Christmas gift ideas, staff picks: What our editors are giving and getting
No one says holiday shopping is easy. Sure, it’s a joyous pastime, but when you’re getting around to buying the 10th, 11th, 12th gift, the creative juices start to run low. So if you’re having trouble thinking of what to give to your loved ones or what to put on your own wish list, fret not. The FASHION staff is here to answer your gift-giving woes. From editor-approved winter accessories and tech gadgets to lol-worthy lapel pins for the bestie, we’re sharing our gift list with you because we’re helpful like that. Flip through our Christmas picks to get inspired and/or steal a gift idea. We promise we won’t tell.
Bernadette Morra, editor-in-chief
What I want to get:
Looking cool in the cold is a constant challenge. I feel like this Stella McCartney black wool beret will give me a fighting chance. I love its off-kilter asymmetry and that it is clean and architectural but quirky at the same time. And since I don’t plan on getting a new winter coat this year, this should update everything in my hall closet.
Stella McCartney Beret ($310, ssense.com)
What I want to give:
I met Far & Wide Collective founder Hedwig Alexander at a dinner party and was so impressed with her dedication to helping artisans in challenged places like Afghanistan, Swaziland and Peru. These earrings were made by Javid Noor, who learned jewellery-making from his father as a teenager in Kabul. The family fled to Pakistan but returned after the fall of the Taliban. They have since established one of the best-equipped jewellery workshops in Afghanistan.
Javid Noor Peridot Earrings ($120, farandwidecollective.com)
Caitlan Moneta, fashion market editor
What I want to get:
Fresh off a trip to Tokyo, I’m inspired to own my own set of chopsticks, but determined to banish the wooden pull-apart versions to the back of the drawer. This set of lacquered rainbow ones are the perfect foil to my clean-lined kitchen and will remind me of city’s bright lights every time I order takeout sushi on Netflix nights.
Rainbow Chopsticks Set ($35, momastore.org)
What I want to give:
I spied these little guys at the Hudson’s Bay holiday preview back in July and knew they’d be my go-to gift. For an art lover, the puffed up puppies would look just as good hung as an ornament from an haute holiday tree as they would peeking out from the shelf of a curated bookcase.
Christmas Street Glass Balloon Dog Ornament ($10, thebay.com)
Emilie Dingfeld, copy and health editor
What I want to get:
Having just bought a house—an old one—I’m working toward filling it with a mix of old and new things to strike that perfect balance. I’ve been checking out this lamp from CB2 for months now—the hit of copper would look great against my wooden walls, beams and floors. It would make pre-bed reading a dream.
Copper Arc Table Lamp ($70, cb2.com)
What I want to give:
As the years pass, I find I have more and more difficulty choosing a material item for someone—it seems I’ve exhausted the good ideas. Either I can’t figure out the size, the style or if he/she has already read that book. So I’d like to give my family or friends a weekend away this year. One of the options on the table is the Drake Devonshire Inn. I’ve yet to go to Prince Edward County, but I trust the countless rave reviews.
Drake Devonshire Inn Rise & Shine Package ($259, drakedevonshire.com)
Randi Bergman, executive digital editor
What I want to get:
My bestie is getting married next year, which means I’ll be her indentured slave for the foreseeable future. I hope she sucks up to me with things that signify our unbreakable bond, like this.
Sara M. Lyons Best Buds Enamel Pin Set ($12, saramlyons.myshopify.com)
What I want to give:
My other bestie and I are hitting the desert for the holidays, roadtripping through Nevada, Arizona and California—essentially living the dream. I got her this little lapel pin (plus a few other trinkets) to signify my ideal mind-frame during our time away.
Explorer’s Lost At Last Lapel Pin ($5, explorespress.com)
Elio Iannacci, features editor
What I want to get:
Nothing beats Italian design in my books. These two-toned, ’80s-inspired kicks from Diadora are the sneaks of my dreams. Size 7 ½ svp.
Diadora Titan II Sneakers ($121, diadora.com)
What I want to give:
This painting by Paul P—someone I consider to be a masterful artist and one of the most interesting people on the planet. This York University graduate grew up in Brampton, moved to Paris and went on to inspire Hedi Slimane during his Dior heyday. P has had work displayed at the Whitney Biennial, the Museum of Modern Art and the Art Gallery of Ontario.
Paul P painting (Price upon request, scrapmetalgallery.com)
Souzan Michael, associate digital editor
What I want to get:
No one hates winter more than I do. I’m so mopey and annoying when I’m cold, so this faux fur blanket from Urban Outfitters would be the perfect thing to keep me quiet and happy all season long.
Urban Outfitters Faux Lamb Fur Throw Blanket ($200, urbanoutfitters.com)
What I want to give:
I have this Escents aroma diffuser in my kitchen and I want to gift one to everyone I know. You add water and a few drops of essential oils to it (like peppermint, Ylang Ylang, and rosemary) and in a few minutes, you’re totally relaxed and your house smells like a yoga studio. Even the most anxiety-ridden people (hello!) can’t help but become totally chill when this thing’s on.
Escents Aromatherapy Aura Ceramic Aroma Diffuser ($85, escentsaromatherapy.com)
Lesa Hannah, beauty director
What I want to get:
I LIVE for old man style PJs and I can’t for the life of me understand why there continues to be such a dearth of them available for women. Why only pyjama pant bottoms everywhere, why? My current pair from J.Crew are in a well-worn and frayed state so these ones will do quite nicely to replace them.
J.Crew Cotton Textured-Dot Sleep Set ($128, jcrew.com)
What I want to give:
I have a ton of kids on my list to buy for and given that they’ll all be showered in toys from everyone else, I feel it is my duty to keep building up their libraries, so I only buy books. This year the 3-7 year olds will receive Turn Off That Light!, an interactive story about a hedgehog who keeps getting woken up by the act of the pages being turned. Full disclosure: It was written by my husband, which will make it more fun to give.
Turn Off That Light! by John Crossingham ($16, amazon.ca)
Renee Tse, online contributor
What I want to get:
Everyone within my circle of friends and family knows I love documenting my life (read: food) on Instagram. Though all my photos are digitally available till the end of time, with this portable printer, I can now print my fave shots in tangible form on the regular.
Fujifilm Instax Share Smartphone Printer ($172,amazon.ca)
What I want to give:
My sister and I love watching K-dramas on our smartphones when we’re on the go. This year, I thought I upgrade the size of her screen with the latest Samsung Galaxy tablet. It’s also super light, which means it won’t strain her arm when she’s holding it for the two of us during show time. ;)
Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 ($500, bestbuy.ca)
Eliza Grossman, associate fashion editor
What I want to get:
Some say if you say something out loud or put it in writing it is more likely to happen. Well here I am putting it out there and “it” is the Fendi Peekaboo. I’ve been eyeing this bag since I spotted it in the window of the Fendi shop in Rome. The quirky interior puts a fun spin on a super classic shape.
Fendi Regular Peekaboo (Price upon request, fendi.com)
What I want to give:
My older sister is expecting and I couldn’t be more excited to be a first-time Aunt. All gifts that come to mind are directed toward my sister, brother-in-law and the little human that will soon be crashing all family events. While baby’s arrival isn’t anticipated until late March I’m hoping to start collecting Miroslav Sasek’s city books for our family’s new addition. FASHION‘s beauty editor Sarah Daniel introduced me to this series that has awesome facts and bright illustrations that will hopefully inspire a lifetime of adventure and travel for my soon-to-be niece.
This is New York by Miroslav Sasek ($19, chapters.indigo.ca)
Erin Reynolds, photo editor
What I want to get:
I’m a little late to the COS game, but this line was made of me. Boxy, shapeless silhouettes and mostly neutrals, how can a girl go wrong? I’m especially lusting after this piece, which reminds me of a similar piece from The Row (but at a fraction of the price).
COS Long Blazer Dress ($135, cosstores.com)
What I want to give:
I would love to give my husband some really beautiful shoes for work. He’s been after a pair of custom made shoes from Peter Feeney for years. You make an appointment, get sized, pick out your stuff and then months later you get your shoes, and he keeps your foot mold on file for when you want to order another pair.
Peter Feeney Bespoke Shoes (Price upon request, peterfeeney.ca)
Sarah Casselman, senior editor, fashion news
What I want to get:
This year I want to get some family time on Nantucket for next summer. The beach, the seafood, early morning walks—happiness is spending time on this magical island with my two favourite guys. Family traditions are good for the soul.
What I want to give:
I want to give The Smiths final studio album, Strangeways, Here We Come, to my husband (who grew up on a steady diet of Morrissey and Johnny Marr.) Nowadays we rock out to “The Wheels On the Bus,” so this gift means he can crank things up old school on a late night grocery run.
The Smiths Strangeways, Here We Come ($15, amazon.ca)
Jacquelyn Francis, executive editor
What I want to get:
I tried, I really tried. But I’m giving up on the digital calendar and the trail of missed appointments and events of the last few years. I’m hopeful my sons will pool their nickels and dimes together to invite me back to the world of paper with this Moleskine day planner.
Moleskine 12 Months Weekly Notebook ($18, store.moleskine.com)
What I want to give:
My husband is having his 90-year old Uncle’s navy blue full-length cashmere coat shortened to the knee. It’s a beautiful piece that deserves a second life. I’d like to take my man to Burberry’s Scarf Bar to pick out a scarf to match.
Burberry Classic Cashmere Scarf ($550, ca.burberry.com)
D’Loraine Miranda, assistant editor/research
What I want to get:
There’s not much I want besides a Lover crewneck by Bianca Chandon (a brand founded by skateboarder Alex Olson). It’s simple, practical (ugh, winter!) and has a charming ’70s feel to it. One problem though: It’s out of production and difficult to find—it was part of the Spring 2015 collection. So if you’re looking to get me a gift I suggest you start your search now!
Bianca Chandon Lover Crewneck Sweater ($300, ebay.ca)
What I want to give:
Pintrill makes these quirky and adorable emoji/meme enamel pins that are sure to elicit real life LOLs. I’d love to give my closest friends a pin most relevant to them, because who doesn’t love a gift with an inside-joke behind it?
Pintrill Me Rn Pin ($12, pintrill.com)
Sarah Daniel, beauty editor
What I want to get:
Charlotte Rampling’s Qui Je Suis: It’s only available in French, so part deux to this gift: lessons at Alliance Française.
Qui Je Suis by Charlotte Rampling ($22, amazon.ca)
What I want to give:
The briefcase my husband currently carries is looking pretty sketchy, probably because I bought it for him over a decade ago. This one is compact, but roomy enough to fit the files he’s always lugging home.
Lotuff Wells Bridle Leather Briefcase ($980, mrporter.com)
Brian Fleming, associate art director
What I want to get:
No matter how many stars or glowing reviews I read about restaurants online I still always have my doubts. So this year I am asking for a restaurant gift card personally recommended by my friends and family members to places they have previously enjoyed, preferably not a chain.
(Many smaller restaurants sell gift cards in store, not online. Reservations can be made through Open Table or Bookenda)
What I want to give:
This year I will be giving Accentuate, a hilarious card game where you chose two cards, a quote you must read aloud and the other, the accent you will be using. Your teammate then has 30 seconds to guess the accent and the rest of the night to mock you relentlessly.
Firebox ‘Accentuate’ ($40, firebox.com)
Nicole Schaeffer, associate designer
What I want to get:
Because even a glass of water becomes fancy when you drink it out of a coupe! (Which I would. Every day.)
Williams Sonoma Gold Rim Coupe Glasses, Set of 4 ($100, williams-sonoma.com)
What I want to give:
A few months ago my boyfriend declared that he was up to the challenge of finishing Infinite Jest—I’ve decided to call his bluff and give it to him for the holidays. Will report back next year on how it’s going.
Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace ($18, chapters.indigo.ca)
Briana Mirabelli, art director
What I want to get:
I am in need of a phone upgrade. I am an Apple girl all the way, so the iPhone 6s is the way to go. I see this as a practical gift, at least that is how I will spin it when asking my husband for it.
Apple iPhone 6s (from $769, apple.ca)
What I want to give:
My niece was recently diagnosed with Autism. After many years of our family struggling to understand her behaviours, the diagnosis actually came as a relief. This year I am giving these necklaces from No72 Jewelry Partners with Autism Canada. Proceeds from the sale are donated to the Autism Canada Fund.
No 72 x Autism Canada Gold Puzzle Pendant ($299, no72jewelry.com)
