How Laila Gohar Gifts
“Giving good gifts is a gift in and of itself.”
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We asked 20 notable people about their gifting philosophies, gifting nightmares, the best gifts under $25, and much more. We’ll be publishing each of their questionnaires now through December 23 in this new series, “How I Gift.” Today, visual artist Laila Gohar on monograms, Sichuan peppers, and her dream gift.
What is your gift-giving philosophy?
Giving good gifts is a gift in and of itself.
You have to give the same present to everyone for the rest of your life. What is it?
Handwritten letters. I use stationary from Pettinaroli, a stationary shop in Milan. It’s custom with my name on it. I’ll use any pen. I have ugly handwriting and no pen will fix that, unfortunately.
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[Editor’s note: Pettinaroli lists all prices in euros, so the price shown here is the approximate conversion to U.S. dollars.]
Is a gift card ever a good gift? Discuss.
Sure, why not? If you know the person loves the place where the gift card is from, I think there’s nothing wrong with it. Might as well give people choice! I would pick a specialty shop or restaurant that I know the person would enjoy. I would want it to be a thoughtful treat for the recipient, more for a discovery moment than receiving cash for a business or service they already use.
Advent calendars: great or dumb? Defend your position.
Love them. It’s so festive and fun. I’m always so giddy opening up each little square as if I have no idea what I’m gonna find. I prefer the traditional milk chocolate, which reminds me most of being a kid.
Would you ever just give cash? When? How much?
Sure. Who doesn’t love a stack of cash.
What’s the best gift under $25?
Flowers. In New York, I buy them in the Flower District on 28th Street. Or I buy flowers from the Union Square Greenmarket. Specifically the dahlias from Bear Creek Farm.
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Who is the best gift giver you’ve ever encountered — and why?
My friend Hailey Gates. Some people just have a knack of gift giving. It’s something about striking a balance between thoughtful and personal. She also always personalizes things. She engraves or monograms, which I love. Once she gave me special Sichuan peppers that she got in Sichuan, China.
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How can all bad gift givers get better? In five words or less.
Make an effort.
You can pick any five people (dead or alive) to join your game of white elephant. Who are you choosing?
Louise Bourgeois, Alexander Calder, M.F.K. Fisher, Salvador Dalí, and my son.
What is your dream gift? Is there any chance you will actually get it?
Artwork by people I love. I’m lucky enough to get it all the time. Roe Ethridge gave me a giant framed portrait of myself. It’s currently on long-term loan to my friend Rafael Prieto because I thought it was crazy to have a giant picture of myself in my home. But I’m going to take it back from him very soon.
What was the most disappointing gift you’ve ever received? How did you respond?
I don’t remember. Who likes to keep disappointment top of mind? Not me.
What’s the best gift wrap?
Gohar World foil embossed gift wrapping with your initials.
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