Galvanized Tin Vase by Fabien Cappello

One of my favorite shops, Gardenheir, sells these wonderful vases by Fabien Cappello. I love Cappello’s work and his commitment to galvanized tin. Recently he posted a photo of some salt and pepper shakers he has developed that I think about a lot and hope to someday own. Also, check out those tin frills!

Petal Collection by Monsoon Pottery and Martha Mae

Incredible beautiful collection of teaware from two of the coolest people in Chicago (Danielle and Jean). I love the small plates for cookies or candies. They’re so beautifully made and a treat to hold. I encourage you to visit them in person at The Center for Order and Experimentation (one of the best gift shops in Chicago!).

Candle Portraits by Janie Korn

I think I first saw these years ago when Tavi Gevinson posted a photo of her holding a candle version of herself. Last year Helen Rosner included them in her gift guide (one of the best guides on the internet!) and I realized I needed Bryan and me to be immortalized (sort of) in candles. I love candle us.

Trash Raglan by Everybody.World

I bought this sweatshirt not totally understanding what it was, but sometimes those are the best clothing purchases. It is kind of bell-shaped and just super comfortable to wear. Good color.

Corndogs Bumper Sticker

We recently parked behind a car that had this bumper sticker and I screamed when I saw it and immediately knew that my friend Abra needed it (spoiler alert if you are Abra…sorry).

Apron by Klay

Klay, the New Zealand-based home goods business, has made it to this guide before. I love the pillows/cushions they make and our home is full of them. Of course they also make the nicest apron I have ever seen—beautifully constructed, and adjustable for a range of body sizes. It’s very chic. But more than any of that, I love the way Kirsty and Hannah run their business. They are genuinely good, kind people who care about others and speak up about things they care about. We need a lot more of that in this world.

Sift by Nicola Lamb and Nature’s Candy by Camilla Wynne

These two baking books were published this year and are instant classics. Both are examples of total perfection and of books beloved by both home bakers and professional bakers/pastry chefs. If you know someone who loves baking, you need to make sure they have these books. Worth noting: Both Nicola and Camilla have contributed to this gift guide in the past and then went on to publish critically acclaimed books. Coincidence?

Arnold Circus Stool by Martino Gamper

These have been kicking around since 2006, but we got ours this year and love it. Works as a stool, a side table, an umbrella stand, an ice bucket (maybe! why not?!). Has seriously good energy and was designed for one of my favorite spots in London, the beautiful Arnold Circus.

Rhine Journey by Ann Schlee

Shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 1981, and recently republished, this is the book I was happiest to have read in 2024. An extraordinarily beautiful piece of writing that captures a time period in a way I have never experienced before in contemporary literature. A rare example of historical fiction that manages to present feminist ideas in a historical context that do not feel anachronistic and goofy. A jewel of a book.

A Feast Incense by Nigel Slater and Perfumer H

If you have been reading these guides for a while, you know how much I like Perfumer H. But this year perfumer Lyn Harris collaborated with our beloved Nigel Slater on a scent that feels perfect for winter. Neroli, cardamom, clove…it’s delicious.

Bonnie Lalley Textiles

A large part of why I still write these guides is to introduce you to people I admire. Bonnie Lalley is an artist in Michigan whose work I really love. We met this summer at an art fair and felt like very kindred spirits. She sent me one of her paintings, which is now one of my most prized possessions and hangs in our dinning room. But this year she also started a line of textiles based on her paintings and they are so very beautiful. Bloomsbury group meets Michigan. I can’t wait to see what else she has in store!

(Bonnie with her tablecloth in beautiful Michigan!)

Stool 02 from Six Dots Design

I like Joseph Elwood’s work, and especially like this small side table which I use next to my bed to hold whatever book I am currently reading. The stool has a lot of energy and really radiates in a space.

 

Sour Raspberry Candy Fish by Kolsvart

These packages of gummy candies are now indicative of a certain kind of shop that we maybe don’t need anymore of. But the candy is good! And this year I discovered the sour raspberry which are my absolute favorite. They have a very rich and complex raspberry flavor that is almost never present in candy like this.

Serrano Hot Sauce by Yellow Bird

My friend Stephanie is one of the best gift-givers I’ve ever known. She gave me this hot sauce along with some hand-made egg-shaped coasters because eggs were her recommended accompaniment for the sauce—it was a very clever gift. But here’s the thing, I like this sauce on everything. We’re almost done with the bottle she gave us and have already reordered. The flavor somehow works with a variety of foods which makes it a great gift for everyone.

Ceramic Mug by Maggie Boyd

A gift from my friend Camilla that instantly became a favorite thing. I have heard that these are scarce, so trying to secure one can also be a new hobby for you. Two gifts in one!

Candlestick by Louie Isaaman-Jones

A mild steel candlestick with sterling silver thorns. This added a bit of danger to our dining room table. I like a lot of what London-based Isaaman-Jones designs—also check out his brilliant bookstand.

Midweek Recipes by Jess Elliott Dennison

I wish more people had the ability to self-publish their books, because this beauty is proof of how good they can be. And imagine how much more interesting cookbooks could be without big publishing getting in the way. Here we have a collection of simple foods that all sound delicious and like the kinds of things you actually want to make during the week.

Brown Paper Placemats by Uashmama

Our big purchase of last year was a new dining room table from Another Country that we had fallen in love with while visiting their showroom in London. I wanted a way of protecting the table, while not distracting from it, and found these placemats that are made of waxed paper but look like thin sheets of leather. I think they look really chic on the table. We’ve been using them for a year now and they have held up well so far.

A Dictionary of Color Combinations

Every year when I go to make those marbled shortbread cookies, I use this book to pick the color combination. So I guess this is a baking book?

Drawstring Shoulder Bag

Kind of hate putting Uniqlo on this guide, but I have to admit I really love this bag. It’s a good size and color (it is the mustard color and a much better color in person than on their website).

Author Hat by Womb House Books

For serious nerds.

Vintage Ceramic Molds

Vintage molds are beautiful, often affordable, and can be used for their intended purpose or not. A good thing to keep an eye out for as you visit antique stores or make the rounds on eBay.

Hot Water Bottle Cover by Mourne

Hot water bottles are a charmingly old-fashioned way of keeping warm and soothing sore muscles, and this tweed cover turns the ubiquitous rubber bottle into something very cozy. Makes a great gift for anyone approaching winter and/or middle age.

Cookie Platter by Lotts

If you haven’t heard the news over on Instagram, I started a new project and have collaborated on a ceramic platter with Julia Finlayson on Grandmont Street Ceramics. It has an integrated candle holder, which was an idea I have had for a while and it has been amazing to see it come to life. They’re currently being sold through Grandmont Street but we’ll let you know via Instagram if any become available for shipping. I had Christmas cookies in mind when designing it, but it works really beautifully as a centerpiece too. And this weekend we ate mozzarella sticks off of one.

That’s all, folks! As always this is a list of things I own and love and they’re all photographed by me in my house. A rarity in the gift guide world!

If you are looking for other great gift guides, check out Bronwen’s, Helen’s, Corinne’s, and the Sight Unseen guide.

***

Hope your holidays are happy ones.

xo