There’s no better time than the holidays to surprise a client with the perfect present. “A great client gift is personal, thoughtful and connected to how they live,” designer Alvin Wayne tells Business of Home. “It doesn’t have to be extravagant—just something that shows you were paying attention and adds a little joy to their everyday.”
To help you spread some seasonal cheer, we asked designers to share their favorite gift ideas, and they delivered. From personalized ice stamps to pet-patterned pajama sets, these gems make the season memorable for even your hardest-to-shop-for clientele.
VESTABOARD IN FLAGSHIP BLACK BY VESTABOARD
“I gravitate toward pieces that make a house work a little harder or look a little better and, ideally, spark conversation. The Vestaboard has been one of my favorite gifts for that reason. It’s interactive, personal, and becomes part of the rhythm of the home.” —Lindsay Olson, Lulu Designs, Newport Beach, California
CUSTOM ICE STAMP BY STAMPITUDE
“One of our go-to ideas is a custom cocktail ice stamp. It’s such a cool little detail, and people never forget it. It feels personal without being over-the-top, and it makes hosting feel a little more fun and elevated. It’s the kind of gift someone actually uses and keeps out on their bar.” —Christine Vroom, Los Angeles
GREEN GODDESS DUO CANDLE AND SOAP BAR BY FLAMINGO ESTATE
“The Green Goddess Duo is thoughtful without being overly personal, and it elevates the everyday in such a beautiful way. It’s a small luxury that instantly makes a home feel more considered.” —Gray Walker, Charlotte
FUJIFILM INSTAX MINI EVO HYBRID INSTANT FILM CAMERA AT AMAZON
“I love gifting my clients an instant camera because it encourages them to create tangible memories with the people they welcome into their homes. Plus, they are fun! They bring people into the experience, spark connection, and turn any gathering into a moment worth remembering.” —Alvin Wayne, New York
WOMEN’S CLASSICS #558 CHELSEA BOOTS BY BLUNDSTONE
“Our clients who come from the city aren’t used to trekking through wooded paths covered in mud, ice and snow. A pair of Blundstones is the perfect ‘Welcome to the Berkshires’ gift—put them on and you’ll be mistaken for a local.” —Jess Cooney, Great Barrington, Massachusetts
THE PERFECT GIFT: 14X16 WALL FRAME WITH GIFT BOX AND BOW BY FRAMEBRIDGE
“During residential shoots, we always invite the family to join for a quick photo. Around the holidays, we have the image framed by Framebridge and send it as a keepsake to celebrate the home they’ve created.” —Shelly Lynch-Sparks, Hyphen & Co., New York
TIFFANY TOILE MUG IN BONE CHINA BY TIFFANY & CO.
“A well-designed mug is timeless, and this toile is truly fabulous. The pattern is a beautiful tribute to New York City, and the color options make it easy to tailor the gift to each client’s personality.” —Lindsay Biondo-Lugo, Houz of Rebel, New York
CUSTOM HOUSE PORTRAIT WATERCOLOR PAINTING BY ERICA HARNEY AT ETSY
“A personalized painting is something that is unique to each of our clients and also locally made [by artist Erica Haney]. It really celebrates the spirit of their home.” —Nicole Cole, Vestige Home, Philadelphia
LARGE GIFT BOX BY BONBON
“A box of chocolates is no match for a box of Swedish candies. We love the idea of our clients (and their kids) gathering around the table to unbox a beautifully packaged surprise that’s colorful, fun and delicious.” —Alex Spielman, The Little Things, Los Angeles
HIGH FIVE VOL. 2 EAU DE PARFUM SET BY VYRAO
“Vyrao focuses on scent as a catalyst for well-being, and the Vol. 2 set is a perfect gift. Composed of five genderless neuroscents, it’'s designed to be layered so you can personalize a unique fragrance that shifts your energy and mood.” —Justin Huxol, HuxHux Design, New York
THE TABLE TOP LIGHTER BY THOMAS HAYES STUDIO
“A tabletop lighter feels like a small indulgence, but it’s one that brings real warmth into a home. I love this one from Thomas Hayes Studio because it’s sculptural enough to display and adds a quiet sense of ritual to an everyday gesture.” —Andrea Goldman, Glencoe, Illinois
BRONZE INCENSE HOLDER BY AESOP
“This bronze incense holder is a timeless piece that gathers character with every burn, inviting moments of stillness and reflection as it gracefully ages.” —Ashley Wilkins, Islyn Studio, New York
CUSTOM PET FACE RAGLAN PAJAMA SET BY A GIFT CUSTOMIZED
“These are my go-to when I want a gift that’s equal parts cozy and hilarious. The client gets premium pj’s, and their pet gets top billing, which, let’s be real, is the household hierarchy.” —Linda Hayslett, LH.Designs, Los Angeles
SALINAS GLASS SET OF 4 BY MESO GOODS AT DESIGN WITHIN REACH
“We love gifting glassware from Meso Goods. They are such gorgeous pieces that double as decor and can be proudly displayed in a bar or on a built-in.” —Allison Handler, Ridgewood, New Jersey
ESSENTIALS 25-PIECE WATERCOLOR PAINTING TRAVEL ART SET BY ROYAL & LANGNICKEL
“This holiday season, we’re giving our clients a watercolor set that offers a small glimpse into the world of Tim Barber Architects while supporting a small business. We hope it inspires them to create artwork of their own and serves as a reminder that our design process is a shared art form.” —Tim Barber, Beverly Hills
DONATION TO DESIGNS FOR DIGNITY
“This holiday season, we are making donations to Designs for Dignity, an organization that transforms nonprofit spaces through pro bono design services to empower lives.” —Sarah Goesling, Park Ridge, Illinois
