429: Souvenirs, stocking-stuffers, and host-worthy objets d’art

Gift guide IV of V.

Dec 11, 2025

There’s a tradition in my family, started by my maternal grandmother, that I’ll call the ever-growing stocking. Basically, from birth, each member of the family started out with a knitted, normal size stocking (let’s say around 10” in length), and each year without fail, my grandmother would knit a 3” row in a new color onto everyone’s stockings.

My stocking is now longer than I am tall; my mom’s hangs from the very top of the wall and drapes onto the floor. Each year these stockings are filled all the way, and on Christmas morning we all burrow deeper and deeper into the knit tubes to excavate little gift after little gift. There are unspoken rules when it comes to filling the stockings, and the balance of these gifts is crucial: Firstly, a lot of them are needed, so they can’t all be expensive. Long, vaguely tubular gifts are useful. Some must be funny. A lot should be consumable (wine takes up a good amount of space and is the right shape). Finally, there must be an orange and dried cherries at the very bottom.

Filling the proverbial stockings of your near and dear should be fun and not stressful. I try to collect things throughout the year and on every trip I take that I think are mysterious, exotic, beautiful, unexpected, or meaningful, with the idea that if these items touch me in that way, then they surely will be wonderful to someone I love. In an effort to present this list in a slightly organized manner, I’ve composed my recs into three merry tunes:

“Mele Kalikimaka:” souvenirs and treasures I collected on trips abroad this year
“Home for the Holidays:” what to give to your favorite host (maybe yourself!)
And “Santa Baby:” A catch-all for objects that I asked dear Santa for this year.
Mele Kalikimaka

Marbled Paper Guest Book from Giannini Firenze, $128

Maintaining a formal guestbook is one of those rituals that I find impossibly sophisticated; imagine keeping a fascinating record of the comings and goings of the people whom you invite into your home. This marbled Italian book has the presence to match the refined practice.

Shell Sugar Bowl from Tavares 1922, $450

This silver and snail shell bowl from the Portuguese jeweler is one of those exquisite, sort of useless precious objects only suitable for giving to a very special person.

Rybička Pocket Knife, $15

My friend Cassie gave this sweet Czech pocket knife to me last year, and it’s the perfect little mail opener—so cute I was once able to convince the TSA not to confiscate it.

Le Tre Sarte Backgammon Beach Towel, $215

Summer may seem a long way off, but it’s lovely to dream of being a little drunk at 3p.m. on a boat and laying around this towel for an impromptu match. Allows for two games at once, which is a smart use of towel real estate.

Blue Quay Tumbler from Beit Collective, $28

I visited this tightly curated shop in Beirut last month and brought home a few of these stunning recycled glass tumblers painted with a gold Arabesque motif. Perfect as small bathroom cups.

“Alpenzeller” Traditional Swiss Belt, $175

I got one of these decorated Swiss belts while hiking near Klosters this summer; it’s adorned with brass or silver Alpine motifs. Very festive. It’s available as a dog collar too!

Arcosanti #101 Bronze Wind bell, $125

One of the original bell designs from the famous experimental community Arcosanti in rural Arizona. They have others that are more complex for more $, and the proceeds go to support the upkeep of the fascinating landmark (which you should visit!). I can attest to the loveliness of the bell tone in the wind.

“68 Ways to Make Really Big Puppets” by Bread and Puppet, $12

If you don’t know it, Bread and Puppet is a Vermont legend: a politically radical puppet theater known for their enormous puppets and guiding principle that art should be as basic as bread to life (hence the name). This book will be perfect for anyone whose ideology is aligned. Another nice gift from them: sets of blockprinted greeting cards.

A set of Bemelmans Cocktail Napkins from the Carlyle, $75

My favorite bar in New York is also the one that feels most alive around the holidays. These napkins are a more refined, higher-quality version of the classic red squares that sit under your dry martini.

Balik Lace Placemat from Levant, $210

Handmade in a historic atelier that specializes in the preservation of Turkish craft, this linen placemat is a very special centerpiece and a flashback to seaside lunches by the Med. While you’re there, may I selfishly suggest checking out the linens I designed for them (Set of Napkins for $100, Tablecloth for $475)?

Egyptian Glass Bud Vase from Gohar World, $148

This is not the first time that tiny Egyptian glass has caught my eye, but I continue to admire the wonky ancient-ness of glass pieces like these from Gohar.

Home for the Holidays

“Anatomy for Interior Designers”, used from Thriftbooks, $28

A playful guidebook to the fundamental elements of design (Space, Line, Form, Light, Color, Pattern, Texture) and guiding principles of design (Balance, Unity, Rhythm, Emphasis, Contrast, Scale/Proportion).

La Pomme Jar by Sophie Lou Jacobsen, $85

This petite glass apple jar is a standout from Sophie’s new “Continental Collection,” for which I had the pleasure of art-directing a photoshoot earlier this year. I like the idea of filling it with those little German green apple candies. The thing I can’t stop thinking of, however, is this silver toast rack ($800).

Cord Cover, $70 and Tissue Box “Draped Dress”, $78 from Iko Iko

If there are two items that blight the modern home, they must be cords and Kleenex boxes. Seriously, we have developed literal artificial intelligence and yet we still have tangles of wires connected to every damn thing? Very 20th century, if you ask me. But these colorful organza cord covers, while not exactly hiding stray cords, at least give them a personality.

The other domestic scourge, of course, is tissue boxes. Until the art dept. at Kleenex tires of loud patterns, we unfortunately need to cover them. I love Iko Iko’s “dress” covers because they look like I just threw a little pile of silk over the box. Elegant and casual.

Stainless and Acrylic Sheffield Flatware from Casalta, $340 per 7-piece setting

Casalta is a design studio to watch, as they’ve been consistently releasing interesting and very refined work for the past couple of years. This tasteful flatware, which I got to see in person earlier this year, straddles the line between everyday and formal use.

My dream salt & pepper situation from Italian heritage silver brand Chiarugi 1952, $365

This pair is classic and elegant, and is the sort of purchase that becomes an heirloom. I also think a unique gift would be a vintage salt and pepper set, like these from Tiffany, Cristofle, or Cartier (ranging from $150-$350; don’t forget to barter!).

The River Cafe at 30 Cook Book, $54

One of my favorite cookbooks, with a series of perfect recipes so simple and good that I often only need to just glance at the photos for inspiration and then do it my own way.

Cedar Hanger Sachet from Elizabeth W., $26

Having all your winter coats smelling of cedar is a true luxury.

Sharkskin Wasabi Grater, $50

Only suitable to gift to someone who has a local Japanese grocer, as you need fresh wasabi.

Pewter Cherub Wine Stopper from Svenskt Tenn, $180

Makes one want to start keeping mystery brandies in crystal decanters.

Redware Gravy Boat from Roseland, $185

I love redware, the earthenware pottery with roots in colonial American domestic crafts. Roseland is a new-ish furniture brand making beautiful examples, another I love is Henderson’s Redware (gifts ranging from $20-$200).

Ian Candlestick from Carolina Irving & Daughters, $165

There’s something beguilingly archeological about the form and patina of this candlestick, which makes it feel almost ceremonial.

“Dalí. Les dîners de Gala” by Taschen, $60

I give this book to someone every year. It’s an exploration of surrealist fantasy entertaining masquerading as a beautifully designed cookbook. There is also an equally beautiful accompanying book focused on wines.

Painted Clouds Placemat, $51

These would make for a sort of sunny, surrealist, Dalí-worthy table setting, especially paired with the matching napkins ($32 each).

Change Tray from Ginori 1735, $340

For some reason, I think of this type of change tray as quite a formal gift, like something you’d give your mother-in-law at her Christmas dinner in Belle Haven.

Il Conico Kettle by Alessi, $435

The iconic stovetop kettle is designed by Italian architect Aldo Rossi in the mid-’80s. A forever piece.

“Aldo Rossi: the Sketchbooks 1990-97” used on Amazon, $50

Speaking of Aldo Rossi, this out-of-print book is a fabulous catalogue of the postmodern architect’s sketchbooks—one of those books that is almost more art object than tome.

Sama Bin, in brushed aluminum, from Ferm Living, $115

Yes, gifting a trash bin definitely sends a very specific message. Give this to someone who will read that message as “You are a chic, efficient, professional with no time for nonsense or ugly trash bins,” rather than “You are a mess and need to tidy up.”

Tumbled Stainless Plates from Ferm Living, $19 each

These soft, tumbled stainless plates are a bit more suited to outdoor use, but I think I’d like them on an indoor table just as well.

Grand Tour Intaglio Soaps from Reed Smythe, $48

I have a thing for grand tour intaglios (the original souvenirs!), and these are a lot more affordable than real ones. Fancy soaps are always a good gift in my opinion, as long as the packaging is exquisite. In my current gifting rotation: Bienaime hand soap ($45), Ash soap-on a-rope ($26), Buly 1803 ($35).

Santa Baby

Spur x Katie Stout Necklace, from $850

I love when two of my friends get together to make something special. In this case, it’s Spur Jewelry and artist Katie Stout, who is known for her high-spirited sculpture, furniture, and lighting. These are a joyful exploration of girls, gemstones and vegetables.

L18 Serving Cart (in black) from USM Haller, $1,554

A defiantly non-cute bar cart.

Tajima Pocket Tape Measure, $19

I lose my tape measure all the time, but this is the one I like. Imagine if I showed up to a construction site with this Tiffany tape measure though…

Small Saul Steinberg Prints, set of 12, $125

These little prints I’d buy and frame for gifts as needed throughout the year. They are so beautifully drawn and humorous and can feel very personal if paired with the right recipient.

Terry Rug from Beni Rug’s Chroma I collection, $555+

This collection from Beni is replete with irresistibly good stripes, which are articulated beautifully in the natural flatweave construction.

Neptune Papers issue #9, $42

It seems wrong to call Neptune Papers a magazine, as it’s one of the most lavishly thrilling interior compendiums out there right now. They recently fêted the launch of the ninth issue at E.A.T. (Eli himself is featured) with champagne and hot-dogs, further proof of “the UES is cool again” trend.

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A guest post by

Xavier Donnelly

I make spaces. Creative director of Ash, designer, artist.

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