With the slew of holiday parties abound this season we wanted to round up a few unexpected gift ideas perfect for anyone’s home you can keep on hand. So instead of scrambling for that basic bottle of red in a sad drugstore gift bag, why not go the more imaginable route this year with a self-watering pot, a groovy mushroom grow kit or a chic pair of gorgeous dot coupes they’ll treasure forever.
We’ve rounded up twelve items that are sure to impress any host or design aficionado on your gift list this holiday.
Maison Balzac Dot Coupes, Set of 2 $90.00 USD
Champagne is always a good idea, especially when it’s served in the cutest of glassware, like these coupes from Sydney label Maison Balzac. Designer Elise Pioch’s collection is inspired by her childhood in the South of France, and these coupes are so frigging adorbs we can hardly stand it. Pair a set of these dotted numbers with a great bottle of champagne to wow just about anyone this season.
Misette Monochrome Cream Vine Hand-Painted Twist Candles, $55 USD
We love holiday items that aren’t overtly holiday in nature, and leave it to the hosting experts at Misette to create the perfect hand-painted candles for their holiday collection. Made in Italy and hand-painted in Canada, these 11-hour twisted candles will be the perfect addition to any holiday table, crafted with lead-free cotton wicks and food-grade paraffin wax which prevents them from dripping. Pair them with the bubble glass candle holders for an impressive hostess gift.
Tahiti Lamp by Memphis Milano, $1350 USD
For the design snob who has it all, this is jaw-droppingly gorgeous lamp is definitely not something we would recommend for just anyone on your list this holiday. The gift of taste and style wrapped into one truly iconic Ettore Sottsass Bacterio-patterned package. Designed in 1981 by Sottsass and produced by Memphis Milano, the ‘Tahiti’ Table Lamp was re-released this year for the reasonable price of $1350 (the vintage ones usually run upwards of $7K on 1st Dibs), this is the design lovers gift to end all gifts.
Rainbo Mushroom Grow Kit, $20 USD
Is there anything cooler than receiving a mushroom grow kit? They’re utterly fascinating and fun to watch as they slowly emerge, and you can’t say they aren’t practical since you get to harvest and consume them once they’re ready. You’ll definitely score major points for originality with this one.
Alex Proba Arrangement Pillow, $175 USD
An extra special pillow for an extra special home body – Alex Proba delivers fuzzy perfection with her range of Arrangement Pillow covers. Designed in Brooklyn and handmade in India, these hand-tufted and dyed pillows are available in varying sizes and styles to bring a little playful edge to any home.
Grape Witches Liquid Advent Calendar, $500 – $750 CAD
One of our favourite local spots for natural wine Grape Witches has returned with the holiday gift to end all holiday gifts. Is there a better gift than natty wine you can’t find at the LCBO? I think not. This year they’ve selected eleven of their favourite wines and one custom wine cider along with a holiday treat from Robinson Bread for the ultimate adult advent calendar. Every box sold will donate $5 to FoodShare.
New York Living Rooms Book, $46 USD
For the coffee table book lover that has every good coffee table book already, Apartamento has released the first installment of Dominique Nabokov’s stunning interior photography (interior ‘portraits as she calls them) which was first published nearly two decades ago in 1998. Originally commissioned for the New Yorker in 1995 as a photo essay, New York Living Rooms offers an intimate look into the interior spaces of some of the cities most illustrious cultural figures including Allen Ginsberg, Joan Didion, Susan Sontag, Norman Mailer, Louise Bourgeois, Francesco Clemente, and others.
Alessi Plisse Toaster, $117 CAD
This gift is serving toast with a side of pleats please, as in, please may I have more sourdough! Never have we laid eyes on a more chic toaster, so if there’s anyone on your list this holiday in need of a toaster upgrade, this Alessi one is *the* one, if you know what I mean. Designed by Michele De Lucchi to resemble pleated fabric (hi Issey!) this toaster is one you’ll actually want to look at on your counter every day instead of the rather unwelcomed stainless steel ones you usually find at the hardware store. Choose from six different toasting options including defrost, reheat, and bagel, this toaster heats bread to the desired temperature in just 30-seconds.
Holiday The Label Oven Mitts, $35 AUD
We’re still on a checkered tip and it’s starting to inch out of our wardrobe into the kitchen with these adorable oven mitts from Australia’s Holiday. Available in five different colourways including a chic black and white, olive and white and more, these mitts will make even the worst kitchen nightmares a little more fun.
Dusen Dusen Everybody Kitchen Timer, $74 CAD
For the home chef who gets a little distracted at times (I mean, who doesn’t). We love Dusen Dusen’s cute take on a kitchen timer from their collaboration with Areaware. There’s just something so comforting about a little smiley face counting down the minutes till your holiday bird is ready to go. Pair it with a dozen eggs and ask if they know how long to boil an egg to achieve jammy status 🙃
Nils Plöjel Self-Watering Wet Pots, $96.95 CAD
For the host who loves to keep fresh herbs in the kitchen but isn’t diligent enough with the watering schedule, these self-watering wet pots are a dream come true. Designed by Nils Plöjel, a Swedish designer and problem solver who collaborated with ceramicist Lasse Svedenstedt to create these smart pots that allow your plants to regulate how much water they need. Never over or underwater your plants ever again.
Off-White Cylindrical Stool $1,035 CAD
Virgil Abloh’s passing’s got us feeling really emotional lately, so this one’s for the Off-White worshiper on your list this Christmas. From one of Virgil’s only Off-White ‘Home’ collections, this super cool diagonal stripe stool is sure to be treasured for decades to come. Made in Italy of acrylic fabric, the pattern is unmistakably Off-White. VIRGIL FOREVER 💔