The holiday season is fast approaching and as our calendars fill with Christmas soirées and family gatherings, we quickly learn to appreciate the term ‘precious’ time. Christmas is the perfect occasion to express gratitude—to you, yours and our planet. In the event that you’re rushing to fill stockings and find ingenious hostess gifts, I’ve gathered a few little luxuries to ensure your holiday is as mindful as it is heartfelt. From stylishly minimalistic décor to conscious tokens of appreciation, make every act one that’s thoughtful with our green holiday guide.
Love,
LH
Above photo credit: huset-shop.com/designblog
1. Gift You First: Stubbs & Wootton Bespoke Slipper, $900.
These royal slippers are the epitome of self-love if you ask me. There’s a number of custom options to make these Stubbs & Wootton babies your own, but I prefer handcrafted leather-lined in Parisian Blue velvet, fuchsia grosgrain trim and a hand-stitched 18-carat gold wire monogram. It’s a personal gift that will keep you walking on cloud nine when the unavoidable stresses of the holidays creep in. You know who they are. Bespoke orders take 8-10 weeks for delivery.
2. Style It Minimal: Aaron R. Thomas handmade acrylic Christmas trees, for sales inquiries email info@designlush.com.
Forego the typical holiday green without losing the sentiment of Christmas cheer. These handmade acrylic Christmas trees let you make an artistic statement without saying a word. Crafted by Aaron R. Thomas—artist and designer to luxe-brands like Louis Vuitton, Ralph Lauren, Mulberry and Mercedes-Benz—these centerpieces articulate a merry modern vibe that’s clean and simple. Just like the rest of your style. Available styles: clear acrylic rod, wintergreen pine acrylic rod and Bionic LED cut-out (available with or without LED lights in clear or color acrylic sheeting cut-outs). Orders must be received by Nov. 24th to guarantee Holiday delivery. Email info@designlush.com.
3. Gifts That Truly Give: Souda Kawa Gold Bowl, $445, and SmartKlean laundry ball, $45.
Extend thanks to gracious hostesses with a gift that saves them from buying laundry detergent and supports our homegrown design community.
The SmartKlean laundry ball physically cleans fabrics (rather than the conventional chemical process of detergents) by a potent cocktail of mineral-derived ceramic beads and magnets. The power-packed bullet creates ‘oxygenated’ water with an increased pH level that actually kills germs and bacteria. The results are clean clothes without toxic chemicals that harm you or the environment and major savings—I’ve tried and tested it for six-months and I’m sort of obsessed. I suggest stocking up on a few as last minute gifts.
Souda (Japanese for “ Oh, yeah!”) is a collective of Parsons School of Design graduates that designs and manufactures furniture, lighting and home décor in New York City. The organic beauty of this porcelain Kawa Gold Bowl gets a luxe-glam finish and pairs perfectly with the SmartKlean laundry ball for a gift that will have them raving long after the party.
4. Vintage Renewed: Terrain Vintage Textile Handbag, $398.
Give something old (vintage fabric up to a century old) that’s been recreated into something new—a one-of-a-kind handcrafted handbag with leather accents. Perfect for toting around town and weekenders this go-anywhere Terrain Vintage Textile Handbag is one of those items you never knew you needed.
5. Create new traditions: The Ensaymada Project, $26-28 for a box of assorted flavors.
Traditional Filipino Christmas feasts are usually celebrated with ensaymadas—a fluffy, buttery pastry (think Brioche meets Asian bakery in cupcake size) topped with butter, finely grated queso de bola (aged Edam cheese) and sugar. Two former Pennisula Hotel chefs and their wives have formed The Ensaymada Project—delivering fresh, handmade ensaymadas with a modern twist. Flavors like Red Velvet, Peppermint Chocolate, Maple Bacon and Peanut Butter Chocolate means there’s a variety for everyone at your table.
6. DIY Gift: DIY Gold Leaf Paper Mâché Bowls from Kelli Murray’s Blog.
Sometimes the greatest gift you can give is that of your time—expressed here through the crafting of these gorgeous gold leaf paper mâché bowls taught by Kelli Murray. Her delightful blog has archives of DIY projects worth every moment of that precious time of yours and will surely be cherished by those on the receiving end.
7. That’s A Wrap! Noon Design Studio Indigo Dye Kit, $38-42.
An ancient plant-derived dye, Indigo is harvested by soaking leaves in water and extracting the chemical released in the water to make the dye. Get everything you need to start playing with these Indigo Dye Kits. Using the ancient Japanese technique of shibori; folding, binding, compressing and twisting fabrics in indigo dye to create one-of-a-kind designs, your all-natural gift wrapping can be repurposed as kitchen towels afterward.
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