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holidaze
December 3, 2012

Forty-four Stylish Gifts We All Really Want

By the Cut

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Photo: Samantha Hahn

Even if you don’t plan to buy gifts for your co-workers, they’re still great templates for the men and women you’ll soon be shopping for. Maybe you’ve got a diehard aesthete on your list, one of those guys who’s obsessed with all things “heritage” (or, uh, vintage), or a gal who needs shoes and notebooks to help juggle a gazillion appointments. That’s why, this holiday season, rather than just pick out some randomly beautiful stuff, the staff of the Cut decided to play the ultimate version of Secret Santa. We each drew names, and then chose gifts that were both practical (cheap) and more fantastically expensive. Click ahead to see what we’re getting, a list full of items you’ll want to steal for yourself.

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1 / 16 Photos
For Christina Han, Beauty Editor “As the lady in charge of potions, anti-aging tricks, and the newest in nail polish, Xtina always has tons of ap... For Christina Han, Beauty Editor “As the lady in charge of potions, anti-aging tricks, and the newest in nail polish, Xtina always has tons of appointments. The personalized pencils and notebook should help keep track, while the comfortable-yet-glam shoes are ideal for a well-coiffed woman whose daily life is anything but leisurely.” — Ally Betker, Assistant ---------- Oriental Trading Blue Personalized Pencils, $8; 3.1 Phillip Lim Carmen Pebbled Leather Platform Pumps, $595; Golden Viper Journal, $20. Photo: Samantha Hahn
For Stella Bugbee, Editorial Director “When someone writes a 440-word essay on a certain item, it’s not too hard to figure out what to get her. I... For Stella Bugbee, Editorial Director “When someone writes a 440-word essay on a certain item, it’s not too hard to figure out what to get her. If the waitlist’s too long, though, our fearless leader also had a Saul Steinberg clipping taped to her wall. The holidays are all about taking hints, and the book is great for inspiring her to draw fun pictures with her three kids.” — Christina Han, Beauty Editor ---------- Saul Steinberg: A Biography by Deirdre Bair, $40; Saint Laurent Classic Duffle 12 Bag in Earth Leather, $2,650. Photo: Samantha Hahn
For Kurt Soller, Fashion Features Editor “I believe in asking people for what they want. I'm not sure why our resident menswear snob wanted playi... For Kurt Soller, Fashion Features Editor “I believe in asking people for what they want. I'm not sure why our resident menswear snob wanted playing cards —he mentioned he likes the design stuff from Best Made Co. — but hopefully he wins enough gambling with them to buy his own vintage Rolex.” — Stella Bugbee, Editorial Director ---------- Best Made Playing Cards, $8; Vintage Rolex Stainless-Steel Oyster Perpetual Chronometre, $3,750. Photo: Samantha Hahn
For Charlotte Cowles, Senior Editor “Something you may not know: The New York offices are freezing. Char can keep this jacket at her desk for add... For Charlotte Cowles, Senior Editor “Something you may not know: The New York offices are freezing. Char can keep this jacket at her desk for added insulation, along with her new terrarium (great distraction from 3 p.m. blogging). The earrings get stashed in her drawer for any last-minute invite to a fabulous event.” — Kurt Soller, Fashion Features Editor ---------- Oscar de la Renta 24-Karat Gold-Plated Swarovski Crystal Clip Earrings, $450; Plantzilla Hanging Air Plant Terrarium Tillandsias in Glass Globe, $28; Isabel Marant Tadley Chunky-Knit Wool Cardigan, $765. Photo: Samantha Hahn
For Kat Stoeffel, Associate Editor “Our whip-smart Love & War blogger usually prefers a pared-down palette of neutrals (and lots of gray!), s... For Kat Stoeffel, Associate Editor “Our whip-smart Love & War blogger usually prefers a pared-down palette of neutrals (and lots of gray!), so I’d love to add a colorful handbag to the mix. Inside, she’d carry this more feminine take on a Swiss Army knife. It’s incredibly useful — whether to prepare for an important interview or a particularly rowdy Friday night.” — Charlotte Cowles, Senior Editor ---------- Proenza Schouler PS11 Classic textured-leather shoulder bag, $1,950; Restoration Hardware 5-in-1 Money Clip, $10. Photo: Samantha Hahn
For Ally Betker, Assistant “What to get a woman who’s not afraid to change things up daily? Crowd-pleasing nail polish with a glittery finish, a ... For Ally Betker, Assistant “What to get a woman who’s not afraid to change things up daily? Crowd-pleasing nail polish with a glittery finish, a sweater that will make her co-workers jealous, and a necklace with a backstory of the city she calls home.” — Sally Holmes, Producer ---------- Deborah Lippmann "Through the Fire" Nail Lacquer, $18; Deborah Lippmann "Glamorous Life" Nail Lacquer, $16; Deborah Lippmann "Cleopatra in New York" Nail Lacquer, $18; Three Jane The Map Necklace, $165; Tibi Mesh-Patterned Cotton-Blend Sweater, $345. Photo: Samantha Hahn
For Veronica Gledhill, Senior Market Editor “She’s a diehard aesthete, so I decided to send some of my favorite things from London (where I live)... For Veronica Gledhill, Senior Market Editor “She’s a diehard aesthete, so I decided to send some of my favorite things from London (where I live) her way. To match the Smythson book and Harrods in transit, some high-design takes on a kettle and pen that will, I hope, please her discerning eye.” — Alex Rees, London Correspondent ---------- CB2 Om Beaker Glass Teapot, $18; Harrods Looseleaf Spiced Green Tea, $15; Smythson Runway Textured-Leather Notebook, $135; Maison Martin Margiela by Ostrich Feather Pen, $60. Photo: Samantha Hahn
For Emily Shornick, Photo Editor “Things that this Brooklyn lady loves in no particular order: cooking, her cat, and beautiful photographs. The b... For Emily Shornick, Photo Editor “Things that this Brooklyn lady loves in no particular order: cooking, her cat, and beautiful photographs. The bowl, book, and new Lomo camera suit all those needs, while the pants will jive with her tomboy style, but kick it up a notch for impending holiday parties and into springtime, too.” — Rebecca Ramsey, Fashion Editor ---------- Lomography La Sardina 33mm Camera, $108; J.Crew Collection Pintucked Capri Pant, $288; Dessert Bowl in Moonstone, $23; The Meowmorphosis by Franz Kafka and Cook Coleridge, $11. Photo: Samantha Hahn
For Hilary Moss, Associate Editor “Our clever blogger is one of those great women with strong opinions, but a quiet voice. The megaphone will hel... For Hilary Moss, Associate Editor “Our clever blogger is one of those great women with strong opinions, but a quiet voice. The megaphone will help. She also asked specifically for Alexander Wang, the person, for Christmas, but he’s probably busy in Paris, so his dress will have to do instead.” — Emily Shornick, Photo Editor ---------- Alexander Wang Fringed Tulle and Silk Dress, $1,625; Getz Cheerleaders Riveted 22" Length Megaphones in Black, $22. Photo: Samantha Hahn
For Diana Tsui, Senior Market Editor “She’s the one who hunts down affordable, interesting, and downright cool stuff for readers to buy, but I’d ... For Diana Tsui, Senior Market Editor “She’s the one who hunts down affordable, interesting, and downright cool stuff for readers to buy, but I’d love to spoil this practical lady with an over-the-top Celine bag she loved from the runways. She also gravitates toward all things sparkly, so this bedazzler will be useful in making this bag her own.” — Hilary Moss, Associate Editor ---------- As Seen on TV Bedazzler, $32; Celine Spring 2013 Runway Clutch. Photo: Samantha Hahn
For Rebecca Ramsey, Fashion Editor “Since she just moved, Rebecca could use a chic take on thumbtacks to hang her gorgeous jewelry collection, pl... For Rebecca Ramsey, Fashion Editor “Since she just moved, Rebecca could use a chic take on thumbtacks to hang her gorgeous jewelry collection, plus this new butterfly — a high-style insect that’s welcome indoors. As for the sunglasses? Who wouldn't want something from the Row this Christmas?” — Diana Tsui, Senior Market Editor ---------- Equilateral Triangle Nails, $28; The Row Cat Eye Sunglasses, $445; Blue Morpho Adonis Butterfly, $121. Photo: Samantha Hahn
For Alex Rees, London Correspondent “Since men are unfairly deprived of purses, he deserves an iPhone Wallet Case that has room for cards, a bit ... For Alex Rees, London Correspondent “Since men are unfairly deprived of purses, he deserves an iPhone Wallet Case that has room for cards, a bit of a cash and — here’s the game changer — a house key. If he loses it, he’s screwed. The robe will help him feel dandy while writing from home, while the ink blots can be fun to parse through after he’s done reading through every single fashion mag.” — Maureen O'Connor, Features Editor ---------- Bonobos Silk Maroon and White Polka Dot Gentleman’s Robe, $168; The Redstoine Inkblot Test, $15; iPhone Wallet Case, $17. Photo: Samantha Hahn
For Spencer Mandell, Bookings Editor “Every guy needs a pair of well-made leather shoes; the subtle blue stripe on these ones will help Spencer s... For Spencer Mandell, Bookings Editor “Every guy needs a pair of well-made leather shoes; the subtle blue stripe on these ones will help Spencer stand out, while the handmade poster and artisanal shades are just right for the type of heritage-hound who spends his weekends trolling through flea markets.” — Veronica Gledhill, Senior Market Editor ---------- thevaguely Just Be Cool Poster, $58; Cutler and Gross D-Frame Acetate Sunglasses, $500; Church's Limited Edition Stratford Polished Fume Antracite, $315. Photo: Samantha Hahn
For Maureen O'Connor, Features Editor “Tough, stylish, strong, feminine: All words that describe both Mo and Eddie Borgo’s stunning posts. She’d ... For Maureen O'Connor, Features Editor “Tough, stylish, strong, feminine: All words that describe both Mo and Eddie Borgo’s stunning posts. She’d wear them on a date with the new perfume, obviously, while the bottled brew is so she might finally kick her Diet Coke addiction. Coffee’s healthier, right?” — Spencer Mandell, Bookings Editor ---------- Eddie Borgo Pave Crystal Spike Earrings, Silver, $350; Le Labo Neroli 36 Perfume, 3.4 fl oz, $220; La Colombe Pure Black Cold Brew, $6. Photo: Samantha Hahn
For Sally Holmes, Producer “She not only moved across the country to Los Angeles, but just moved in with her boyfriend. The classic trench from B... For Sally Holmes, Producer “She not only moved across the country to Los Angeles, but just moved in with her boyfriend. The classic trench from Burberry is about the heaviest coat she’ll need out west, while the gilded bookends will help her carve out a space of her own on the shelves she now shares.” — Amelia Diamond, Contributing Fashion Editor ---------- Burberry Mid-Length Stretch Cotton Trench Coat, $1,295; Gold Pig Bookends Set of 2, $30. Photo: Samantha Hahn
For Amelia Diamond, Contributing Fashion Editor “One of the office cool girls, but I suspect she’s also a secret prep. She could live out her hor... For Amelia Diamond, Contributing Fashion Editor “One of the office cool girls, but I suspect she’s also a secret prep. She could live out her horseback-riding past without losing hipster cred with these two witty takes on East Coast essentials: good card stock with surfer slang instead of a monogram, and an update on the Greenwich mom tote. The ornament is just pretty.” — Kat Stoeffel, Associate Editor ---------- Marbled Glass Orb, $12; Reed Krakoff Boxer Tote, $1,113; Wittmore Rad Note Card Set, $22. Photo: Samantha Hahn
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