In my family, we practiced a curious holiday tradition involving not one but two Santas. Each Christmas morning, we receive one stocking from the usual guy up north (really from my mother) and another from the true spirit of Christmas in my family, my grandmother. Long after my mother quite gratefully hung up her Santa hat, Grandma was still at it. And so, as we aged, the gifts too graduated from toys to soaps and sachets, or even ancestral spoons from Norway. And so I learned that, no matter how old you are, opening a sack of small gifts never loses its magic.
Above: From W&P, this festive Copper Wine Key doubles as a handy bottle opener. It’s also available in black, white, and silver, from Need Supply Co.; $17. Above: Made from stonewashed Turkish cotton, the Vintage Face Washer in Saffron features soft terry on one side and exfoliating flax on the other; $10 from Cedar and Hyde Mercantile. Above: Like the heirloom stocking suffers my grandmother gave to us, Vintage Silver Plated Spreaders—hand-picked in France by the team at Elsie Green—make for a one-off gift; $16 each at Food52. Above: The original in eco-friendliness, these reusable, compostable Drinking Straws from Swiss company Golden Biscotti are made of real straw; $7 each. Above: For anyone who has ever struggled to fit oversized candles into small holders, the Bougies La Française Candle Trimmer is the perfect tool; $10.95 at Flotsam and Fork. Above: A versatile gift, the stackable, Japanese Hasami Porcelain Plates can be used for a myriad of small serving or storage tasks; $9 from Need Supply. Above: If your keys still occupy that free fob from your company or alma mater, it may be time for an upgrade. We recommend the Minimal Key Ring made from powder-coated stainless steel; at Schoolhouse for $16.
Above: Perhaps the most beautiful ribbon we’ve ever seen, Recycled Sari Ribbons are made in Bangladesh. No two rolls are alike; $8.50 from Everyday Needs. Above: For those who hate waste, and can’t resist a beautifully made object, a Sisal Soap Sack may be just the thing. Once your soap has worn down to the nub, place soap slivers into the drawstring bag and use it to wash and exfoliate; $7 from Archer Home Goods. Also available at Brook Farm General. (See more at Smart Buy: Soap Saver and Exfoliator, over on The Organized Home.) Above: Designed by an award-winning Norwegian designer, Hay’s Toothbrushes come in an array of stylish colors; £4 at GoodHood, London. Also available at the MOMA Store; $5. Above: Warm your holiday with soft Grey Taper Candles dipped by hand in Massachusetts; $12 at Alder & Co.
Above: For versatile hanging storage, we love this elegant Brass S Hook by our friends at County Ltd.; $10. Above: From Danish design firm Hay, the Brass Bullet Pen adds a touch of elegance to your desk; $8 from The Line. Above: Handmade in Sweden, Seaweed Soap on a Rope is perfect for anyone with a boat or beach cottage. It even features a handy cork to make sure it floats; £15. Above: Something special for the seamstress in your life, Gold Thimbles are plated in 24K gold. Imported from Italy by Studio Carta; $6 each.
Have several grownup stockings to fill? Here are some other favorites in small design:
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