Jessie Loves: A Gift Guide, Part One
Featuring picks from some of my most fashionable and discerning friends
Welcome to part one of my Gift Guide. I like to challenge myself to get all my Christmas shopping done before Thanksgiving — December flies by in a flash. Below, my list of the best presents for your best friend, your mom and your pet (significant other, office bestie, gifts to treat yourself and stocking stuffers will come in part two).
I’m so excited that some of the most fashionable and discerning people I know, like Nikki Kule, Ajiri Aki, Harling Ross, and Helen Dealtry have helped me out with this list too!
1. For Your Best Friend
My Picks:
Our gingham slippers. Super sweet paired with some tea or a favorite book.
Last year, one of my besties made me a Diet Coke can needlepoint from Greystone Needlepoint (it’s currently sold out, but this is a great substitute.) It’s the perfect gift for a girl like me. They have so many cute kits.
I love to tie one of Tara Roma’s ornaments onto my holiday gifts. So girly and pretty. It can be a stand-alone gift, too. Everyone goes crazy for them!
Tickets to “Oh, Mary!”. There’s nothing better than a funny experience with a friend.
C. Atherley is an entire shop devoted to the love of geraniums (my favorite!). These special soaps make such a lovely gift.
Our gingham hair clips are so chic.
I love this gorgeous book about flowers.
I always try to make something for my friends if I can. A homemade gift shows so much love shining through. I made crochet scrunchies a few years ago. Hand-painted candles would be a beautiful idea.
It’s such a special gift to make a donation in a friend’s name or to give to money towards a wish list for those less fortunate. A couple of charities I love, especially around the holidays, are God’s Love We Deliver and Win NYC which provides toys for children living in shelters.
Nikki Kule’s Picks:
The little Loewe color pot candles are perfect because you can use them as candles, and then the pot is great to use after the candle is done.
Of course, I would gift my best friend one of my favorite KULE pieces. The new 100% Cashmere Raffa cardigan in rich chocolate marl is so luxurious and soft. It's my favorite from our latest collection.
Ajiri Aki’s Picks:
The Parisian Pursuit cards from Messy Nessy Chic for your Francophile friend who wants to take it up a notch be the ultimate know-it-all about her favorite city.
The Madame de la Maison cocktail napkins are such a sweet and easy present. “Merci” to thank your favorite girlfriend for being a gem in your life or the “Joie” with a note to wish her a year full of more joie de vivre.
2. For Your Mom
My Picks:
My friend Erin from Underwater Weaving has started up a basket weaving club. Each month she sends the supplies and instructions for a different weaving project. My mom (and I) would love this.
I get these tags for add-ons to gifts a lot. They are these giant, embroidered personalized travel tags. When I gifted my mom our travel tote I affixed one of these. It has her name in big letters and cellphone number on the back. The best thing for keeping track of luggage at the airport. I went with a Gucci-esque color theme but you can do any combo.
My mom is obsessed with our jellies. I never would have thought she’d be into them but she loves them. She thinks they are so comfortable and gets tons of compliments.
My mom and I are the biggest fans of Studio Carta. She will be so happy to get their new book about ribbon.
A set of stationery from Cressida Bell.
A hand-knit scarf or hat. I had sweet custom labels made on Etsy. They make a thoughtful gift even more special!
My mom will appreciate the skill and handiwork of our smocked Christmas ornament. Plus, it will remind her of me in my smocked dresses when I was a little girl.
My mom does puzzles to relax. She will like this pretty one from The Six Bells.
My mom raised me to be a feminist and to always fight for equality. Walking is her thing. This Gunner & Lux sweatshirt encapsulates our mood at the moment and 100% of the profits go to Planned Parenthood.
Harling Ross’s Pick:
Vintage monogrammed napkins are one of my favorite mom-friendly gift ideas. Finding a set with the right initials requires the kind of effort she will undoubtedly appreciate and that you might actually enjoy (plus, you get to toot your own sleuthing horn by saying things like, “according to the seller, these were embroidered 200 years ago in France” — no big deal! In terms of where to look, eBay is probably your best bet, but it's worth searching on Etsy, too.
3. For Your Pet
My Picks:
I love this cute dog gift wrap from Aspen and Arlo
The chicest gingham dog beds from Mungo and Maude. I also love these from Hay.
This beautiful collar from Plain Goods
This spiffy leash from Little Beast
A custom pet vase by Katie Kimmel
Helen Dealtry’s Pick:
Turn your favorite fur baby into a work of art! Custom pet portraits make uniquely personal holiday gifts that bring smiles all year round. Jordan Sondler, Jennifer Gennari, and Isobel Emmett are three of my favorite artists, and take commissions!
…and one thing I hate:
I used to get so upset when my grandmother would get me and my cousin Sarah the same gift. We are two years apart and I felt so much older and wanted a gift especially for me, not something bought in bulk. So I guess I would say I hate when someone gives you a gift that isn’t actually something you would want, or doesn’t show much thoughtfulness.
Tell me if I missed any must-have gifts, and stay tuned for part two, coming next week!
I set up an eBay alert for vintage linens with my initials and finally found some! It’s a great gift idea!
Omg matching dog sweater set is the cutest!!! gifting *myself*