Holiday Gift Ideas

What is holiday spirit? For me, it means helping to create that atmosphere where loved ones feel full of cheer, like some happy secret is about to be revealed. Holiday spirit is a feeling of warmth, of togetherness, of connectedness. We get that by giving. We get it by watching cheeks flush with color when something opened and in the hands conveys a message: I know you, I get you, I see you. We get it when we go outside of our comfort zone, giving more than we think we can afford to help people who don't have it as good as we do. We get it by not getting riled up and potentially verbally abusive when someone steals the parking place we have been demonstrably waiting for (note to self -- it still counts, if you're alone in your car, cursing with the windows up). For those of you looking for ideas for gifts to unwrap, see below. There are some tried and loved gadgets, candies, and a couple of luxury items for good measure. I found a cool way to do Christmas cards, which benefits the Robinhood Foundation. There are big gaps to make up this year for charitable organizations, giving is down and people need help. Donating to your local foodbank is always a very good idea. Do whatever you can, on whatever scale you can. It's all about the intention.

Love,

--- Gwyneth Paltrow

Gifts for Everyone

 

Flip Ultra Camcorder
$149.00

This thing is genius.

Personalized Smythson Notebooks
From $50

Add a loved one's initials for
a thoughtful present.

 
 

“Seasonal Tastings” Wine of the Month
from BottleNotes
From $34.95

For the wine lover you love.

Debretts Guide to Modern Manners
11.99 GBP

We can all brush up on our manners.

 
 

Recycled Bamboo Utensil Set
From $24.74

Eco-friendly and great for picnics.

Garden Tools and Bag
$39.99

If your mother likes to garden...

 
 

Scanwood’s 11 Beechwood Kitchen Tools
$55.00

These kitchen tools are chic and well-designed. They are a great present even for a chef who has everything.

Iittala’s Citterio Decanter
$60.00

I love a beautiful decanter and I
appreciate this one's clean lines.

 
 

Spade Cake Knife
$75.00

Who doesn't want a reason to
eat cake everyday?

Magnetic Wooden Tongs
$40.00

These tongs are perfect for your trendy friend who loves to entertain.

 

Cookbooks

 

Cook with Jamie:
My Guide to Making You a Better Cook

$24.75

My food idol (besides Mario) delivers
every time.

The River Café Cook Book Easy
From $24.74

The most useful cookbook I've ever bought.

 

River Café Pocket-Sized Companions
$14.71

These are great stocking stuffers.

For Her

Hermes Womens Cape Cod Watch
$1,850

The ultimate anti-credit crunch present...
...but a girl can dream.

 
 

Tag Necklace 22 inch 14k gold
$150.00

I personalized mine and I wear it everyday.

For Him

Tiffany Engraved Octagon Cuff Links
with border in sterling silver
$175.00

A beautiful addition to a man's wardrobe.

 
 

Mulberry Weekend Bag, Small Clipper
in chocolate natural leather
$1,395

This stylish carry-all is perfect for
any man in your family.

Barneys New York Cashmere Socks
$45.00

Cashmere for under fifty dollars.
Nothing more to say.

 

Food-related Gifts

Paella Kit
$119.00

A fun and different idea for a foodie.

 
 

Manni Olive Oil
From 44 Euros

My favorite olive oil in the world.
This stuff is liquid gold.

Savannah Candy Kitchen
$25.95

These pralines are super sweet heaven on earth. Perfect to send to a family or a cool business associate.

 
 

Bridgewater Chocolate
$110.00

My absolute favorite chocolate in the entire world. I send these out to special people every year.

Gift Baskets

A gift basket is always festive and exciting, you never know what treasures you will unearth.

 

Daylesford Organic:
Christmas Treats Hamper
250 GBP

Fortnum and Mason:
The Classic Christmas Hamper
150 GBP

 
 

Eli’s Manhattan:
From $100.00

Dean & Deluca:
Small Ultimate Gift Set
$500.00

 

NEXT WEEK

Next week we discover where GOOP loves to eat and stay in L.A.