I didn’t want to do a Christmas gift guide this year… mostly because my own Inbox has been inundated with them, and I don’t see the point of adding to yours. However, here are a handful of unique items that I think would make amazing presents, for Christmas or for any future occasion… my not-necessarily-a-Christmas-gift guide.
I’ll start with my favourite, the Rauk Heavy Tumbler. Now first things first, I do not drink whisky on the rocks; any self-respecting whisky drinker knows ice kills the flavour. However, this is such a beautiful vessel I want it anyway. I’ll just drink my whisky neat in this glass, thankyouverymuch. If you know anyone who loves bourbon, whisky, gin or any other spirit that deserves to be savoured slowly and carefully, this glass is the perfect shrine for it. They do another one, this double walled Norlan Whisky glass which is almost as beautiful, but the Rauk has my heart.
A lovely reader (thanks Lynne) alerted me to these robes on Instagram. I know some of you are going to love them as much as I do. The independent brand One Hundred Stars makes THE most charming dressing gowns I’ve ever seen, in map prints of various cities. There is one for Venice, Paris, London, New York, Rome, Edinburgh, and Europe. My favourite is the pink and aqua Paris version.
My love of perfume comes from my mother, who like me, has a very keen sense of smell. I recently discovered Floral Street, a new woman-owned independent perfume brand. I tried the a few of the perfumes in this line and the one that knocks my socks off (I’ve worn only this perfume since I discovered it) is the Ylang Ylang and Espresso one. It changes kaleidoscopically throughout the day as you wear it, like no other perfume I’ve ever worn. When my mom was visiting a few weeks ago she (predictably!) appreciated these perfumes and bought Wild Vanilla Orchid, London Poppy, and several candles. I’ll be covering this brand further on an upcoming London post, but in a nutshell it ticks every box for me: quality product, woman owned, sustainable, ethical sourcing, and recyclable glass packaging. Oh, and if you’re a candle freak like I am, they are VERY reasonably priced and burn evenly and beautifully.
The brand, Messages in Metal, sent me one of their necklaces a few months ago. The quality is great, and I think the U.S. State necklaces make lovely presents for people who are crazy about what state they live in (we all know several of those, don’t we?). In my personal experience, people from Texas, Florida, California, and North Carolina are particularly loyal and think their state can do very little wrong!
When all else fails, one of my most people-pleasing gifts is a tin of iced biscuits from Biscuiteers. They ship internationally, and have an ever-changing selection of tins to cover any occasion: royal weddings, beach holidays, Hanukkah, birthdays, etc. Unlike most iced biscuits, they don’t just look pretty; they have lots of vanilla bean specks in the dough, so they taste delicious as well. Also, they come so well packed I’ve never had one of my recipients experience a broken cookie.
As convenient as it is to shop Amazon and online in general, I hope you’ll take a second to think if there is a smaller brand (like these I’ve found) that you could support with a similar (and often better) purchase. Christmas season can be make or break for some brands, and your dollars/pounds/euros really count.
26 Comments
Jamie
December 7, 2018 at 10:14 AMAll really great gift ideas, Lisa! The iced biscuits have MY heart.
Lisa
December 7, 2018 at 10:19 AMThey’re SO GOOD! The shop is near where I live, we must go there next time you’re in London! My dad really loves these; they sometimes do an adorable one with a tool box and lots of biscuit tools. They’re almost too pretty to eat… almost. xx
Malinda
December 7, 2018 at 10:54 AMI love this non-list list! So much so that i just bought the NYC robe – yay. Thank you! Beautiful collection and I want it all x
Lisa
December 8, 2018 at 9:25 AMOH the robe seems to be a big hit! I adore it too. Let me know you you like yours. I like that it is a vintage map, so pre 2nd avenue subway. 🙂 xx
Mithra Ballesteros
December 7, 2018 at 12:39 PMThe robe!! So fun!! Especially for days when one is dressing for the writing life. Thanks Lisa!
Lisa
December 8, 2018 at 9:23 AMI adore the robe too. So suitable for glamorously wafting about and writing. xx
Mia
December 7, 2018 at 1:46 PMI have just bought one of those gorgeous robes, the London one, can’t wait to get it!
Lisa
December 8, 2018 at 9:22 AMOh! Keep me posted Mia! I want to hear your thoughts. xx
Jean
December 7, 2018 at 2:05 PMWell you hit two of my favorites. I have received Biscuiteers for several years and they are always beautiful and delicious. Awesome designs! Very creative!
Lisa
December 8, 2018 at 9:18 AMThey really are the most creative and beautiful cookies I’ve ever seen! xx
Nancy
December 7, 2018 at 4:46 PMWhat a gorgeous robe! And iced biscuits in such a nice tin! Mmm delicious!
Lisa
December 8, 2018 at 9:17 AMThe robe is SO fantastic! It really as top of my wish list… after jewellery related things, which always manage to elbow their way to the VERY top. Thanks Nancy xxx
stylishatsixty
December 9, 2018 at 8:14 AMThe iced biscuits look delicious and have already set my taste buds a tingling. Instead of giving as a gift I would want to keep them to myself.
Lisa
December 12, 2018 at 9:43 AMHa ha, yes they ARE quite tempting. A tin for you and a tin to give then! xx
Samantha Blair
December 9, 2018 at 7:03 PMPerfume Lisa!
Yes please.
Like you (and your Mum) I have the nose of a bloodhound.
Sometimes it comes in handy… sometimes it’s hell on earth.
I’m so sensitive I can smell when people I know are on medication (their natural smell subtly changes), I know when someone has been in my house even if I’m home hours later and don’t even try and sneak a cheeky cider or a sly fag past me kiddos!!
So… to cut the waffle… lovely perfume is a wonderful gift.
However, having said all that, the tumbler is my favourite from your list.
Let’s have a snifter of Highland Park in a couple of those!!
XXX
Samantha
Lisa
December 12, 2018 at 9:42 AMAhhhhh, another ‘talking labrador’ as my husband calls me. I’m the same as you about smells and other people. My absolute WORST is getting in a taxi with that unmistakeable dirty scalp smell. It actually makes me sick.
Yes yes yes to Highland Park in a special whiskey tumbler! That’s a date! xx
LA CONTESSA
December 9, 2018 at 10:29 PMLOVE THE ROBES!!!!!!!!!
How much in dollars your the MATH WIZ!!!!!!
XX
Lisa
December 12, 2018 at 9:40 AMThe pound is so weak at the moment, it is almost the same in dollars as pounds! Just multiply the pound amount by 1.2 to get what it would cost in dollars. So if the robe is £70, that makes $84! xx
melissa williams
December 10, 2018 at 5:06 AMWell- thank gawd you clarified about the whiskey. Straight up, please…….just had a bit of Pappy’s 15yr the other night. So posh…….or something. Ordering the biscuits straight away- take. my. money. Thanks for making me buy something awesome. 😉 Keep it up!
~Melissa
https://freshairandfalselashes.com
notdressedaslamb
December 10, 2018 at 2:59 PMLisa I saw that exact robe in a new gift shop in my town at the weekend – it’s absolutely beautiful, as were the other designs! Weirdly I’m also looking at getting Keith some whiskey glasses for Christmas, but we set a spending limit (because there are so many family members to buy for) and they’re sadly over my allocated budget… I do love them though!!
Thank you for this post, your picks are always superb 😀
Catherine x
Lisa
December 12, 2018 at 9:38 AMYOU DID?! It is such a beautiful robe, isn’t it? Their floaty summer dresses look really lovely as well.
The whiskey glasses are definitely a real splurge item. We’ll only get two, one for me and one for M.
Glad you enjoyed the picks; I always love yours too 🙂 xx
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Abby
December 16, 2018 at 1:51 PMHi Lisa! I just wanted to say hello and wish you and your family Merry Christmas and a Happy New year! I hope you’re doing well? And you’re so right with the buy buy buy pressure surrounding Christmas, I decided to change it a bit starting this year and make it all about giving and sharing love. And speaking of which, lots and lots of it to you and your loved ones! xx Abby
Lisa
December 21, 2018 at 2:51 PMOH thank you Abby! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family too! I hope I see you sometime in the spring in Paris. We don’t have any specific plans at the moment, but I’m hoping we can work it in. Lots and lots of love to you. xx
Sharon Sinclair-Williams
January 29, 2019 at 9:26 PMI love Biscuiteers and have sent them as gifts quite a few times over the years. I had no idea they had a place where you could get afternoon tea until recently. I’ve made a note of Floral Street. I need to investigate further … they have candles!! xo
Lisa
January 30, 2019 at 7:21 PMFloral Street candles are totally sustainable and not eye-wateringly priced… win win! Another Biscuiteers babe, I shoulda known. They have my heart. xx