It’s that time of year again and if you’re scratching your heads for gifts to give, I’ve got you covered! Here are a few of my favorite things for 2024:

First off, after moving to dry, high-desert Santa Fe, New Mexico, hydration is in order – and it’s good for you and your friends, too – no matter where you live! First, start from the inside out and spoil your favorite person with some Hallstein Water. It’s the purest, tastiest water around (I’m a convert and will never go back to tap or any other bottle!), which actually has scientifically proven health benefits. Bring a single bottle in lieu of wine to a party or sign them up for a monthly delivery subscription. So chic!

Headed to someone’s home or hosting a dozen at yours? Wow them all with something yummy to eat. My go-to cookbook is The Essential NY Times Cookbook – it is a great gift for those who like to cook, plus is also great to have on hand yourself. All the recipes have been collected over the years yet recently tested – and there are so many yummy ones! My go-to recipes are in the dessert section: Plum Tart and the Ginger Cake are divine and win every time. Head back to read this Journal post for more of my favorite recipes that will make you shine this holiday!

My new favorite local find is the Santa Fe School of Cooking. They have an amazing shop (online, too), where you can order all sorts of hard-to-find spices, oils and specialty items unique to the Southwest. They’ll even do gift-boxes for you. It’s a no-brainer if you want to dazzle the chef who “has everything”. My picks are Santa Fe Green Chile infused Olive Oil or any of the chile powders, such as the freshly ground red chile powder available in 3 different heat levels.

I’m spending the holidays at home for the first time in years, and I’m thrilled to be getting a Christmas Tree and decorating for the festivities. I have "fond" memories of walking the streets of New York City with my parents and my sister to the "tree people", choosing a Douglas Fir, and then carrying said heavy, prickly, cumbersome tree all those blocks home between the four of us.... Here’s hoping that I can put a tree on the roof of my car this year. But whatever way that thing reaches my living room, I’m really excited to decorate – I have tons of vintage decorations my mother has passed on to me. Want a fun gift idea? Hide a piece of jewelry amongst the branches, which the recipient must find! Excellent jewelry candidates for hanging and hiding would be a necklace (upgraded "popcorn" strand?!) – such as the Cleopatra Necklace that camouflages nicely between the boughs.

Lastly, it’s always nice to send (and receive!) a handwritten note. A company I’m fond of is Felix Doolittle, which uses gorgeous watercolor illustrations on beautiful stationary. Perfect for jotting off a note to someone. You can personalize a lot of their designs (from cards, to canning labels to book plates, etc.), but one of my favorite things are their customizable return labels. Wrap up a duo of labels and cards, and you’ve hit it out of the park! 

As always, if you need any specific jewelry suggestions, I’m happy to hop on a call to help tailor some ideas for you. Reach out to me by email to set up a time to chat. In the meantime, happy shopping!