If you’re one of those people who gets a little miffed every year by the ever-expanding holiday season, I hear you. Ordering a Christmas wreath during back-to-school season seems just downright unnatural. But given supply chain issues, this may be one of the few years where it actually makes sense to starting crossing things off your list before you’ve even started cooking the Thanksgiving feast. Everything’s going to take a little bit longer to arrive this year, so if you give yourself some extra time, no one will wind up feeling left out.
Time is of the essence, so I’ve provided a few inspired and stylish gift ideas.
For the fashion eccentric: Anya Hindmarch’s Sequined Ketchup Tote ($1,395 on us.anyahindmarch.com). Reward their quirkiness with the new bedazzled evening bag from Anya Hindmarch — British high priestess of extraordinary everyday statement bags spotlighting household brands in a cheeky, luxe way.
For the eco-hero: Purifico Hand Soap ($25 on purifico.com/pages/hand-soap). Every year, millions of plastic hand soap and shampoo bottles wind up in landfills. Enter Purifico’s Ceramic Infinity Bottle and eco-friendly hand soap pods; with them you can easily eliminate single-use plastics from your hand-washing regimen. The ceramic bottle lasts for ages. Ta da: clean hands and clean conscience.
For the glam queen: Lancôme X Emily in Paris Eyeshadow Palette ($59.85 on sweetcare.com). Netflix’s huge hit may have been about a millennial gal’s fantastical life in Paris, but I know Gen Zers, Xers and Boomers who all relished watching Emily gaffe her way around the City of Lights — all in perfect hair and eye makeup. Lancôme has just released a limited edition, holiday gift set full of 12 long-lasting shades inspired by scenes in the show. Divided into 4 shades apiece, the looks are: “Born in France” (understated nude shades for day); “ Parisian at Heart” (rosy and romantic hues); and “Paris a la Folie” (high-drama shades for evening).
For the weekend warrior: Hypervolt 2 Pro Premium Percussion Massage Device ($399 on bloomingdales.com) by Hyperice is the mac daddy of all massage guns. Maybe your loved one trains like lightning for marathons, maybe they crush intense yoga classes, or just hit it hard on free weights. Either way this professional-level invention lets them warm up and recover unbelievably fast. Its 5 speeds make it customizable to everyone’s needs, and its relief to muscles is basically like having a personal expert on hand, 24-7.
For the history buff: Reporting World War II: The 75th Anniversary Edition from Library of America ($60 on loa.org). We’ve all got one of those relatives who’s perpetually fascinated by times gone by. This brand new two-volume set, released to mark the 75th anniversary of America’s entrance into World War II, is told through the eyes of that generation’s journalists. It’s also packed with a chronology, maps, biographical profiles, notes, a glossary and 32 pages of photos. In other words, almost enough historic material to last into the next decade.
For the wellness guru: Evening Ritual Starter Kit ($40 on mudwtr.com). Sleep is said to be even more important than diet or exercise to most of our health, so give your stressed-out, sleep-deprived loved ones a leg up on getting the Z’s they need. The just-released :rest from MUD/WTR is a combo of rooibos chai, turmeric, cinnamon, adaptogens and herbs (like reishi, valerian root and passionflower). All of the above promote relaxation and calm — two things just about everyone will need once the holidays are over.
