Dwell Picks: 26 Gifts We’re Loving This Year

Here’s what our team members will be gifting for the holidays—or dropping heavy hints that we want to receive.

Nov 22, 2021 - 22:17

Dwell Picks: 26 Gifts We’re Loving This Year

Here’s what our team members will be gifting for the holidays—or dropping heavy hints that we want to receive.

From a cozy throw blanket by a Los Angeles designer featured in this year’s Dwell 24, to a stylish, insulated cardigan and a toaster oven that could change your life, treat yourself or someone on your gift list to the items we can’t stop talking about.

Jack Balderrama Morley, Managing Editor:

"I used to look forward to getting a little chocolate in my Advent calendar every December, but now caffeine gives me a better boost for making it through the darkest time of the year. I like how Copper Cow Coffee pays their farmers more than average, and a Vietnamese-style brew is a nice change of pace from my typical American drip, so their Advent calendar tops my wish list."

Each reusable gift box features our best seasonal coffee flavors and cult classic creamers—including exclusive samples of our new mocha creamer!

"I tried—and loved—these chocolates at the Queens Night Market, a weekly food festival in Queens, New York. Now, I’m getting a bunch for little gifts."

Six two-ounce chocolate bars wrapped in a gold bag. Features Paradis, Wanga Nègès, Minuit, Bouquet Vert, Solèy, and Perle Rare.

"These stylish plant stakes, featured in our November/December issue, are made by an emerging Philadelphia designer. They’re one of my new go-to housewarming or any-occasion gifts."

These sturdy metal plant stakes are perfect for a variety of needs. Available in bronze individually or as a set of three. Great for gifting.

"From our September/October cover designer, these woven blankets look and feel great. I bought two to give for presents but haven’t been able to part with either yet."

Made to order in the USA. Jacquard weave in 100 percent cotton.

Ian Zunt, Digital Marketing Associate:

"A friend of a friend designed the first Chillbies back in 2019, and I’m mad that I’m only now finding out about them. I’m hesitant to give up the ease of my beloved summer footwear as we head into the damper months, but I’m hopeful that these are the perfect in-between shoe. This year, I’m asking for a pair of the Original Chillbies slip-ons, but I might also have to go back for the Chillbie Mids boots when the snow comes in New York…I’ll keep you posted."

If you’re looking for the perfect outdoor slip-on shoe, look no further. With a waterproof-finished weight as low as one pound and amazing soft-gel insole, the Chillbie keeps you rugged yet comfortable all day long while earning the tagline "waterproof in the front."

"Dad, don’t read this! He’s a phenomenal cook, but he’s lacking one little thing that would step up family dinners: a tiny whisk. He thinks they’re hilarious—I know this from watching countless YouTube cooking videos with him—and I think it’s time he upgrades to five inches. This one from Brightland is the cutest."

The Brightland Mini Whisk is a brushed gold balloon whisk. A sleek, petite kitchen companion designed for whisking salad dressings, marinades, spices, oil and vinegar, and more.

Mike Chino, Senior Editor:

"No one expects to receive a really cool soap dish, which makes this a great gift for pretty much anyone. The pink colorway reminds me of the barrel-vaulted ceilings that crown some of my favorite projects. You can also pair the dish with some terrazzo soap for a match made in heaven."

Designed and handcast in Houston, Texas, this soap holder is a unique mix of concrete and color. Handcast from custom-made rubber molds.

Fazeek’s soaps are handmade in small batches in our Melbourne, Australia, studio. We use a 100 percent, pure-vegan base made from coconut oil that provides a beautiful, bubbly cleanse and olive oil to nourish the skin. All of our soaps are palm oil–free, natural clay colors, detergent free, and no animal testing. Our soap bundle contains three individually handcrafted body and hand soaps bars. Includes the following: Australian Bush, Teak + Neroli, and Lychee + Black Tea.

"This toaster oven changed my life. If you know someone who has tried warming up pizza—or god forbid, french fries—in a slot toaster, add this to your gift cart immediately."

Toast, bake, brown, and reheat up to 40 percent faster than conventional toaster ovens with the double-infrared power of the Panasonic NB-G110 FlashXpress Toaster Oven. With FlashXpress you never preheat. The push of a button generates instant, super-efficient heat from quartz and ceramic elements for thoroughly cooked food, inside and out.

"My Rumpl Puffy blanket cozies up all of my off-grid adventures—and the Portland, Oregon, company recently branched out with a set of snuggly merino wool numbers that play nicely at home. For indoor/outdoor gifting, these options have you covered."

Made with 100 percent post-consumer recycled (PCR) material, this puffy blanket is perfect for bringing with you on road trips and for snuggling up with indoors.

Crafted from responsibly sourced Australian merino wool and organic cotton, this ultrasoft wool throw offers both a cozy feel and modern style.

Suzanne LaGasa, Creative Director:

"This book stopped me in my tracks. The colors, cover type, illustrations, textures, and the story itself, they’re all delightful. I won’t just be gifting this to kids this year."

An exciting insight into the workings of artists and museums, Making a Great Exhibition is a colorful and playful introduction geared to children ages 3 through 7. How does an artist make a sculpture or a painting? What tools do they use? What happens to the artwork next? This fun, inside look at the life of an artwork shows the journey of two artists' work from studio to exhibition. Stopping along the way we meet colorful characters—curators, photographers, shippers, museum visitors, and more! Both illustrator and author were raised in the art world, spending their time in studios, doing homework in museum offices, and going to special openings. They have teamed up to share their experiences and love for this often mysterious world to a young audience. London-based illustrator Rose Blake is best known for her work in A History of Pictures for Children, by David Hockney and Martin Gayford, which has been a worldwide success. Author Doro Globus brings her love for the arts and kids together with this fun journey.

"Buying local always makes a gift feel more special to me, even if in this case it means purchasing imports from West Africa. The owners of Al Maktoum Goods, a small shop in Brooklyn, partners with the AGOWA Cooperative in Senegal to source fair trade baskets and textiles. They’re a beloved permanent fixture at the Fort Greene farmers market. I love the storage hampers with bulbous lids and baskets with leather handles—each one is unique and makes a sweet gift for anyone who appreciates handmade items."

Each basket is handwoven and comes in a unique color and design.

"A friend recently shared this menorah with me, and even though neither of us are Jewish, it was impossible to not admire its sweetness. According to their website, Judaica Standard Time ‘explores the space between faith and design’—and it shows. The ceramic menorah was designed by Ariela Nomi Kuh of Camden, Maine, and manufactured in Portland, Oregon—setting up a good precedent for connection."

This short-scale ceramic menorah utilizing midfire stoneware and glazes is exclusive to ANK Ceramics and JST. Designed by Ariela Nomi Kuh of Camden, Maine, and manufactured in Portland, Oregon, the piece forces you to ask the question: Is this designed for eight fleeting nights, or can it be displayed as a more permanent fixture in the home?

Erin V. Mahoney, Senior Marketing Manager:

"After a lengthy kitchen renovation, my sister-in-law deserves a spanking new apron, too. I’m gifting this apron from Food52’s own line. The skirt has built-in potholders (brilliant!) and it comes in three different sizes for home cooks of various ages."

Made by us, made with you. Bring on the splatters, splashes, and spills—they’re no match for our Five Two Ultimate Apron. 32,000 community opinions helped transform the simple apron into your mightiest kitchen assistant. Our version has an adjustable design and three sizes, including one for the kiddos, so you can fold it, tuck it, wrap it, and wear it however you please. With your design know-how, we’ve also cooked up loads of extra perks (including our favorite feature—suggested by a couple of smart-as-a-whip community members).

"In the 2014 SNL sketch ‘Back Home Ballers,’ Leslie Jones raps about the many bowls at her mom’s house—and their myriad contents. I have something in common with the elder Ms. Jones. Indulgent yet functional, bowls make near perfect gifts. I love these from The Citizenry. They can dress up an apertivo hour or serve as bedside table catch-all."

Inspired by the traditional thali dishes used throughout Indian cuisine, this set of bronze serving bowls add a hint of luxe to your cocktail or dinner party. Handcrafted with a food-safe bronze alloy, these little guys make the perfect container for small snacks like almonds or olives. Or, use them as catch-alls for odds and ends around the house.

Jenny Xie, Executive Web Editor:

"Perfect for outdoorsy types, Oregon brand North Drinkware makes goods that bring their favorite landscapes inside the home. Their Lake Tahoe blanket, created in partnership with Pendleton, features a topographic map of the alpine lake and surrounding peaks. Also, check out their glassware sets, which feature famous mountains molded into the bottom."

Custom three-color wool blanket representing accurate topographic data and the iconic lakes of the Lake Tahoe region in California and Nevada. To celebrate this national treasure we partnered with Pendleton Woolen Mills to manufacture this exclusive, iconic blanket here in Oregon. Our blanket covers over 1,000 square miles of some of the most inspiring terrain in the country and celebrates the iconic Lake Tahoe in a brilliant blue with bathymetric lines showing her spectacular depth. The front and back of the blanket are inverse of each other with this age old weaving process.

Our prepacked Lake Tahoe box set includes two Lake Tahoe Pints, two Lake Tahoe Tumblers, and four Lake Tahoe coasters. All of this packaged in a custom-made solid pine box with a laser-etched plywood slide top lid.

"Gestalten publishes the dreamiest books, not least of which is this collection of gorgeous homes by the sea."

Life’s A Beach takes readers into beach homes around the world, from the coasts of Australia to the shores of Brazil to the remote islands of the Aegean Sea. From humble little beach cottages to extraordinary modern bungalows, these spaces are designed for rest and relaxation, and for enjoying the beachy surrounds.

"Lightweight yet warm, simple yet tailored, this cardigan from cult-favorite brand Snow Peak is—dare I say it?—the perfect layering piece for all seasons."

This lightweight and versatile piece features Polartec Alpha insulation, which regulates excess heat, and Primeflex material with a durable stretch and a water-repellent finish. The cardigan has a V-neck opening, snap button closures, a left chest pocket, and two pockets at the waist.

"If you’re not going to be able to see your loved one in person, might I suggest the gift of greenery? They’ll be able to pick the perfect plant for their own home situation, and from my experience, everyone loves having a new potted friend."

Give the ultimate green gift. A digitally delivered E-Gift Card is the perfect present for picky friends, last-minute celebrations, and doing your part to save the planet. Plus, it will arrive the same day—via email, of course.

"Here’s an unexpected gift at an affordable price point that’s sure to get a lot of use: This flameless gadget is perfect for lighting candles, incense, sage, and more—and it comes in a variety of colors."

We all love to have a lighter handy for candles, incense, birthdays, and the like. And no matter which one you may have on hand, this rechargeable wonder is sure to be an upgrade. It’ll give you up to 300 uses on a single charge from your USB port, and—bonus—it’s completely butane-free. It’s slim, elegant, easy to slip into a drawer or a pocket...no wonder our founders are fans!

Sam Daly, Associate Editor:

"This is at the top of my wish list this year! Filled with gorgeous photography and mouthwatering recipes, I’m even more inspired to dabble in a plant-based diet when everything looks this good."

Edgar Castrejón went vegan as a college student when he realized that following a plant-based diet made him feel better, but he worried he would no longer fit in back at the table with his family. As a proud first-generation Mexican American growing up in Oakland, Edgar had spent countless hours with his mom, aunts, and grandmother in the kitchen, where family recipes were passed down through "las manos mágicas." So Edgar began creating healthier, meatless variations on the dishes he grew up cooking and eating. Provecho features one hundred of Edgar Castrejón's ingenious vegan recipes that honor the traditional, often meat-heavy classics of Mexican and Latin American culture while cooking with compassion. Many take thirty minutes or less, rely on readily accessible ingredients, and feature Salvadoran and Colombian influences. With Provecho, Edgar invites you to discover a whole new way to enjoy the flavors he has loved his entire life—and still wakes up craving every day.

"I can’t wait to gift this to my favorite people with young children. The magazine covers are a joy to look at, and the activities inside are perfect for kids to work on with their parents."

Illustoria is a print magazine for creative kids and their grownups. We celebrate visual storytelling, makers, and DIY culture through stories, art, comics, interviews, crafts, and activities. Our high-quality, tri-annual publication is geared toward readers ages 6 through 12 and the young at heart. Illustoria is the official publication of the International Alliance of Youth Writing Centers, publishing writing and art by young people alongside accomplished professionals.

Sarah Buder, Articles Editor:

"This sculptural mug is by Viviana Matsuda, the San Francisco designer behind ceramics studio Mud Witch. I loved Matsuda’s work before she was featured in this year’s Dwell 24, but after I read in our September/October issue that her squiggly creations are inspired by the body positive movement, I admired her designs even more."

Dishwasher and microwave safe. Mint glaze on interior.

"This set of towels by Dusen Dusen have long been on my wish list. I love pretty much everything designer Ellen Van Dusen does—I already have her Check bedding duvet set!"