Seize the season, smell the hot cocoa and throw that Santa sack over your shoulder. Shop for those on your nice list—and don’t forget yourself. Create traditions, make a difference in the lives of your neighbors and all those you love.
Fill those stockings and boxes with the perfect gifts. Whether you find them on the Avenue or online, these presents will light up everyone’s holiday
Stylish Gift Ideas for Everyone on Your List
Little Luxuries
1. All That Glitters
You can’t go wrong with the gift of jewelry, but for maximum impact, make it personal. Monica Rich Kosann crafts inspirational pieces that feel like they were made just for you. From her Stackable Poesy rings to lockets and empowering charms, there is a price point for everyone. The sterling silver “I Love You More” Poesy Ring necklace starts at $60, and the gold Charlotte locket necklace is $8,400. Charm themes include a “Protect” evil eye, “Wish” dandelion, and “You’ve Had the Power All Along, My Dear” Dorothy charm. Try on in person at her stores in Columbus Circle, Hudson Yard, Bergdorf Goodman, locally at Richards or online. monicarichkosann.com mitchellstores.com
2. Bright Future
For a chic look while protecting those baby blues, Ray-Bans never go out of style. But did you know you can monogram them? Standard engraving is free and can feature a name or phrase. Hand-painted premium engraving with personalized color and font is just $10. Classic Aviators start at $188. ray-ban.com
3. High-End Hair Care
Spoil those locks you love with luxe hair-care items. A quality brush and comb can last for decades. For over 130 years, the Mason Pearson company has been making fine boar-bristle brushes. Available in a variety of colors online or on Greenwich Avenue at Bluemercury in sizes from pocket to pure bristle ($75 to $275). bluemercury.com
The Dr. Sturm Molecular Hair and Scalp Comb ($30) is not just pretty, it’s also a wiz at detangling hair and promoting scalp health. These sell out quickly, so stock up.
4.Custom Creation
The I Stole My Boyfriend’s Shirt company offers a far from average sweatshirt. You’ve seen them in boutiques in Nantucket and small specialty shops. The cozy fabrics and phrases embroidered around the neckline, like “East Coast” or “ACK,” make them stand out. They’re cut, sewn and weathered by the designer to create a one-of-a-kind look that can be made one step more personal by customizing the wording. You pick the fabric and thread colors and the phrase—use a family favorite catchphrase, school or team color theme. The Collection uses vintage and dead- stock textiles. Sweatshirts start at $185. istolemyboyfriendsshirt.com
5.Simply Charming
Whether your daughter just returned from a semester abroad or you are a family of world travelers, charms to commemorate a journey never go out of style. Check out Jet Set candy and its Bespoke Passport book charms that you can customize with specific countries ($148– $1,998). And there are gold and silver luggage tag charms for every destination. You can also celebrate your summer trips or vacation home with spinner charms featuring your favorite spot such as Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, the Hamptons, the Caribbean or NYC ($98 sterling silver, $148 gold vermeil, $998 gold). jetsetcandy.com
6. Siri Find My … Stylish Tech
AirTags and accessories can be a practical and attractive gift. Ensure your sister never loses her keys with the leather Hermès Key Ring ($349) that holds an AirTag ($29) ever so subtly. Other uses for AirTags are dog collars and kid bracelets that can help track children for trips to the amusement park. A four-pack of brightly colored silicone AirTag holders that can clip onto keys, dog collars or luggage are available on Amazon for only $15, and Case-Mate AirTag kid bracelets start at $8 on Amazon. hermes.com; apple.com; amazon.com
7. Prepare to Launch Gifts
Select a subtle luxury gift that will last for decades from T. Anthony. The tote bags and travel accessories have been a staple on Manhattan’s Park Avenue. Start a family member with a Town and Country Tote ($725) and add on yearly. Emboss or add a gold monogram
to make it one of a kind. tanthony.com
Sweet Treats
What is the holiday season without a few treats? Whether you’re celebrating family traditions or creating new ones, add a signature sweet to your holiday menu
8. Break Bread
Stollen, also known as Christstollen, is a traditional German holiday bread filled with nuts, candied fruit and spices, coated with powdered sugar or marzipan and may include rum, as each German baker adds their own special touch. Step into our own slice of Bavaria, also known as Black Forest Pastry Shop, for a loaf. Be sure to grab a few fresh gingerbread men while you’re there.
52 Lewis Street; blackforestpastryshop.com
9. Tasty Morsels
It tastes like the holidays when you bring out a plate of rugelach. Similar to a croissant but crispier, the traditional Jewish treat is folded over a variety of fillings. Available at most local bakeries. Try gluten-free rugelach in chocolate, raspberry and apricot at By The Way Bakery. btwbakery.com
10. Rise & Shine
Start Christmas off right with a little help from the Dequeker family. Stock your freezer with ready-to-rise, frozen, uncooked croissants and pain au chocolat from Raphael’s Bakery. Come the morning, pop them in the oven—et voila! It’s like a team of elves were in your kitchen all night. raphsbakery.com
11. Let Them Eat Cake
You may call it a yule log, but your guests will call it delicious. Buche de Noel Christmas cake is served in many European countries. This chocolate cake has lightly sweetened filling, a touch of raspberry jam and is frosted to look like a log. Order this tasty dessert
on the Avenue at St. Moritz Bakery. stmoritzgreenwich.com
Hostess Gifts to Stock Up On
Keeping a cache of hostess gifts stashed in the closet for last-minute gift giving is a pro move. Bring one of these along, and you’ll have your hosts rethinking the no-gift policy. a Personal touch is key, so know your hosts and their hobbies
12. Clean Slate
Keeping clean while prepping for a party is tricky business. Give the hosts an attractive apron they won’t want to take off. Several local housewares stores have a variety of aprons to keep those fancy party duds splatter-free. Check out aprons in-store or online at Williams Sonoma and Anthropologie in Westport starting at $32.
Williams Sonoma
25 Church Lane, Westport,
williams-sonoma.com
Anthropologie
59 Post Road East, Westport, anthropologie.com
13. You’re So Sweet
Skip the wine and wrap up a maple syrup that you can’t find on grocery store shelves. Get it online straight from Vermont. Hidden Springs Maple offers a sampler set of three flavors in a handmade wooden crate for $19. Take it up a notch and pair with a pancake mix from Stonewall Kitchen, available at Balducci’s and Kings. hiddenspringsmaple.com
14. To Your Health
Outstanding olive oil from California is tasty—and good for you. Brightland is not only delicious, it comes in attractive bottles worthy of any kitchen counter. Available in a variety of infused flavors like garlic, lemon and chili ($40). If the host has a pizza oven, gift some sizzle with the Jalapeño Pizza Oil ($32). Brightland also offers vinegar, honey and
gift sets that include each.
brightland.co
15. Smells Like a Vacation
Vacation brand candles ($34) with fun names like Well Tipped Pool Boy, High Ceiling Resort Lobby, Partial Ocean Suite View and Ball Boy will have your host feeling like they’re on holiday every time they catch a whiff. You can pair with an extra touch like a sleeve of tennis balls. Also available online at Bluemercury. vacation.inc; bluemercury.com
It’s All About Style
Add a twinkle outdoors, flowers indoors, dress up the pooch and top it all off with a little something sparkly for your feet. You’ll waltz into December ready to shine.
16. One Step at a Time
Whether you’re hosting a holiday party or trekking through Manhattan en route to the Nutcracker for the nineteenth time, do it in comfort and with glamour. This is where Scarlett Chase comes in. Nobody needs to know that the gorgeous boots or heels you’re wearing feel like sneakers. Tackle that dance floor in Lola high-stretch boots or Seine pumps. Developed with orthopedic professionals, biomechanic specialists and industrial design experts, these shoes are meant for women on the move. Available online; check for area trunk shoes at
Darien Sport Shop. scarlettchase.com dariensport.com
17. Say It With Flowers
Amaryllis, poinsettia and Holly, oh my! Christmas tree or not, your home can be filled with elegant flowers and greenery this holiday season with a simple phone call. The discerning eyes at Winston Flowers, Sam Bridge Nursery and McArdle’s Floral and Design Center are happy to deck your halls. Consider a single color theme, like all white with greenery or go red with the deepest ruby amaryllis and poinsettias they can find. Begin with a door that looks chic all winter long. Check out Winston Flowers holiday wreath collection from magnificent magnolias to simply stunning pinecones. mcardles.com winstonflowers.com sambridge.com
18. Festive Furry Friends
Get your four-footed friends into the spirit and feel the cheer each time you take him for a walk. A pup decked out in an embroidered emerald-green velvet holiday collar says it all. Online retailer Mimi Green is the go-to chic dog collar shop. Print key information on the buckle, and order luxe collar fabrics like a snowy blue velvet with hand-embroidered custom messages like “Let It Snow” or your dog’s name with a snowflake ($50). The buckles provide space for three lines of print that can include a dog’s name, address and contact phone number. They are easy to read and there’s no clunky tag to fall off. shopmimigreen.com
19. Paw Prints
You may already enjoy artist Carly Beck’s whimsical dog prints and current collaboration with Wallshoppe wallpaper, but you may not know that she will create a custom portrait of your pet. Prices range from $175 for a 6-inch by 6-inch portrait to $1,500 for a 30-inch by 30-inch piece. Carly features pet faces in human clothes with back drops of familiar places such as Palm Beach, Nantucket, Malibu or engaging in sports. Check out her website for a smile. Her vibrant playful works have been featured by Francis Valentine, Veronica Beard and The Carlyle to name a few. thisiscarlybeck.com
20. Light It Up
You don’t have to recreate the scene from Chevy Chase’s Christmas Vacation and end up tangled in lights. Most area garden services offer help with outdoor holiday light installations and post-holiday removal. Beau DiNardo at Outdoor Lighting Perspectives provides everything from the lighting to wreaths and all-weather garland.
Most installations take a half-day. For those with truly grand plans, OLP can bring out a bucket truck, tree climbers and equipment for the tallest trees. Working with an arborist, they will provide feedback regarding the best trees to light and how to avoid injury to trees.
A typical holiday lighting project runs $800 to $1,200 including lights, installation and removal. Beau tells us most clients favor traditional warm white mini-lights but colored and bright options are also available. outdoorlights.com
21. Family Affair
Whether it’s Christmas, Hanukkah or simply winter, your family can celebrate all season long with a tradition of coordinating pajamas. Picture the photo ops when the gang is clad in matching flannel. Stores locally and online offer festive sets for everyone. If your family likes to monkey around, get the whole group into Roller Rabbit’s signature Monkey print with colors, styles and sizes for every family member from baby to dad.
Roller Rabbit
103 Greenwich Avenue
rollerrabbit.com
Vineyard Vines
145 Greenwich Avenue
vineyardvines.com
Hanna Anderson
hannaandersson.com
Kicking Off 2024
A shiny new year is just around the corner ,let’s celebrate— with a full cocktail gala or just a family celebration
22. Sage Advice
Consider a trip to Crystals Unlimited in the Riverside Commons Shopping Plaza or visit Shaman Market online for sage and good-energy supplies. Burning sage to rid bad energy and opening the back door to let out bad luck is a great way to make a fresh start in 2024. The Shamans Market online offers a White Sage Smudge gift set for $24 that comes attractively packaged with a smudge stick, turkey feather and abalone shell—practical and display-worthy. Crystals Unlimited 1239 E. Putnam Ave., or shamansmarket.com
23. Get Hyped
Go simple and enlist tech-savvy kids to create a hype reel of all the families trips, accomplishments and cause for cheer, to be screened on New Year’s Eve. Pulling together photos can be an hours long or week long project for mom, dad or the kids. Gather the family round for a celebration of the year gone by and inspiration for all that is possible in the year ahead. Projects created on Apple devices can easily be shared for viewing on a larger TV equipped with an Apple TV device.
24. Go Bowl-ing
A fancy night in sequins may be fun, but try a more spirited affair this New Year’s by sporting your favorite college team jersey and invite friends over for a college football bowl game. Plan for a Peach or Orange Bowl gathering Saturday, December 30, and stay with the theme to welcome the New Year with your choice of the Fiesta, Sugar and Rose Bowl games on Monday, January 1. Ask guests to wear their team colors, and plan a menu of classic football fare. espn.com
Date: December 30
Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl
Atlanta, Georgia,
12 p.m.
Capital One Orange Bowl
Miami, Florida,
4 p.m.
Date: January 1
VRBO Fiesta Bowl
Glendale, Arizona
1 p.m.
Rose Bowl
Pasadena, California,
5 p.m.
Allstate Sugar Bowl
New Orleans,
Louisiana, 8:45 p.m.
25. Make A Wish
Start the year with a wish, and put your personal intentions into the universe. A Flying Wish Paper kit is fun for both kids and adults. Write your wish on the special paper, insert into the kit’s tube, light on fire and watch your wish magically drift to the heavens. Kits start at $12 and are available locally or online at
Flying Wish Paper.
flyingwishpaper.com
Noelle Day Spa
1100 High Ridge Road, Stamford
noelle.com
Terrain
561 Post Road East, Westport
shopterrain.com
Paper Source
100 Post Road East, Westport
papersource.com
