For this Gift Guide series, I steered away from picking gifts by recipient or gifts by specific prices (though you won't see any super luxe gifts here, either.) I wanted to focus instead on that indescribable feeling you're looking for when your gift gets unwrapped and you're waiting to see a smile that says wow. Today's picks are gifts that stir up a wonderful sense of cozy.
+ For the couple who found their first home amidst this crazy real estate market — or for the parents nesting in a house filled with years of memories — a custom pencil drawing of home sweet home is a handmade piece to treasure.
+ On chilly winter days, there's nothing cozier than a stylish scarf that doubles as a hood. I'm so in love with Chelsea's Hiding Hoods! She knits these super special scarves (that can be draped a myriad of ways to keep out the cold) using Alpaca yarn grown in Oregon. Hello, amazing!
+ Handknit, snuggly, adorable.This Blabla bird rattle is perched to be a perfect baby gift.
+ In six years (and many taste tests), I have not find a hot chocolate that tops Les Confitures a L'Ancienne's powdered drinking chocolate — my favorite hot chocolate mix, hands down. First, heat up milk on the stove. Then add a scoop for one incredible cup of warm cocoa to wrap your hands around. The French sure know how to do chocolate just right. And could the packaging be any sweeter?
+ One of my favorite designers, Diva of Linea Carta, collaborated with Flock Home to design this cozy modern quilt — that's sure to become an heirloom piece. Diva's fantastic illustrations are screenprinted on naturally sustainable linen. Coined a baby quilt because of its size, this handmade quilt would also make a beautiful throw on the sofa for us grownups.
+ I love a gift that feels handpicked just for you. Initials have been done so many times, which is why I love the zodiac constellation series of pillows by Nightwood. Nadia embroiders the zodiac constellations on hand-dyed pillows for a modern twist on astrology (and tie-dye) that's truly one-of-a-kind. The zodiac pillows are sold exclusively through Dossier Jour in Brooklyn (or contact Nightwood for more info.)
+ Nothing spells cozy like candlelight. I love the look of these hobnail mercury glass votives. So romantic.
+ Dress the tot in your life in the cutest cotton jumpsuit. Your little one will sleep on Cloud 9 in style.
+ Designed after towels found in Turkish baths, these handwoven towels by Creative Women feel super soft to the touch — and could easily double as a scarf, sarong, or picnic blanket. Creative Women also helps women's lives in a remarkable way: this fair-trade business employs women in Ethiopia, Swaziland, and Afghanistan to design its amazing collection of textiles. What's not to love! (Locally, I've also seen these towels sold at Saipua's shop in Red Hook.)
+ Give this lovely Country Breakfast photograph print with a note saying you hope to share a cozy brunch with your friend real soon. Jen's entire shop is full of photographs that would make fantastic gifts (and check out the Simply Photo pop up shop, too!)
Tomorrow's gift guide will focus on presents that unwrap the gift of time.
