Welcome to T List, a newsletter from the editors of T Magazine. For this week, we make it the second installment of our holiday gift guide, with recommendations from the T staff on what we covet for ourselves this season, as well as the gifts we are thinking of giving to our friends and loved ones. some. Read the first edition here, and sign up here to meet us in your inbox every Wednesday. And you can always reach us at tlist@nytimes.com.
Farewell party
Cashmere scarves with old world charm
While a scarf may not be the most unexpected gift you give this holiday season, thanks to a recent collaboration between Saved NY, the store and home goods line founded by Sean McNanney, and artist Lukas Palumbo, aka Lukas. The Illustrator, could be the most beautiful. Saved NY is known for its sustainable Mongolian cashmere blankets and fashion accessories and Palumbo for finding inspiration in nature and prints from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. Cue seven original handwoven felt cashmere scarves in a range of vibrant designs that will take you back in time: one depicts a ship at sea while another features a gentleman returning, presumably triumphant, after having had a distant adventure.
To me, there is no better winter gift than a hot plate of pasta, and there is no better pasta chef in America than Missy Robbins of Brooklyn’s Lilia and Misi restaurants. This month, in collaboration with New Jersey-based potter Jono Pandolfi (who made dinnerware for Lilia), he created the clay Union Bowl, which comes in three neutral shades and has a deep shape that’s perfect for stacking noodles; For actual pasta, you can go one of two ways, depending on the culinary talents of the person you’re treating: Robbins and his partner, Talia Baiocchi, recently launched “Pasta: The Spirit and Craft of America’s Best Food. Italia, With Recipes, ”A beautifully photographed, comprehensive cookbook ideal for spending months hibernating. Or, if those cooking skills can’t be trusted, just send them fresh pasta, sauce and other supplies from Misi Pasta, the retailer in chef’s line, which ships throughout the country.
Stop accents
Daisy earrings and fragrant rings
In many cultures, the humble daisy symbolizes regeneration, a prophetic theme for the dawn of a new year. For a pair of flowers that will last longer than those picked from a field, check out Brooklyn-based jewelry designer Bernard James. Its daisy studs are handcrafted from 14 karat gold and would make a lovely gift for anyone looking for a fresh start. Or, for a flower-smelling piece of jewelry, try one of the aromatic rings from Jodan, who is based in Arita, Japan. The otherwise minimalist ceramic bands have square or crescent-shaped gold leaf accents that should be dabbed with essential oils (sold separately) and will carry your scent throughout the day.
Sock fillers
A marble-handled body brush and raspberry-red lipstick
A beauty and wellness themed sock is sure to leave your loved ones in need of a little more pampering looking and feeling their best. To that end, Gilded Body offers a handcrafted marble body brush, a dry brush that suits rough winter skin. Then there are Bathe anointing oils, which, when massaged into the skin before a bath or shower, create an immersive aromatherapy experience. (Try any of the brand’s four calming scents: palo santo and vetiver; neroli and myrrh; lavender and sandalwood; and sage and citrus, or their Discovery Set, which includes a one-ounce bottle of each.) New York City-based facialist Crystal Greene offers gift cards for her deeply relaxing La Sculpture facial, a rejuvenating treatment that incorporates massage techniques and leaves skin glowing. Once it’s shimmering from head to toe, your recipient will need a finishing touch, perhaps in the form of Mad Red lipstick from Byredo, a vibrant raspberry shade with a matte finish, and a sculptural applicator that’s perfect for any holiday party. Or, for a more unexpected trinket, add a fancy silk bristle acetate toothbrush from Officine Universelle Buly 1803, which can be engraved with the initials of the future brush in the font. of your preference.
December is the holiday season, and a good bottle of liquor is always a reliable Christmas deal. For a drink with a backstory, try Hana Makgeolli’s artisan rice wine. The Brooklyn-based producer was founded last year by first-generation Korean-American Alice Jun, who had started making the Korean milky concoction in her apartment using organic rice and traditional brewing techniques that she learned from her father as a child. She and her business partner, John Limb, also offer gift cards that can be used in their tasting room, where their makgeolli is served alongside homemade bar food, including Dubu Kimchi (steamed tofu with sautéed kimchi) and Bossam. (braised pork belly and cabbage). ). If you prefer a dark liquor, there are several worthy options for Uncle Nehest Premium Whiskey, founded in 2017 by Fawn Weaver with the goal of paying tribute to the first known African-American master distiller, Nehest Green. All of the brand’s offerings, including its 1856 Premium Aged Whiskey and 1884 Premium Small Batch Whiskey, are distilled, aged and bottled in Tennessee, where Green was born.
At home and away
Cashmere slippers and calming incense
Traveling at this time of year is always stressful, especially now. To temper the craziness and allay any pre-vacation jitters, I recommend creating a cozy environment wherever you land. Start by lighting a stick or two of incense from London-based fragrance brand Vyrao. My favorite is Ember, which has notes of cistus and cedar wood, and comes in vibrant hues of neon orange, bright yellow, and magenta. Then, wander around your freshly scented spot in an equally colorful pair of Knighton slippers from British heritage brand John Lobb. They’re made from a soft, padded cashmere suede and come with a zippered travel case that you won’t leave home without in the future.
Game time
A floral puzzle, lucite chess pieces and more
Games are always an easy way to bring family and friends together, and this year, there is something for everyone. Take the new Monopoly ISSIMO, made in collaboration with the Italian e-commerce retailer, which is an offshoot of the legendary Pellicano Hotels Group. Modeled after an Italian road trip, this update to the classic board game takes players through the country’s 20 regions, highlighting iconic landmarks like Fiordo di Furore, Stromboli, and Burano, to name a few. For a more meditative endeavor, try Piecework’s new Tall Poppy 500-Piece Puzzle, which, when assembled, reveals a fuchsia-toned photograph taken by floral designer Doan Ly. The Parks Project Minimalist National Park cards, meanwhile, feature illustrations of scenes from the Badlands, the Grand Canyon, and other national parks, with proceeds from the platform going to support the protection and preservation of public lands. Finally, for the aesthetes on your list, Sunnylife’s Lucite Chess & Checkers board is an attractive two-in-one game whose transparent pieces are miniature sculptures in their own right.
When I give jewelry to a friend, it’s important to me that it be more than just a beautiful piece, so I start by choosing a manufacturer whose work feels deeply personal. An example is the Florentine designer Marco Panconesi, who draws on his memories of trips with his family. I especially like this pendant necklace of hers with layered chains and a blue obsidian bathed in green enamel. Another is Ren, founded by Crystal Ung, whose mission is to honor and extend their Asian-American heritage through modern jade pieces. And if jewelry just feels too intimidating as a gift, consider one of their antique trinket trays – hailing from Asia, dating back to the 1800s, and working perfectly to hold ornaments you already own.