If you need holiday inspiration to jumpstart the season, these suggestions range from the useful to the distinctive. There’s something for every age group on your list.
The Useful
Mixbook – Easy-to-Create Books, Cards, Calendars
It’s holiday card time, and nothing could be easier than designing a card at Mixbook.com. Simply upload your favorite images into the template you prefer, add your message, and choose your font colors. One you’ve designed your card, checkout is just simple. If you’ve missed an image you intended to insert or if your image is on the fuzzy side, don’t worry: Mixbook won’t let you check out until it’s fixed (or until you OK the fuzziness). Along with cards, you can find photo books, calendars, and holiday items here as well.
Hand-crafted Old World Christmas Ornaments – Choose Your Whimsy
Christmas itself has a timeless, traditional feel, which Old World Christmas ornaments manage to capture, even when the ornament is a bowl of Mac & Cheese or a winning Wordle game. These hand-crafted ornaments encompass the traditional (Santa’s sled, or his sled led by snow dogs), the offbeat (a stick of butter) and the lovely, and their high-quality craftsmanship techniques date back to the 1800s. Their ornaments are hand-painted and mouth-blown, and will be an heirloom to treasure. Peruse the entire line here.
The Memorable:
The HP Sprocket 200 Photo Printer – Retro-Modern Tech
Everyone can print directly from their smartphone or their tablet with this ultra-portable, thoroughly awesome mini printer that’s about the size of a mobile phone. This can be a travel favorite, as there is a free HP Sprocket app to edit and customize photos from a phone – and then instantly print glossy, sticky-backed 2×3-inch pictures. Photos print in seconds and feature vivid color without the need for ink, thanks to the ZINK paper. This unique gift will keep giving well into the new year through cherished photo memories. Connect multiple friends for printing all at once, too. Welcome to 2024! Find it here.
Seyahan Jewelry – Treasured & Timeless Pieces
Seyahan Jewelry, which has a pop-up in the Chelsea Market Artists & Fleas, is hand-crafted in Turkey by highly skilled artisans using centuries-old traditional techniques – and this jewelry is as elegant as any jewelry line you’ll find. Their stylish designs are surprisingly affordable and are inspired by old world charm, so this jewelry would be an excellent holiday gift for anyone who appreciates fine earrings, bracelets, necklaces, and rings. Their Gold Modern Hoops are gorgeous and sophisticated, and their bracelets are thoroughly unique, right down to their clasps. This is the type of jewelry that is versatile enough for both upscale and casual events – brunch with friends or a romantic dinner date, a board meeting, or New Year’s Eve – and would be appreciated for years to come. Their artisan partners include master craftspeople, family-operated workshops, and two women’s cooperatives in various regions throughout Turkey.
Ultraceuticals – An Authentically Aussie Skincare Set
Beloved Australian professional skincare brand Ultraceuticals launched its Limited Edition Holiday Skincare Kits to the delight of Americans. The Luminous Skin Gift Set, The Optimal Hydration Gift Set, and The Soothe and Calm Gift Set can all be gifted to your favorite skincare lovers. The artwork on the gift set packaging was designed by talented Sydney muralist Nastia Gladushchenko, and features native Australian blooms that are endemic to the Sydney region where Ultraceuticals originates, including Riberry, Tasmanian Pepperberry, Muntries, Sydney Golden Wattle and Sydney Red Gum Blossoms. Give the gift of resplendent skin this year! You can’t go wrong with this thoughtful gift set. Find Ultraceuticals gift sets here.
The Wee Ones
Waiting at Woy Woy – A Children’s Book With Charm for All
Speaking of Australia… In the Australian seaside town of Woy Woy, the locals seem stuck waiting for their lives to begin. A man waits for the lake to be stocked with fish, a child waits for his grandmother to join at the bus stop, a newscaster waits for a big news break, and a romantic waits for a glimpse of her love while walking to their date. All of this waiting renders life dull in Woy Woy. One community member that brings joy to all is a piano-playing mouse named Mordy. It seems that life drones on, when a sudden storm floods the town and poor Mordy is washed away! Everyone waits to act, assuming it will be another individual that saves Mordy. Then a courageous local dog, Tyrone, leaps into action and becomes the town hero, teaching everyone a valuable lesson about not letting life pass them by. Told in playful rhymes by Robin George and illustrated in soft, inviting watercolors by Emily Snape, Waiting at Woy Woy will encourage little ones (cough and their parents) to seize the day this season. Find it here and enjoy.
Rookie Humans – Heart-Melting Crib Sheets
These crib sheets for the freshly born are adorned with such cute graphics that you’ll park yourself next to the crib to sit and admire them (and baby, of course). See them all here. You can also find swaddle bundles at the Rookie Humans site, as well as toddler and big kid sheets. Baby becomes part of a sweet fairyland story when slumbering on these pure, clean-ingredient sheets, because incredibly talented artists brought their unique interpretation of dreamland to each of the crib sheet designs.
The Stocking Stuffers:
GuruNanda – Give the Gift of Health + Aromatherapy
GuruNanda turns up frequently in our Beauty News NYC features because this brand offers a full suite of inventive, healthy supplements, aromatherapy essential oils, and clean-ingredient oral care products. Stuff a stocking this year with GuruD3 + K2 with Black Seed Oil to bolster immunity and the bone health of an older relative. Tuck their Breathe shower spray in Eucalyptus into a stocking to enliven a loved one’s shower experiences, or (most appropriately) add some of their therapeutic grade Frankincense Essential Oil for an aromatic seasonal treat. GuruNanda has so many life-bolstering products that it’s difficult to choose a favorite – but you can try right here.
LOVO Chocolate – Plant-Based Chocolate Deliciousness
To end on a sweet note, of course you want to put chocolate in a stocking or under the tree, and the plant-based LOVO Swiss chocolate is ideal for those who are dairy-free or for anyone who simply loves high quality chocolate. LOVO Chocolate offers creamy, crave-able, irresistible milk chocolate from the plant milk flavors Hazelnutmilk, Almondmilk, Oatmilk, and Coconutmilk. They are vegan, non-GMO, gluten-free, and Swiss-Made. Buy them in variety packs of 4 bars, and distribute generously to all the chocolate lovers in your life to spark smiles of joy. Available at more than 1000 stores nation-wide and at Amazon, LOVO’s bars also benefit the planet and are Rainforest Alliance certified.
Happy Holidays to one and all!
