The best part of Christmas for me is scouring for gifts to fill a stocking–slightly fancy goods that I might not buy every day but that are destined to last. Here are 10 that we would happily give (and receive).
Above: Riding the current interest in activated charcoal, Portland-based Otter & Wax have created the Charasu Bar Soap; $8 in three scents: citrus, conifer and cedar.
Above: The Ito Bindery Memo Block (L) and Small Pad (R) are made by a 75-year-old Japanese book binding company; $28 and $14, respectively, from Canoe. (Their larger pads are too big for a stocking but equally gift-worthy.)
Above: The Super Choc-O-Food bar is a collaboration between Valerie Confections and LA design firm, Commune. The oversize chocolate bar is filled with nuts and fruits and packs a punch with its three brightly colored hand-stamped label packaging: $20 from Valerie Confections.
Above: The new pencil du jour–the Blackwing Palomino Pencil with replaceable eraser. In a box of 12; $21.95 from OK Store.
Above: Tenugui, the multipurpose Japanese cotton cloth can be used in a myriad of ways–as a napkin, towel, scarf, and even wrapping paper; $14 from Tortoise store.
Above: Bring the outdoors in with this Campfire Incense by Juniper Ridge; $12 each from the General Store. Available in three scents: sage, sweetgrass and douglas fir.
Above: A brass Oversized Key Ring big enough to be worn on the wrist; $18 from Schoolhouse Electric.
Above: The newly launched brand ILA’s wood-fired Vermont Maple Syrup is worth it for the chic black glass packaging alone, but better still, it tastes as good as it looks; $28 from ILA.
Above: Cork up opened bottles of wine during the holidays with these maple Wooden Bottle Rock stoppers; $22 each from the Brush Factory.
Above: This indispensable Keyboard Brush comes with both a supple bristle and a softer one to get into all the corners of a keyboard; $16 from Brookfarm General Store.
Finally, growing up in the UK our family tradition was a tangerine in the bottom of the stocking (it was the least appealing gift). In recent years I have upgraded the citrus tradition replacing it with tins of June Taylor’s Candied Citrus Peel.
If you are looking for some gift-giving inspiration, check out our 2015 Gift Guides, and for the horticulturally inclined, see Gardenista’s 2015 Stocking Stuffers.
You need to login or register to view and manage your bookmarks.
Have a Question or Comment About This Post?
Join the conversation