Holiday Gift Guide: Part 1

It's now November, which means the time has come to start thinking about Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas and New Year's plans. Part of this strenuous thought process includes looking into what to buy your host or hostess, who has slaved away and stressed over curried sweet potatoes, multi-color Christmas tree (or Hanukkah bush) lighting, pine cones vs. flowers, champagne vs. Prosecco...any way, you catch my drift. 

Being the host/hostess can be utterly exhausting, especially when you're like me; you're not great at entertaining but want to be, so you obsesses over every little detail which then leads to a severe hangover the next day due to mid-party stress drinking. 

Therefore, be sure to bring the host/hostess something special to help cushion his/her nervous blows. Here are some suggestions, at different price points. I will provide more as the month goes on!

Let me know if you have any friend-types your struggling to find gifts for! I'll try to help. 


For the Artist

Pricey: Dom Pérignon and the Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design in London have partnered up to create a limited-edition collection of vintage 2002, Andy Warhol-inspired bottles. As a nod to the artist's playful use of colors (and his love of drinking expensive champagne), the bottles come in three different colors and go for $159 each at Sherry Lehman. 

(Photo via foodandwine.com)

Affordable: Ever heard of Kiehl's Creme De Corps? Ever heard of heaven in a bottle? They're one in the same. Contemporary, world-renowned artist Jeff Koons and the luxurious mega brand have gotten together to promote environmental sustainability for  the benefit of underprivileged children around the world. The beautifully packaged, moisturizing products are sold at most department stores, including Nordstrom. 

For the Dog Fanatic


Moderate: EmersonMade, a husband and wife company run on a farm on the East Coast, shells out one-of-a-kind creations to flower-loving people everywhere. This "Doggie" clutch, made for the canine devotees of the world, is accented with one of EM's signature, handmade poppies. 

(Photo from EmersonMade)

Affordable: When I saw the cover of this book for the first time I nearly keeled over. Me being the dog lover I am, I ogled at the cover and fell even deeper in love with animal photographer Tim Flach's eerie albeit captivating works as I flipped through the rest of the coffee table treasure. He is a genius! Purchase it for a great price via Amazon.  

For the Rebel

Pricey: Miss Charming from the independently owned Parisian perfumery, Juliette Has a Gun, combines musk, Moroccan rose and wild berries to create a sensual aroma. It lingers on the skin, just like the scent of a recent love-making session; it's the smell of his cologne mixed with her perfume. 

(Photo from Beautyhabit)

Moderate: With  sweet and smokey fumes of tobacco and gin, this masculine smelling "Speak Easy" candle, from Modern Alchemy's Historical collection makes it perfect for a male host who prides himself on mastering the art of seduction.

(Photo from Modern Alchemy)