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Cover Story

Gifts Galore!

The D Home editors make a list—and check it twice—of gifts so fabulous that you’ll want to keep them for yourself.
By D Magazine |

Need more gift ideas? Check out our assortment of gift guides below.

 

The D Home editors make a list—and check it twice—of gifts so fabulous that you’ll want to keep them for yourself.

 

(left) Birds of Paradise: Nymphenburg porcelain birds. $249 each at Grange Hall.  (right) The Giving Tree: Silver tree candleholder by Patrick Mavros. Price available upon request at D. Porthault.

Holly’s Gifts
EDITORIAL ASSISTANT
 

“I’m the girl who loves the holiday hustle and bustle. I start my Christmas shopping in October.”

 

 
(left) Tea Time 
The Michael Aram stirrers ($45 at Stanley Korshak) are for my boyfriend’s mother. Whether used in a mojito or an iced tea (I’m hoping for mojitos), they make any drink fun.

 

(right) Scratch Test
My mom manages the house, handles a full-time job, and keeps three kids (one of them being my dad) in line. Lists are a must. These faux alligator scratch pads ($66-$85 at Madison) are perfect.

 

 

(left) Mirror Image

This personalized pocket mirror ($14 at Anthropologie) will make all of my girlfriends smile without breaking my bank.

 

(right) Combination Platter
 

A friend of mine is getting married in the spring. Is this L’Object serving platter ($187 at Neiman Marcus) on her registry? No. I’ll right that wrong.

Todd’s Gifts
CREATIVE DIRECTOR

“Forget practicality, I love giving gifts that are unusual and a little indulgent.”
 

 
(left) The Gift of Life

My college chum’s home is retro cool except for one thing: no plants. That’s why he gets these easy-to-care-for succulents in vintage mid century planters ($50 at Installation Floral). He can’t possibly kill these.

(right) Knot for You

With my stocks sinking, I need a little pick-me-up.  A Steuben piece from artist Peter Drobny’s “Aspen Glade” series ($10,000 at Neiman Marcus) will help me mourn my financial woes. There’s nothing wrong with self medication, my friends.

 

 
(left) Crackhouse Couture

My mom is a crystal addict—Baccarat crystal that is. But this year I’m getting that full-lead faceted monkey off of her back with these loden green glass vases ($35 each at Stanley Korshak).

(right) Mocha Amore

My best gal pal loves to sublimate her love life with the sweet stuff. Since she’s so special, I’ll get her the good stuff: Vosges Haut Chocolat chocolate bars ($25 at Napa Home) in flavors like cinnamon, caramelized hazelnuts, and milk chocolate mixed with bacon.

Andrea’s Gifts
ART DIRECTOR


“Two things I love are food and Texas. Creating a gift basket with all these goodies would be like giving someone a taste of the Lone Star State!”


 

(left) Olive You

 My brother, who learned to cook while living in France, always gives me a disapproving look when I employ the no-stick spray. But he’ll love these exotic olive oils ($1.75 each at Flavors from Afar).

(right) Apple of my Eye

 Buying local never tasted so good. I’m bringing this Texas-made apple pie ($34.95 at Central Market) to every single holiday party I attend. Paired with a lovely cake stand by Vietri Incanto ($180 at Neiman Marcus), it’s sure to be the toast of the town.

 

 

(left) Effin Good

 My grill-lovin’ husband will get a kick out of these Effin sauces ($5 at Texas Memories) made here in Texas by the Effin family. (Yes, that’s really their name.) I’ll add a heat-resistant basting brush by Norpro ($8.99 at Elliot’s Hardware).

 

(right) Sipping Sensation 

 Forget hot cocoa, Wiseman House’s sipping chocolate ($18 at Paper & Chocolate) is more like a dessert. That’s why I’m giving it to both Mom and the ML. They can take a break, relax, and sip their treat from these pretty cups and saucers ($18 per set at Anthropologie). Lord knows they’ve earned it.


Peggy’s Gifts
MARKET EDITOR

“Even though I’ve had a lot of family time this year—we just had a wedding—I’m still buying them great presents.”

 

(left) Slice of Life

My sister loves to bake. This antique silver cake knife ($268 at Rise No. 1) is gorgeous—even if it doesn’t correct user error and prevent a cake slice from hitting the floor.

(center) Jeepers Peepers

This hand-painted leather glasses case ($48 at Stanley Korshak) is for my cousin. She can pull out those $19 drugstore readers in style.


(right) Security Blanket 

This is for my other sister who has just redone her living room in silver and sage. All that icy blue makes me shiver, so a lamb’s wool throw ($423 at Casa di Lino) is in order to add color and warmth. 

 

 
(left) The Amazing Vase

I’ll give this “Cheval d’Orient” vase ($1,330 at Hermès) to my adventurous husband. Maybe that will help him reconcile the fact that he’s not going to trek across the Sahara on horseback. Not this year anyway.

(right) Soap Star

My daughter is perpetually broke, so I’m giving her this beautiful box filled with individually wrapped soaps ($55 at Gardens). She can regift each one and keep the box for her (cheap) jewelry.

Candy’s Gifts
REAL ESTATE EDITOR

“Since I can’t buy everyone on my list a house, I’ll buy them all something for the house!”

 
(left) Show of Hands

My husband’s surgery-parched hands are in need of these shea butter lotion ticks ($7.50 at Shambhala Body Gallery). They’ll fit perfectly in his lab coat pocket.

 

(right) Asset Protection

For my style-conscious daughter and her fiancé, I love these oversized linen napkins by Dwell ($16.75 each at Root Candle). They’ll protect the laps of all the lawyers she will entertain.

 

  
(left) Pet Shop Boys

These fun life-size lights ($59 at Mod + Mini) are for my furry children’s room. Who says doggies don’t have style?

 

(right) Hollywood Bowl

My son lives in California. He can stash mail in this  pretty bowl ($69 & $89 at Alessi) or use it to impress California women.

Laura’s Gifts
MANAGING EDITOR

“Recession? I have a plan. I’m asking Santa for a bailout to cover my holiday spending.”

 
(left) Sculpture Garden

My mother has a beautiful curio cabinet filled with treasures collected from her years of travels. My hope is that she’ll get rid of all of those to make room for this dramatic sculpture ($495 at Grange Hall).

(right) By the Book

My plan is to marry my ex-boyfriend in 2009. (It’s a surprise. Don’t tell him.) That’s why he’s getting these Bottega Veneta bookends ($695 at Bottega Veneta) and my favorite new books. I can’t wait to have them in “our” house.

 

 

(left) Picture Perfect


My sister has two kids, and she never buys anything completely wonderful for herself anymore. That’s why I’m getting her a photograph, “Science Lab, Arts Magnet” ($3,000 at Barry Whistler), by my photographer friend Allison V. Smith.

 

(right) Skin Deep

There’s no reason my friends should have to deal with dead skin this winter. These pretty (and inexpensive) loofahs ($8.75 at Nuvo) should do the trick.

photography by Maxine Helfman and Christ Plavidal

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