427: Nothing over $100

Gift guide II of V.

I have this theory (informal, untested, and spiritually accurate) that gifting is the final performance review of the year. Not in the punitive HR-monitored sense, but in the “did you pay attention to that one thing I said I needed while watching TV?” sense. December becomes a kind of emotional forensics lab: Suddenly you’re re-analyzing every meaningful interaction with friends from the past 11 months, excavating the key details for giving season, i.e., “did she say she loved the smell of lavender or that she hated the smell of lavender?” Because Magasin loves you, we’ve done what we do best: mined every corner of the internet, interrogated our own shopping compulsions, and assembled a list of gifts that feel less like transactions, and more like tiny acts of highly personalized love and care for the homies. All of these are under $100.

This year’s guide leans into the beautifully unnecessary object, the brass knife that makes breaking down boxes feel like an activity rather than a task, the incense match that buys you 10 quiet minutes of smoky deliciousness, the Faux-guchi lamp that gently dupes your guests, the doorstop with the ability to enter cocktail-party conversation. We’ve also included the items that are simply “better versions of things people already use, but would never buy for themselves,” the rubber bands, the rolling pin, the fancy cocktail cherries.

Consider this less a catalog and more a field guide for the most loving kind of overthinking. The good kind.

Photographer Carolyne Loreé Teston / Assistant Maya Kotomori / Curation + Creative Direction Laura Reilly

Gohar Personalized Envelopes, Embroidered Lace, $30+

Gohar World’s embroidered lace envelopes add a bit of theater to the traditionally paper object, part Victorian-esque keepsake, part practical kerchief. The two-pack can be personalized to say whatever you want for $20 per letter, to turn a nickname or set of initials into something textural and tender. Slip in a note, a gift card, a recipe, a trinket, or even use it as a unique table setting for dinner parties. For those who prefer a blank canvas (or simply more of a good thing), a 4-pack of the plain embroidered lace version is also available at SSENSE.

Yoshiharu Hamono 440-042 Penanto Japanese Kiridashi Brass Knife, $9

A kiridashi is the sort of tool that unlocks the gorgeousness that can go into utilitarian activities, like razoring open packages or opening mail. Yoshiharu Hamono’s brass-handled knife, which is essentially a Japanese version of an X-Acto knife, adds ceremony to those mundane activities; compact, weighty for its size, and designed to patinate beautifully over time. It’s the kind of “everyday carry” that even the most minimalist recipient can happily adopt into their routine.

Kyowa Classic O’Band Rubber Bands, $10

The best small gifts for people who “have everything” are elevated versions of little things they’d never buy themselves. Such is the case with these Japanese rubber bands, which come in their own little tin perfect for living on your desk, in a kitchen drawer, etc. They’re a clever stocking stuffer for the paper-sorting, bundle-wrapping, analog-inclined person in your life, and also come in a variety of colors to choose from. A great reminder that even the humblest of objects can be tiny design victories, and that even the most pedestrian task (closing a chip bag, organizing receipts) into something oddly pleasurable.

Asano Paper Moon Table Lamp No. 2, $104

These paper lamps are emblems of soft, diffused light, lanterns that double as little sculptures when switched off. The No. 2 size is wonderfully adaptable, perfect for a reading nook, dim corner, or as a bed or deskside lamp. Right now the No. 2 is on sale, bringing it just a hair over $100 (sorry for false advertising) but, as far as Faux-guchis (Noguchi dupes) go, this is the most affordable and highest-quality option.

JK Adams French Tapered Rolling Pin, $20

A lovely gift for the baker who kneads (sorry, I had to) a tool that works like a hand. JK Adams’s French tapered rolling pin is a single, sculpted piece of maple wood that glides across doubt with the kind of ergonomic control that makes you wonder why all rolling pins aren’t tapered so. This cooking object is also something that gets better with age when oiled and stored properly, so it has a future place as an heirloom for those who cook.

The Prisoner Wine, $50+

A bottle from The Prisoner is never just a bottle, it’s an invitation to rethink what modern American winemaking can be. Known for its bold, expressive blends, The Prisoner also champions social responsibility by partnering with organizations focused on justice-reform efforts and supporting re-entry programs for formerly incarcerated individuals. Gifting a bottle, whether you choose the 2022 Corrections Red Blend pictured here—a rich mix of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec—or another favorite from the portfolio, is a gesture with depth, both in the wine itself and what it represents for the socially conscious sipper in your life.

In partnership with Prisoner Wine. For ages 21+.

Hibi Incense Matches, Limited Edition Holiday Gift Box, $45

These matches already feel like magic tricks; strike one, wait a moment, and presto, the little flame is now burning down a mini stick of incense. This limited-edition holiday gift box contains four of Hibi’s herbal fragrances in a format both utility (to light a candle) and ritual (a mood-enhancing home fragrance). Ideal for travelers who love to control the scent profiles of their many destinations, studio-apartment dwellers, and those who like to leave scents in the bathroom at gatherings. Each match burns for 10 minutes, just long enough to ground the moment without overwhelming it.

Ford Bostwick MASH / SMASH TRAY, $55

Have you got a friend whose coffee table is just a bit too curated? Cast in satisfyingly weighty concrete and finished with a winky little gesture (the smushed-box nature of this vessel is inspired by a crushed cigarette package), this piece is part ashtray, part catch-all, 100% small-scale sculpture. The sort of object a recipient will immediately start fidgeting with, then proudly re-position on a display surface with provide. It’s functional, humorous, and, like the best gifts, slightly mysterious until it becomes indispensable.

L.L.Bean Waxed-Canvas Log Carrier, $69

Big New England energy, but in a way that feels elemental and cozy, rather than fully Northeastern-dad-on-vacation. The waxed canvas on this duffle is built to persist through cold, splinters, and generous firewood hauls with ease, so it can handle whatever you choose to throw at (or in) it: a healthy amount of outfit options for a long weekend trip, or even 10-15 gifts under $100 to and from a photo shoot…wink wink. Perfect for someone with a fireplace, wood-burning stove, backyard firepit, or for someone in need of an elevated yet rough-and-tumble everything-duffle.

Luxardo Maraschino Cherries, $19

There are cocktail cherries, and then there are Luxardo cherries—the jar everyone reaches for with reverence. Thick, syrupy, deep-red cherries that make all prospective Manhattans, sundaes, and Shirley Temples feel like grown-up indulgences. They’re a choice gift for the hosts, amateur mixologists, “emergency dessert” policy holders, and those with not-too-sweet tooths that avoid the plasticky red Maraschino variety. Gift on its own, or even pair with a cocktail or curated dessert kit for an extra-personalized touch.

Forgrave 002 Bright Side, $22 and Personalized Tea Caddy , $96

Now, you can let everyone know exactly how you take your tea, well, because your name is on it. Pick your favorite loose-leaf teas and then personalize a caddy for the herbs—these are two separate items on the website, and pair just right for adding that personal touch for the holidays. A daily spot of tea can now transform into a little just-for-you ritual. Choose a name, phrase, or inside joke—tea tins, after all, live on shelves and counters long after they’re emptied.

By Malene Birger Henna Brooch, $80

Brooches are back, but By Malene Birger never stopped believing in them. The Henna Brooch, available in a graphic black and an ethereal white, adds the necessary je ne sais quoi to any outfit (tip: add to the lapels of your winter coats to avoid blending into a sea of dark wool outerwear on the street). Oversized and elegant, this brooch channels modernist jewelry without feeling overly precious, and it’s ideal for the friend who prefers their accessories to work like punctuation marks.

Hermès Limited Edition Les Mains Hermès Nail Polish, $66

Hermès releases its limited-edition nail colors the way jewelers unveil new stones: sparingly, ceremoniously, and with the absolute confidence you’ll fall in love on sight. This season’s Iris Violetta, a dusty dark lavender, is a lovely and distinctly luxury nod to the acrylic costume jewelry of the ’80s (plus, as the signature Hermès packaging suggests, the color looks great with bright orange). The lacquer glows on a vanity like a little objet d’art, and the formula delivers smooth, glassy finish. A perfect “small and mighty” present for those looking for a jolt of color among the canonical fall/winter neutrals.

TOYO Steel Toolbox T-320, $48

Workwear in fashion might have reached critical mass, but now, consider: workwear for the home. This toolbox is a pressed-steel classic from Japan that has quietly earned a global design following, and can serve as storage or catch-all for all of your goods. Light and durable, with a clasp that snaps shut with that ASMR-worthy click, this piece is a perfect keeper of sewing supplies, art materials, a nail kit, or the lucky recipient’s ever-expanding “misc” category of odds and ends. The industrial design doesn’t try too hard, and the build quality means this toolbox may very well outlive its contents. A gift that says: Organize your chaos beautifully, and simply.

Block Shop Peapod Pull, $76

This charming little hardware upgrade from Block Shop takes the humble drawer pull and gives it a little pizzazz. Cast in warm metal and shaped like a plump pea pod, it instantly adds a little intrigue to any handle in your home; a neglected dresser, or, say, a kitchen cabinet in need of some food-related dressing up, but sans-kitschy overload. It’s a delightful micro-renovation: easy to install, full of personality. Gift one for a single moment of punctuation, or a pair so that any piece of furniture can sport a matching set of dimples.

Bonnemazou Cambus Saturn Door Stop, $45

When you think of gifting a doorstop, images of stockings filled with coal or Ralphie from “A Christmas Story” unboxing a bundle of socks come to mind—but this one is truly something special in the same way industrial furniture grails are. Bonnemazou Cambus’s Saturn door stop is a small orb of machined metal, compact, and slightly cheeky (the rubber ring around the brass orb makes the door stop resemble Saturn with its rings). These little home improvement objects bring as much convenience as they do design perspective, and this one adds a little planetary elegance to the simple act of stabilizing a door.

Silphium Studio Tassel Keychain, $57+

This is the rare small gift that packs a dangerous amount of luxury in it. Hand-cut leather strips gather into a soft plume, designed to elevate any keyring to a distinctly “fashion” level. The loop is sturdy enough for everyday use, while the leather gives that I’m-so-fancy edge; like an ornament for everyday errands, or, if you can’t decide which color, you can mix and match them as bag charms. It’s perfect for that friend whose keys are always lurking in the depths of a tote, or literally anyone who appreciates that moment when the everyday object becomes something special.

---

Magasin may earn some money if you make a purchase through one of the links above.

Follow us on Instagram at @magasin.ltd.