The Secret Strategist Gift Guide
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When we put together theSecret Strategistnewsletter, we send questions out into the universe — like “Whichclogs are cool chefs wearing?Is there a chic way to carry your bag while on a bicycle?How does Susan Orlean organize her closet?” — and receive some fascinating answers. Some of those answers become part of that week’s issue; others float around in the ether, informing us in mysterious ways. This year, we’re getting them all out at once in the form of a holiday gift guide.
We’ve assembled an exhaustive list of gifts we’d be excited to give and thrilled to receive, a mix of favorites from theSecret Strategistarchive and from new brands on our radar. Whether it’s squishy cotton-and-yakbaby socksfrom Japan, a handcrafted bread board from theLeague of NH Craftsmen, or perfectly proportionedmartini glassesfrom the Brooklyn restaurant Huda, we have something for the people on your list with very particular taste. (For more gift ideas throughout the year, subscribe to theSecret Strategistnewsletterhere.)
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Amade-in-Vermont-from-local-wool pulloverso comfy that the brand calls it “the sweatshirt of sweaters.”
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Each ofAnandamayi Arnold’s handmade surprise objectsis a work of art. Unwind the crepe paper to find ten tiny items within.
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Take an extra 10 percent off with the code SNAP10 (valid through December 11).
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Ancán Puzzle Table Linens
Geometric table linens made in the Philippines and designed by Ancán, a lace source we wrote aboutearlier this year.
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Casio Sauna Watch
We write about hundreds of products a year, and none has gotten as big of a reaction from our loved ones as thissauna watch. Available only in Japan or from resellers on eBay.
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The lighting-design studio’s new, beautifully packaged incense includes this cedar-clay-geranium-and-petrichor scent.
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Elegant, made-to-last side table forged at a Maine ironworks.
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Limited-edition jams made from plums regeneratively grown in a Japanese-owned orchard in the Yakima region of Washington. This jam is made from “one of our most elegant and adventurous” plums with its notes of red currant, dried herbs, and green pepper.
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Organic-silk scrunchy, botanically dyed, sewn and pleated by hand in Marseille.
The sock shop
All the socks we’d be excited to receive.
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Does-it-all salve: Arnica, Saint-John’s-wort, yarrow, and other plants grown on a certified-organic farm in Maine infused in Séka Hills olive oil, made by the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation tribe.
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A mat handmade from vintage silk plaids that youcan order in custom sizes and colors.
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Just a really chic porcelain teapot from a Parisian tableware-maker. Comes with a stainless-steel cover.
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Vase by Sakura Tokiyama viadesign gallery Enorme, one of our favorite spots for one-of-a-kind artworks and ceramics. (Check out therest of its stockfor more good gifts.)
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Metal Pen Clips
Cleverpaper-clip penholdersfor obsessive journalers.
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Unfussy diamond earrings from Dunton Ellerkamp (who used tofreelance as a florist for Alex Crowder).
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Made in Madras, India, from offcuts of handwoven fabric.
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Knit in a Japanese sock factory.
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Bobo is a brand beloved by design-minded chefs. These martini glasses are in rotation atHuda; founder and chef Gehad Hadidi says they’re “unbelievable quality and with the perfect dimensions for sipping a strong drink.” (Flynn McGarry uses the brand’swineglassesat Cove.)
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Japanese Fish-Hook Key-Chain Holder
A pair of nicely patina’d fish-hook key chains.
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Inspired by themedieval German glass at the Cloisters.
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A winter-weight sailor hat knit in the U.K. (It comes in red, blue, and green.)
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Handcrafted bread board made of a rare kind of maple used in fancy furniture. (There are many other great pieces in theLeague of NH Craftsmen’s online shop.)
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Silk-douppioni pillow cover from India — your choice of piping or ruffles around the edges.
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ACawley-esque hat fromWinnie’s favorite sourcefor sheepskin winter accessories.
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A charming collection of recipes and anecdotes from Fuller’s friends (like John Cage, Margaret Mead, and Isamu Noguchi), given to him on the occasion of his 86th birthday.
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A baby-size boar-bristle brush fromone of our favorite brush-makers.
Piet Oudolf’s stationery
When we chatted with theHigh Line landscape designer Piet Oudolf, he sent us a picture of all the pens, pencils, and markers he uses to create hiscolorful landscape drawings.
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Two bags from Are Studio: a versatile waxed-canvas tote and a durable net bag reinforced with leather offcuts (still in stock in Almond).
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An unusually beautiful workout towel via the Japanese textile importer Kontex.
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Innovation in the spiky-silver-jewelry space in the form of a strip of filet lace.
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Because we can’t think of anything more luxurious than this made-in-Canada cashmere lingerie.
More From The Strategist
- The Back-to-School Hall of Fame
- The Best Things Strategist Editors Have Bought This Year (So Far)
- Everything You Need to Outfit Your College Dorm
- The Strategist Summer 100
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.
