The Best Beastly and Non-Beastly Gifts to Give This Holiday Season
We know you're seeing a lot of gift guides these days. Personally, I have read at least 15 this week in my quest to find a few items for my hard-to-shop-for 18-year-old college freshman son. If you are also looking for a present for a teenage boy, this guide will not be very helpful. BUT if you are looking for something to give to those special women in your life, please read on. Happy gifting!
Artwork
One can argue that the gift with the greatest staying power and the longest lasting impact is art. Artwork made by a local artist can celebrate a place. A photograph, painting, or drawing can depict a memory of importance. My parents recently gave me a painting of a favorite spot in my hometown created by Connecticut artist Sarah Schneider. My friend Tjasa Owen has been painting stunning, colorful landscapes based on her life in California and the Cape for decades. Our friend Caroline recently gave my husband and I a lovely watercolor of our house in France by The Most Curious Kat. Each of these thoughtful presents (at very different price points) will absolutely be treasured for years to come.
Cooking Class
We all know that the gift of experience is hard to top. Tickets to a concert or play, a dinner at a fantastic new restaurant, a weekend getaway, or a cooking class with a professional chef. Every town has its own unique cuisine and chefs ready to teach you how to cook in a fun, wine-accompanied way. If you and your special friend happen to be in Long Island, I highly recommend gifting a night of cooking, eating, sipping, and laughs at Flavor Fork in Greenport. Chef and Owner Sarah Mastracco has cooked with the best of the best (Martha, Bobby, Emeril, Eric, to name a few) so really knows what she is doing food-wise. Plus Sarah is super fun and knows how to put together an evening you will never forget!
Beastly Scarf
Obviously, we are going to suggest you give that amazing woman in your life one of our fabulous scarves. It's obvious because they are so darn beautiful, sustainable, and versatile and support wildlife and habitat conservation. And you have options! Our Peace Silk Square Scarves are perfect all-season accessories that add a little je ne sais quoi to every outfit. Our organic cotton/Tencel fleece Cozy Wraps are just so soft and, you guessed it, cozy for wrapping around your shoulders or serving as a travel blanket as you see the world. Finally, our Sarongs/Grand Scarves are made out of light airy cotton voile so are great as a beach cover-up or as a bright and colorful wrap over a white tank and jeans. We promise any of these beauties would make your special friend very very happy.
Coffee Table Book
Besides brass bird figures (I know, it's odd), I don't "collect" many things. But if I were to become a collector, I think it might be of design and travel coffee table books. I could spend hours flipping through them. So much good stuff inside plus the always pretty covers which make them essential elements of any decor. This past birthday, my husband gave me designer Erin Gates' book Elements of Timeless Style and Kate Van Den Boogert's The Paris Flea Market. I love them both. And I can assure you that there exists a coffee table book that squarely aligns with your friend's interests. Just make sure you don't order it on Amazon. Go to your local bookstore (for me, it's Sidetrack Books in Royal Oak) or order from Bookshop.org.
Local Bites
We all love to eat and eat well. Giving the gift of yum is always a good idea and supporting local restaurants and food purveyors should be a priority. For Thanksgiving, our wonderful realtor Linda gifted all of her clients a pie from Michigan favorite Achatz Handmade Pie Company. SO tasty! In Connecticut, my sister Lindsay's amazing food business, The Saucy Spoon, is a go-to for people looking for delicious, reasonably priced gifts for neighbors, teachers, and clients. And of course, giving a gift card to one's favorite restaurant, bar, or coffee shop is both a wonderful gesture but also a fantastic way to support the small businesses that are the backbone of our communities.
Political Tee
If you're reading this blog post, you know how I land politically. Clearly, we should all be using our voice as often and as loudly as possible. And thanks to many talented designers, we can make a strong statement and still look fabulous doing it! I absolutely love my Radicalized by Decency tshirt and Rejecting Kings Since 1776 tshirt I purchased on Etsy and can't wait to pair them with a Beastly wrap skirt this spring, either to go to brunch or a protest or both! If anyone wants to know what I want for Christmas (Tony), I would love this Raise Hell tshirt (medium in orchid)!
Fingerless Gloves
Why fingerless gloves you might ask?? Well, they are perfect to wear outside on fall and spring days when it's a little cool out but you can survive having your fingers exposed. They're also great to wear indoors when it's cold as hell outside and no matter how much tea you drink, you can't seem to warm up. I just received two pairs of these super comfy gloves for my birthday! They're handmade with baby alpaca, support Peruvian artisans, and are super chic and cozy.
Friend Necklace
Around my neck, I regularly wear three necklaces. One is the most lovely little gold bird that my dear friend Elin gave me when I moved away from Europe this past summer. The second is a little gold oval with a small gem in the middle by Boneur Paris that I gave to several women in my family after getting through a difficult time together. And the last is a beautiful gold Jane Win pendant that my sister recently gave to me. All three remind me daily of my incredible good fortune in being supported by such extraordinary humans.
So there you are. Those are my suggestions. Sure, the holidays are too materialistic but they also present opportunities to celebrate each other and be grateful. After a year of ridiculous change, both good and challenging, I am certainly very grateful for the people in my life, near and far. And that includes you!
Happy Holidays!
xo Torrey
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