Role Models for Future Homosexuals of America

• Charley Soderbergh

I remember seeing Rex Reed on a TV talk show, his legs crossed, and an elbow propped on the arm of the chair. His hand would sometimes gesture, and other times cradle his chin when he listened. I must have been 9 or 10.

There weren’t many role models for FHA’s (Future Homosexuals of America) in the 1970’s, outside of camp comedians like Paul Lynde, Charles Nelson Reilly, Rip Taylor. They were full of snark, confetti and exaggerated laughs. Rex’s brand was different, cool. Measured. As if he knew something—not just film and literature, but people. He had all the cards and held them close to his natty suit. 

I always wished I’d had a chance to meet him and chat about the things we had in common: Going to LSU, writing movie reviews for The Daily Reveille (my notables were Hairspray and Moonstruck) and being a gay Libra in that sultry, conservative atmosphere—albeit 30 years apart.

I can imagine myself genuflecting next to his chair, and his expressive eyes saying, “What on earth?” Rest in peace, Rex. There was no one like you. 

A Fight About When World War II Started

• Marcia Froelke Coburn

I met Rex when I was in college in Chicago, dreaming about becoming a feature writer, and he was in town promoting a book (his collection of movies and TV shows, Big Screen, Little Screen). It was 1970 or 1971. He was encouraging, and we kept in touch. He had a tremendous influence on me and my writing. I was a kid with a dream, and he took me seriously. He listened to everything.

I have wonderful memories of spending time with Rex at Cannes and in Toronto. I spent a week or so with him in New York and then at his house in Connecticut, reading his draft Personal Effects. I had a few suggestions he liked and a few more he hated. We got into a huge fight about when World War II started. It was before the internet, so we both just dug in on our differing opinions. (I was thrilled when he dedicated the book to me.)

When I was in town with others on the staff of Chicago Magazine for the National Magazine Awards, Rex joined us for a celebratory drink after we won. It was a dream come true; the man who encouraged me and listened to me when I was just a kid was there, celebrating me.

A few years ago, I was in NYC for a quick turnaround trip, and we were supposed to get together for dinner. But a ferocious thunderstorm blew in, and he didn’t want to drive from Connecticut (and I didn’t blame him), so we spent a few hours on the phone and then I was gone the next day. We didn’t have another opportunity to see each other after that. I regret it so much.

Insane Demands Aboard the Ship

• Barry Avrich

In 2012, Rex Reed was a guest critic and programmer on a 10-day Floating Film Festival on a luxury cruise liner. Rex had been campaigning for years to come and was envious of Roger Ebert, who had been joining us for years.

I could not have prepared enough for Rex’s insane demands once he boarded the ship. It would have been easier to book Marlene Dietrich.

Rex required a fax machine, 12 cases of distilled water, a purser to steam his shirts daily and wood hangers, preferably cedar. His job was to introduce a few films and then pay tribute to Richard Benjamin and his wife, Paula Prentiss.

No one ever saw Rex during the day; he was too busy faxing reviews to Observer. At night, he was on parade, dressed in a tailored, nautical blue jacket with monogrammed brass buttons, a silk pocket puff and pressed white or blue pants. He held court and told old Hollywood stories.

The day of the Benjamin tribute, I asked if he needed notes, and he scolded me: “Rex Reed does not need notes.” An hour before the tribute, he demanded notes. He took them from me without a thank you, as if I were a cabin boy delivering his pants.

Rex was a talented pain in the ass. He will be missed by many people, with the exception of a certain ship’s staff and a handful of directors, I’m sure.                                                 

Happiness for Momma

• Adrianna de Madriguera

My momma was Regina Santos, an amazing woman who came to this country from Brasil. She worked hard supporting two households—here and in Brasil—as a single mother of three. She deserved so much better in her life. But through everything, she was smart and loving and well-read.

I have fond memories of my momma reading columns by Rex Reed, Liz Smith, Suzy and Cindy Adams. New York City icons.
When I got older, I read them too. He brought my momma much happiness, laughter and light. I thank him a million times for that. 

I read about his passing this morning. Mr. Reed is one of a small group of people from my youth who will always have a very special place in my heart. He will be missed in so many ways. He brought smiles and giggles. Class and camp. 

The Consummate Southern Gentleman

• Dixie Whatley

I had the incomparable honor of working alongside Rex Reed for two years. We were “battling critics” on At the Movies, one of Siskel and Ebert’s discarded shows. If you know anything about Rex, you might assume my job was a hopeless task. How does one take on perhaps the most acerbic, witty, quick and apparently rude critic on television? You revel in it. You revel in Rex.
 
I was honored to be on the same show with this wonderful man. He was the consummate southern gentleman. I’ve worked with some major jerks in the television business, but Rex was a dream. Certainly, we disagreed many times. We looked at film from different perspectives. I bowed to Rex’s knowledge and cleverness, and, of course, snarky remarks.  
 
“I love Isabella Rossellini in this movie, but someone please tell her to shave her pits.”
 
“Oh, Rex!”
 
How do you not laugh? 
 
He never put me down or showed the least disrespect. “Dixie, my dear, I don’t agree with that,” was as harsh as it got. Too many people on TV have to have the last word, the last smart remark, the last pithy put-down. Rex, the king of pithy put-downs, never once aimed one at me personally.
 
We once got into a showdown with the producer. He wanted us to end a holiday show with “Merry Christmas.” We both preferred “Happy Holidays” to be more inclusive. The producer went into a rant.
 
“This is a Christian show!”
 
Huh? How? Why?
 
Rex got a look in his eyes I’d never seen. After stopping tape three times, the producer finally understood that what came out of Rex’s mouth was what he wanted to say. Period. End of discussion. 
 
He gave me a crystal bird for Christmas. I quilted him a pillow of his house. His smile could melt a room.
 
I stayed with him at the Dakota in New York City, while we jammed four film screenings into one day. I’d gone to a Central Park concert with my agent and a company executive, and made my agent swear he wouldn’t leave us. He left us. The exec walked me back to Rex’s, insisted on going up the elevator with me, and, outside Rex’s door, tried to wrestle me into a kiss. Just as it got really, really awkward, Rex threw open the door, with, “There you are! I was starting to worry!”  
 
He’d been watching through the spy hole. 
 
We laughed and laughed.

So, You Want to Be Rex Reed?

• Charles McNulty

Early in my tenure as the Los Angeles Times theater critic, I was making a trip back to New York to catch up with the Broadway season. A woman seated next to me on the flight, unfazed by the book I was hiding behind, asked what I did for a living. Upon finding out, she confidently remarked, “So, let me guess. You want to be the next Rex Reed and review movies one day?”

I did what I usually do in those awkward social exchanges and laughed exuberantly in ambiguous agreement. I didn’t feel the need to explain that theater wasn’t a stepping stone to a higher-profile beat for me. Nor did I wish to admit that I hadn’t Reed’s gift for public gab or his fluency in so many disparate realms of entertainment.

There was a reason he came to represent the figure of the taste-maker in public consciousness. He revealed himself to his readers through the vibrant force of his likes and dislikes, but most of all, he transmitted his passion for great talent to them, and they never forgot the treasures he led them to discover.

Small, Sweet Memories

• William Kapfer

Rex was an incredible baker. He made a truly mean lemon icebox pie with a Nilla Wafer crust and genuinely loved the whole baking experience. The best part was always a day later, after the pie had settled. We’d have a slice with a cup of International Coffee (three scoops).

I’ll never forget going with him to the Orange County Fair one year to buy the blue-ribbon-winning blueberry pie. We stood waiting until 4:01 p.m. because the women guarding those pies were absolutely not going to let us buy one a minute early.  

It’s those small, sweet memories.

His curiosity, patience, humor and appreciation for life’s little pleasures were wrapped into moments like that.

For the rest of my life, every time I order dessert, a part of me is going to think about Rex.

“You have a tremendous talent for knifing your way into the dark recesses of the human heart.”

• PJ Castellaneta

In the early 1990s, I wrote and directed a no-budget film, and Mr. Reed hand-wrote me this lovely note. Although I never had the film career I had hoped for (I was told years later that I was just too openly gay and normal and didn’t indulge in any of the Mary, Monster or Martyr tripe that was standard at the time), I believe this film and my following film in 1998 helped pave the way for others. It was the rare encouragement I received from people like Mr. Reed that kept me going, and for that I will always be grateful. He will be sorely missed.

Lyrics as They Were Meant to Be

• Harvey Granat

Rex joined me as my special guest for two programs in a series I hosted at 92Y, over a 10-year period.

At the first, a Jerome Kern tribute, he sheepishly asked if he could sing a couple of songs. He sent me a short list of the last songs Kern wrote, and I had my musical director ready for him. His voice was lovely and sincere. He delivered the lyrics as they were meant to be sung.

The second program, a tribute to Fred Astaire, turned out to be one my audience would long remember. Rex told the story of attending the Cannes Film Festival with a planeload of Hollywood stars. At the opening-night dinner, he was seated at a table full of major celebrities, including Fred Astaire. There was music playing, and people were dancing. 

Rex turned to Astaire and told him he had always dreamed of dancing with him. At this, Astaire rose from his seat, took Rex by the hand and onto the dance floor, and made his dream come true. All the stars applauded.

When Rex Approached

• Matt Polk

As a young press agent, it felt significant when I saw Rex walking towards us to collect his theater tickets. He was a legend.

He’s Sleeping

• F. Thomas Simpson

My husband, Stefan Fauble, was very close to “Uncle” Rex. He always had a story in the chamber, didn’t he? We were heartbroken to hear the news this morning. We had just seen him last fall and were looking forward to seeing him again this July—although we did have a sense he was near the end when our last three calls were answered with “he’s sleeping.” 

Hunting Up ‘Rex Stuff’

• Glen Kelly

I had friends who knew him, and they brought him over to my apartment maybe six months ago. He was clearly not very well. We watched Member Of The Wedding, one of his favorite movies. Afterward, we hunted up Rex Reed stuff on YouTube. He was astonished; I don’t think he had ever seen YouTube.

He was fun, though irascible. He would make claims that we sort of assumed he made up, like telling us he was with Yoko when John Lennon was shot. Once, he told us that Judy Garland had interviewed him on TV. While on YouTube, we found a show where Judy was sitting in for someone, maybe Merv Griffin, and Rex Reed was indeed interviewed by her.

I’m not positive that it was Merv Griffin that Garland was subbing for. It could have been Jack Paar or someone else. The basic idea is true, however.

“The bulk of Redditors are the unconscious stepchildren of Reed.”

• r/movies

There’s gotta be some irony to the fact that this thread is littered with caustic and lazy one-liners, the very sort of comments Rex Reed himself was accused of launching in his columns. The fact is that the bulk of Redditors are the unconscious stepchildren of Reed. If there’s an afterlife and Reed is perusing the reactions to his death, he’s probably laughing.

It’s sad; movie criticism feels a lot less fun without personalities like Rex Reed around, even when you completely disagreed with him.

The Accurate Version

• Suzanne G

I’ve loved that guy for more than 50 years (since my teens), and I’ve hated the way he’s been diminished to a caricature too often in recent years. You confirmed that my cherished version of him is the accurate one. 

Clark Gable Left Out in the Sun

• Kim Onder

I fell in love with Rex when he wrote that Charles Bronson was “Clark Gable left out in the sun too long.” I’d give anything to write as he did. If that’s not possible, I’d just like to have his dimples.

Rex in Bermuda

• Peter Rainer

Rex was a colleague for many decades in the movie critic biz. I started out at Mademoiselle magazine in 1974 and proceeded as film critic for the LA Times, New York magazine and, for the past 20 years, the Christian Science Monitor and the NPR affiliate here in LA.

I was on a festival jury with him (Bermuda’s fifth International Film Festival) in 2002, and he was not amused by the festivities. I have very fond memories of Rex, particularly during that Bermuda sojourn, when he was in top curmudgeonly form. “Rex in Bermuda” would make a terrific comic one-act or movie. 

I always enjoyed seeing him at screenings and at TIFF, and sadly noted his absence there last fall.

Assumed New Yorker

• David Sweet

I was first introduced to his writing in The New Journalism, which included his famous Ava Gardner profile. For many years, he wrote movie reviews for The North Shore Weekend, a publication I helped start outside Chicago.

Until today, I assumed he was a lifelong New Yorker. I had no idea he was from the South.

When I lived on 75th and 3rd from 1996 to 2003 and worked mainly at WSJ.com, I loved the New York Observer (which was pink if memory serves). I’m glad to know it lives on.

Does This Make Sense?

• Frank Santore

As a Baby Boomer/Generation Jones member who always saw him on television, here is what I believe about Rex Reed: He was the Samuel Pepys of our time, without the self- loathing.

Does this make sense?

Time Did Not Heal His Rage

• Shinan Govani

To mourn Rex Reed is to mourn an entirely lost age of conversation and longing, re: the world of cinema. When the stars were bigger, yada yada. After Pauline Kael. And before Siskel and Ebert, he was the very personification of that thing that doesn’t exist anymore: the film critic known to the general public. As evidenced by the fact that he even appeared as himself in 1978’s Superman, one of the earliest blockbusters.

When he was bad, he was good. And when he was worse…he was incorrigible! His razor-bladed reviews in the Observer stood out to me, for sure, when I started reading him in the ‘90s whilst living in NYC. I continued to seek him—and the paper—out when I returned to my home in Toronto; no small feat finding a copy of the salmon-hued paper then in Canada.

Later, I got to know him a bit when he would appear, on cue, at the big Film Festival in Toronto every year. He did not disappoint. Decades later, he was still kvetching about the injustice of Elizabeth Taylor winning an Oscar for Butterfield 8. Time did not heal his rage.

Snarky Barbs on ‘The Gong Show’

• Paul D. Meehan

I thought of Rex Reed the other day. The day before he died, oddly, I sent him the following note, which bounced back.

May 11, 2026
Mr. Reed,  
I hope this finds you well. As children growing up in the suburbs of New England in the 1970’s, with television content limited to three to four channels, my brother and I distinctly recall your snarky barbs on The Gong Show. We both pointed at the screen when we recognized you in Superman. And many years later, when you walked past us as we dined outdoors in Newport, RI.  

Thanks for the memories.

Perception So Unique

• Adrienne Merrill

I did not know Rex Reed personally, but I had the opportunity to exchange a handful of wonderful emails with him from my home in Los Angeles. I had always wanted to tell him his books, profiles and reviews hold a special place and that I first discovered him in the high school library in the 70’s. My mom also loved Rex Reed and enjoyed his late-night TV appearances. His wit and perception of a subject were so unique that his opinions could never be confused with those of another reviewer. 

Rex was generous, funny and thoughtful to a longtime reader and someone outside of publishing or journalism. His kindness will stay with me always. He was America’s greatest critic.

Someone We Relied On

• David Bass

I grew up with Rex Reed as a critic in NYC. My mother was a well-known community theater director on Long Island.

Rex was always someone we relied on for his candid reviews.

Would You Please Put a Tracer on It?

• Ken Kurson

He was a giant character, a peerless storyteller and a quintessential New Yorker. All three of those traits sometimes obscured that he was often a very insightful critic and occasionally an excellent writer.

When I first fell in love with Kaplan’s New York Observer in the 90s, Rex reviewed half the films and Andrew Sarris the other half. My goodness, what a team. And then 20 years later, I became Rex’s editor when I was named editor in chief of the Observer and he was still lingering around, still vinegary, still capable of a 3-hour lunch on Broadway with Drew Grant and me dangling for details of stories about Rock Hudson and whoever. I had come of age in awe of Rex Reed, as befits any writer anthologized in The New Journalism.

I called Rex during my first week to introduce myself and ask for his address so I could send him a coveted Observer t-shirt. I mentioned that I had recently rewatched Lost in America and loved his part in it—the film begins with a minute-long segment of Rex being interviewed. He corrected me that it wasn’t a “part”—it was just a voiceover of tape of him on Larry King. He was snotty about it and clearly expected me to last six months. I loved it.

Five weeks into my tenure, Rex’s review of Identity Thief referred to Melissa McCarthy as a “hippo” and “tractor sized.” These are not nice words, and worse it’s low-effort criticism. Privately, I told Rex that I was disappointed at both the cruelty and laziness of fat jokes. But I don’t cave to heckler’s vetoes. I ignored loud demands to fire him and I told The Wrap, “Rex has a right to his opinion and The New York Observer‘s smart, passionate readers have a right to disagree with his opinion.”

After 50+ years of puncturing large egos and zinging Hollywood royalty, Rex was surprised by the intensity of the backlash he faced for his misogynistic and nasty remarks. Times had changed. He didn’t want to. I understood that.
Rex appreciated that I came to his defense. A year later a mutual friend complained to him about what a jerk I am and he stuck up for me, which the friend later told me was a surprise. When he wanted to earn a few extra bucks by adding Broadway to his movie reviews, our regular theater critic Jesse Oxfeld felt Rex breathing down his neck. I was able to get Rex to back off (partially, and only for a while) because of the good will that remained from the Melissa McCarthy stuff.

Reading back through some of the great emails he sent me—from an AOL account, naturally—one of the last complained that we were taking too long to reimburse him for covering the Toronto Film Festival. “Would you please get into this personally and put a tracer on what happened?” He would have been 80 at the time.

There’s not really room for a Rex Reed anymore. No one takes three-hour lunches, and if they did, they’d be on their phone for most of it. No one cares about old Hollywood or why Ava Gardner was ethereally different from other beauties. These are sad things to lose, but this guy remained true to himself and his values the whole way. I admire it and I miss him already.

And I Knew

• Francesca

I had just pulled up the Drudge Report page and was about to click away when I caught a glimpse of that beautiful face. And I knew.

Just the other day, I checked to see if Rex had reviewed Prada 2 and realized he hadn’t reviewed anything lately. I wondered why.

I’m a full-on cinemaholic, and Rex was my ‘go to’ for honest reviews that didn’t give everything away. There are other reviewers that I’ve liked, but Rex was numero uno. He lived a full, long life.

I wish I could have run into him somewhere, just by chance. 

No!

• Joseph Manghise

I got to meet Rex at a party once. Later, I had a phone conversation with him in which I pitched a story idea. I was working as the editor of a local weekly magazine. When Rex heard what we were offering to pay him for the piece, he laughed and promptly hung up. A legend to the end.

From That Point Forward

• Tom Duquette

As a teen in the 70s, I discovered his witty and on-point movie reviews in the Daily News. 

I made a point of reading his work whenever or wherever I found it from that point forward. 

What an amazing life and career he had.

A Catalog of the Best Film Has to Offer

• Nathaniel Schachter

He was the best critic ever. I adored his reviews and agreed with the large majority. In an age of mediocre output, he was most times the only one shooting straight, not pulling any punches, and always critiquing with such cutting humor. His taste, his craft, his mental catalog of the best film has to offer, made his pieces true, honest, revealing and totally on-point. I’ll really miss his perspective and depth of film knowledge.

A Long Weekend at the Warren Street Hotel

• For the Mother Who Raised Someone with Excellent Taste

The Warren Street Hotel in Tribeca is a rare thing: a design-forward property that’s genuinely beautiful rather than just conceptually interesting. It’s also a family affair—owned by Firmdale Hotels and designed by mother-daughter duo Kit Kemp and Willow Kemp, making it a particularly fitting Mother’s Day gesture. Each of the 69 rooms and suites is individually designed with floor-to-ceiling windows, and the level of attention is evident in every detail: hand-painted folk art, layered textiles, unexpected color combinations (powder shadow blue facade, pistachio green walls, striped banquettes in the restaurant). Some suites have private terraces with views over Tribeca; all of them feel like staying inside someone’s very good idea of what a room should be. The hotel earned two Michelin Keys, and the Warren Street Bar & Restaurant holds its own as a neighborhood destination. The pastas are reliably great and hold up well to in-room dining (what a luxury), and the menu is filled with seasonal highlights, like spring beet salad and rhubarb cheesecake. Even better, the restaurant is hosting both a Mother’s Day prix-fixe ($115) and an afternoon tea ($95) on May 10. But the real gift is the long weekend itself—time spent in a space where nearly every detail has been thought through, designed by two generations of women who understand how rooms should feel.

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Flamingo Estate Spicy Strawberry Fruit Snack

• For the Mother Who Needs a Snack That Her Children Won’t Steal

Children will locate and consume every piece of candy you ever attempt to hide in your home. This is an indisputable truth. Gummy bears, jelly beans, the occasional chocolate—gone, without remorse, usually within 48 hours of acquisition. You can try desk drawers, high shelves and a system too elaborate to describe. None of it works. The Flamingo Estate Spicy Strawberry Fruit Snack is, finally, the solution. Not because it’s hidden, but because it genuinely does not appeal to a child’s palate, yet is entirely irresistible to an adult one. (Case in point: a colleague, noticing that I’d uploaded the accompanying product shot to our CMS, said, “Are you writing about those? I ate an entire jar in one sitting.”) Certified organic strawberries from Harry’s Berries, a small family farm in Oxnard that has been harvesting at peak ripeness for over 50 years, are gently dehydrated to concentrate the fruit and preserve the chew. Then a dusting of Guajillo chile from Boonville Barn Collective, a woman-owned farm in Northern California growing deeply fruity, tomato-forward chiles through organic practices. The result is sweet, tart, spicy and chewy in a sequence that keeps arriving—nature’s candy, as Flamingo Estate correctly identifies it, for people who have grown past fruit snacks shaped like bears (which I, for the record, have not). At $82 for 6.5 ounces, it is not an everyday snack, but rather one you keep in a specific place for yourself and reach for when you need something small and satisfying.

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Caran d’Ache x Nina Cosford Drawing Book

• For the Mother Who Keeps a Good Pen Somewhere

Caran d’Ache has been making Swiss drawing instruments since 1915. It is a brand that serious artists and serious children share—the best possible overlap. The Nina Cosford Drawing Book A5 is a special edition collaboration with the British illustrator known for her joyful, expressive silhouettes of women in motion. The cover alone earns the $23; figures in red swimsuits tumbling across ivory in the particular loose, confident line that has made Cosford’s work so immediately recognizable and relentlessly copied. Inside, 64 pages of acid-free FSC-certified ivory paper, thick enough for both dry and wet techniques, in a lay-flat binding that opens to 180 degrees without resistance. The first two double-page spreads are printed with Cosford’s own coloring sheets, which are either a starting point or an invitation, depending on how the recipient approaches a blank page.

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Shark ChillPill™ Personal Fan and Cooling System

• For the Mother Heading Into a Summer of Sweltering Outdoor Sports

The Shark ChillPill is a cooling device that actually solves a problem—not by blowing warm air in a general direction, but through three distinct mechanisms that address heat differently, depending on the moment. Admittedly, it is a product that sounds like it’s trying too hard until you’re standing on a packed sideline in August. The three systems: a high-speed fan with 10 customizable speeds, a dry-touch evaporative mist that refreshes without soaking, and an “InstaChill Cooling Plate”—a cryo-inspired contact surface that drops skin temperature by up to 16 degrees Fahrenheit the moment it comes into contact. The last one makes believers out of skeptics. Press it to the back of the neck, the wrist, the inner arm and the relief is immediate and specific. Battery life runs up to 11 hours on low—enough for a full tournament day, a festival, or a travel day that goes sideways—and recharges in 3.5 hours via USB-C. The design is wearable, clip-on and twistable into hands-free tabletop mode, which means it works on a stroller, a stadium seat, a desk, or a shoulder strap. For the mother with soccer tournaments, baseball double-headers, outdoor graduations and every other hot-weather obligation the summer has already scheduled: she should not have to suffer through any of it.

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The Jacket Maker ‘Rebella’ Blue Hooded Suede Bomber

• For the Mother Who Appreciates When Something Is Made Well and Made for Her

The Jacket Maker handmakes leather and suede jackets one at a time, selling them directly to the person wearing them. The result: a fraction of what a comparable piece would cost through conventional retail, without compromising on quality. In navy blue, the brand’s hooded suede bomber becomes a wardrobe staple. The outer shell is sheepskin suede with a soft, napped finish that improves with wear; the lining is fleece, which makes the jacket genuinely warm. The hood has a drawcord, and the cuffs and hem are rib-knit. If she’s between sizes, the jackets can be made to measure for an additional $50, monogrammed for $40 more. The made-to-measure option transforms a well-made jacket into one with a level of personalization worth noting. Even with customization, the Rebella costs well below what this level of craft typically commands.

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Robert Marc ‘Silent Partner’ Sunglasses

• For the Mother Who Dresses With Precision

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Clare V. ‘Kathryn’ Handbag

• For the Mother Who Has Earned the Right to a Bag That Fits Only Her Things

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Sugoi Mart Lucky Bag

• For the Mother Who Appreciates a Good Surprise

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Imogene + Willie ‘Sports’ Tee

• For the Mother Who Has Learned to Read a Box Score Out of Love Rather Than Interest

Imogene + Willie has perfected the art of the vintage graphic tee. The Nashville-based brand’s ‘Sports’ tee was developed from original hand-drawn artwork and cut and sewn in the United States from 7-ounce 100-percent cotton midweight fabric. It is the kind of shirt that looks better the more you wear it. The word “SPORTS” arches across the chest in distressed varsity lettering, faded navy on natural cream, a specific shade of worn-in that takes decades to achieve organically and considerable craft to replicate intentionally. It does not specify which sport, which, for our purposes, is the entire point. For the mother who cheers at the right moments because she has studied when other people cheer, and who has never once asked to change the channel—this is her shirt. She can wear it to the next game with complete sincerity and absolutely no follow-up questions.

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Ninja Creami Scoop & Swirl Ice Cream Machine

• For the Mother Who Has Been the Family’s Unofficial Dessert Department for Years

The Ninja CREAMi has already achieved genuine cult status in the small appliance category, and the Scoop & Swirl, its newest iteration, moves the machine from impressive into indispensable. Where the original CREAMi produced scoopable ice cream, gelato, sorbet, frozen yogurt and milkshakes from a single frozen pint, the Scoop & Swirl adds six soft-serve programs and a swirl handle that produces the type of cone that previously required a trip to somewhere with a drive-through window. The honest case for giving this to the mother specifically is that she is the one who has been buying the ice cream, portioning the ice cream and cleaning up after the ice cream for years. This gives her control over the entire operation—what goes in, what comes out, and whether the children get sprinkles. The soft serve handle is described as “interactive and fun for all ages,” which is accurate and also means the children will do it themselves and consider it an activity.

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Elms ‘Pool’ Puzzle by Hadas Hayun

• For the Mother Who Can Tell When Something Was Made by Hand

Elms Handcut Puzzles has accumulated one of the more improbable fan bases in American craft: Will Shortz, Martha Stewart, Oprah and a collection of comedians who presumably know something about obsessive attention to detail. Founded by Betsy Stuart in 1987, Elms employs master artisans who hand-cut five-ply mahogany with delicate blades—a process that produces something categorically different from the laser-cut cardboard puzzles that constitute the rest of the market. Lasers burn through wood, leaving edges that fit loosely and feel plastic. A hand-cut Elms piece fits with such precision that you can lift a completed puzzle by one corner, and it holds together. This is not a minor distinction. Each Elms puzzle contains whimsical pieces shaped by the image itself, color-line cuts, fake corners and sculpted negative space that make the assembly mind-bendingly difficult. It is the kind of gift that gets started the same afternoon it’s unwrapped and finished sometime around midnight.

$995 | Shop Now

Umbra Stax Four-in-a-Row by Sung Wook Park

• For the Mother Who Plays to Win

The problem with most board games is that they spend eleven months in a closet. The Stax Four-in-a-Row by Umbra designer Sung Wook Park earns its place on the counter whether anyone is playing or not. Park brings an industrial designer’s rigor to familiar objects, and Connect Four proves an ideal subject. The result is a brass-finished metal frame with frosted and smoked resin discs resembling something you’d encounter in a design-forward hotel lobby. It reads as décor until someone inevitably picks it up and it becomes an actual game. For the mother who entertains, who has children who still require her attention on weeknights, or who simply appreciates when an everyday object is designed with care, this gift yields returns long after Mother’s Day has passed.

$60 | Shop Now

Carl Friedrik Aluminum Carry-On

• For the Best-Dressed Mother in the Terminal

The aluminum carry-on has always been a declaration. Carl Friedrik’s entry into the category is a cabin case forged from a specially formulated anodized aluminum alloy, engineered for a lifetime of journeys. The grooved shell and exposed steel rivets nod to mid-century travel. Crucially, Carl Friedrik takes the honest position that cosmetic wear—the subtle patina that accumulates through actual use—is not damage but a record of every journey. The functional architecture is equally deliberate: dual TSA-approved combination locks, steel-reinforced corners and hinges, an any-stop trolley system, and Hinomoto Silent Run wheels—the Japanese manufacturer that represents the gold standard in spinner technology—engineered for a quiet, effortless glide that makes every other bag in the terminal sound like construction work.

$845 | Shop Now

BonBon Swedish Candy

• For the Mother Who Deserves Something Completely Frivolous

Not every gift needs to be a statement. The BonBon Sour Mix—one pound of the top-selling sour candies from New York City’s cult Swedish candy shop—is a gift that makes a statement anyway: you know this person well enough to know she’d rather have this than a candle. BonBon was founded in 2017 by three Swedish friends who correctly identified that American candy culture had a gap in it, and that the gap was shaped like a Swedish gummy. All the candy is imported directly from Sweden, which matters not for the provenance story but for the actual texture and flavor. The sourness here is genuine and architectural, arriving in waves rather than all at once. The sour skulls alone are chewy, intensely fruity, with a coating that has no American equivalent and have been known to convert people who previously considered themselves indifferent to candy. That the mix varies bag to bag is either a design flaw or a feature, depending on your relationship with predictability. At under $30 for a pound of something genuinely delightful, it is a gift that requires no justification and produces immediate results. For the mother whose children have eaten her out of house and home all year, this one is just for her.

From $18 | Shop Now

Weezie Terry Sarong

• For the Mother Whose Poolside Moment Has Been an Afterthought for Long Enough

The Weezie Wrap Terry Sarong is the rare beach-to-brunch garment that actually delivers on that promise. Made from Weezie’s signature French terry—the same lightweight looped fabric that has earned the brand a devoted following in the bath towel category—it occupies the intersection of cover-up and clothing that mothers of young children spend summers desperately searching for. The wrap silhouette is adjustable, fitting a range of bodies and occasions (poolside, walking to lunch from a hotel beach, standing at the edge of a sprinkler situation while being technically dressed). It is neither athleisure nor a towel with ambitions, but rather a well-considered piece of resort wear that happens to be machine washable and monogrammable. For the mother who has spent years wearing a damp cover-up that doubles as nothing and flatters no one, this is an upgrade that costs less than a single session of the therapy she also deserves.

$88 | Shop Now

Marie Oliver Robin Rashguard

• For the Mother Who Won’t Sacrifice Style for Sun Protection

A certain kind of woman arrives at the pool or the beach looking entirely pulled together while everyone else is still negotiating cover-ups and reapplying sunscreen. The Marie Oliver Robin Rashguard in Neptune is how she does it. Marie Oliver is a North Carolina-based independent brand built on the conviction that a print should be worth the fabric it’s on. The Robin is a long-sleeve one-piece rashguard offering the coverage that sensible sun exposure requires, made of a nylon-spandex blend with light compression, a midcut scoop leg and a large open back that closes with a bow tie at the nape. None of the coverage reads as concession. The open-back detail rescues it from being utilitarian. For the mother who paddles, swims, runs after children in the shallows, or simply spends meaningful time in the water and has decided she’d like to look good while doing it, this is the answer.

$255 | Shop Now

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust 31

• For the Mother Who Has Always Known What Time It Is

The Datejust has been Rolex’s definitive dress watch since 1945—the first self-winding waterproof chronometer to display the date in a window at 3 o’clock, unchanged in its essential proposition for eighty years. White Rolesor—Rolex’s trademarked combination of Oystersteel and white gold, registered since 1933—gives this particular Datejust its character. The fluted bezel began as a functional element, designed to help screw the case together for waterproofing; it became a signature because it deserved to. On this model, it is white gold, catching light against the 31mm case. The dial is mint green with a sunray finish—the kind of color that prompts a second look at the wrist—worn on a five-piece Jubilee bracelet. Inside, Rolex’s Caliber 2236, a self-winding movement with approximately 55 hours of power reserve, is certified as a Superlative Chronometer to a precision of -2/+2 seconds per day. It is a watch that will still run accurately when passed down.

$9,550 | Shop Now

T3 Aire 360 Ceramic Dual Voltage Air Styler

• For the Mother With a Lot of Hair and Very Little Time

The T3 Aire 360 Air Styler Blowout Kit compresses a 45-minute salon blowout into something achievable before school drop-off. For the mother who has accepted that her hair is now the last item on the to-do list, this is a long-overdue correction. The kit combines ceramic curling barrels, an oval brush, a drying concentrator and a diffuser into a single ergonomic tool that weighs nearly half as much as the Dyson Coanda and is designed to work on every hair type. The ceramic attachments distribute heat evenly, protecting strands while delivering bouncy, polished results that typically require a professional and a morning with nothing else happening.

$350 | Shop Now

Anita Ko Colombian Emerald and Diamond Flora Choker

• For the Mother, Full Stop

Some jewelry is made to be admired from across a room. The Anita Ko Colombian Emerald and Diamond Flora Choker rewards the person standing close enough to see what it is actually made of. The construction is 18k gold set with 14.34 carats of Colombian emeralds—the standard against which all other emeralds are measured, prized for a depth of green found nowhere else on earth—and 6.34 carats of diamonds arranged in a flora motif at 16 inches. The result is a necklace that sits at the collarbone with the authority of something that knows what it is. Anita Ko has earned her place among the most trusted fine jewelers in Los Angeles. Her defining achievement has been the refusal to choose between wearability and ambition—her pieces live equally on the red carpet and in the daily wardrobe—a harder balance to strike than it looks. Michelle Obama has worn her work. So has Queen Rania of Jordan. So have Charlize Theron and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, which gives you a reasonably clear picture of the woman the Flora Choker was made for.

$81,500 | Shop Now

Tracksmith Charles Sunglasses

• For the Mother Who Refuses to Look Like She’s Running

Tracksmith knows running is a serious pursuit, and runners deserve beautiful things. The Charles are performance sunglasses that have absolutely no interest in announcing themselves as such. The frame is handcrafted in Northern Italy from TR90, a Swiss-engineered thermoplastic that is lightweight, flexible, hypoallergenic and retains its shape after contouring to a face. At 32 grams, it is barely there. The Visottica spring hinges provide just enough give to accommodate the range of human head shapes without fuss. The lenses are Italian-made polarized glass that block 100 percent of UVA/UVB rays, with an anti-reflective coating on the reverse to eliminate any residual glare. Silicone nose and ear pads grip without slipping. What they look like, crucially, is a classic pair of sunglasses—the kind a person wears to brunch, driving or standing in line somewhere. The performance architecture is altogether invisible.

$255 | shop now

Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Bean Bracelet

• For the Mother Who Needs Nothing But Deserves Everything

Introduced in the early 1970s, Elsa Peretti described her Bean design as a symbol of life’s origins—a beautifully humble form whose simple shape, natural contours and smoothness always appealed to her. What she made was a small, kidney-shaped piece of gold evoking something found rather than fabricated. The bracelet—18k yellow gold, 9mm—is foolproof. There are no gemstones to clash with anything, no trend to age out of, no occasion it doesn’t suit.

$1,400 | Shop Now

Bougeotte Flaneur Loafer

• For the Mother Who Knows the Difference Between a Loafer and a Loafer

The penny loafer has been produced so many times, at so many price points, by so many brands, that the ones worth owning distinguish themselves through craft rather than marketing. The Bougeotte Flaneur does that work. The Milan-based brand was founded in 2015, rooted in the Baudelairean idea of the flâneur—the unhurried observer. The Flaneur loafer fuses exceptional materials with traditional Italian craftsmanship and details that sound like marketing until you hold the shoe—soft calf suede, a flat heel, a round apron toe, a keeper strap at the notched vamp, leather lining, leather outsole, handmade in Italy. The single decorative gesture, a signature bee medallion at the back heel, communicates not that you spent money, but that you knew where to look.

$795, shop now

Jack de Boucheron Triple Wrap

• For the Mother Who Has Never Needed to Be Told How to Wear Something

The Jack de Boucheron triple wrap was designed around a question rather than an answer. Why does a piece have to be one thing? The Jack wraps three times around the wrist, but it can also be worn as a necklace, a waist chain or in the hair.
The 18k yellow gold cable, with unprecedented softness and flexibility, is a genuine manufacturing achievement finished with a geometric pavé clasp set with 140 round diamonds totaling 1.76 carats. Boucheron has been making jewelry on the Place Vendôme since 1858, when it became the first house to occupy that address. The Jack, which arrived considerably later, is a piece with no fixed form. This is hers to figure out, and she will.

$22,500 | Shop Now

IWA 5 Sake Assemblage 2 (2020)

• For the Mother Who Reads the Label and Remembers What She Liked

Richard Geoffroy spent 28 years as Chef de Cave at Dom Pérignon, overseeing 23 vintages of the world’s most scrutinized Champagne. Then he left, moved to the foothills of the Tateyama mountains in Toyama Prefecture, and began making sake. The question of why someone would do that is answered by IWA 5. The “5” refers to the five yeast strains Geoffroy orchestrates for each Assemblage—a word borrowed from Champagne, where it describes the blending of multiple components into a single, unified expression. The IWA approach applies that discipline to sake: three rice varieties, each selected for what it contributes (finesse, body and structural integrity). Assemblage 2, bottled in 2020, carries its own particular story. Geoffroy was locked down in France during the pandemic when it was made, receiving all the component samples by international shipment and blending from his kitchen table. The constraints, he has said, pushed him to an even higher standard. The result is a sake of heightened floral aromatics and luminous purity—reviewers have noted tropical fruit, citrus, soft umami, a wine-like acidity and a coating mouthfeel that lingers without clinging.

$285 | Shop Now

Megelin Duo-Lux LASER & LED Light Therapy Mask

• For the Mother Who Retired Her Dermatological Ambitions

What used to require a standing appointment, a referral and a copay has been relocated to the bathroom counter. The Megelin Duo-Lux Laser & LED Light Therapy Mask is for the mother who has spent years reading about professional light therapy and deciding it was not, practically speaking, for her. This changes the calculus. The mask combines low-level laser technology with LED light therapy to address wrinkles, fine lines, redness and inflammation—the concerns that accumulate over a decade of not quite having time for a dermatologist. The dual-technology approach distinguishes it from standard LED masks that have proliferated at every price point; the laser penetrates more deeply, working at a cellular level rather than simply stimulating the skin’s surface. It is a gift that requires nothing of the recipient except ten minutes and a willingness to sit still.

$529 | Shop Now

Richard Heys Hand-Whittled Twirly Trees

“Milton Market, owned by the lovely Martha Fish, is always filled with the most beautiful and unique homewares by local artisans and more established international brands. I found these lovely hand-whittled trees by a local artisan using all different kinds of wood, so no two are exactly alike. These trees have decorated my house for the last two holiday seasons, and now the homes of many friends and family.”

From $40 | Shop Now

Facials at the New Guerlain Spa in the Waldorf Astoria

“I had been a long-time client of the Guerlain Spa when they were located inside The Plaza, so when I heard they had moved to the newly renovated Waldorf Astoria, I decided to treat myself and one of my senior designers to a facial. The renovation of the Waldorf Astoria was done incredibly well, and the new Guerlain Spa continues to be one of the best esthetic experiences in NYC.”

From $190 | Book Now

Thorncrest Farm & Milk House Gourmet Chocolates

“Thorncrest is a local dairy farm that my family and I have been lucky enough to enjoy for years. They make the most excellent treats for just about any holiday, or simply to enjoy and indulge oneself.”

Box of Nine for $28 | Shop Now

Dumais Made Ceramic Lamps & Fixtures

Charlie Dumais has become a close friend who started as a local craft supplier for my projects. He has gifted me a number of fabulous small lamps that can go anywhere, and I have now made his lamps a regular stop when thinking of gifts for others.

$2,400 | Shop Now

Marie June Melting Pearl Earrings

A screenshot of these earrings has been stored in my cloud, in an album called “yes,” for almost three years. Although I still do not own them—only because I find post-backed earrings to be an absolute nuisance—I’m glad to finally remember to share such a delightful accessory with our readers. Handmade in sterling silver and coated in 18K gold, luminous cultured freshwater pearls defy gravity in an interplay of precious metals. The earrings are dainty (less than an inch long) and striking, and the brand’s commitment to being ethical and eco-friendly is inspiring; over 90 percent of the silver and gold in Marie Oliver’s designs are recycled.

$170 | Shop Now

Hermès Festival des Amazones Bandana Shawl 

If you’re on the fence about purchasing a silk scarf for a woman whom you’ve never seen in a silk scarf, I assure you that any woman who receives this silk scarf will become the kind of woman who wears a silk scarf. With the exception of less than a handful of items (those sandals, that belt and those bracelets, all of which are usually only worn by people who do not understand the heritage of the brand but want to associate in the clearest way possible with an expensive luxury label), you can absolutely do no wrong with Hermès. This wonderfully oversized cashmere-silk shawl was designed by Henri d’Origny, the mastermind behind some of the most remarkable designs to emerge from the French fashion house over the past 50 years.

$1,450 | Shop Now

Buck Mason Vintage Interloop Sweatshirt

I first learned about Buck Mason from my husband, who once made me spend the better part of two hours in their Silver Lake store while he tried on everything, which was fine because it was a really welcoming experience, with comfortable places to sit and salespeople eager to hand me cold bottles of Topo Chico. Having tried, tested and ruled out every other high-quality, reasonably priced cotton knit label, he is almost unreasonably loyal to the brand’s T-shirts and sweatpants. It finally made sense to me when I tried Buck Mason for myself. Their Vintage Interloop sweatshirt is crafted from a thick, 290 GSM cotton French terry (GSM stands for ‘grams per square meter’ and French terry typically ranges from 200 to 450, making 290 a sweet spot with satisfying weight but not bulk). The drop-shouldered, relaxed silhouette is accentuated by a semi-brushed back, 1×1 ribbing, small-batch dying and a natural enzyme rinse that develops character with each wear. This quality is consistent across Buck Mason’s products, which all seem to bridge the gap between vintage nostalgia and modern practicality.

$128 | Shop Now

‘Formula 1: The Impossible Collection’

If your recipient lives for speed and precision engineering, but a sports car with a bow on top or tickets to Monte Carlo aren’t in the books this holiday season, consider this luxurious volume from the ever-reliable Assouline. Presented in a vivid yellow clamshell case, Formula 1: The Impossible Collection is loaded with stunning photography and insightful commentary, honoring and chronicling “the milestones that lifted Formula One from a gentlemen’s club in 1950 to a global sport with hundreds of millions of fans around the world.” This second edition, published under Assouline’s Ultimate Collection of ultra-luxury, handmade, oversized, collectible coffee-table books, was released this year, timed to coincide with Formula One’s 75th anniversary.

$1,400 | Shop Now

Marie Oliver Orca Skirt

I had never been compelled to consider wearing a top and bottom of the same pattern until I saw Marie Oliver’s Polaris print, which is new for winter and applied to multiple pieces in the season’s collection, such as the Orca skirt, this slinky turtleneck and a gorgeous quilted coat. Marie Oliver’s geometric version of the Japanese Kumo (spiderweb) shibori technique is on full, glorious display in rich neutrals that make me wish I had a friend with a sunken living room who hosts Mad Men-style cocktail parties. I do not own the Orca skirt, but having owned and loved other versions of Marie Oliver’s signature wrap skirt, I can vouch for the quality and versatility of this design. The skirt is made from a quilted cotton poplin that is reversible, and its silhouette is slightly asymmetrical, featuring a button and tie closure that results in a near-flawless fit.

$298 | Shop Now

Ahikoza ‘Amina Mini’ Top Handle Wristlet

What is the point of a clutch that can’t carry a phone, keys, plus cards, money and lipstick? Unfortunately, many of the designs on the market that can accommodate all of those things are either mind-numbingly basic or contain so much color, beading or sparkle that they completely lack versatility and really only work with one very specific outfit. I am of the mind that less is more, things should last, and everything should go together without trying too hard. This sumptuous, crushed suede, structured top-knot clutch effortlessly transitions from one look to the next, and is therefore “a go” if you’re considering gifting it. Any woman who likes to get dolled up but is repelled by the thought of an overflowing wardrobe would welcome one.

$995 | Shop Now

Saint Laurent Rhinestone Strawberry Earrings

Earlier in this guide, I mentioned my distaste for post-backed earrings. This is because I do not believe stud earrings make great “everyday” articles of jewelry, unlike many rings, bracelets and necklaces that can be comfortably worn for eternity. So, what then are earrings for? Statements! The most massive, flamboyant, sparkling clip-on statements money can buy! Why don’t more designers make accessories like Saint Laurent? These fantastic rhinestone strawberries, which dangle a dazzling 3 inches, are not for everyone—but if you know a woman bold enough to wear them, here’s her gift.

$1,700 | Shop Now

Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 Headphones

I never thought I’d be an over-the-ear headphone person until I tried the Px8 S2, which Bowers & Wilkins calls “the best we’ve ever made.” The buttery Nappa leather feels like marshmallows on the ears, and while durable, the design is also incredibly light. Other headphones I’ve tried have been just heavy enough that the band hurts the top of my head if I wear them too long. I realize how pathetic that sounds, but I know I can’t be alone in this predicament. And while I am hardly an audiophile, I do firmly believe that music takes precedence over every other form of art, and I can appreciate the clarity and depth of sound that Bowers & Wilkins delivers with this model. The 30-hour battery life makes everything less annoying (it’s a hard but necessary truth that most other gadgets in rotation still require near-constant charging).

$799 | Shop Now

John Baldessari’s Nose/Silhouette: Green, 2020 Screenprint

Last month, my friend Laura hosted a Dalí-themed dinner party at Main Projects, the gallery she owns with one-half of the Icy Gays duo, Eric Thomas Suwall. Between courses, an artist asked what kind of art I like, and I wasn’t sure whether he meant the art I like to see in museums, or put on walls, the art I like to experience, or simply like to think about. Whatever he meant, it didn’t matter because it was a question I have no interest answering—which I was polite about, of course. Defining art by style, medium, subject, school, technique, color or artist has always felt like a list-buiding exercise rather than providing another person with a greater understanding of who you are, which think is generally the purpose of any such question. I appreciate art that evokes an emotional response. It doesn’t need to be a fuzzy or inspiring feeling; art that makes me uncomfortable is often more compelling. With that, I’ll try to articulate how John Baldessari’s Nose/Silhouette: Green, 2010, makes me feel and why I love it.

My eyes like following the irregularities in the circumference of the green blob encompassing the nose—a facial feature that, unlike eyes or smiles, no human in the history of the world has ever held responsible for being the cause of love at first sight. And yet that is what Baldessari forces us to see when we aren’t doing laps around a face we’re trying to imagine. Baldessari died on January 2, 2020, and I can’t help but wonder how the generation-defining pandemic that unfolded three months after he passed would have shaped later works, had he lived through it. Baldessari’s legacy is multilayered, but the part I return to the most is that his art pushed thinking about how the meaning of an image shifts depending on the context. The world didn’t see noses for nearly year after Baldessari died (give or take, depending on your politics), which may have made some of us realize how much a nose can tell you about a person.

$7,000 | Shop Now

Dior Lily of the Valley Carafe

I do not own this Dior carafe, but I wish I did. If your recipient is a sucker for gorgeous glass, she will swoon if presented with such a gift. This Italian-made, hand-blown carafe encases a delicate sprig of lily of the valley, one of Mr. Dior’s signature motifs. It’s a charmer.

$550 | Shop Now

Periodic Table of NYC Trash

Every couple of weeks, my kids will ask, “Mommy? What’s New York City like?” which inevitably leads me to point to the Periodic Table of NYC Trash hanging in my office and say, “Let’s take a look!” As my children gaze upon the 118 naturally occurring elements found on the streets of New York, they begin to question the stories behind each piece of trash. They wonder about the people who discard these items, the reasons behind their disposal, and the environmental impact of these objects. I purchased this years ago and, after almost a decade of cohabitation, I remain convinced it’s the perfect gift to encourage critical thinking about consumption and develop a wise understanding of all the riches Manhattan has to offer.

$40 | Shop Now

Impression Pin Art Toy

I’ve yet to meet a child who hasn’t delighted in the endless possibilities of this toy. They can place it on top of other toys, a sleeping pet’s face, or create mashups of textures and impressions made by everyday objects around the house. Not only does a pin art toy provide hours of entertainment, but it also encourages the development of fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination and spatial awareness. It is hard to wash, though, so do your best to discourage using it to “see how slime works.”

Maria Kalman’s ‘What Pete Ate’

At its heart, What Pete Ate from A-Z is a celebration of the unbreakable bond between a dog and his human. I acquired our copy at a used book sale this summer. It wasn’t long before Maira Kalman’s quirky romp through the alphabet accompanied me on a short-lived post as a mystery reader, allowing the opportunity to teach a bunch of five-year-olds that ‘Fez’ is both a hat and a city (Pete ate the hat). The book follows Poppy Wise’s mischievous dog, Pete, as he devours his way through an astonishing array of items, from accordions to underpants. Despite Pete’s insatiable appetite for mischief, Poppy can’t help but love her unruly pup. It’s a sentiment that will resonate with dog owners and animal lovers of all ages.

$20 | Shop Now

Mon Coeur Pocket Sweatshirt

Ever since my son was given Mon Coeur’s pocket sweatshirt, it has been a go-to. This versatile and sustainable garment is crafted from a blend of reclaimed, organic cotton, but the standout feature, of course, is the functional pocket into which your child can and will stuff all the tiny treasures they collect throughout the day—or insist on bringing with them each time they leave the house. As a brand, Mon Coeur is committed to creating a world where the planet comes first. Every item Mon Coeur makes is sustainably made using upcycled cotton, watercolor prints and non-toxic inks.

$52 | Shop Now

World Wildlife Fund Nesting Dolls

Do your kids love nesting dolls? Animals? Preservation? Try this set of hand-painted wooden animal nesting dolls, each representing a species that the World Wildlife Fund strives to protect. Pop off the top of the tiger to reveal a snow leopard, followed by a red panda, a sloth and, finally, a delightful little ladybug. More than just a playful decoration, these nesting dolls serve as a reminder of the incredible biodiversity our planet holds and the importance of preserving it for future generations.

$75 | Shop Now

Rilla Alexander’s Palimals

Designed by the imaginative Rilla Alexander, Palimals are a colorful reminder of the importance of cherishing our connections with others—both literally and figuratively. With cleverly embedded magnets in their hands, Palimals can link arms, hold hands or even clamber up the fridge. Crafted from wood, non-toxic paint, cotton rope and magnets, these endearing animals are as safe and durable as they are adorable.

$15 Each | Shop Now

WMS&CO. Seasons Crayon Set

These bean wax crayons, shaped like miniature building blocks, double as both drawing tools and playthings, making them the perfect multitasking sidekick for your little Picasso. The set’s 23 distinct colors, carefully arranged in four seasonal boxes, are crafted from natural, non-toxic ingredients that won’t leave you frantically Googling “is crayon consumption fatal?” (Answer: No, but it’s hard to brush out of teeth—a lesson we thankfully did not learn firsthand, but acquired in the process of providing a nonjudgmental ear when our neighbors lamented the black wax gumming up their kid’s chompers.)

$29 | Shop Now

The Super Book of Gems

Each time my daughter and I marvel at the dazzling photographs of exquisite jewelry and awe-inspiring gemstones in the Super Book of Gems, her eyes light up with gold-digging mischief. “Mommy, look!” she exclaims, as if on cue, pointing to a breathtaking six-figure diamond necklace. “Santa’s going to bring us one of these this year, right?” (I can only hope she’s got some crystal ball and is correct about our pending bounties.) Packed with dazzling photographs of jewelry and awe-inspiring gems, this book is a feast for the eyes and a treasure trove of knowledge. As kids (and adults) explore each birthstone month by month, they’ll uncover the unique properties, legends and artistic significance behind nature’s most beautiful creations.

$25 | Shop Now

‘The Octopus Escapes’

My stepmother is a woman of many talents. The talent I have come to appreciate the most over the last 5+ years is her incredible taste in and ability to source fantastic children’s books. This summer, I stumbled upon The Octopus Escapes in the guest room reserved for grandchildren, accordingly stocked with an assortment of such hardcover marvels, chosen by the fairy godmother herself. The Octopus Escapes is a heartwarming tale of an octopus who is content in his underwater cave until a diver captures him and takes him to live in an aquarium. Despite the humans providing food and toys, the octopus grows weary of his captive life and longs for the freedom of the open sea. It is a story of resilience, independence and the bond between creatures and their natural habitats, written by author Maile Meloy and beautifully illustrated by Felicita Sala.

$19 | Shop Now

Bug Bingo

I first learned of this delightful, entomological twist on the classic game of bingo through a friend with kids slightly older than my own. (Sometimes, social media is good.) Illustrated by Christine Berry, the game features 64 different bug species, from common favorites like the honeybee to exotic creatures such as the Giant Hawker Dragonfly and the enigmatic Vampire Moth. As they play, kids will expand their knowledge of insects, learning to identify and develop an appreciation for a diverse array of bugs from around the world.

$30 | Shop now

Moon Picnic’s ‘Make a Face’

Moon Picnic’s ‘Make a Face’ toy is here to help little ones navigate the complex world of emotions. This investment in emotional intelligence offers hundreds of expressions, ensuring your child will never be at a loss for words (or faces) when it comes to describing their mood. Turn and flip the solid beech wood pieces to create a visage that perfectly captures the essence of your child’s emotional state, from “I just discovered candy” to “I’m contemplating the futility of existence.”

$44 | Shop Now

MTA Motorized Train Set

With three authentic replicas of NYC MTA trains and 16 pieces of track, kids can build their own miniature version of the New York City subway system right in their living room—minus the rats, smells, flooding and unexplained delays. When assembled, the track spans an impressive 39 inches by 25 inches, providing kids with ample room to create intricate layouts and exciting routes for their trains to navigate.

$50 | Shop Now

Pink Chicken’s ‘Animals of Asia’ Print

Do your kids love animals? Do you need nice outfits for picture day? Artist Darcie Olley’s enchanting design features a lush forest populated by tigers, pandas, peacocks and more. Available in a darling frock and a handsome button-down, consider this a gift that will delight not only its young recipient but also demonstrate your impeccable taste and appreciation for artisanal design.

From $62 | Shop Now

Hanno the Gorilla

David Weeks understands the importance of durability in children’s toys. Hanno the Gorilla’s powerful hardwood frame and elastic-band muscles make him a versatile and engaging companion, built to last for generations. At 11.5 x 5 x 2.5 inches, he’s just the right size for little hands to grasp and manipulate, while also being large enough to assert his dominance over lesser toys. Don’t be surprised if he becomes the alpha of the toy box.

$120 | Shop Now

Kodiak Jumbo Plush Bear

Sadly, we do not own this beautiful bear, so I cannot speak from experience. I am, however, deeply familiar with Manhattan Toy Company, a pioneer of developmental play since 1978. At 40 inches tall, 32 inches long and 30 inches wide, this lovable beast is the perfect companion for any child lucky enough to meet him. The Kodiak Bear is far from intimidating, and the attention to detail is remarkable. If you’re seeking a splurge, this is it.

$584 | Shop Now

Galileo’s Thermometer

What better way to teach a child about the science of temperatures than with the OG, Galileo’s thermometer? This tall glass cylinder is filled with colorful floating bulbs, which turn temperature shifts into a mesmerizing dance and learning moment. As the liquid warms or cools, the bulbs rise and fall, inviting kids to wonder how density and physics work in real life. It’s the kind of object that sparks questions (“Why does that one sink?”) and encourages hands‑on exploration without a screen in sight. Beyond its educational charm, it doubles as a striking piece of décor—proof that science can be beautiful, and that curiosity belongs on display.

$27 | Shop NOw

Odin Parker Music Box

Few things on this list make noise, for good reason. This wooden music box made the cut because it captures the quiet magic of the ocean, with sea creatures that glide in circles as a gentle tune plays. It’s the kind of piece that draws children in, encouraging them to linger, watch and imagine stories beneath the waves. Beyond its soothing motion, it teaches patience and appreciation for simple beauty—qualities that outlast any fad toy. Parents will love how it doubles as a keepsake, while kids will treasure the ritual of winding it up and watching their underwater world come to life.

$100 | Shop Now

‘Astrophysics For Young People in a Hurry’

Celebrated astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson presents a captivating introduction to the cosmos tailored for young readers. With clear explanations, vibrant illustrations, infographics and a touch of humor, Tyson breaks down complex astrophysical concepts into easily digestible parts, making the wonders and mysteries of our universe accessible to curious minds.

$18 | Shop Now

Animal Icon 10-In-1 Ballpoint Pen

For the young scholar or artist with a penchant for whimsy, the Animal Icon 10-In-1 Ballpoint Pen offers a satisfying twist on the everyday writing instrument. This clever pen features ten classic ink colors in one sleek package. It’s the little things.

$8 | shop now

Glen Palmer Smith’s ‘Murals of New York City’

• FOR THE ART HISTORY-LOVING HOST

For the host with an encyclopedic knowledge of urban artistry, look no further than Glen Palmer-Smith’s Murals of New York City. Featuring over 30 of the most important, influential and impressive murals found within all five boroughs, this visual feast will transport your host on a captivating journey through the heart of New York’s artistic heritage. From the Victorian sensibilities of the 1900s to the graffiti-inflected art of Keith Haring and Barry McGee in the 1980s, Murals of New York City chronicles the evolution of the city’s mural art tradition over the past century. Whether your host is a lifelong New Yorker or simply appreciates the artistry and energy of the world’s greatest city, this book is sure to be a cherished addition to their collection.

$30 | Shop Now

Drew Smith’s ‘Oyster: A Gastronomic History’

• FOR THE HOST WHO SHUCKS AND REGALES WITH EQUAL APLOMB

For the host whose love of food is matched only by their passion for the stories behind every dish, Oyster: A Gastronomic History is the ultimate literary feast. Drew Smith’s tome explores the history of the oyster as presented in art, literature, politics and, of course, cuisine. For the host who understands that food is more than just sustenance, but a window into history, culture and the human experience, Oyster is a gastronomic odyssey that will have them reaching for the nearest raw bar.

$35 | Shop Now

Nomenclature of Colors Tray

• FOR THE HOST WHO MINDS PANTONE’S COLOR OF THE YEAR

Present your host with a conversation-starting ode to Werner’s 1814 Nomenclature of Colours—a taxonomic guide that classified colors for early explorers and naturalists, like Charles Darwin. All 110 hues on this decorative enamel tray are accompanied by their original poetic descriptions, from the delicate “Skimmed Milk White” to the rich “Veinous Blood Red.” Every shade tells a story, inviting your host to explore the fascinating world of early 19th-century color theory.

$39 | Shop Now

‘Had Me at Jello’ Puzzle

• FOR THE HOST WITH A DASH OF RETRO CHARM

Delight the host who revels in a bit of retro whimsy with “Had Me At Jello,” a 1000-piece puzzle that’s equal parts sensory fun and nostalgic charm. Born from the cheeky minds of Victoria Granola and Henry Hargreaves, this puzzle features colors that practically leap off the thick, high-quality art paper, and puddings that seem to shimmy and shake before your very eyes. Clocking in at a coffee table-friendly 19″ by 26″ when completed, “Had Me At Jello” is the perfect conversation starter, whether your host is a puzzle aficionado or simply looking for a light-hearted escape. The box itself is a work of art, crafted from sturdy stock and high-quality paper that’s a pleasure to handle. It’s a gift that invites playful interaction and shared laughter, a whimsical tribute to the simple joys of a bygone era.

$40 | Shop Now

Moleskine x Issey Miyake Notebook

• FOR THE HOST WHO DRAFTS GUEST LISTS LIKE GROCERY LISTS

Give the consummate host the art of intentional networking: Moleskine’s elegant new collaboration with Issey Miyake Design Studio reimagines the humble business card holder. This sleek, limited-edition accessory is ideal for the host who understands the importance of making a lasting first impression. With expandable pockets and an understated accordion notebook, this sleek accessory is the perfect solution for preserving both professional contacts and the personal stories that enrich connections.

$46 | Shop Now

Barbour Pheasant Socks

• FOR THE REFINED COUNTRY SQUIRE HOST

For the host who hails from a lineage of landed gentry, the Barbour Pheasant sock gift set is a must-have addition to their country weekend wardrobe. These luxurious socks are the perfect accompaniment to a crisp morning spent stalking pheasants or foxes on the sprawling grounds of the family estate, a time-honored tradition passed down through generations of blue-blooded sportsmen. The rich, earthy colors evoke the autumnal hues of the fields and forests, while the jacquard-knitted Barbour logo at the foot sole serves as a subtle reminder of the brand’s long-standing association with the upper echelons of country society. These socks are a symbol of the host’s impeccable breeding and their deep-rooted connection to the land and its traditions. They’re a conversation piece, an invitation to regale guests with tales of memorable hunts and the exploits of esteemed ancestors. But they’re also a practical necessity for the active country gentleman, crafted from a breathable blend of cotton, polyamide and elastane that ensures all-day comfort, whether they’re striding across the moors or relaxing by the fire in the grand manor house.

$50 | Shop Now

Marmalade Grove Gift Set

• FOR THE HOST WHO ENJOYS SMALL-BATCH TREATS

For the discerning host who appreciates handcrafted delicacies, consider Marmalade Grove’s limited-edition holiday set. This festive iteration of the brand’s bestselling six-jar marmalade set, lovingly crafted by Ukrainian-born entrepreneur Peter Karpushin in the heart of California’s Ojai Valley, is a celebration of the region’s most exquisite citrus. Crafted using fresh citrus from Karpushin’s own orchard and a century-old recipe, these preserves are free of additives and artificial ingredients, allowing the natural brilliance of the fruit to shine through.

$70 | Shop Now

Weatherman ‘Walk’ Umbrella

• FOR THE HOST WHO WEATHERS THE CITY IN STYLE

For the urban host who braves the elements with panache, the Weatherman’s Walk Umbrella is a thoughtful and pragmatic gift. This sleek, high-performance umbrella is engineered to withstand the rigors of city life, making it the perfect companion for the host who commutes to work come rain or shine. Crafted from 100 percent recycled fabric and boasting UPF 50+ UV protection, this eco-conscious umbrella is built to last. Its durable construction, wind-tunnel tested up to 55 mph, ensures it can handle even the gustiest of downtown corridors. The water-repellent fabric keeps the host dry and comfortable during sudden downpours, while the auto-open, manual-close functionality allows for easy one-handed operation when juggling coffee, briefcases, or shopping bags. The ergonomic handle, designed for comfort, reduces hand fatigue during long commutes or extended periods of use. Available in a spectrum of nine stylish colors and with a generous 55-inch arc, this umbrella seamlessly blends fashion and function, making it a gift that any practically-minded, style-conscious urban host will appreciate.

$84 | Shop Now

GCI Outdoor Roadtrip Rocker Chair

• FOR THE OUTDOORSY HOST

For the host who lives for outdoor concerts, camping trips and tailgating extravaganzas, the GCI Outdoor Roadtrip Rocker Chair is the ultimate gift. This ingenious folding chair is designed to provide unparalleled comfort and convenience, ensuring that your favorite adventure-loving host can kick back and relax in style wherever their wanderlust takes them. With spring-action rocking technology, this chair offers a smooth, soothing rocking motion that instantly transforms any campsite, festival grounds, or parking lot into a cozy oasis. The mesh backrest provides superior breathability, keeping the user cool and comfortable even during all-day events or in warm weather. The high, padded backrest and molded armrests cradle the body in ergonomic bliss, making it easy to settle in and savor the great outdoors. Weighing just 12.8 pounds, this chair is a breeze to fold, pack and transport with the included shoulder sling bag, making it easy to carry hands-free, leaving plenty of room for other festival or camping essentials.

$90 | Shop Now

Chef Harold Moore’s Coconut Cake

• FOR THE HOST WITH A SWEET TOOTH

Born out of necessity during the 2008 financial crisis, Chef Harold Moore’s towering confection quickly became the stuff of legends, drawing devotees from far and wide to the original Commerce restaurant in New York’s West Village. Imagine the delight on your host’s face as they unwrap this colossal coconut cake, its four tiers of sour-cream cake enveloped in a lush coat of coconut cream cheese frosting and a blizzard of toasted shredded coconut. As they slice into it, revealing the luscious layers of coconut pudding nestled between each golden tier, they’ll be transported to a bygone era, swooning with every decadent bite. When chef Moore launched his dedicated cake business during the COVID-19 pandemic, donating a portion of the proceeds to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, he not only kept the legacy of this beloved dessert alive but also transformed it into a force for good. To date, he’s raised over $30,000 for the charity, making each slice of this heavenly cake a sweet gesture of generosity and compassion.

$120 | Shop Now

Assouline’s ‘James Bond Cars’

• FOR THE HOST WITH 007 FINESSE

Delight the diehard James Bond devotee or the classic car enthusiast in your life with James Bond Cars, Assouline’s lavish coffee table book that pays homage to the unforgettable vehicles that have graced the silver screen alongside the world’s most famous spy. The third in Assouline’s 007 series, this is an unparalleled celebration of the cars, motorcycles, boats and aircraft that have played a starring role in Bond’s cinematic adventures. Helmed by Academy Award-winning special effects supervisor Chris Corbould, OBE, who has lent his expertise to fifteen Bond films, this book offers an unrivaled insider’s perspective on the jaw-dropping stunts and cutting-edge engineering that have defined the franchise. With over three hundred stunning images, from candid behind-the-scenes shots to intricate design sketches, James Bond Cars takes readers on a white-knuckle ride through the history of Bond’s most iconic modes of transportation.

Giannini Firenze Hand-Marbled Guest Book

• FOR THE HOST WHO MAKES EVERY GUEST FEEL LIKE THEY’RE MAKING HISTORY

Bound and hand-finished in its original store in Piazza Pitti, Florence, Giannini Firenze’s hand-marbled, one-of-a-kind guest book is crafted using a preserved family mixture of algae and egg yolk, creating a marbled pattern that’s as unique as the memories it will hold. More than just a place for guests to sign their names, this book is an invitation to become part of a living legacy. As your host welcomes friends and family into their home, each signature and sentiment becomes a thread in the rich tapestry of shared experiences. Giannini Firenze has been globally adored for its gold-leaf bookbinding and hand-marbled paper since 1856, making this guest book a testament to the enduring power of tradition and craftsmanship. It’s a gift that speaks to your host’s discerning taste and their appreciation for the details that elevate every occasion into something truly extraordinary.

$152 | Shop Now

Avaline Holiday Gift Set

• FOR THE HOST WHO LOVES TO HOST

There’s something to be said for those more concerned with their wine being vegan, organic and additive-free than with a vintage’s points or prestige. Consider the incredible value of a gift box containing Avaline’s six most popular varietals, priced less than any other single bottle of wine in this gift guide. Each holiday set includes a full-bodied Chardonnay with notes of apricot and almond, a light-bodied Pinot Noir ripe with wild raspberry and cherry, a dry and crisp Pinot Grigio, a bold and fruity Cabernet Sauvignon, a floral Prosecco, and a juicy, plummy Lambrusco.

$155 | Shop Now

Josephine N°7 Decanter

• FOR THE HOST WHO KNOWS WHAT WINE NEEDS

It would be unusual to visit a home with too many decanters, meaning a version of this caliber is likely to be gladly received by even the most well-stocked, prepared-for-anything host. The Josephine N°7 decanter from the visionary Kurt Josef Zalto is a mouth-blown marvel, handcrafted in Europe. Designed to elevate young, complex, high-quality wines, the decanter’s tapered opening concentrates aromas and allows for effortless, one-handed pours. The base’s generous surface area and signature ‘wave breaker’ kink unleash spirals of aeration, rapidly unlocking a bottle’s nuance. No two Josephine N°7 decanters are exactly alike, much like the wines they’re destined to embrace.

$210 | Shop Now

F. Hammann Leather Playing Cards Set

• FOR THE HOST WITH THE WINNING HAND

What’s chicer than showing up with an artful set of playing cards in a leather-bound case made by the oldest leather goods manufacturer in Germany? Imagine your host’s face as they open F. Hammann’s tangerine-orange, full-grain, woven leather case to find a plush suede interior cradling a deck of intricate, chromolithographed playing cards. The colorful designs, featuring detailed medieval-style court figures, evoke the styles often found on antique, high-end playing cards from the late 19th to early 20th century. Whether your host is a seasoned player or simply appreciates the artistry of a well-crafted object, this compact case will become a cherished keepsake.

$220 | Shop Now

Revana Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

• FOR THE OENOPHILE HOST

Elevate your favorite host’s wine collection with the Revana Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, a rare and remarkable vintage that embodies the essence of Napa Valley’s terroir. Created entirely from grapes grown in the Revana Estate Vineyard, this Cabernet Sauvignon is the realization of Dr. Revana’s dream to experience the world through the lens of wine—a vision that will resonate with any host who understands the power of a perfectly paired glass to transform a meal into an unforgettable journey. The vineyard is harvested by hand, ensuring that only the most exceptional fruit makes its way into every bottle. Aged in 100 percent French oak and boasting cassis, black currant, dark plum and hints of dried flower and chocolate, this is a wine that will be savored and celebrated.

$225 | Shop Now

WMS&CO. Custom Rubber Stamp

• FOR THE HOST WITH AN IMPECCABLE HOME OFFICE

The WMS&Co. Custom Rubber Stamp is a delightful gift for the host with an impeccable home office who appreciates the artistry of old-world craftsmanship. Cast in rich, warm bronze from a 19th-century paperweight mold, each stamp base bears the subtle irregularities that mark it as a true one-of-a-kind. Your host can choose a custom rubber imprint that personalizes the stamp, whether it’s a monogram, architectural motif, beloved phrase, or any other unique design that speaks to their personal style and elevates their correspondence. With a generous 2″ imprint area, it’s perfectly sized for a wide range of creative applications, from adding a distinctive flourish to stationery and envelopes to embellishing gift tags, place cards, and more. This bespoke stamp is sure to become a cherished tool in their desk ensemble, imbuing every note and letter with a touch of timeless elegance.

$235 | Shop Now

Wraps by Tina Reversible Cashmere Wrap

• FOR THE HYGGE HOST

Cocoon your host in the Reversible Cashmere Wrap from Wraps by Tina, a sumptuous accessory that showcases the unparalleled softness and warmth of a two-tone merino and cashmere blend. Thoughtfully crafted in Italy, the wrap features a sophisticated loop closure that allows for effortless draping. Whether worn as a classic shawl, an elegant belted cape or a cozy travel blanket, this piece adapts to any occasion—and although it is generously sized, the lightweight nature makes it an indulgence they can relish year-round.

$298 | Shop Now

CW&T Time Since Launch Clock

• FOR THE EXPECTING OR ENGAGED HOST

For the host on the brink of a life-changing event—perhaps a long-awaited retirement, the birth of a child, or a wedding—the Time Since Launch clock is a gift that will actually last forever. Encased in a durable borosilicate glass tube and adorned with precision-machined aluminum endcaps, this marvel of engineering is designed to capture your host’s Moment Zero, the instant that will mark the beginning of their new chapter. A simple tug of the pin (which can only be done once!) sets the clock in motion, launching a timer that counts up to 1 million days, with a battery life of 150 years. It is a gift that will endure for generations; a reminder of the significance of the passage of time. A tip: Don’t make the mistake of giving this to a bride on her wedding day. I did that once, and the wedding planner, misunderstanding my instructions, handed the clock to the couple as they walked down the aisle—leading to a moment of confusion and alarm as the bride mistook it for something more nefarious.

$420 | Shop Now

Mestiza Augustine Clutch

Mestiza’s niche is in timeless designs that are elaborate enough to be interesting but never get shouty in the process. The brand believes in exceptional craftsmanship and investing in pieces you’ll wear for a lifetime before officially turning them into heirlooms. Everything from Mestiza is meant to be lived in, and this clutch is no different. The opulent gold-plated blooms on rich, tortoiseshell-acrylic will elevate everything from black-tie ensembles to vintage-inspired street style. The removable chain strap offers even more versatility.

$298 | Shop Now

Gilded Bloom Decorative Table Sculpture

It is hard to tell whether the blooming shrub that inspired this sculpture lived on land or in water, perched beneath the shade of a forest blanketed in moss or waving gently at passing schools of fish. It doesn’t matter. Now, it lives in your dining room or on the mantle above the fireplace—somewhere it catches light.

$354 | Shop Now

La DoubleJ Navy Jacquard Babeball Cap

Rationalizing a $400 baseball cap may seem an impossible feat, but La DoubleJ’s exquisite creation makes a compelling case. This hat is a symphony of contrasts—a gold floral motif exercises restraint as it dances across a sporty navy jacquard, while black trim lends equilibrium to the playful whimsy. It’s a statement accessory that merges worlds, a crowning glory for the intrepid explorer who collects stories like prized seashells. Of course, the $400 price tag remains a hurdle, but such extravagance is easier to justify when presented as a gift.

$390 | Shop NOw

Hunter Bell Cornflower Toile Barn Jacket

Equally suited for countryside rambles or urban adventures, Hunter Bell’s Cornflower Toile Barn Jacket is a versatile piece that layers charm into any ensemble. Its intricate floral print, in shades of cornflower blue and white, is expertly toned down by a vertical pinstripe, a relaxed silhouette, a corduroy collar and toggle closure. Overall, the piece evokes nostalgia; it’s easy to imagine such a jacket on a Hollywood hippy starlette. It is the star of the show, without veering precious.

$690 | Shop Now

Ginori 1735 Oriente Italiano Trinket Box

You have to be careful with trinket boxes. It is easy to have too many. Keep just a few, in colors that peek cheerily when nestled on a shelf between photo frames or sit boldly in the center of a side table or bedroom dresser. Inherit and pass down. Source from antique shops, estate sales or Ginori 1735. In intricate porcelain piped in gold.

$390 | Shop Now

Christina Caruso Gingko Leaf Earrings

These earrings are giant and gorgeous, fanning 2.5 inches from earlobe to jawline. They are for any time of year, for almost any occasion, for women of confident, creative spirit. Hand-sculpted in recycled brass and plated in 14k gold by bombshell New York-based designer and Parsons graduate Christina Caruso.

$445 | Shop Now

Olympia Le-Tan Birds and Blossom Book Clutch

This limited-edition objet d’art is crafted from a sumptuous blend of cotton, wool, silk and felt appliqué. The intricate embroidery depicts a vibrant squad of cherry blossoms, hummingbirds and butterflies against a bright, minty background. It is joyous and carefree—like spring.

$1,856 | Shop Now

Brad Phillips ‘First Time Sober in Europe’

Brad Phillips’ limited-edition print confronts the vulnerability of the human condition with unflinching honesty. A lily cradles a cigarette as if about to take a puff. What does it mean to be sober? In Europe? It is easy to imagine an artist, leaning on nicotine to maintain a sobriety as fresh as the flowers that burst from the Earth beneath his feet. What would it mean if a flower could smoke? Would she wilt? Grey? Withstand the toxicity? Transform the atmosphere with her exhale? Would a flower turn a cigarette into sweet clouds? Who knows, but it’s a delight to consider. Beneath it all, handwritten scrawl imbues a confessional intimacy.

$235 | Shop Now

ChappyWrap x Inslee Fariss Climbing Vines Blanket

A fusion of heirloom textiles and contemporary elegance, this oversized throw showcases a mesmerizing pattern of vines and foliage in a tapestry of ivory, evergreen and cactus. Crafted from a cotton blend that is both resilient to shrinking and pilling, this blanket will withstand the test of time while supplying unparalleled comfort.

$160 | Shop Now

Tea Forté Jubilee Tea Chest

This limited-edition assortment pays homage to the artistry and innovation that have defined Tea Forte’s five-year partnership with The New York Botanical Garden. The elegant box unfolds to present a playground of flavors—40 pyramid tea infusers spanning black teas, green teas, white teas and herbal blends—each nestled in a biodegradable infuser, ensuring optimal freshness and flavor.

$82 | Shop Now