Gift Guides: The Homemaker
For the happiest host you know - a series of gifts to impress guests, keep the party going and make merry throughout the holiday season and beyond. Looking for further inspiration for this character? Revisit these guides from years past:
For dinner party menus or wonderfully whimsical grocery lists - heavy stock cards featuring a gold embossed catfish carrying a key. Gilded Catfish Menu Cards from Reed Smythe and Company.
For dinner party conversation starters (maybe more like arguments) - a game that gives two sides to a myriad of hot button issues (like are hot dogs a sandwich) and leaves it to guests to duke it out around the table. Debatable Game Set from Brass Monkey.
For morning coffee for a crowd - an ample vacuum jug for pouring off the machine so you can start a fresh pot. The glass insert and tight seal keep the brew warm for hours. If not for coffee, it could make a handsome pitcher for whatever they’re pouring. Amphora Vacuum Coffee Jug from Hawkins New York. If Cold Brew is more their thing - don’t miss this carafe that makes big gulp quantities in the fridge with ease.
For evening coffee and perfecting their home bar espresso martini - also equally good just on the rocks. Mr. Black Cold Brew Liqueur. Not a coffee fan? We’ve also been eyeing these Italian-style citrus spirits from Mommenpop for our bar at home.
For cozying up on the couch or adding color to a guest room - a supremely soft blanket that comes in a wide array of colors and styles to match any decor. Chappy Wrap.
For water or wine - a gracefully footed glass in ultra-strong borosilicate that’s dishwasher (and party) proof, the only challenge is picking a color. Full Glass Set from Material Kitchen.
For preserving particularly treasured toasts - a charming hinged box with paper for documentation. Cork Holder by JM Pierce for Garden & Gun.
For instant ambience - an assortment of tapers in sculptural shapes and beautiful color palettes. Perfect for pairing with a simple holder like these or these, or something very grand. Hay Candle.
For kitchen inspiration without the fuss - cookbooks from tried and true experts that provide easy pathways to getting a delicious dinner on the table. Smitten Kitchen Keepers, I Dream of Dinner and the book I’m eager to press into the hands of every instant pot owner I know (every recipe is a dream) Fast and Slow from Milk Street.
For further inspiration and because everyone (especially this guide) loves a gift filled with fun pantry products. Salsa Macha in a variety of amazing flavors from Masienda, Hatch green chile BBQ sauce from Lewis Barbeque, crushed preserved lemons aptly named Liquid Sunshine from Rhea, and a yellow tomato riff on bloody mary mix with a simple local ingredient list from Natural Blonde.
For a French touch to their kitchen - and because I bought one from this specific brand in Antibes several years ago with the intention to gift it, but couldn’t bear to part with it - a rough linen tea towel that just gets better with every wash. Lecci Safran French Linen Towel from I Dream of France.
For an instant centerpiece and the historical way to display tulips and any number of spring blooms - a ceramic vase that makes arranging a snap. White Ceramic Tulipiere from Dear Keaton.
For a sculptural solution to making sure their growing jungle never runs dry - a clever wick watering system for houseplants. Plant Straws.
For those whose tastes trend more classic than the pantry haul above, or really for anyone at all - the gold standard of seasoning. A whopping 3lb tub of Maldon Salt available on Amazon.
Finally for the finishing touch to their grandest fetes - something ridiculously celebratory and over the top (just like them). Celebration Wine Bowl from Mark & Graham.