2015 Holiday Gift Guide

For the best holiday giving ideas, look no further than the Traditional Home gift guide. Our editors have rounded up a fabulous collection of items to give (and get!) this holiday season. And, we've even broken up the guide into four handy sections, to help you find that just-right gift. Happy shopping and happy holidays!

Affordable Luxuries

Sophisticated Finds

Great Buys

Worth the Splurge

Affordable Luxuries

Roost Jewelry, starting at $55 from Vickerey

Roost makes simply beautiful handmade jewelry. The pieces shown here are from the Royston, Herimer and Drusy, and Crystal Honeycomb collections, which utilize hammered brass, turquoise, and other natural stones. Visit Vickerey to shop all of Roost’s jewelry. 

Trimmed Sheet Set, starting at $200 from Boll & Branch 

Available in three calming colorways, the delicately trimmed sheet set comes prettily packaged. Bonus: You’ll sleep easier knowing you’ve given a gift that is 100%-certified organic and made with eco-friendly, nontoxic dyes. 

Times Two Design Punk Rock Boxes, starting at $200 from Zinc Door 

Lacquered boxes get a major boost in style with the addition of a sleek brass strip and three turned gemstone points. Available in three different sizes and colors and three varieties of gems to choose from—you can mix, match, and give to your heart’s content. 

Tarak Pillow, $280 from Pyar & Co.

Sometimes, just a small accent can make a big statement. Enter the “Tarak” pillow, a stylishly studded and oh-so-chic leather throw. Also available in worn black and suede.

Casca Gemstone Bowl (shown in Rose Quartz + Gold), starting at $395 from Rablabs

Beautiful, hand-carved semi-precious gemstones are dipped in pure 24k gold and the result is these stunning bowls. Available in different gemstones and also in silver.

Small Bow Tie in Silk Twill, $155 from Hermes 

The dapper bow tie gets a feminine upgrade with these Hermes bow ties in brightly colored prints. They can also be worn as a bracelet or hair accessory. 

Footed Bowls, starting at $145 from Two Tone Studios 

Large footed bowls make delightful serving pieces or colorful accents. Available in 8- or 12-inch widths, one of these saccharinely colored vessels would make a very special gift.  

Music System Three with Cabinet, $379.98 from Tivoli Audio

With AM/FM, Bluetooth capabilities, and a 20-hour battery life, Tivoli’s music system delivers portable audio with high style. Available in 8 different color combinations. 

Bohemian Glass Bead Earrings, starting at $125 from Neue Galerie

The Bohemian-chic jewelry on display at New York's Neue Galerie Design Shop is also available online. Created in the spirit of the Wiener Werkstätte the ball drop earrings are handmade with Bohemian glass salvaged from 1920s handbags. 

Monogrammed Flat Plate Set, $230 for set of 6 from Capolavori

Personalization is the touch that takes a good gift and makes it a great gift. That’s why we love these handcrafted majolica monogrammed plates. 

Long-Long Pajama Set, $108 from Lake Pajamas

Holidays are made for lounging around. Bonus points for cute lounge attire. This pajama set made from super soft pima cotton ought to do the trick. Available in two pleasing colorways. 

College Stadium Prints, starting at $110 from the Stadium Blueprint Company

Perfect for the football fan in your life, museum-quality blueprints of favorite college stadiums are a unique way to show team spirit.  Available in two sizes and with the option to frame, these prints would be a nice addition to a gallery wall or man cave. 

Deco Twist Frame (4x6), $285 from L’Objet and Woodbury Square Photo Block in Gift Box, $125 from Simon Pearce

Pictures frames make a lovely gift, especially when paired with a thoughtful photo. We love the unique look of the Square Photo Block from Simon Pearce and the glamorous appeal of platinum and crystal on L’Objet’s Deco Twist Frame (also available in 5x7 and 8x10). 

French Press, $150 from Yield Design

A beautifully designed white ceramic French press is ideal for the java lover or design aficionado on your list. The ceramic body insulates and keeps your delicious brew a consistent temperature. 

Cozy Throws from Missoni Home and Coyuchi

Spread cheer with this colorful striped throw. Made from a wool blend, it’s both practical and stylish for snuggling up.  $480 from Missoni Home. 

Equally cozy, but with a more rustic appeal, Coyuchi’s “Baby Alpaca” throw is stronger and warmer than Merino wool. $298 from Coyuchi. 

Sophisticated Finds

KitchenAid 4-Quart Multi-Cooker and Stir Tower, $550 from KitchenAid

This counter-type appliance is the most versatile appliance you (or your favorite newlywed) will ever own. It has more than 10 settings—including sear, sauté, simmer, soup, yogurt, boil/steam, slow-cook, and warm. The stir-tower attachment mixes, flips, stirs, scrapes, and incorporates ingredients. 

Copper & Stainless Steel Oval Roasting Pan, $530 from Mauviel

The polished copper exterior alone was enough to sell us on Mauviel’s roasting pan, but factor in the accommodating size (17.7 inches) and versatility—this beautiful pan can easily go from stovetop to tabletop. 

Great Buys

Greek Key Dinnerware, sold in Sets of Two starting at $60 from The Blush Label

This fine china combines three things we love: blue and white, a classic Greek key pattern, and the urge to set a beautiful table. 

Catalytic Lamp, starting at $37 from Lampe Berger Paris

Developed in France in 1898 to purify the air in hospitals, Lampe Berger became the chicest accessory in Paris apartments. Coco Chanel and Jean Cocteau each owned one. Ditto Picasso. The small, attractive vases come in many shapes and colors (from glass to ceramic) and some earlier iterations were designed by Lalique, Gallé, and Baccarat. Today's fragrance lamps add a subtle ambient scent to spaces (but it's also available without scent).

Savino Connoisseur Wine Preserver, $59.95 from Savino Wine

Keep that leftover wine fresh without any pumps, corks, or gas with the Savino Wine Preserver. It makes a great gift for the entertainer or those who like to savor one glass at a time, and the sleek glass carafe is pretty enough to take to the table. 

Bright Illuminating Digital Hand Mixer, $79.99 from OXO

The light on this digital hand mixer allows for close monitoring of the mixing process, and should the occasion ever arise, whipping cream in the dark. Bonus points for the on-board beater clip.  

Rothko Touchscreen Gloves, $29 from Verloop Knits

In the tech-savvy world we live in, touchscreen gloves are a necessity. Luckily, these colorful gloves from Verloop are available in nine different colors and won’t break the bank. 

Knit Cat and Ice Cream Rattle, $68 and $11 from Brimful

Dapper Percy Cat is hand knit with baby alpaca wool and pima cotton detailing for a super soft cuddle buddy. Ice cream rattles available in three “flavors,” are made of organic bamboo yarn gentle enough for baby. 

Outstanding American Gardens: A Celebration and Apartment Therapy: Complete + Happy Home, starting at $19 through Amazon 

Books for people who love beautiful homes and gardens as much as we do. Our first pick, a book celebrating the Garden Conservancy’s 25th anniversary, showcases a number of the gardens, both private and public, that the group has worked with over the years. A beautifully illustrated read for any gardener on your list. 

Our second pick comes from the brains behind the clever and creative Apartment Therapy website. They bring their expertise to the printed page with this value-loaded guide to finding and making a livable and personal home. Tips on choosing colors, floor plans—and even light bulbs—along with practical organizing and cleaning pointers make this a must-read.  

Engraved Holiday Nutcracker or Deer Gift Enclosures, $30 for a set of 10 from Pickett's Press

Festive metallic foil motifs on brightly colored paper make these gift enclosures perfect little additions to holiday wrapping. Give a set as a gift or use them yourself as you spread holiday cheer.     

Mircroplane Cut Resistant Glove, $14.95 through Williams-Sonoma

A must-have accessory for anyone who spends time in the kitchen, and especially helpful for kids or beginner cooks, Microplane's glove is made with unique synthetic fibers that resist cuts and protect precious hands. 

Breakfast Bracelets, $25 from The Thorn Tree Project 

Handmade by women of the Samburu people of Kenya, these traditional bracelets are beautiful and colorful alone, or layered in a playful stack. The proceeds from each bracelet pay for breakfast for one child everyday for one school year—hence, Breakfast Bracelets.  

Take a friend to this Met Exhibit, $25 per ticket 

A new show at the Costume Center at New York's Metropolitan focuses on the French aristocrat Countess Jacqueline de Ribes. A muse to Yves Saint Laurent and one of the elite socialites dubbed "swans" by Truman Capote, Jacqueline must have some roomy closets to house both her own designs as well as rarities by Valentino, Dior, and Saint Laurent. On display from November 19 through February 26, 2016.

Drop App + Scale, $99.95 from getdrop.com

We’ve all been there, trying to make half a recipe of something then realizing that an egg doesn’t exactly halve well. It’s a dilemma no more thanks to the genius new app, Drop. Enter the recipe and the number of desired servings into the app, and Drop will reduce or increase the portion size accordingly, plus all ingredients will be measured accurately using the Drop scale.  

Winter Flower Gift Kit, starts at $48.95 from Longfield Gardens

Bring holiday cheer indoors with beautiful flowers. This kit comes in a rustic box with rope handles, soil and moss, and either two amaryllis bulbs or eight paperwhite bulbs. Watch and delight as the blooms emerge. 

Books for Foodies, starting at $22 from Amazon

When it comes to books, we have four picks for foodies. They're all by remarkable chefs, each sharing different stories and recipes from a unique point of view. Heritage by Sean Brock, Prune by Gabrielle Hamilton, New Prairie Kitchen by Summer Miller, Kitchen Gypsy by Joanne Weir.   

Quilted Velvet Slippers, $68 from Kumi Kookoon

Slip cold feet into uber-soft quilted velvet slippers from Kumi Kookoon. Available in an array of colors, these cozy wonders come with a faux suede bag ideal for travel or gifting. 

Foster an Elephant, starting at $50 through the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

How many children have a pet pachyderm? Your dear one will (for $50 a year), if you sign up for an unusual gift—adopt an orphaned baby elephant rescued by the world-famous David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Nairobi. The sanctuary is for elephants whose mothers were killed by poachers. The fostering program includes a stream of pictures and updates so you can keep an eye on the herd. 

Tablet and Travel Pillow, approximately $36.59 from Bosign Stockholm

As any traveler knows, items that serve multiple purposes are your friends, like this neck pillow that doubles as a tablet stand. Handy for frequent travelers or a student headed abroad. 

Cocktails of the Movies, $16 from Amazon

This book is “an illustrated guide to cinematic mixology,” great for foodies and cinephiles alike. It features original illustrations and recipes for all those Hollywood cocktails. 

Nate Berkus Design Cheese Utensils, $16.99 from Target

It’s the holiday season and that means one thing: entertaining. This set of 3 cheese utensils is a pretty way to thank your hostess without breaking your budget.  

Malvi Original Marshmallow Sampler, $28 from Malvi Marshmallow Confections

Consider the cocoa. Send these scrumptious marshmallows to someone special to let them know you’re thinking of them. And their hot chocolate. Yum! 

Embroidered Journals, $14.99 from Galison

Handmade journals from Galison would make an excellent gift for the writers on your list. High-quality lined pages and uniquely crafted covers set these journals apart from the rest. 

Roslë Soup Serving Ladle, $30 from Roslë USA

Roslë’s beautiful, stainless steel soup ladle is pretty enough to go from tureen to table. Plus, it features a special pouring rim to help avoid drips on your beautiful tablecloth. 

Truffle Tremor Cheese, starting at $27 from Cypress Grove Chevre

A flavorful, creamy cheese delivered right to your door is almost too good to be true. Truffle Tremor is a goat cheese blended with notes of Italian black summer Truffles. Available starting at $27. This is a gift you just might want to keep for yourself! 

Fruit Box, $39.98 from Hale Groves

Send some sunshine with this fresh Florida citrus box. Fresh tangerines, grapefruit, and oranges (and a few bonus goodies) delivered directly to the doorstep. 

13 Artists Children Should Know and 13 Architects Children Should Know, $14.95 through Amazon

13 Artists Children Should Know and 13 Architects Children Should Know are lively and informative books for pint-size artists and architects. What is Impressionism? How did Andrea Palladio transform Western architecture? Each entry includes a biography and illustrations of major works. 

Unfiltered Greek Olive Oil Set, $38 from Food 52

Lend an authentic olive flavor to your cooking with Food 52’s unfiltered Greek Extra Virgin Olive Oil. The set contains one robust oil and one mild oil, perfect for the person who likes to choose his or her own culinary adventures

Leather Tassel Key Chain, $49 from Mark & Graham

These stylish tassel key chains are available in a bevy of peppy colors. And, with free monogramming, they are easily personalized. 

Klaus Haapaniemi Pillows, starting at approximately $51 from Klaus Haapaniemi

Inspired by the folklore and traditional decorative arts of Haapaniemi’s native Finland, Klaus Haapaniemi & Co.’s collection of pillows blend fantasy and nature. Playful prints and hand-embroidered detail give these unique pillows that extra-special touch. (Shown: Putte Cat Black, and Tanssi)

Worth the Splurge

Cocktail Party in a Box, $1,300 from Baccarat 

Choose your own cocktail adventure with Baccarat’s Cocktail Party in a Box. A worthy splurge for the host or hostess with the mostest, the set of eight different glasses comes packaged in a perfectly festive red box. (Tray not included.)

Pierre Ice Bucket, $1,500 from Jay Jeffers for Arteriors

Hand etching creates an artful pattern on this solid brass ice bucket. An ideal gift for the holiday entertainer, it chills two bottles at once! 

Allegra Belgian Bag, $1,500 from Hayden Lasher 

Exquisite quality and attention to detail sets Hayden Lasher bags apart. Each Belgian Bag is handmade in New York and features a luxurious suede interior. Available in a variety of colors and textures 

Fustic House Private Estate, from $3,750 per night

Brit-born theatrical designer Oliver Messel styled Fustic House in the 1960s, but it's undergone a massive makeover without erasing any of its Georgian-meets-Caribbean style: verandas, Doric columns, and those sage-green shutters still known as Messel green. Click here to book a getaway in the villa (sleeps 14).

Monaco Foosball Table, $4,870 from MGBW Home

Game in style with Mitchel Gold + Bob Williams’ sophisticated take on a classic game. Their exclusive, limited-edition foosball table features walnut veneers trimmed in polished stainless steel, and will surely be a hit with family and friends.