, I thought I’d pull one together and even share my own gift guides I’ve bookmarked as reference for this year’s shopping task. It’s a lot of bits and bobs, this and that, and I preferred to create more of a list than chock full the post with pictures. I’ve tried to categorize for ease of reading and further interest, but if it looks like it’s a lot to read, it’s because this is my first one ever and is helmed from years of sourcing, email sign-ups, and Instagram perusals. Also, it must be said, while I’m all for giving the perfect gift to someone, I’m also all for a lovely, handwritten note, which costs nothing. And if some of the price tags below scare you, I believe practically every site / object is on some kind of sale through Monday, so look for the code before turning away from the dollar sign.

If something has sparked your fancy (for yourself or someone else), please let me know. I’d love to hear back after spending three-plus hours on this post, it would bring a smile to my face.

Without further ado, let’s get to it… below is the first of (possibly) three gift guides. (Truth be told, I’m adding in this sentence as I thought I could do it in one post. Nope! The list got too long, and I realized I’m going to have to do multiple posts. So honestly, I’m planning for three but leaving room for improvisation.)

Guides I like scrolling through for my own inspiration:
- Hither & Thither gift guide for kids - Ashley’s guides (and her blog) always have me clicking and for any online content these days that’s a hard-won win.
- The New Yorker food-centric gift guide - I found this one fun to read through and they offer up ideas like an “oyster I.O.U.” if you’re looking for that “savory” gift in more ways than one.
- Saveur gift guide - My alma matter of my magazine career puts out their guide every year, and as a follower of Kate Berry (Chief Content Officer of Domino and Saveur), she’s a taste maker I trust. The list skews for the adventurous eater and global food purveyor that’s for sure, but also rounds up some stocking stuffers and slick gifts for a coffee-fiend in your circle.

Food-focused:
- Vesta hot chocolate - A good friend gifted me some of this Montclair, NJ-based hot chocolate back in the Spring, and I recently got to finally serve it up and taste test it: it’s a rich cup of winter goodness you’ll want to have as a mid-afternoon snack, post-dinner dessert, or morning cup to start the day. These kind of gifts make for wonderful hosting gifts, should you be partaking in those kind of festivities this year post-Covid.
- Food52 backgammon / checkerboard cheese board - As a collector of backgammon boards, this caught my eye as a fun gift for the kitchen and party-throwing acquaintance in your life.
- Diaspora Co. - ethically sourced spices that support large networks of Indian farmers, so the dollar spent here goes far beyond what you can imagine.
- Karam’s garlic sauce - Truth be told, I haven’t tried this sauce, but given garlic is my favorite flavoring, this could make a different alternative to the ubiquitous hot sauce gifting that seems to always be the go-to.
- Hotel Sacher original chocolate torte - I have yet to test this dessert, but seen as it was recommended by a traveler taste-maker I follow religiously on all her media endeavors, I would imagine, it’s legit. It makes for a fancy gift from over-seas that the recipient would otherwise not get to try.
- Jeni’s ice-cream pint koozies - Tried, tested, and love! I gave these to my husband last year in his stocking (the perfect stocking stuffer size IMO), and since he typically eats out of the pint these have saved many o’ paper towels which have no substantiality in comparison to koozies.

Vesta’s hot chocolate gift set is the gift that will keep on giving all season long or as long as cold temperature pervade. Image from Vesta.

Olive oils: I find a good olive oil to be one of THE best gifts out of allllll the running items to possibly give someone. Below are my go-to’s.
- Casa Caponetti - When Bill Buford speaks to and suggests you get your hands on a kitchen-item, you really take it for value. Such was his suggestion the other day on Instagram for this olive oil. Well suffice to say, I signed up for their newsletter, and now find myself awaiting two cans of this delicacy to arrive on my doorstep. It’s the Italian time-honored crafting and processing of this one that has got a hold on me.
- Flamingo Estate - I’ve gifted Flamingo Estate a handful of times by now, and their olive oil seems to stand out from the pack from what I’ve heard back from friends. Their sale is in full force on all items, fyi, where you can also snag some artisanal honey or amazing chocolate.
- Oracle - A bottle of this currently sits in my kitchen. I’m a sucker for the blue bottle and label design, and then, the taste of this Grecian oil is sublime.
- Beverly’s - This EVOO comes domestically from California, and while it’s sold out online, I believe some bottles can be snagged from the Nordstrom display in NYC that the shop has going on right now.

A show stopper of a bottle and label design if I’ve ever seen one—plus the Grecian olive oil is delightful for dipping or drizzling on a meal. Image from Oracle.

Jewelry: The below list is by no means an exhaustive list of my jewelry designers that I’ve discovered through the years. The list runs way too deep to list in full.
- Tiro Tiro - I’ve been following Tiro Tiro for well over a decade. Organic in shapes and designs and easily go with many outfits, she’s a designer that always deserves your dollars.
- Pia - Literally just bought my fourth or fifth piece from Pia last week. She’s a Brooklyn-based designer with a collection based in evil eyes and scarabs. Her ‘gram account is great to follow if you’re interested in the process of jewelry making and history / sourcing of rocks and materials.
- See Real Flowers - Another designer I probably have a handful of pieces from. I love the materials and aesthetic she’s developed in her collection.
- TAKARA - Honestly, just started following this designer today by way of one of my fave boutiques. Hard for me to choose just one here that I would take home.

The “Ancient Poet” necklace from TAKARA has such an earthy look and feel. Image from TAKARA.

Home
- Farmhouse Pottery - a good go-to besides Crate & Barrel or West Elm for some holiday homeware gift options.
- Minh Singer - my favorite ceramicist (and who I’m writing an article on for FAIRE Journal coming up) and puts an extensive amount of time into every handmade piece making each piece a true work of art and wonder.
- MARISHA FALKOVICH plate from Boswell - loved the various drawn designs for these plates and could see a lovely array of cookies awaiting Santa under the tree on one of these.
- Ulla Johnson napkins + placements - Ulla has gotten into home goods, and I’m not alright. As if I need more reason to spend my money with this brand. But these napkins and placements have unique patterns that only Ulla can come up with and would make great accessories to simple tableware.
- Ulla Johnson’s ceramic curation in vases - If you’ve ever visited an Ulla Johnson boutique, then you’ll know the interior design is carefully curated, and you’ll also notice various ceramic pieces artfully placed amongst the clothing. Well, these pieces can now be bought to take-home and not just to ogle at in-store. For that very special person in life that would appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into these pieces.
- Rigby pasta bowl set - I’m always on the hunt for a great pasta bowl (even if I don’t have room in my kitchen cupboards for more). These simple ones seemed durable and just right to dish any number of pasta dishes into.
- Accompany - I’ve been a long-time fan and follower of this company and if you want to buy ethically, this is the place. Items come from across the world and have the sweet touch of handmade quality. Back in the day they used to sell more clothing alongside the homewares, but you can still find some fashionable pieces if that’s more your interest.
- POJ Studio Indigo wall piece - Ok, I’m well aware this is a very specific item and can really only be gifted to those looking to either invest in a wall-hanging artwork piece or to those who gravitate to Japanese culture and crafts. It is a beautiful piece and as the blog post title says, “special.” For that person / partner / relation who you don’t mind spending big on.
- GrayDay Studio tea towel - Who doesn’t need a tea towel / dish towel in their kitchen? I’m not sure there is an answer to that question, and it’s something I find myself always picking up on my travels as a memento. GrayDay’s artwork has graced The New Yorker’s covers, but she does so much more with her artwork like screen printing these kitchen essentials. It doesn’t get any more unique than this gift.
- Mondays - one of the many Brooklyn based ceramic shops I’ve come to follow (I’ve lost count of my ceramic accounts at this point…). They have crafted pieces for famed Blue Hill’s restaurant and have a section on their site titled “One of A Kind” so you know these pieces don’t come cheap. They’re a one-of-a-kind pieces for that one-of-a-kind person in your life. These are pieces you pass down or on to others and inherently have a ever-lasting timeline quality.
- Facture Goods - ornaments, platters, bowls, cheese knifes, and the likes are handmade by Aron Fisher and often sell-out fast (Case in point: I had my eye on an oyster ornament, and such is the phrase, “you snooze, you lose!”). So if you’re contemplating pulling the trigger, let this PSA help you complete the check-out process.
- TENZO - small shop of curated goods by way of California. You can tell each piece is lovingly chosen for its design, function, and story. Shop small folks!