The Jingle Bell: Gift guide for your best gals
Besties, sisters, moms, MILs, aunts, daughters, grandmas, colleagues, and more
Hello and welcome to this week’s edition of The Bell: part 2 of my 3-part gift guide.
I find women so easy to shop for. Who among us can’t use another delicate gold necklace, pretty cosmetics pouch, or scented body lotion? This gift guide is along those lines, focusing on those can’t-go-wrong little luxuries that—in keeping with the theme of this newsletter—make life special.
The email does cut off because of the number of images, so be sure to read this in the Substack app or at janebouet.substack.com so you don’t miss any gift recommendations!
Bedside carafe and glass *small business
This might be my favorite thing on this gift guide. There’s something deeply hospitable about providing houseguests with a carafe of cold, filtered water beside their bed—so why not give the gift of that hospitality at home? Select a flower she had in her wedding bouquet (Lily of the Valley for me :) or just the one that reminds you of her most. A hand-painted jug is another beautiful idea.
Nail concealer
I had a yearlong love affair with this product after I quit getting gel manicures, almost never painting my nails in a pigmented, full-coverage polish. A sheer, glowy polish is perfect for the subtly elegant gal of any age—and also for the busy mom or career woman; a single coat does the trick when that’s all the manicure you have time for. I have it in original and pink.
Cashmere socks
The ultimate luxury. She will look forward to coming home from work or a full day of errands and appointments to take a warm shower and put on her cozy pajamas and cashmere socks. Or to spending a full day at home in them! What a dream.
Really luxe hand cream
I love giving gorgeous hand cream as a gift—most people don’t buy the really nice stuff for themselves and it’s such a pleasure to use. I would feel so glam pulling any of these out of my handbag: Augustinus Bader, La Mer, Sisley, Chanel.
Beautiful stationery *small business
This set of stationery, tissue-lined envelopes, and a leather case that protects your fine paper when you travel is so beautiful. I am a loyal customer of Dempsey & Carroll, from wedding invitations to personalized stationery with my married name. Fine paper is another luxury many people don’t treat themselves to, and would always be delighted to receive.
Set of Champagne flutes *small business
Special glassware for a special moment. An equally great gift for a single or partnered lady—no matter what, she can be prepared to propose a toast. I love a clear, etched design if she has traditional style, or go for colored glass if she’s more playful. This set of six mixed colors would be so fun on a table.
Favorite cookbook or two
Cookbooks are one of my all-time favorite gifts to give to the gourmet gals in my life. Skye McAlpine’s A Table for Friends is my top pick for the woman who loves to entertain; Yossy Arefi’s Snacking Cakes is perfect for a mom or grandma of little kids (or not, honestly… everyone needs a snacking cake!).
Picture frame
…Complete with a photo of the two of you inside! I personally love the timelessness of a silver frame; it adds something special to every home.
Gorgeous coffee table book
There’s a coffee table book for every hobby and interest under the sun! For the woman who loves joyful home design, Every Room Should Sing by Beata Heuman. For more neutral aesthetics, Houses | Atelier AM by Alexandra and Michael Misczynski. For fashion girlies, a Dior book (and this would be sweet for the mini fashionista). If she has a green thumb for houseplants, Wild Interiors by Hilton Carter. If outdoor entertaining is her thing, At Home in the Garden by Carolyne Roehm. You can get as truly niche as you want and show you really know her.
Silk scarf
Don’t you always notice when a woman is wearing a silk scarf? Or when she has it wrapped around the top handle of her handbag? I sure do. And I always think, “I wish I had put on a silk scarf today / thought to style mine like that.” Every silk scarf should be as unique as the woman wearing it, so I’d turn to secondhand/vintage sites for gifting. Square is my favorite shape, but feel free to get creative. This one, this one, this one, or this one would be a dream (I’m obviously partial to Hermès). Or, for the scarf collector, this rare book on scarf folding and wearing would be a wonderful surprise.
A catchall full of love *small business
I would be remiss not to feature something from my favorite shop in Vail, CO and beyond—Gorsuch—that has shaped my taste and aesthetic from a young age. Any gift from this wonderfully curated collection will bring a festive note of Alpine chic to her home or wardrobe. (While the brand of the catchall is under the Estée Lauder umbrella, buying it from Gorsuch supports a small family business.)
Beautiful teapot
For the tea drinker, a feminine Italian teapot is just the thing (although no rules state that she can’t also fill it with coffee). This one from Ginori is an object of art and will mix easily with the rest of her tabletop things in this peachy neutral.
Diamond huggie hoop earrings
If you’re working with more of a budget or it’s been a milestone year (or a particularly tough year!) for her, I believe this is one of the most classic earring styles for a woman in her 20s-40s. (There’s no true age limit, of course; this delicate style just feels younger to me.) This one from David Yurman isn’t so tight to the ear which I like, and has a beautiful texture to the gold. This super delicate one is at a lower price point. This one in white gold is stunning.
I hope you find something here to gift your girls, and maybe something to gift yourself too!
xx Jane
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