Under $150(ish) Gift Guide!

Hi, everyone! For your gifting pleasure, we’ve put together a list of things we love for under the $150 mark (and some that are a tiny bit over because they were too good to leave out!) If you’re a free subscriber, you’re seeing a sneak peek of a few of our favorite picks. If you’d like to upgrade to paid, you’ll get the full list of 21+ wonderful items. As always, thank you for supporting us and our little newsletter. And send us pics on Instagram of any happy present recipients—we love to see smiling faces! Happiest holidays to you all and see you in January.

Alexa Brazilian

Aaron Millhiser

Courtney Broadwater

Alexa’s Favorites

From left: 1. “I love giving little but luxurious beauty products as gifts, like Chanel nail polish. It’s fun choosing a color that matches someone’s personality and if you buy a bottle at a Chanel beauty counter it will come in their tiny glossy black bags which are so beautiful. If they’re not polish people, a super-special mascara or lip balm is also fab (the most unreal ones are below for paid subscribers!) 2. Ocean State Pepper Co. from Rhode Island makes the most amazing spices and dip mixes. Their Hangry Onion Dip Seasoning is delicious and zippy (better than Lipton’s). Every time I serve it people freak out. 3. Finding a good florist to send flowers anywhere other than your home town is always risky. Flowerbx delivers to many American cities (and ones in the UK) and their single-flower arrangements are always so fresh and elegant—with no fern or baby’s breath fillers! This Mini Parrot Tulip bouquet of 25 stems comes with a great vase, too. 4. I have multiple punch bowls in my house and I can’t tell you how useful they are for entertaining. This one is so affordable and comes with all the cups! Make a strong signature drink or pack it with ice and lots of bottles of bubbly!

Aaron’s Favorites

From left: 1.“This Alex Mill extra-fine merino wool bandana is awesome…a very thoughtful stocking stuffer to bring someone’s personal style to the next level. I want to wear it as a headscarf.” 2.“One of my most favorite gifts to give of all time are J. Crew’s end-on-end pajamas with a custom monogram. Give them to everyone you’re celebrating the holidays with to make your life easier and eliminate envy. I also give these as birthday presents and baby shower gifts (great to wear at the hospital), everyone loves a monogram!” 3.“I finally visited Khanoom, a ceramics studio just below the Aravalli Foothills in Jaipur. Founders Priyamvada and Simon began collaborating a few years ago, with intentions of preserving age-old techniques with a modern twist while ensuring the livelihood of their potters and hand painters. These pomegranate plates are created using a lost wax technique and the green tone comes from a copper-oxide glaze. You can also have custom initials painted on the back of each plate for an extra special detail (DM Khanoom for ordering details).” 4.“SZ Blockprints made these very festive napkins for the holidays. Perfect to bring to a holiday party as a hostess gift, send to friends and family you won’t see or to yourself for whatever celebration you’re hosting.  Made with love in Jaipur, SZ Blockprints is Founder Sarah Zellweger’s love story and commitment to the traditions of block printing and the artisan community which sustainably produces her collection.”

Courtney’s Favorites

From left: 1.“I have given these tiny Limoges treasure boxes to people I love for a long time. This little pepper teapot made me laugh. It’s silly but beautiful, too and something you would never buy for yourself. 2.“These paper crowns from The Shop Floor Project are inspired by 18th century royal tiaras and crowns. My family has a tradition of poppers at Christmas Eve dinner and these crowns are an amazing substitute. They also remind you to have fun, enjoy life and throw a party. 3.“Bonne Maison’s socks are so special and the patterns are so unique. I like to surprise loved ones with something they’ll actually wear and the ski-trail theme reminds of my childhood in Vermont. 4.“I bought this lama knit purse for my 5-year-old goddaughter and I picture her toting it around everywhere stuffing it with candy or pennies.”