Holiday Gifts to Give (and Get) This Year, Curated by Some Seriously Stylish Tastemakers
A note from our editor…
It’s that time again: The time of year Clever gathers together some inspiring creatives, makers, and tastemakers to curate a stylish collection of gifts that’s filled with goods from California. It’s always been important to me to highlight local, independent, and sustainable brands, but this year it’s more meaningful than ever. Like so many of you, I’ve watched way too many of my friends and loved ones — designers, artists, entrepreneurs — lose their livelihood in the midst of the pandemic. Those who have been lucky enough to hang on are exhausted from the constant pivoting and stretching themselves thin to save money. It’s been a real test of strength to say the least.
By now you’ve heard it said a million times that “the holidays will be different this year,” and it’s true — but some of those changes can be for good. Sending gifts might be the only way you’re connecting with loved ones in the traditional sense so why not make them really count? Shopping small-owned, local brands and artisans not only means finding unique, beautifully items you might not have otherwise found, but it also means helping keep these businesses alive. Have we inspired you yet? Good. And while we’ve got you, a great place to start gathering ideas is this year’s list, which includes chic pics from writers, shop owners, food and drink experts, clothing designers, and others whose taste we totally trust. We asked each of these folks to share one thing they’re giving this year, and one they’re hoping to receive. And yup, they’re all from right here in the Golden State. Happy mindful shopping, friends.
Cory Sargeant, Founder of Sargeant PR
“I launched this tote bag that says, ‘I know things feel jumbled right now, but you'll figure it out’ back in June when we were a few months into the pandemic and all needing a little inspiration to keep trekking along (myself included). I want to continue spreading this positive message to loved ones this holiday season.”
Lady Sargeant ‘Abstract Face Canvas Tote,’ $25
“My boyfriend is a ceramicist in Altadena and some of my favorite pieces he's made are his new organic sculptural vases. I eventually want one in every shape and color because I think they would look really cool lined up together with a single stem flower in each. A very dramatic decor look!”
Böhr Ceramics ‘Two Pinch Ceramic Stem Vase,’ $175
Stella Simona, Co-Founder of Amarilo and Haati Chai
“Pearls are a protective stone and beautiful. I love gifting my close ones keepsake pieces.”
Haati Chai ‘Pardesi’ ring, $550
As for what she’s hoping to receive, Stella says this cozy mock neck sweatshirt from LA brand NSF would be ideal for lounging at home.
NSF ‘Cleo’ sweatshirt, $228
Julie Vadnal, Writer & JULES Newsletter Creator
“What I'm giving: This Casa Melocoton x Domino pitcher, which would look just as pretty holding flowers as it would as a fixture on someone's WFH home desk. (I hate getting up for water during a writing session!) It's hand-painted and seriously chic.”
Pomelo, ‘Casa Melocoton’ small pitcher, $85
“What I'm asking for: I'm not sure how I got here, but suddenly I'm in that phase of life where tablecloths and napkins make me extremely happy. I even like to whip out our linen napkins for takeout! (It's the little things during quarantine.) So I have my eye on a sunny striped tablecloth from Heather Taylor Home. Paired with these napkins, any meal would feel *chefs kiss*.”
Heather Taylor Home, ‘Amalfi’ tablecloth, $186
Lucy Akin, Founder of Ciao Lucia
“I’ll be giving the gift of our Torino Sweater — the coziest sweater we’ve made for Fall and perfect for the holidays!”
Ciao Lucia ‘Torino’ sweater, $335
“[This olive oil has] the best branding and made from Napa. Post Napa fires, I’ve been trying to shop as much Napa based products as possible!”
Napa Valley Olive Oil Co. ‘Family Blend’ EVOO, $12.50
"I’m going to wrap everything in my Adelfi Wrapping Paper — obsessed with the mushroom print! And they’re based in LA.”
Adelfi ‘Magic Mushrooms’ gift wrap, $4
Julia Gogosha, Owner of Gogosha Optique
Julia tells us she’ll be giving this desert-inspired candle that boasts notes of campfire and tobacco.
Birch & Bone ‘Saguaro’ candle, $48
Since she’s not asking to receive anything this year, Julia shared an addition gift she’ll be giving this year: A new book by one of her friends, Troy DeVolld.
Troy DeVolld One Hundred Poems About Los Angeles, $18
Coly Den Haan, Owner of Vinovore
“I’m all about the super-safety shopping, so I am loving the ready-to-go curated gift boxes this year! My go-to for giving this year will be the Local Love Box at Vinovore. This gift box has a California Love chocolate bar from Compartes, a bag of Cafe de Leche coffee from a female grower, P.F. Candles Golden Coast mini candle, and, of course, some women made wine from California! So fun to support several small and local businesses in one shot!”
Vinovore ‘Local Love’ box, $65
“I love to receive gifts that have to do with giving. MaeDay Rescue has the cutest apparel and the proceeds go towards rescuing animals. I will take the embroidered 100% cotton Save A Dog sweatshirt in black heather please!”
MaeDay Rescue, ‘Save A Dog’ sweatshirt, $62
Monica Navarro, Owner of Individual Medley and Wine & Rock Shop
Monica tells us she’ll be giving this made-in-LA Cloud Candle to loved ones this year.
A Little Trip ‘Cloud’ candle, $52
As for what she’s hoping to get this holiday, Monica will be crossing her fingers for one of Block Shop’s new robes.
Block Shop Textiles ‘Bird of Paradise’ robe, $140
Saehee Cho, Cook & Food Stylist
“A house plant can bring so much new life into a space and since so many of us are spending more time at home it feels like an especially timely gift. All the plants at Sanso feel special, curated, and loved. And they sell Nancy Kwon ceramics, another LA artist, so it's a two-for-one!”
Sanso Sarcocaulon Vanderietiae, $30 (excludes planter)
“I love to cook but a night off wouldn't be the worst. And right now there are so many amazing alternative food delivery models cropping up. It's been inspiring to see how the restaurant world has adapted to the pandemic. I'm thinking about laid-off line cooks starting cottage bakeries, restaurants turning into markets, and just go-getters turning this into an opportunity to get their food out there. I'm most often craving beef noodles from Woon and any kind of magic Laura Hoang makes for her cottage bakery, Future Tasties.”
Woon takeout, photo by Jacob Cummings
Ashley Tibbits, Founder & Editor In Chief of Clever
“I’m so predictable when it comes to holiday gifts: I like to give things that scream California (since most of my friends and family live in not-so-sunny parts of the world) and that can be consumed, so a bottle of wine by Say When feels like the perfect thing. We profiled Rachel, the winemaker, a while back and her wines have only gotten better since then. It’s so cool to see how they’ve grown and expanded — plus this carbonic Grenache sounds like my dream wine. It also just so happens to be sold at Vinovore, too.”
Say When ‘Weird Parties’ carbonic red wine, $38
“This year my good friend Dabito gave my bedroom a beautiful makeover and now I’m determined to make the rest of my house match! I’m slowly replacing a lot of old wall decor, so this beautiful watercolor print by Justina Blakeney would help me further my design journey.”
Justina Blakeney ‘Test the Waters 2’ art print, $40
*Lead image and thumbnail courtesy of of Say When Wine.
