Decorating & Design
November 10, 2018
The Ultimate House & Home Holiday Gift Guide 2018 — Ideas From A To Z!
The holidays are right around the corner — yep, already! So we’ve rounded up some inspired gift ideas that are sure to please. Whether you’re shopping for a home chef, art-lover or frequent hostess, there’s a pick for every personality. Plus, you’ll be happy to know more than half of the items on our holiday gift guide ring in at under $50!
Here are 50+ holiday gift ideas, from A to Z, to pop under the tree this year.
These days, there are plenty of paintings and limited-edition prints available online — and many at an affordable price point. We love Toronto-based Art Interiors for their selection of pint-size pieces, such as these collectible works by Canadian artist Masood Omer (left) and photographer Maureen O’Connor.
Lightweight and breezy, woven baskets are eminently useful, and the perfect add-on to any present (they also eliminate the need for wasteful gift wrap). A handwoven piece made from organic fibers will be your best bet, like these hardy designs made from sea and kaisa grasses.
Many of today’s high-end vessels feature clean, minimalist lines — but don’t be deceived by their simplicity. These gorgeous pieces from Sydney’s Mud Australia, for example, are handmade out of fine porcelain clay from Limoges, France, and are primed to be heirloom pieces.
Every home cook would be thrilled to find a chef-grade, cast-iron oven under their tree on Christmas morning (even if it’s just a new size to add to their collection). An enameled Le Creuset cooker in the brand’s newest hue — eye-catching Blueberry — will definitely top wish lists.
While pretty tapers and votives are still great options, there’s something refreshing about gifting all-purpose pillars. They’re handy to have around, and you’ll find people don’t often treat themselves to quality essentials. Consider these clean-burning, 100% beeswax candles for the enthusiastic host in your life.
Tabletop diversions have come a long way in the design department. The MoMA Design Store’s box of puzzles features the bold, colorful work of artist Josef Albers (all pieces from the museum’s own collection), while Jonathan Adler’s high-contrast backgammon set is equal parts fun and fashionable.
Wine aficionados and design lovers alike will appreciate Riedel’s new Performance line of stemware. With specific glasses for tasting a Cabernet, Pinot Noir, Riesling and Chardonnay, this shapely collection is designed to bring out the best in every vintage (and also happens to be dishwasher-safe).
In a sea of room sprays, wall plugs, poured candles and reed diffusers, decorative wax tablets offer a fresh take on home fragrance. These pretty tabs by Lucia are made of organic soy and scented with pine essential oils to give spaces a subtly festive feel.
We’ve featured plenty of books in H&H over the past year, but a few stood out from the pack. The Art of Home, Sophisticated Simplicity, and Perfect English Townhouse are packed with a variety of eye candy, while Library House focuses on one fascinating historical renovation.
Artisanal preserves are a ubiquitous gift for a reason: they’re guaranteed crowd-pleasers! This trio comes courtesy of Toronto shop Kitten and the Bear. Sample Strawberry, Raspberry and Cream; Banana, Bourbon and Vanilla Bean; and Damon Plum and Earl Grey confitures in this small-batch gift box.
Elevate your loved ones’ mornings by gifting them the latest espresso machine or a designer kettle. Nespresso’s new Creatista Uno delivers barista-level coffee (including the latte art, thanks to a handy steam pipe), while Fellow’s gooseneck kettle makes the perfect kitchen accent and pour-over.
Fine-quality runners, tablecloths and napkins make perfect hosting and holiday gifts. This Christmas, we have our eye on John Robshaw’s indigo Bindi napkins, block-printed by hand in India, as well as the fringed, stonewashed-linen Bilbao napkins available through Shop House & Home.
Like Dutch ovens, stand mixers will also pop up on cooks’ Christmas lists this year. To celebrate the brand’s 100th anniversary, KitchenAid has released a new, heritage-inspired design that comes in a delightfully nostalgic color: Misty Blue (it mimics one of the first colors KitchenAid ever produced).
Elegant stationery is an enduring gift, offering up a touch of luxury at an affordable price. Tiffany’s Color Splash cards look unexpectedly modern with their cool splatter design, while British brand Smythson (loved by Grace Kelly and Winston Churchill) upgrades the humble thank-you note with flashes of warm gold.
Bring a dash of color into a friend’s kitchen with a practical oven mitt or potholder. Marimekko’s new Jaspi mitt, adorned with autumnal-hued fruit and leaves, is ideal for fans of Scandi design. For the budding chef, consider Jamie Oliver’s silicone-palmed mitt, which makes it easier to grip hot, heavy cookware.
You could gift good-quality, full-size pillows this year (they’re always appreciated), but the Casper nap pillow will be an equally popular pick this holiday season. The small, supportive cushion comes in a handy drawstring bag, making it great for frequent flyers and road-trippers.
Take a scroll through Instagram in the colder seasons and you’ll be inundated with shots of modern quilts. Graphic and cool, they’re also a bit of a throwback, so they’re a nice gift idea for fans of clean or classic style. The piece shown is by textile designer Lauren Williams for buzzy, Venice Beach-based brand Parachute.
Hunting down a beautifully photographed cookbook in stores or online is easy. The challenge is finding one packed with reliable recipes you’ll reference again and again! For your favorite foodie, consider picking up one of these attractive and well-reviewed publications.
This year, why not surprise your party host with a beautiful, handmade bar of soap? We love the artwork, courtesy of Meghan Hildebrand, on Yukon company Anto Yukon’s packaging. Binu Bino’s small-batch Shiso soap is another standout, boasting a gorgeous smoky mauve color and gentle formula.
Hunting for an extra special, big-ticket item? Look no further than the latest tech. The Apple Watch Series 4 is slimmer than ever, with new features like fall detection; the Nest Hello doorbell is ideal for busy families; and Google’s just-released Pixel Stand turns your Pixel phone into a smart home device.
Sick of gifting the same old, same old? Throw your friend or family member a curveball by picking up a quirky objet. Design House Stockholm’s Grow greenhouses are one example. Destined to become a focal point in any room, these hand-blown vessels may even cure a black thumb.
A well-designed vase can easily double as sculpture, especially when it’s as striking as these vessels by Brooklyn-based design house KleinReid. Neutral tones and simple forms, crafted from tactile earthenware and warm wood, mean they’ll fit seamlessly into the majority of rooms.
Come winter, a high-quality, 100 per cent wool throw does double-duty as a warming extra layer and timeless accent piece. Hudson’s Bay’s classic blankets are a go-to gift for a reason, but we also have our eye on Harlow Henry’s plush alpaca and merino wool options.
Splurge on artisan confectionery to really make an impression. Vancouver company Beta5 offers raspberry-earl grey and negroni-flavored treats, while Toronto-based Soma has released Newfoundland sea salt-speckled and mango lassi-inspired bars for the holiday season.
Who doesn’t love a bit of sparkle and shine around the holidays? Wedgwood’s romantic Jardin place settings will bring a touch of luxury to special occasion (and everyday) meals, as will the warm gold Soho cheese knife set, available through Shop House & Home.
Finally, you’ll find a jar of on-trend za’atar (an ancient Middle Eastern blend that typically contains dried thyme, oregano, marjoram, toasted sesame, salt and sumac) will delight your epicurean friends. Pair it with some stylish spice grinders, like this handsome duo from Scandi brand Menu.
Still stuck for a perfect gift idea? Give the gift of inspired design, delivered to your loved one’s door every single month, with a subscription to House & Home.
Feature image: Luis Albuquerque, House & Home November 2014