That Special Gift: Gift Corners No. 3

We’re not quite at freezing temperatures yet as the above picture shows from Bryant Park (this was taken last December) but the holiday markets and rows of apartment-size-appropriate pine trees have begun to line up. It’s officially holiday season in the city (I would venture to say the Thanksgiving Macy’s Day parade marks the start…).

Hannukah kicked off yesterday and Christmas is just over three weeks away, and today that grand-smash marketing “holiday” of Cyber Monday is underway. Below is the last one in the trio of this holiday gift guides, and I do hope that these have been at minimally interesting to peruse, and maximally influenced your gifting.

Happy Holidays to all!

Lotions - perhaps one of the single most accumulated item in my apartment besides books and jewelry. I have a thing for lotions. I attribute it to always having a large pump bottle of Jerkins in my possession and watching my mom always take moisturizing care of her hands. Like mother, like daughter in this case!
- Non-Fiction - I was initially intrigued by the name to this beauty brand, but must say, I haven’t personally tried it yet. It’s next up on my list, but not before I make my way through my personal accumulated stash a bit more. If you try it out and enjoy, please let me know.
- Tatcha - What can I say about Tatcha, except I support them 100% and if I could I would become a brand ambassador. Their story is one worth reading about as to how they got started and what their clean ethos are based on (century-old beauty recipes from the “geisha Bible"). I love all their beauty products but their indigo hand lotion’s texture and scent combination is luxe. It’s the perfect stocking stuffer gift that is a nice switch-out from a candy bar.
- Ouai - Again, it’s about the texture and scent for me, and Ouai (pronounced “way”) combines it in their hand lotion recipe. Originally what started as a hair product brand, it has branched off into other beauty products and has found success, rightfully so.
- Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella - Another luxe brand, these products stem from centuries-old (since 1221) Italian convent recipes where friars devised up pharmaceuticals from their gardens, and now many, many, many years later the brand is still crafting bath and body products that look, smell, and feel quite royal. I’m partial to the Fresia fluid body cream, personally. But if you want a gift that is above-average, then head over to their website.
- Nécessaire - I enjoy most of my lotions to have a scent, but Nécessaire makes theirs without one, and it just plain works. They know what they’re doing in designing a scentless lotion so that you can still layer on a separate perfume after the fact or not want to be distracted by a scent in the first place.

A gift set for someone in your life that loves non-fiction books, or for someone looking for that latest beauty product still on the cusp of mainstream discovery. Image from Nonfiction.

Magazines - A magazine subscription is often overlooked for a gift in the scheme of ideas, and I’m not quite sure why. Especially a nice print one that people probably wouldn’t think to buy themselves, it’s a reoccurring gift that extends beyond the holiday season!
- FAIRE - started at the beginning of the pandemic last year, the founder lives in France, and curates creatives’ personal stories told in the first person alongside high-end photography. The paper quality is supreme, and it is a magazine you’ll want to display on your coffee table, it’s that gorgeous. I might be bias in nature (since I’m due to post some online articles for them soon), but I think it’s a beautiful gift for that creative person in your life.
- Monocle - If I had to choose, I’d go with a print subscription versus the digital for Monocle, because the magazine layout and paper quality is once again, super high-end. Monocle deep dives into the luxury good markets and cities on the cusp of change, evolution in the arts, tourism, and economics, etc. You’ll hear about people and places you might not have heard of before because Monocle’s global bureaus really do dig into the cultures they’re stationed in. Quality lifestyle (with some political) journalism.
- Konfekt - Konfekt’s tagline: “The magazine for Sharp Dressing, Drinking, Dining, Travel and Design,” is very accurately what it says it is, and a quarterly sister magazine to the above Monocle. Hence, how I found myself flipping through its recent issue out of intrigue. A glossy magazine for that person in your life that abides by being in the know of the latest fashion, fare and libations, travel and design.
- Racquet - Tennis, anyone? This is a very specific content-focused magazine, but its stories dig into sides of tennis you might not consider. Definitely for the tennis-fanatic or fan, but a nice alternative to a can of balls in the stocking, and you’ll be supporting small media endeavor that wishes to carve out its own niche.
- The Happy Reader - “A collaboration between Penguin Classics and Fantastic Man, the concept of The Happy Reader is simple: the first half of the magazine is a long-form interview with a notable book fanatic and the second half explores one classic Book of the Season from an array of surprising and invigorating angles.” Definitely for the book-lover in your life, and a nice replacement to another bookstore gift certificate.
- B Magazine - For the design and brand-obsessed person in your life, each issue chooses a brand to focus on in totality with highly-designed layouts, and it won a Cannes Lionnes award, for one of its issues. Past issues include brands like Blue Bottle, A.P.C., TikTok, and Moscot. It’s another magazine worthy of coffee-table display.

FAIRE will be an issue you go back to again and again to have its stories seep into your bones. The only magazine I know to tell stories in first-person narrative from creatives themselves. Image from FAIRE.

My friends are talented: I’ve been lucky enough while living in NYC that I’ve come to know quite a handful of creatives that I always get to call my friends. These are ladies single-handedly striving to create art while often holding down a day-job at the same time all because they truly love it and it fuels them. If you shop with them, you’ll be supporting small businesses run by strong women. Please, support creatives.
- vacca studio - How to choose only one thing from Dana’s creations? Impossible. Her colorful, whimsical patterns come alive in wrapping paper and ornaments while her acrylic candle holders and trays are sanded by hand (did you read that? hand sanded, people!) and come in marble and terrazzo designs in light, airy colors.
- Manner Market - The “essential silk scarf”, Manner Market “doesn't compromise on quality” and they’ve “broken down luxury scarves high cost model to bring back this classic basic.” A silk scarf is really timeless and versatile in use, and the perfect quality gift for those who love to accessorize.
- Saint Maide - Want an ever-lasting gift? Go for dried florals, much more eco-friendly and can bring any table / shelf to life whether you’re dining or elevating a nightstand. Dried floral bouquets are trending for a reason, so join the movement for more ambiance that you don’t have to throw away after a week.
- laetly - Fun, bold prints for the must-need winter accessory? Yes, please. Made from 100% extra-fine merino wool, the materials are legit and don’t play around. Buy one for yourself while you’re possibly shopping for others, then you won’t regret it come unwrapping time because you’ll have your own in hand.

Images above from vacca studio, laetly, and Saint Maide.

Other random gift ideas: A hodge-podge of random stuff I find and stow away in a buried note on my phone to remember to gift to others when the time is right.
- Restaurant gift certificate - Supporting local, restaurant businesses is still very crucial almost two years later from the start of the pandemic. A gift certificate is a direct and sure-fire way to put money into the business. Plus, I love the gift of an experience, and a memory to-be-made. Casually ask what are the favorite spots for your gift recipient and typically most businesses these days make it easy to order all online and select the day of delivery for the emailed digital gift card.
- Eco-forward ANYBAG - Came across this small business on Instagram, where else? And the product literally doesn’t get any more ecological than this: Designer / founder takes all plastic single-use bags and repurposes them into this sturdy handbag that you can use to schlep around with you all day for errands. I especially love the bright neon and blue trim / strap ones. Diverting ~95 bags from the landfill and made in one of the oldest leather factories in NYC, these bags have a story to tell should you find yourself carrying one proudly.
- Via Citrus - calamondin - I love gifting a plant, but not just any plant, one that bares and generates fruit—a double whammy of a gift, if I do say so myself. I especially love this uncommon one, the calamondin, from Via Citrus. How many people get to say they’ve gifted or received a calamondin plant? Not many, I’d venture to guess. Use the fruit in cocktails, salads, or any other fruit-filled use after its blossomed and delivered in bounty.