Christmas Gift Ideas, Staff Picks: Our editors reveal what they are giving and getting this holiday season
If you’ve gone through our 500-item holiday gift guide and have yet to find perfect Christmas gift ideas (impossible!), perhaps the personal picks of FASHION’s staff might get you inspired. Our editors are sharing the luxury gifts they are hoping to see under the tree come December 25, but have also given us some ideas as to what their loved ones will be receiving. From fashionable books, jewellery and clothing to opera tickets and spa gift certificates, our editors are lusting after many things this year. But Christmas is a season of giving, and judging from the items that our editor’s will be giving this year, we know it will be a very lucky holiday season for all.
Jump to an editor: Bernadette Morra | Nicole Stafford | Elio Iannacci | Rani Sheen | Lesa Hannah | Randi Bergman | Paige Dzenis | Sarah Daniel | Sarah Casselman | Caitlan Moneta | Jacquelyn Francis | Caitlin Agnew | Eliza Grossman | Brian Fleming | Sonya Van Heyningen
TO RECEIVE:
Jewellery always tops my wish list. This year’s dream gift is a rose gold ring from Birks’ Muse collection. The scrollwork references the ceiling of the historic Montreal store – I love that Canadian reference – and the inscription is charming: "Find a reason to smile. Find a reason to love. Find a reason to dream. Find a reason to dance."
The design is pretty, feminine and so classic I am sure I will love it for years to come and be proud to pass the ring along when that time comes too.
Birks rose gold ring ($1,395, birks.com)
TO GIVE:
Grace Coddington’s new memoir Grace: A Memoir is a fashion lover’s dream. The 333-page book chronicles the Vogue creative director’s professional and private lives, from her childhood on the blustery shores of Wales to her front row seat on the world’s fashion stage. She takes us through her career as a model in the ‘60s posing for legends such as David Bailey and Norman Parkinson, through her transition to producing American Vogue’s epic fashion shoots.
Coddington brings us inside the car accident that nearly ended her modeling career, the untimely death of her sister, her two marriages, and her 30-year romance with Didier Malige.
Best of all, we are privy to the quirks of the designers, hairstylists, makeup artists, photographers and models Coddington works alongside, as well as that ultimate modern day fashion icon, her boss Anna Wintour. A guaranteed juicy fashion read.
Grace: A Memoir ($30, chapters.indigo.ca)
TO RECEIVE:
I love sleep and I’ve been eyeing these vintage style pyjama set for a while now, so cozy.
J. Crew pyjama set ($85, jcrew.com)
TO GIVE:
I’ve been obsessed with this fragrance line ever since I discovered it in NYC this summer, it’s a Brooklyn based company that hand crafts their perfumes and colognes using premium-sourced ingredients. The scents are as unusual as their names like Burning Barbershop, Cowboy Grass and Mississippi Medicine. I also love how unisex the scents are. The line is carried in Toronto at Lost & Found and online at the below links.
D.S. and Durga perfume (from $95, shoplostfound.com, dsanddurga.com)
TO RECEIVE:
Front row tickets to see The Life and Death of Marina Abramovic, an opera that debuts at Luminato next year. It stars one of the most spectacular voices on the planet— Antony Hegarty (of Antony and The Johnsons).
The Life and Death of Marina Abramovic tickets (available November 30, luminato.com)
TO GIVE:
FASHION’s hardworking Features intern will be getting two things this year: Lunch Poems by Frank O’Hara (a manual for all writers) and a copy of the best pop album ever made, Eurythmics’ Savage.
Frank O’Hara’s Lunch Poems ($6, www.citylights.com)
Eurythmics’ Savage ($10, itunes.apple.com)
TO RECEIVE:
I like pretty much everything this brand makes, and this cross-body bag in mint, cobalt and white with a pop of sunbeam yellow is no exception. The concertina construction means it’ll fit more stuff than it appears to, which is important as I’m not a lipstick-and-credit-card kind of bag-carrier. Once spring has sprung I’ll be riding my bike everywhere again, so I love that this has straps on the back that’ll fasten to my handlebars.
Loeffler Randall Rider bag ($495, loefflerrandall.com)
TO GIVE:
I’d like to give this globe to my niece or nephew, because I feel like there’s no better learning tool and way to encourage a rabid love of travel from a really young age—a kid will have so much fun imagining the places they’ll go. The fact that it’s monochrome means it’ll blend nicely into the parental modern design scheme (and that this gift could easily be reassigned to a grown-up friend).
Nendo Corona globe ($300, store.mjolk.ca)
TO RECEIVE:
A year’s worth of massages from Nael Dababneh who works at The Spa at The Hazelton. Not only does Nael deliver the most incredible rub down, he puts you at ease with his gentlemanly demeanour and then lulls you into such a state, that the fact that you showed up with unshaven legs is a non-issue.
Spa gift certificates (starting at $25, wayspa.com)
TO GIVE:
Edinburgh Breakfast Blend tea from Majesteas. For my friends who love a bad ass cup of strong black tea like me, this is the brew for them. I used to be devoutly faithful to Tetley until I tried this loose leaf blend and—mind blown–I’ll never go back.
Edinburgh Breakfast blend tea ($9 – $11, majesteas.ca)
TO RECEIVE:
Believe it or not, I’m not much of a bag fanatic. This holographic PS11 though, is not merely a bag… It’s a psychedelic masterpiece! Gimme gimme.
Proenza Schouler PS11 clutch ($1,375, proenzaschouler.com)
TO GIVE:
I discovered this cookbook in my best friend’s kitchen a few months ago and have been gifting it to people ever since. This book has the most incredibly imaginative vegetarian recipes with a slightly Middle Easten flair. Since that is exactly my palate, it’s a bit of a selfish gift considering that I hope to be invited over to taste the fruits (and already have!)
Plenty by Yotam Ottolenghi ($26, chapters.indigo.ca)
TO RECEIVE:
For me, Christmas will forever be linked to Texas and this is the first year in a long time that I won’t be in the Lone Star State over the holidays. If I can’t have a humid Gulf Coast breeze, a deep-fried Cajun turkey and the promise of post-Christmas sales at Houston’s Galleria Mall, I’ll at least keep the memories of past holidays close to my heart with this gold Texas pendant necklace.
Minor Obsessions gold Texas pendant necklace ($330, barneys.com)
TO GIVE:
Speaking of cross-border shopping, my sister will also be devastated to miss out on all the post-Christmas sales this year. But I hope this sparkling bracelet from J.Crew will do the trick to cheer her up. It suits her style perfectly and, um, what sister doesn’t like to give a gift that she could eventually borrow back to wear for a special occasion?
J.Crew Fall Floral crystal bracelet ($118, jcrew.com)
TO RECEIVE:
I just found a bunch of my parents’ old records (Lionel Richie! Johnnie Mathis!). My current player is on its last legs, so I need a new one and this is it.
Spinnerette turntable ($183, amazon.ca)
TO GIVE:
There’s a story in our Winter issue about Makeup PDAs (public displays of application). We featured one of Estée Lauder’s gorgeous limited edition compacts as proof that some things are just made to be shown off. I like this one with a reptile print and pressed powder inside.
Year of the Snake with Lucidity powder ($80, thebay.com)
TO RECEIVE:
Mark Cross Grace trunk bag. To me, this small case is the height of chic: a simple yet elegant design paired with gold hardware. Grace Kelly carried a version of this box bag in the 1954 Hitchcock film, Rear Window. Does it get any better?
Mark Cross trunk bag ($1,695, 77 Yorkville, 416-967-7700)
TO GIVE:
Links of London FEED green leaf cord bracelet. These bracelets are ideal for layering with other pieces and proceeds help the victims of Hurricane Sandy. A fashionable gift that gives back? That’s the true spirit of the season.
Links of London FEED bracelet ($145, feedprojects.com)
TO RECEIVE:
I was always told that I couldn’t wear gold jewellery (my skin tone makes me a silver girl), but the gold bangle I click on every morning says otherwise. I spied this Repossi ring at Colette and fell in love with the bold, minimal design. No stacking required. It’s a splurge, but I’ve been very very good this year.
Repossi rose gold diamond seven row Berbere ring ($15,875, barneys.com)
TO GIVE:
It’s the gift that keeps on giving. I love that gifting a pair of retro-inspired shades from Toms also helps someone in need.
Toms Lobamba polarized sunglasses ($180, toms.ca)
TO RECEIVE:
This was easy. A bag. My criteria: No bling, no grommets, no crazy color (an offence I often commit). And it has to be big enough to carry stories, and have a cross-body strap for hands-free moments with my small beasts. I want the Rag & Bone, Large Pilot in Black!
Rag & Bone bag ($895, rag-bone.com)
TO GIVE:
My husband has a shoe thing. He recently texted me pictures of the Hannen boot by Uggs because the boots, “look warm.” I know it’s just because he likes them. My husband is such a reserved guy who hates attention and rarely asks for anything. Will I fulfill my wifely duty?
Uggs Hannen boot ($375, uggaustralia.ca)
TO RECEIVE:
I’ve been cyber stalking this chunky lovely by Yves Saint Laurent for way too long now. It’s time to put a ring on it, Santa!
Yves Saint Laurent ring ($305, ssense.com)
TO GIVE:
Anyone who’s ever seen my phone knows I’m a big believer in a flashy case. My best friend is a librarian and major word nerd who would love this crossword puzzle version by Kate Spade.
Kate Spade iPhone case ($40, shop.nordstrom.com)
TO RECEIVE:
Roots quilted leather varsity jacket. I fell in love with this jacket when I saw it at the Roots media preview several months ago. After having had it in our fashion closet my desire for it has only gotten stronger. The leather is super soft and I think the quilting is a great update to the varsity trend.
Roots quilted leather varsity jacket ($568, canada.roots.com)
TO GIVE:
One of my favourite stores in New York is Fishs Eddy. The store is overflowing with fun dishes and accessories. They carry a variety of colors, patterns and themes that are quite reasonably priced. I love the idea of bringing sweets to a holiday party and what I consider to be one of the best hostess gifts is a great piece of glassware to leave behind.
Cake stand ($100, fishseddy.com)
TO RECEIVE:
Givenchy Studded Strap High Tops. They’re high tops and they’re Givenchy. I want them.
Givenchy studded strap high tops ($685, barneys.com)
TO GIVE:
Art rental from the AGO. Instead of renting a gown or bag for a week, I’d rather give a loved one the chance to accessorize their homes with a gorgeous piece of artwork that may be out of their budget, but can easily be rented out for a month or two.
AGO art rental (starting at $20 per month, ago.net)
TO RECEIVE:
After meeting German street-artist Slurg at a recent show, and seeing his work up close, my ideal Christmas gift would be one of his original paintings. I’m always hunting for new ways to fill my walls, and the little monsters he creates are the definition of creepy-cute. In fact, there was a neon orange piece at the exhibit that I would happily give a permanent home.
Slurg art (starting at $55, slurg.de)
TO GIVE:
I love Canadian ex-pat illustrator Caleigh Illerbrun’s wonderfully detailed animal motifs. This Christmas I’d like to add a little burst of awesome to everyone’s home furnishings with a set of her coasters, or owl nesting dolls.
Set of 4 coasters ($25, facebook.com/caleighill.art)
Owl nesting dolls (contact for price, caleigh-ill.com)
