Christmas Gift Ideas, Staff Picks: What our editors are giving and getting this holiday season
Finding the perfect gift for a loved one can often prove to be a tedious task. In lieu of all the holiday shopping madness, we thought we’d make your life a little bit easier with our editors guide to gift giving. From the most luxurious cashmere travel scarf to a giant surrealist lipstick sculpture, we’re pretty sure we got you covered. Or at least ourselves. So sit back and savior that peppermint hot chocolate while we tell you exactly what we’ll be gifting this holiday season.
WHAT I WANT TO GET:
I am addicted to Biologique Recherche, a 35-year-old skincare line from France with a cult following. Air France offers Biologique Recherche treatments in their First Class Lounge in Paris and I had their facial at the Peninsula Hotel in New York. The line’s ingredients are very concentrated and super effective. I would love a gift certificate for the Biologique Recherche facial ($225) from one2onestudio.ca in Toronto.
WHAT I WANT TO GIVE:
I love the new handbag collection from Canadian outerwear brand Mackage. This cross-body is a perfect size and shape. And the detailing on it is so precise it looks much more expensive than it is.
Rubie-F4 Leather Mini Crossbody Bag in Indigo/Black ($295, mackage.com)
WHAT I WANT TO GET:
I’d like a mid-week, one night stay at the newish Four Seasons Hotel in Toronto. It’s a 15 minute subway from my house so I don’t have to worry about customs and my kids would barely notice I’m gone. I’d get a massage, go for a swim, get room service and perhaps a good night’s sleep which would be worth hotel.com’s best available rate of $485.
Night at the Four Seasons in Toronto ($485, fourseasons.com)
WHAT I WANT TO GIVE:
I’d match that amount on an Uber account for my mom, Roma. She doesn’t drive so this will help get her around. Because she’s an immigrant, she will say that paying for drives is a waste of money. But I will say it’s more affordable than a cab and cheaper than car insurance.Uber Gift Card ($485, uber.com)
WHAT I WANT TO GET:
My love of all things Twin Peaks has me coveting this t-shirt designed by Kenzo and director David Lynch.
Kenzo Landscape and Twin Peaks print T Shirt ($155, matchesfashion.com)
WHAT I WANT TO GIVE:
I am planning on buying work by John Parot to gift to a lucky art lover. There is no denying it, Parot is—by far—one of the most talented artists of our generation.
Long Way Down 2012 by John Parot (price upon request, cargocollective.com)
WHAT I WANT TO GET:
This cookbook is highly coveted and the recipes are divine—a great flavorful approach on organic.
The Art of Eating Well: Hemsley and Hemsley ($22, amazon.ca)
WHAT I WANT TO GIVE:
The white and warren scarf is the best basic piece of cashmere that goes with anything and will become the most staple item in your wardrobe.
And they come in a zillion colors and don’t really pill—what more could you want?
White+Warren Cashmere Travel Wrap ($298, whiteandwarren.com)
associate digital editor
WHAT I WANT TO GET:
This summer I made the mistake of committing to downsizing my bag and it’s been a nightmare, obviously. Instead of admitting defeat and crawling back to a large tote, I want to give this gorgeous leather colour-blocked backpack from Anthropologie a permanent spot in my closet (and heart).
Rafe Colourblocked leather backpack ($378, anthropologie.com)
WHAT I WANT TO GIVE:
My favourite poet, Nayyirah Waheed, is releasing her third book this winter, and I want to gift her first two releases, Salt and Nejma, to everyone I know. But first, e-readers for all! Take it from a purse down-sizer, lugging around a couple of books everywhere is a quick way to get some mean stares on the subway.
Kindle Paperwhite 6-inch eReader ($150, thesource.ca)
executive digital editor
WHAT I WANT TO GET
I am working on building my collection of useless surrealist objects to decorate my apartment, so obviously this completely random $600 lipstick sculpture is a natural fit.
Ray Geary ‘Red Lipstick’ Resin Sculpture ($600, modaoperandi.com)
WHAT I WANT TO GIVE:
My niece is such a little entertainer, I can just see her hamming it up in this.
Stella McCartney Lee Kid’s Jacket ($205, stellamccartney.com)
fashion market editor
WHAT I WANT TO GET:
Each season, I covet the clashing colour combos and sophisticated prints in Jonathan Saunders’ runway collection. I’d love to bring his fearless fashion sense to my floors with this hand-knotted stunner.
Jonathan Saunders x The Rug Company “Nepal Rug” (price upon request, avenue-road.com)
WHAT I WANT TO GIVE:
I may not be able to stop Mercury from entering retrograde, but I can give my friends a leg up on next year’s forecast with the ultimate set of tarot cards.
Hermes Parade Tarote cards ($90, hermes.com)
WHAT I WANT TO GET:
With the increasing trend of superhero comics being turned into movies, one thing is very clear: We are all secretly nerds. This year, I’m indulging my inner geek and asking for Death Sentence Vol.1 by Titan Comics. The comic starts out like a zombie movie with an outbreak of a virus but, instead of making the infected hunger for brains, it grants them incredible powers. The downside is that the virus ultimately kills them in six months, hence the title Death Sentence. Buzzfeed hailed this book is as “the best British comic in years,” and it wouldn’t be a surprise if Death Sentence made its way to the silver screen by 2016.
Death Sentence Vol. 1 by Monty Nero ($16, amazon.ca)
WHAT I WANT TO GIVE:
The best gift you can give is something that perfectly suits their personal style, which is almost impossible. So what’s the second best gift? A gift that can be changed to suit their personal style, like this Timex for J.Crew watch with changeable wrist straps. The best part of this affordable yet stylish watch is that it also has you covered for next year. All you need to do to cross them off your list is pick up a new wrist strap and gift card.
Timex for J.Crew Vintage Field Army Watch ($114, jcrew.com)
WHAT I WANT TO GET:
I already own these, but I wear them so much that having a back up pair at the ready will help me sleep better at night.
Anine Bing Weaved Leather Ballerinas ($299, aninebing.com)
WHAT I WANT TO GIVE:
My mom looks after my 15-month old daughters, five days a week. To me, she is a saint. I’d like to take her to Sunday brunch at Collette Grand Café and then drop her off at the Toronto Four Seasons Hotel Spa for a massage and facial.
Colette Grand Café (colettetoronto.com)
Relaxing Aromatherapy Massage at the Four Seasons ($175 for 60 minutes, fourseasons.com)
copy and health editor
WHAT I WANT TO GET: I’m not the type to spend money on loungewear, so my favourite gifts are those that prep me for a day on the couch. These also serve double-duty and can be dressed up for brunch—what more could a girl ask for?
Lolë Reba Pants ($90, lolewomen.com)
WHAT I WANT TO GIVE:
I’m always wrapped up in a blanket during the winter, so what better gift to give than warmth? These Peruvian blankets blend function and form—a win-win for anyone on your list.
Cambie Blanket ($100, cambiedesign.com)
senior editor, fashion news
WHAT I WANT TO GET: The Edie Parker Initial Clutch. A classic shape with a dash of dazzle will always be in style. Now all I need is a sitter for a night out!
Edie Parker Jean Initial Clutch ($1,095, edie-parker.com)
WHAT I WANT TO GIVE:
To remind my husband that Nantucket isn’t that far away. Let the countdown to summer begin!
Smathers & Branson Dark n’ Stormy Needlepoint Flag Belt ($165, smathersandbranson.com)
WHAT I WANT TO GET:
I had always wanted a vintage wedding ring but it was not to be. However, it’s never too late to amend dashed jewelry dreams and this sparkler would do just that.
Lulu Frost Brilliant Ring ($174, jcrew.com)
WHAT I WANT TO GIVE:
A book written for a former editor at Sassy (it’s always a thrill to see their bylines resurface) on 90s fashion icons is something that any Gen-X pal on my list would love to dive into.
Champagne Supernovas by Maureen Callahan ($20, amazon.ca)
assistant fashion editor
WHAT I WANT TO GET:
I can’t quite wrap my head around the concept of a fan that can both heat and cool. This is something I must see to believe and I think it would be the perfect addition to my freezing apartment.
Dyson Hot + Cold Fan ($500, dysoncanada.ca)
WHAT I WANT TO GIVE:
My parents have two German Sheppard’s named Hugo and Boss (Boston). They weren’t intentionally named after the brand, but my father has become a collector of any Hugo Boss logo merchandise. These sweats would make a cozy addition to his collection.
Stretch Modal Lounge Pants by BOSS ($59, hugoboss.com)
