Nearly every gift guide that’s been published this season has wrung its hands about the state of gift guides — how there are too many, and they aren’t even that good; how they’ve become vessels for affiliate link dumps; how people aren’t even using them to buy gifts! The nerve! As much as we’d like to be the ones to ignore the discourse, we’re here to say three things: 1) This guide is that good. 2) There’s nary an affiliate link to be found, considering most of these pieces are by independent designers who are frankly too often confused by affiliate culture to participate. And 3) we don’t care whether or not you buy these as gifts for someone. Or if you buy them for yourself! It’s just a nice way to spend time, looking at a manageable number of beautiful things. (Although a friend told us this year that she consistently uses the Sight Unseen gift guide to try to prove to her mother-in-law that she is, in fact, stylish — is this the vibe you’re looking for? Great!)

Obviously we built this guide with the idea that we personally would love to receive any of these as items for the holidays. And if you’re going to buy gifts, it’s always a great idea to buy vintage or from the kind of small makers featured in this guide. But generally you can consider this the Schrödinger’s cat of gift guides. It is both a guide to buying gifts and a guide to not buying gifts. Sometimes the biggest gift of all is the permission to abandon your to-do list and simply enjoy.

Jill’s Gift Guide

FOR THE HOME (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT)

Hide Lamp by Studio Muka, price upon request
In this incredibly chic lamp by the LA interiors firm Studio Muka, a hand-pleated translucent leather shade sits atop a cylindrical aluminum base. Buy this for your tough friend who’s actually a major softie.
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Little Digit Box by TTMM, $750
This polished aluminum box, lined in walnut, is so elegant it doesn’t really matter what you keep inside. Lipstick? Jewelry? Edibles? Buttons? Extra lanyard string for your middle schooler if she’s bougie like that? The possibilities are endless. (No, I’m not buying this for my 10 year old!)
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Silhouette Vase by Astraeus Clarke, $550
This laser-cut brass vase comes in a variety of metals and finishes, but we’re partial to the raw brass, high-polish chrome, and this “rusty salmon,” shown here in the apartment of interior designer Josh Greene.
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Stitch Blanket by Ready to Hang x Viso Project, $790
A mohair and wool throw with exaggerated stitching, in colors of the moment — chocolate brown and butter yellow. Find me under this, binging all six seasons of The Americans.

FOR THE PERFECT ‘FIT

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Calder Earrings by Mary MacGill, $295
There are so many Calder-inspired products on the market right now, but these unfussy spirals, by Mary MacGill, are a simple and beautiful outfit upgrade.
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Vivianna Torun brooch by Georg Jensen, $350
Everyone’s wearing brooches now, so why not get one designed by an undersung mid-century female silversmith?
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Po Bag in Persimmon by Lindquist, $780
I’m something of an evangelist for the Providence, Rhode Island–based brand Lindquist — their new bucket tote is giving ’90s Coach in a verrrry good way — but, as a proponent of the “unexpected red” theory, this tomato hue might be my favorite. Also, monogramming is only $25 extra! I have one Lindquist bag with my name monogrammed inside, one that says “HI” when you open the flap, and one that says “AS IF,” but someone I know got “DTF” printed inside so, like, the world is literally your oyster.
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Seven-Ball Hair Comb by Jessi Burch, $495
Elevate your morning routine, elevate your life. Hot water and lemon, no emails before 9AM, and a hundred brushstrokes with this Josef Hoffmann-inspired, sterling silver and onyx comb. Doctor’s orders.

FOR THE TABLE

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Cutting Board #44 by Martino Gamper, $375
This salvaged redwood cutting board is from Blunk Shop, which actually has lots of perfect gift-y things, but I’m a fan of buying affordable smalls by big-name designers from whom you’ll likely never buy something larger. Huge cheese board flex.
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Asobi Drinking Glass, set of 2, by Hudson Wilder, $110
A classy cocktail glass that would look great with an icy martini or a deeply pink Cosmo.
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Totemic Devotion Candlestick Set by Alighieri, $477
These stacked sterling silver candlesticks, inspired by rock totems, would be a great addition to any tablescape.
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Mono Ring Flatware by Mark Braun and Peter Raacke, $598 for a set of 24 + stand
Love the idea of giving these as a starter set to a post-grad, or putting them out at a family-style dinner party for everyone to grab their own.

Monica’s Gift Guide

FOR THE HOME (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT)

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Donald Judd 1957-1963: Painting and Objects, $150
This new book from Gagosian explores Donald Judd’s paintings and early works, focusing on the period when Judd was transitioning from two-dimensional to three-dimensional work — to be honest, a time we know very little about. A good primer for holiday party small talk.
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Balancing Act Candle Holder by Six Dots Design, $470
Our second Calder-inspired piece in the guide, this welded steel candleholder, handmade in London, is at once whimsical and kind of goth.
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Geometric Abstract Painting from Gillian Bryce Gallery, $295
I’m someone who will buy a great painting for myself even if I have nowhere to put it. Thus I believe paintings are the perfect gift for those who have everything. And prolific dealer Gillian Bryce always has great stuff!
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Small Leather Dish with Metal Feet by Savette, $550
Made in collaboration with interior designer Alyssa Kapito, this tiny geometric catch-all, inspired by Jean Després and Art Deco jewelry boxes, is perfect for someone who’s always forgetting to mutter “wallet, phone, keys” before they leave the house.

FOR THE PERFECT ‘FIT

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X Ballet shoe by Hopp Studios, $235
The most versatile shoe out there: comfortable enough to wear anywhere, vibe goes with anything, socks or no socks depending on the weather. The soles are cushy and flexible — your friend/partner’s feet will thank you.
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Gower sunglasses by Cubitts, $250
Unisex sunglasses with a simple but interesting shape. Maybe best to get them a gift certificate, though, since the most amazing thing about Cubitts is that all its frames come in small, medium, or large so you can pick what suits your face.
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Mocha Ember robe by OAS, $290
Technically for men, but I’d get this terry robe for my boyfriend then proceed to “borrow” it on the reg. Very Mediterranean chic, but in a nice toned-down palette.
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Endless hair clip by Trine Tuxen, $220
Hair accessories have gotten so good lately. This clip may be stylish but it’s also classic enough to wear for years to come — same can be said of this headband that almost made my list.

FOR THE TABLE

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Lacquer Plates by Bi-Rite Studio, $50 for a set of two
Just when we thought we’d seen everything, dishware-wise, Bi-Rite took a smoky glass dinner plate and dipped it in a yellowy-beige ceramic glaze. By hand, of course, so each one is slightly different.
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Seison Butter Knife by Studio Formbart, $120
Spreading butter on bread is already such a joyful act, imagine doing it with this sculptural hunk of a knife? Designed by Stockholm’s Sarah E. Haukka, it can stand upright on its base between uses.
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Double Stem Candleholder by Sophie Lou Jacobsen, $195
Your brain might want to resist bringing yet another spiral into the house, but the heart wants what the heart wants, and you can’t argue with the drama of this tall double candlestick — or even two — on a formal table.
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Plash glass by Ursula Futura, $56
$56 for handmade glass is sort of a steal these days, and even better since these come in the perfect, non-factory-standard palette: brown and brown swirl, shown here, plus an acid green and a cheery sky blue.