Here’s a roundup of some cool and unique gift ideas for the lucky ones who have made your list this year- not those obligatory wine, candy, or cash peeps. Even better, some of these items may make your wish list. Although most won’t ft into a stocking, they will fit beautifully under the tree, fireplace- easy Santa access- or anywhere near a menorah. And what would the holidays be without my favorite part…the stunning Barney’s New York windows designed by Oscar winner Baz Luhrmann. While these all land on my wish list, I’ll take window #4, please.
Nine plates. Separately, each of these nine plates bears nimble, loopy, almost abstract swoops from Picasso’s pen; together they comprise of his 1920 drawing Cheval et dompteur…translated as horse and trainer. www.momastore.org
An oasis for discerning kitties, Agnes Felt, an Etsy shop run by Lithuanian artisan Ange Audejiene, offers cozy felted slippers, accessories and decorative items crafted from natural wool. This cave, with cheeky ear details, is as adorable as the cat who calls it home. www.etsy.com
Camo-soled sneakers for the urban jungle. The LA-based brand Generic Man‘s sneaker collaboration with Comme des Garcons graces the soles between the wearer and the pavement. www.endclothing.com
Peloton, a spinning studio in NYC’s Chelsea has become a cult favorite. But Peloton’s most ingenious development is its bikes for purchase, which come equipped with a state-of-the-art monitor that allows home spinners unlimited streaming. www.pelotoncycle.com
A necklace with a message. NY-based designer Kemi Gadaleta stamps each of these custom, gold-plated necklaces by hand, usually with a simple offset monogram. The freedom to personalize the jewelry with up to 10 characters is even cooler. www.kemidesigns.com
Graphic trays that pop. The kitsch masterminds Maurizio Cattelan and Pierpaolo Ferrari are known for the sometimes shocking pop-art aesthetic born out in Toilet Paper, their biannual publication. Now, they’ve applied their brand of humor to housewares for the Italian store Seletti. www.shoptoiletpaper.com
A speaker in three dimensions. An unassuming speaker at first glance, Binauric‘s Boom Boom is anything but. It blasts tunes by syncing with Bluetooth-enabled smartphones and tablets, and most computers, or by plugging into a headphone jack. It also records audio and triples as a speakerphone. www.binauric.com
A basket purse inspired by Jane Birkin- of that other Birkin bag. The Healdsburg, CA emporium Shed has begun stocking this model, imported from Algarve, Portugal. Its size, shape, and texture are just right. www.shop.healdsburgshed.com
The Minneapolis-based store Pharmacie stocks housewares that provide an antidote to bad designs. These cutting boards, crafted from domestic hardwood and attached to vegetable-tanned leather handles, don’t need to hide out in the kitchen; use them to serve hors d’oeuvres at holiday gatherings. www.pharmaciempls.com
Soft pillows handmade using traditional techniques. Arcade Avec’s soft cable-knit pillows are hand woven by a small team in Brazil using traditional techniques, natural materials and primitive, handmade tools. Available in small and large sizes. www.monc13.com
Coravin Wine Opener. The Coravin system uses technology that keeps the cork in the bottle, where it’s been since the bottle was seated. The device extracts a glassful while still preserving the bottle. www.coravin.com
An aphrodisiac powder to warm up winter nights. The LA-based Moon Juice– a cult juicing destination- recently introduced whimsically packaged herbal supplements, the most intriguing of which is Sex Dust. Definitely worth slipping into that cute co-worker’s martini at the holiday party. www.moonjuiceshop.com
A gadget that trains the brain. Muse, a wellness-inspired device from Interaxon, sits against the forehead to detect brain activity while users play meditating games on an accompanying app, named- naturally- calm. The goal is to control your own mind, for improved relaxation and lessened anxiety. www.store.choosemuse.com
And what goes better with everything on this list than the NY-based Thirstie App, the on-demand wine and spirits delivery service that recently launched. Available in New York, Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Chicago, Thirstie delivers to your doorstep within the hour. Another cool feature is that Thirstie partnered with the recipe database Foodily allowing them to integrate cocktail recipes directly into an app, a feature that no other liquor delivery service has. Enjoy the convenience of bottle service at your home, not at an over priced table somewhere. www.thirstie.com
Tags: Chanukah 2014, Christmas 2014, Holiday 2014 Gift Ideas, Shopping
