Gifts People Actually Want.

I kind of hate blogs about gifts.  I mean, gifting is — at its best — very personal.  The very best gifts I’ve ever given have been the result of listening to the people I love talk about the things they love — and then finding something that feeds that interest/passion.  My father-in-law appraises houses and had been gushing one day over one of the homes he’d visited — specifically over a set of vintage Ric et Rac posters mounted in a hallway.  (Ric et Rac is a vintage French comic strip.)  He’d even asked if he could purchase them off of the owner.  After some serious research on a variety of shady websites, I was able to track down an original comic book located in rural France.  Six months later, at Christmas, the look on his face when he opened the gift was absolute joy.

So, the truth is, to be a good gift-giver, listen.

But there are also times where you are in a position where you need to find a gift for someone you don’t know that well — or you’re in a bind and need to make a decision fast.

For those moments, here are some of my best bets.  I’ll list them as covets because I would welcome them all in my own home.

I have a vibrant collection of coffee table books.  They’re great styling props, but they’re also awesome for weekend guests — something to thumb through during morning coffee.  I often find myself poring over a few of my favorites at the kitchen island while Mr. Magpie works on one of his intense cooking projects.  My favorites: Nate Berkus’ “The Things That Matter” (on sale for $25); Erin Gates’ “Elements of Style: Designing a Home & a Life“; and Grace Bonney’s “Design*Sponge at Home.”

I have also long coveted Martius’ Book of Palms, this Scalamandre book, and this as-yet-to-be-released Eddie Ross book (available for pre-sale).

An expensive candle is always welcome.   I count Diptyque’s Baies ($60), Tocca’s Florence ($38), Jonathan Adler’s Champagne ($42), and Fresh’s “Life” ($55) among my favorites.  Bundle with some decorative matches ($10).

If you have the lead time, personalized linen cocktail napkins, dinner napkins, or guest towels from Lettermade ($30-$110) are the ultimate in elegance.

This past fall, a sweet intern of mine sent me a big box of Momofuku Milk Bar treats.  I think I died and went to heaven.  The birthday cake truffle ball things are…other-worldly.  But all of the cookies are insanely delicious.

Fresh flowers bring so much joy to me.  I currently have a big bouquet of yellow tulips on my kitchen counter, and they remind me that spring is around the corner, even when it was 6 degrees when I left the house yesterday to get to my barre class.  I am fortunate to have an amazing florist around the corner from me here in Chicago, Sprout Home.  But I have often had flowers delivered to my parents, sisters, friends.  BloomNation, Olive and Cocoa, and especially — if you live in NYC — TTHBlooms (fashionista Taylor Tomasi-Hill’s newest endeavor) have fabulous options.