GIFT IDEAS TIME!
And now for some good ol' fashioned capitalism.
Welcome fellow flustered elves!
I hope I can help shorten your stay at the workshop with the below list.
But first. Genuine question: when did “gift” become a verb as well as a noun?
I have no recollection of showing up at school after the holidays and asking my friends what Santa had “gifted” them.
Raise your hand if your parents gifted you a pet lizard in the nineties and I’ll drop it. (Raise your other hand if they regretted it immediately.)
I’m pretty sure this use of “gift” is a PR construct that has somehow infiltrated the vernacular via social media. What’s wrong with giving something, or for that matter receiving it?
To me, giving implies: I saved up, I thought hard about what you might like, something you might not necessarily buy yourself, then I went to the shop (physical or digital), I took my time selecting exactly the right version based on my knowledge of your character, size and general disposition, and then on the appropriate day, I gave it to you. Wrapped up nicely. And you received it, and opened it. Then we both smiled and hugged or whatever. This use just feels so much more personal to me, less transactional.
Even in the case of brands “gifting” influencers, maybe they’d make more of a point when inspiring Instagram posts if they made use of the term “giving”.
Anyway, here are some ideas of what to give your loved ones this holiday season.
Full disclosure: while many absolutely have not, a couple of these items have in fact been “gifted” to me by their brands. For which I am decidedly grateful by the way, despite my old-school grammar freakdom.
FOR HER:
A very thoughtful gift I was given ages ago and still love. The “What binds us” stoneware vessels by Main Edition are now available in several colours and patterns on The Oblist.
Victoire de Lencquesaing’s hands-offered pieces draw on symbols from bygone eras, magical practices and modern art, and while she leaves leaves their intended use open to interpretation, I reckon they make a pretty nice place to place your favourite jewellery, or (delicately) one’s keys at your home’s entrance.
The “Gone Fishing” Necklace by Alighieri available here.
I’ve worn this constantly since receiving it. People are instantly drawn to it, asking me if I made it myself…it kinda looks like a holiday seaside souvenir, with its lovely Japanese cord, which was designer Rosh Mahtani’s intention. My daughter is also a fan: “that’s the mommy fish, and that’s the baby fish!”
Also available in choker form.
When all else fails, a *really good* deep tissue massage is always deeply appreciated. By me anyway. If you’re Paris-based, my favourite masseuse ever Teresa Savoie is the only person I’ve ever come across who can undo my intricate and various back-knots. Astounding, given her sweet appearance! I call her no-BS Teresa.
FOR HIM:
I gave Marc the wonderfully voluminous Lenny Scarf from Octobre in grey for his birthday and he hasn't taken it off since. When struck down by a man-cold, he even wears it to bed! Initials embroidery available, en plus.
Tennis fanatics like my husband already have all the cool tennis kit right? Except….
Leather tennis ball tube available on The Oblist. Chic.
And if you really want brownie points, I cannot think of anything more elegant on a manly wrist than Viltier’s new cufflink collection. Quite chic for a lady too, come to think of it. I love wearing men’s shirts, and I hope, one day, to wear them with proper cufflinks…
FOR MOM:
Another tested-and-true tip for the Paris-based among us. I’ve seen facialist Barbara Sand for her famous Kobido face massage for years. Kobido is an ancient Japanese technique known to stimulate the circulation of vital energy in the face, neck and shoulders —it’s the best natural treatment out there to improve skin condition and slow the aging process. Plus it feels incredible. Your mom deserves Barbara.
FOR DAD:
Officine Universelle Buly takes all the delicate details of an old school chemist and gives classic grooming, skincare and all sorts of other doo-daahs a spiffed-up and highly liftable twist. See Officine’s selection of elegant combs and much more here…
FOR FASHION SIS:
La Veste’s CanCan Collar is a prime example of a wild and random item you never knew you absolutely needed in that it instantly adds interest to whatever outfit and gives its wearer the air of a portrait hanging in the Prado. Exhibit A: its designer, Blanca Miro, wearing the CanCan in lima green Swiss tulle…
FOR TECH BRO:
Behold, the Ledger Nano. I have it on good authority (thank you Adeline Mai) that this is the gadget of the moment for keeping track of your cryptocurrencies and keeping them safe.
FOR LITTLE GIRL:
My daughter is completely obsessed with her pyjama collection. She styles herself after bathtime every evening as if Anna Wintour were going to make a secret visit to her bedside. Can’t wait to give her this latest addition to her proud collection.
FOR BABY BOY:
My daughter never had one of these and in hindsight it may well have helped her master walking a little earlier? Arthur is obsessed with his, charging around with it all day long, running into walls without minding. I admit, his is a far less attractive and wildly colourful plastic version but Liewood have managed to create quite an attractive one your tot can store his valuables in while walking.
FOR YER GRANNY/GRAMPS:
Big fan of Sloane Stationery. I don’t know about you but I’m pretty sure my grandmother would have found this one flipping hilarious. Also —long live guestbooks in general!
FOR THE BEST TEACHER EVER:
Trust Dyptique to go next level in the highly competitive scented candle arena, this time with ‘bougies’ moonlighting as the perfect dining room table centrepiece. A magnificent thank you gift of any kind, come to think about it.
By the way this coffee table book is ‘Plaza Athenee’ by Assouline and there are of course a great many more title where that came from, all potentially great gift ideas too.
FOR YOURSELF GODDAMMIT!
Sweet, Sweet Jane. By Christian Louboutin, natch. Heavenly wine and roses seem to whisper to me… when she kicks her feet up!
Happy holidays my Monicuddlers. Your Woman in Paris is back next week.
This collar is everything 💃🪩🎠