’Tis the season for giving thanks and spreading cheer—and nothing makes a client feel more appreciated than a present that speaks to their unique style. “We like to have fun with the gifts we give and enjoy the process as a way of being creative and thoughtful,” designer Christine Gachot tells Business of Home. “It’s always nice to give something with a personal touch.”
A mindful gift is also a wonderful way to honor—and maintain—a connection with your client after the project wraps. “We hope our gifts are as fun to receive as they are for us to dream up,” says Gachot. “We’re grateful to our amazing clients, friends and family, and want that sentiment to come across in our gifts.”
In the market for the perfect present? From lava stone potpourris to cast iron tea kettles, here are 37 designer-approved gifts clients will cherish all year long.
For the Maximalist
OMBRÉ PURPLE COASTERS BY ST. FRANK
“You can never go wrong with ombre when you love color as much as most of our clients do. Sold in an array of hues, we love gifting St. Frank coasters because they’re functional and fun!” —Eneia White, New York
ST. NICHOLAS PARK MEDIUM CERAMIC JAR CANDLE BY L’OR DE SERAPHINE X SHEILA BRIDGES AT BLOOMINGDALE’S“I can’t think of a better holiday gift than my new candle collaboration with L’or de Seraphine and Bloomingdale’s. After you finish burning these beautiful candles, you can use the ceramic lidded vessels for all sorts of things.” —Sheila Bridges, New York
LITO VIDE POCHE CATCHALL BY L’OBJET
“Everyone needs a little luck in this life! These evil eye treasures from L’Objet will ward off negativity and keep your client’s spirits bright.” —Anjali Pollack, New York
TORTOISE PENDANT BY NEST STUDIO COLLECTION
“I love giving clients something that reminds them of me and my business. This pendant can be used as a necklace or a key chain.” —Jessica Davis, Atlanta
GLASS SHABBOS CANDLESTICKS BY SUSAN ALEXANDRA
“Has a more fun set of candlesticks ever existed?” —Michelle Zacks, New York
TOKYO CITY GUIDE BY LOUIS VUITTON
“‘Louis Vuitton City Guides’ are great gifts as they cover an array of cities all over the world, so you are likely to hit one a client has visited or plans to travel to in the future.” —Jenelle Lovings, St. Louis
NATURAL GEOGRAPHIC ATLAS BY DIXON RYE
“A huge, luxurious leather-wrapped atlas is the perfect gift for a client who has every practical thing they could ever need.” —Bradley Odom, Atlanta
For the Minimalist
MODA CANDLE HOLDER BY YONDER
“We love supporting local artisans—and who doesn’t love light and sparkle around the holidays?” —Regan Baker, San Francisco
LARGE INITIAL NOTEPAD BY HIVE
“Customized notepads with a client’s initials or the name of their house make a great gift that’s perfect for a desk or kitchen.” —Jennifer Cohler Mason, New York
PEZZO LAP THROW BY MATOUK
“This year, we are gifting throws from Matouk with the client’s name or street name embroidered on the blanket.” —Ariel Okin, Westchester, New York
AIX EN PROVENCE ROSEMARY AND SAGE CANDLE IN LARGE BY ETÚHOME
“This candle blends the sophisticated scents of rosemary and sage, and the hand-blown glass vessel can have a second life as a beautiful home accessory.” —Brad Ramsey, Nashville
MULTI-SURFACE CLEANER WITH VINEGAR BY DIPTYQUE PARIS
“I love giving luxury cleaning products at the end of a big kitchen or bath reno. They smell amazing, scream luxury and look beautiful even when left out on the countertop.” —Hema Persad, Los Angeles
HK KETTLE BY IWATEMO AT FINNISH DESIGN SHOP
“This primitive tea kettle is so handsome that any client will love it, whether they’re a tea sommelier or not.” —Jenny J. Norris, New York
INSPIRE PORCELAIN DIFFUSER BY APOTHECARY GUILD
“I love giving my clients Apothecary Guild diffusers. They are like little pieces of art that can be placed anywhere.” —Gray Walker, Charlotte
For the New Traditionalist
VENICE SLIPPERS BY LORO PIANA
“Holiday weather varies from coast to coast, but the cashmere Venice slippers from Loro Piana are a gift that never falters.” —Carneil Griffin, Chicago
LINENBERRY THROW BY ANN GISH
“Ann Gish’s Linenberry throw has a beautiful pattern in soothing-yet-vivid blues and reds. ‘Warm and cozy’ are my buzzwords this holiday season!” —Isabel Ladd, Lexington, Kentucky
GLASS VASE SET BY BLACKBERRY FARM
“We love the uniqueness of this hand-blown glass trio. The vase openings are at various angles, creating an eye-catching arrangement when grouped together—but they are also beautiful enough to be displayed individually.” —Jason Bell, Blackberry Farm Design, Walland, Tennessee
HERMES BUST BY PERARTSCULPTURES AT ETSY
“A contemporary take on a classic white ceramic or stone bust is always in style.” —Chris Huffman, Maestri Studio, Dallas
RUBIA PLACEMAT SET BY SCHUMACHER
“Nothing says thoughtful like a gift your client can use all year long. These patterned place mats are a smart foundational piece that my clients have layered in with their own linens and tableware for summer rituals and holiday gatherings.” —Sherrell Neal, Houston
SICILIAN TANGERINE CLASSIC CANDLE BY NEST NEW YORK
“What’s more luxurious than elevating everyday living? When in doubt, we love the Sicilian Tangerine candle with an invigorating citrus smell that pairs nicely with every season.” —Benjamin Johnston, Houston
LUSTROUS YELLOW ORCHID PLANT BY FROM YOU FLOWERS
“From You Flowers’s orchids are all beautifully unique, just like each of our clients, making them the perfect gift. This is such an easy way to add a sense of nature and fun into a space.” —LC Crass, Nashville
For the Entertainer
LARGE ROUND WOOD WALNUT CUTTING BOARD BY ADIRONDACKKITCHEN AT ETSY
“This large walnut cutting board is a stunner on a counter, but also a showstopper when you’re having guests over and want to put together a charcuterie spread with all the fixings.” —Becky Shea, New York
DIRTY MARTINI COCKTAIL NAPKINS BY ELIZABETH LAKE
“These martini cocktail napkins are so fun. They work throughout the seasons and always provide a unique touch when entertaining.” —Christina Nielsen, New York
TRADITIONAL OYSTER PLATTER BY AE CERAMICS
“This ceramic oyster platter has major ‘coastal grandmother’ vibes and comes in multiple muted colors that would complement any interior scheme.” —Annie Kersey, Annapolis, Maryland
CENSER INCENSE BURNER BY APPARATUS
“Not only is this object beautiful on its own, but it’s pure magic when Cinnamon Projects incense is burning.” —Dane Pressner, New York
NATURAL PICNIC BASKET BY ANYON ATELIER
“This year, we are gifting a picnic basket—hand-crafted by women in the Bolgatang region of Ghana—filled with high-quality cooking ingredients. We are celebrating the idea that the holidays should offer slow days filled with great company and delicious, home-cooked meals.” —Lindsay Anyon Brier, San Francisco
THE TABLEMATES OLIVE OIL AND VINEGAR SET BY FLAMINGO ESTATE
“For the holidays, I love gifting this extra-virgin olive oil and aged vinegar set by Flamingo Estate—it’s pared-back yet fancy!” —Constanza Collarte, Miami
BESPOKE DUNSTONE TABLE PLANNER BY ANYA HINDMARCH
“A table planner is the perfect way for your clients to plan seating arrangements for their next dinner party. We especially love this one from Anya Hindmarch, as you can have a message embossed in the center in your own handwriting.” —Jessica Lagrange, Chicago
For the Client Who Has Everything
MADERA PILLOW BY AMBER LEWIS FOR LOLOI
“One of my favorite gifts for clients during the holidays is a set of Madera pillows from our Loloi collection. Madera’s soft green hue is ideal for the holidays while being a great neutral all year long—plus, its cotton material makes it so easy to care for and stay beautiful for all the seasons.” —Amber Lewis, Los Angeles
POT POURRI APOTHICAIRE LAVA BY MAD ET LEN
“This object has a lot of gift in a small package: color, texture, fragrance and a vessel that allows a client to decorate any space with its style and patina.” —Michael Ellison, New York
CUSTOM SCARF BY WOMENWEAVE
“Several years ago, we collaborated with WomenWeave—an organization in India that provides opportunities for local women—to develop custom scarves that we gave as gifts over the holidays.” —Christine Gachot, New York
ARTEMIS BATH RITUAL COLLECTION NO. 22 BY THE HUNTRESS NEW YORK
“I love gifting The Huntress Bath Ritual collection. The only way for us to truly give the world our best is to routinely give back to ourselves.” —Jenny Wolf, New York
MIND, BODY & SPIRIT DUO BY TEA FORTE
“Taking the time to prepare and savor a cup of tea with intention is a simple way to incorporate a spiritual practice into your life, making this tea collection one of my favorite client gifts.” —Joshua Smith, Houston
CHUCK’S FAMOUS BROWNIES BY GOD’S LOVE WE DELIVER
“God’s Love We Deliver brownies are hands-down the best brownies in New York, and the money goes to their ongoing services to people living with HIV/AIDS, cancer and other serious illnesses.” —Vicente Wolf, New York
TRAVEL BY DESIGN BOOK BY ASSOULINE
“Travel is an important component of design, inspiration and education, so we gifted the Travel by Design coffee table book and stuffed it in a great tote bag by Kule, along with fresh greens and a bottle of champagne.” —Liz Caan, Boston
NATAN MOSS CANDLE BY GOD’S LOVE WE DELIVER
“Natan Moss is a ceramicist based in Santa Fe who creates modern yet timeless furniture and lighting pieces that I use across my projects. This year for God’s Love We Deliver, he has crafted a beautiful vessel with a scented candle inside—with all proceeds going to the charity. That is my go-to client gift this year!” —Alfredo Paredes, New York
CHARITABLE DONATION
“Over the past few years, we’ve chosen to give each of our clients the gift of a donation to a cause near and dear to their heart, including the ASPCA, No Kid Hungry and the Ocean Conservancy.” —Sergio Mercado, New York
