How Waris Ahluwalia Gifts
“Many years ago, as a thank you, I sent a friend a large hand-carved wooden elephant.”
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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, designer and actor Waris Ahluwalia on life-size elephants and Florentine fragrances.
You have to give the same present to everyone for the rest of your life. What is it?
Charbonnel et Walker Dark Chocolate Mint Thins — beautifully packaged and just delicious. And since we’re not budgeting here, I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t be thrilled to find a box of Skin Caviar by La Prairie in their stocking every year (hint hint, wink wink).
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What was the most heartfelt, smart, so you present you’ve ever received? Tell us the story.
The best “so me” gift I’ve received is a life-size baby Lantana elephant from the Great Elephant Migration. She sits in the yard, and as I write this, I can see her just outside the window. I can’t always get out into nature, so she’s a beautiful, grounding reminder of what matters most.
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Peanut (Calf 461)
What’s the best gift under $25?
Life is a series of rituals — the small, repeated acts that give shape and meaning to our days. How we wake, eat, work, connect, rest, and get inspired each day. These rhythms become the architecture of who we are. I love this book — it’s a peek behind the curtains of individuals we have long admired.
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What’s the last thing you impulse bought for someone else?
The most sumptuous fragrance called Oracle from a little perfume shop in Florence called Extra Virgo. It’s in a little alley just a three-minute walk from the Basilica Santa Maria Novella.
What’s the (physically) largest gift you’ve ever given?
Many years ago, as a thank you, I sent a friend a large hand-carved wooden elephant. Wish I could have been there when the crate arrived. Yes, there’s an elephant theme in my life. The elephant was from Jaipur; I spent a lot of time there during my jewelry years. In my spare time, I would find other craftsmen — it was a local artisan, and this was many, many years ago.
And the smallest?
A diamond. A friend once asked for a diamond in jest and I had some with me. As a jeweler, I was prone to carrying stones in various pockets. It was a very, very small clear diamond. The smallest, .01 carats at best, but still a diamond.
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The Strategistis designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read abouthere. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
