Media

Great Expectations

This isn’t just another gift guide. And it’s definitely not a list of ideas meant only for the holiday season.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY DAVID ENGELHARDT ✷ STYLING BY DANNY SEO

Our Founding Editor Danny loves experiencing the joy that’s sparked when you give the just-right gift. The best presents reveal that you took the time to find something truly unique. So, in the spirit of quality over quantity and style that marries sustainability, we’ve sleuthed out some items that make amazing gifts all year round.

$128; oliveandcocoa.com

This artful ceramic gardenia emits an intoxicating floral scent (and it’s packaged in a handcrafted wood crate—bonus gift!).

$19.98 to $24.98; homedepot.com

Sure, LED string lights aren’t anything new. But LED lights that flicker and sparkle like a starry night? Welllll that’s a different story.

$10; palmaswim.com

The most luxurious face mask is also eco-friendly—it’s made with 90-percent recycled poly. And when you buy one, they give one.

$18.99; tenthousandvillages.com
$13; jacobsensalt.com

Here’s a perfect pairing: a fair-trade salt-and-pepper shaker set and flake salt infused with Oregon Pinot Noir.

$119; vitruvi.com

Experience a magical mist of an intoxicating essential oil as it wafts throughout the room, starting from this chic and simple diffuser.

Korres Amethyst Oud $52; korres.com

Take a whiff of sumptuously clean scents, and you’ll be hooked. Acqua di Parma Colonia Futura $170; sephora.com

$168; gantri.com

Don’t let the sleek retro design fool you: This LED table lamp is designed using a 3D printer to make manufacturing efficient and designer price tags more affordable.

$87; mgbwhome.com

Dramatic. Hand-carved. Lava stone. It simply bowled us over.

$345; italeau.com

Suede boots you can wear in the rain? Yep. It’s a fashion miracle.

$17.98; truff.com

The humble baked potato (or any everyday food!) gets an instant upgrade with this thick, spicy truffled hot sauce.

 $27.50; haand.us

The description of this swirly, stylish porcelain vase says it all: “Handmade by a Person.” Yep, ’nuff said.

$89 for a two-day meal kit; patagoniaprovisions.com

This isn’t camp food; it’s well-sourced glamping cuisine. Why? Two words—smoked mussels.

$49; serumkind.com

This new K-Beauty vegan-serum collection transforms skin from lackluster to lustrous with hero ingredients like sea buckthorn and Iceland moss.

$160; us.oliviaburton.com

Twinkle, twinkle—this little Celestial watch is a total superstar. 

$35; earthselements.com

This gift gives daily when the beneficiary massages and rolls away puffiness. It’s a facial tool crafted of real tiger’s-eye gemstone.

$189.99; projectrepat.com

Here’s a gift that’s next-level personal: You send them sentimental old flannels (or tees) and they do the hard work of quilting the items into a blanket.

$115; vennskincare.com
$20; us.patyka.com
$85; vennskincare.com

’Tis the season to CTRL+ALT+DEL tired skin and give it a healthy reboot. (left to right)

$28; gibbs-smith.com

If you love this magazine, you’ll adore our brand-new Desserts cookbook. It’s filled with sweets minus the guilt.

(left to right)
$39; spaoficeland.com
$28; vimandvigorcandleco.com

“I have too many candles!” said no one, ever. Naturally, we get fired up about clean, slow-burning soy candles—these are the best ever.