10 of the Best Design Gifts for Your Favorite People
Dwell's intrepid shopping columnist picks ten thoughtful gifts for every person in your life.
Dwell's intrepid shopping columnist picks ten thoughtful gifts for every person in your life.
Welcome to Someone Buy This!, a monthly shopping column featuring the fun, the frivolous, and the practical from a very discerning shopper.
The holidays can be stressful for a number of reasons, but finding the right gifts for your loved ones is high up on the list. I’m one of those freaks who loves to shop, both in person and online, and am here to help ease the anxiety of gift shopping. Here are my favorite gifts for your favorite people.
For your cool design friend
Lucca House 2x2 Shelf
Designed to fit anywhere, the 2x2 works best as an end table or a night stand. Easy to move or add more pieces when it’s time to grow.
If you didn’t know about Lucca House then I’m delighted to be the one to put them on your radar. They make flatpack grid shelves consisting of wood pieces that snap into each other, no tools necessary. What I love about this design is that it allows you to scale up or down as your needs change. The grid shelves can function as a console, coffee table, bar cart, you name it! Give your cool friend the gift of the satisfaction that comes with "building" something with their hands.
Everybody Sun Nightlight
This is where the sun goes after it sets (we are scientists!) Automatically illuminates in the dark and turns off in the light.
For a tighter budget, I love Dusen Dusen’s yellow night light which will bring a soft glow to a dark hallway or bathroom. The best part? It will turn on automatically when the area around it gets dark. No switches! The curvy design and the brand’s funky packaging makes the light feel extra special.
For the the one who’s always hosting
Holcomb Studio Dot Salad Bowl
Our Dot Salad Bowl is the perfect addition to any occasion. Crafted from walnut wood, it features a large capacity and sloped sides, making it easy to serve every last bit of salad. Whether hosting a dinner party or attending one, our Dot Salad Bowl includes a matching walnut lid to store the salad until you're ready to serve or transport the bowl to the event. When ready to serve, the lid fits neatly under the bowl for an elevated presentation.
Holcomb Studio makes timeless kitchen pieces that live up to the "buy it for life" standard. The Dot salad bowl would make a lovely gift for anyone who likes to host. It stole the show on our Thanksgiving table, everyone wanted to touch it! Don’t be put off by the idea of caring for a walnut bowl. The brand recommends reconditioning it a couple times per year with heavy use, which is relatively easy.
Holcomb Studio Puddle Coasters
Simple yet effective, our heavyweight, polished stainless steel Puddle Coasters protect surfaces from condensation. The shallow lip contains drips, while the anti-slip pad provides additional surface protection and dampens sound. When stacked, our Puddle Coasters have a slim profile to discreetly fit into any space.
If you’re looking for something a little lower on the budget spectrum, Holcomb’s stainless steel coasters are another excellent host gift. They’re not absorbent but have a high lip that traps any liquid, making them stylish and functional.
For the friend who is in the middle of an annual Sex And The City rewatch
Big Is Moving to Paris Ashtray
Make your announcement in style with this electric red ceramic ashtray. No matter what is happening, today is about you!
I love a funny ashtray and THNK1994 is the star of the genre. Just like Carrie at brunch, this bright red ashtray will interrupt whatever else is happening at your table to announce that Big is moving to Paris.
For the coffee heads
Service Projects The Arlo Espresso
Made with longevity in mind and designed with inspiration from the industrial kitchen setting, our Arlo Espresso set draws on the rich heritage of Italian design. The set is made of high-grade stainless steel, ensuring durability and long-lasting use. The insulated walls keep your coffee at the perfect temperature, while the design adds a touch of industrial feeling to your coffee experience. We strive to honor the essence of Italian design and bring it into a contemporary context.
I’ve got two shiny exciting gifts for your most caffeinated loved ones. First, this darling little espresso set from Service Projects, complete with a little tray and spoon. The mug is insulated and fits perfectly into the little grooves in the tray. The whole thing is immensely satisfying.
Aarke The Coffee System
No more counting scoops with the AutoGrind™ connection between our Coffee Grinder to the Coffee Maker.The grinder automatically calculates the amount of beans to grind based on the water level in the tank, and the coffee maker adjusts for the perfect coffee temperature.
And if you’ve got a higher budget, check out Aarke’s coffee system. I’m a huge fan of Aarke’s Carbonator Pro, so it’s no surprise that their coffee maker simply rules. The system, which launched in the fall, consists of a coffee maker and grinder that can work together to grind the perfect amount of coffee for the amount of water you’ve poured into the tank. I say "can" because this is an optional but, in my opinion, great feature. If you love the ritual of weighing your coffee beans, by all means turn off the Auto Grind and live your life. Both the coffee maker and grinder are made of high-shine stainless steel and feature clever cord-hiding methods that will leave your countertops looking super sleek. They are definitely two of the best products I’ve tested this year.
For your favorite dog
Ruggable Cream Boucle Bolster Pet Bed
Because the goodest boys shouldn’t settle for just good design. Meet the best-in-class Cream Boucle Bolster Pet Bed for your best-friend. This comforting and inviting textured neutral features fabric crafted from looped yarn that creates a delightfully organic nubby texture. Let your pet cozy up on the sherpa mattress for a sound sleep. Machine-washable outer covers with water-resistant, stain-resistant mattress and bolster cushions. Pet bed colors may vary slightly according to your device and the lighting in your space.
My dog has four beds and this one from Ruggable is his favorite. It’s also my favorite because it looks nice and is shockingly easy to wash, which you wouldn’t expect from boucle fabric. I was initially skeptical of the boucle because it’s typically not a pet-friendly fabric but Ruggable must have worked some magic. When it’s time for a reset, the bed and bolster covers slip off easily and emerge clean and fur-free from the wash. The cream colorway fits seamlessly into any decor style. Your dog deserves a nice bed with bolsters to curl up against! This is the one.
For anyone who loves good smells and an unexpected smile
Obakki No. 13 Candle - Seme
A luxurious candle with a bright, woody, and earthy scent. Top notes: Bergamot, Grapefruit. Middle notes: Palo Santo, Amber. Base notes: Cedarwood, Patchouli, Vetiver.
I burn through an embarrassing number of candles and Obakki’s Seme is my favorite one from this year. Its earthy scent fills the room but not in an overwhelming way. I was genuinely sad to finish it and plan to grab a new one once Christmas tree candle season is over.
Staff x Susan Alexandra The Match Bouquet
Susan Alexandra and Staff are dedicated to bringing joy to everyday life by way of color, whimsey, and quality craftsmanship. That's why we teamed up to add a spark of light to your home. Speaking of perfect matches... The Match Bouquet: 65 hand-painted 4-inch safety matches (including the Staff smiley on each match head) and a ceramic vase (with a strike pad on the bottom) designed to resemble a floral arrangement.
The Obakki candle pairs nicely with this match "bouquet" by Staff and Susan Alexandra, two brands known for their playful designs. Each match is imprinted with Staff’s quirky smile and the vase has a striker strip on the bottom for quick lighting. The matches make me smile every time I light a candle. Is there a better gift than that?!
For your work friend who brings their lunch every day
Lorien Stern Tulip Flatware Set
A set includes a fork, knife, and a spoon. Stainless steel and dishwasher safe.
As someone who packs a work lunch every day, I grew tired of using the office’s sad plastic utensils and would always forget to bring some from home. The solution? A set of super cute tulip flatware by artist Lorien Stern. All three pieces are dishwasher safe and guaranteed to bring some joy during the dreariest of work days.
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