1. West Elm Pouches ($9 and $12) // 2. Jo Malone Diffuser ($80) // 3. Faux Fur Throw ($25) // 4. Threshold Agate Bookend ($20) // 5. Williams Sonoma Zig-Zag Box ($99) // 6. Wishbone Bottle Opener ($12) // 7. Jonathan Adler Elephant Matchstrike ($42) // 8. 15-minute Hourglass ($10)
I like to celebrate my holidays one-at-a-time. So now that Thanksgiving has ended, the holiday gift guides may commence! Let’s start with gifts for the home.
One. Every year, West Elm offers a selection of fabric pouches. They’re perfect for storing cosmetics, jewelry, small tech items and more. In addition to the type above, there are larger cosmetic-size bags and pouches in a silver-foil print. They’re relatively inexpensive, come with optional monogramming, and make the perfect gift for friends, sisters, nieces, roommates and bridesmaids.
Two. Jo Malone candles are phenomenal, but the diffusers are where it’s at. They last longer, look cooler and radiate a more intense fragrance. I love the Lime, Basil and Mandarin, but if you prefer a richer scent, try Pomegranate Noir.
Need something less expensive? Nest diffusers cost about half as much and come in delicious scents like Sicilian Tangerine and Moss and Mint.
Three. Throws make a great gift for just about anyone, and if you choose a nice neutral color, they will complement almost any decor. I’m also partial to the West Elm Chunky Tassel Throw and the Giraffe at Home throws. Want the softest blanket in history? Two words: Barefoot Dreams.
Four. I have a pair of agate bookends that I snagged on eBay, and I adore them. This bookend from Threshold has a great neutral color, but remember it’s sold solo, so you need to buy two to make a pair.
Five. Inlaid and enamel boxes look great on top of a dresser, a bookshelf, a bar or on a coffee table. This box from Williams Sonoma Home is perfectly chic with a herringbone pattern.
Need something cheaper? These Pottery Barn boxes have patterned inlay for half the price. I like the grey enamel on this Jonathan Adler box. And if you prefer color, The Container Store has a wide variety of lacquer boxes in different sizes and colors.
Six. Bottle openers are a good gift for a White Elephant, for a guy or for someone who has a well-stocked bar. This wishbone is charming. I also like these more expensive Crest and Crown bottle openers I found at One Kings Lane. And for the wine-drinkers, try this AH-SO Opener an Corker.
Seven. I love match strikes for decorating a mantle or sitting on a tabletop near some candles. The Adler elephant is my favorite, but I also love the squirrel. If you want something more glamorous, this gold match strike from Aerin Lauder is a blogger favorite.
Eight. Hourglasses make great decorative accents. These smaller ones from CB2 come in black, berry and green. I use mine to keep myself on task when I need a little break from my computer during the workday.
Love the Aerin Lauder match strike (and all of her other gold stuff) but can’t quite bring myself to spend that much. I’m thinking that zigzag box would be perfect to hold all the husbands wayward remote controls.
that throw looks SO cozy!! need!
I do the hourglass thing too! It’s great. I have a 3-minute hourglass on my desk. It’s a nice little reminder to get back to work when I give myself breaks to mess around on the internet. (Like to comment on CHS, for example.) Admittedly, it’s also very easy to totally ignore…but whatever.
Mine was $15 from Target and came with teal green sand. It’s cute and I get lots of compliments. This grey one you’ve found is classy too, and even cheaper.
that bottle opener is amazing.