The Princess of 72nd Street by Elaine Kraf ($11)
Recommended by: Emmeline Clein, Books Editor
Narrated by an aspiring artist, seductress, shoplifter, and perennial mental patient subject to manic episodes she calls her “radiances,” this novel is a surrealist, carnivalesque tragicomedy set on the Upper West Side in the ’70s. It is also the testimony of a “self-made mystic,” a feminist fable, and a too often forgotten entry into the canon of slim satires of New York pseudo-intellectuals. Perfect for: brunettes with manic streaks and/or a predilection for ill-fated affairs (of the heart or with an artistic medium), gay guys who are looking to expand their hag-coded reading repertoire, godmothers, anyone interested in the revelations slinking around inside major misunderstandings.
AAA24 Membership ($99)
Recommended by: Sophie Lee, Associate Digital Editor
A24 isn’t the outsider underdog it once was, but you wouldn’t know it from the cult devotion this production company inspires. Granted, A24 is consistent in its ability to produce must-see movies—at least for those with a Letterboxd account. This year alone, the studio churned out Sorry, Baby, Materialists, If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, The Smashing Machine, Marty Supreme, and Eddington. Not all masterpieces, but all films someone who keeps up, keeps up with. If you know such a person, consider gifting them an AAA24 subscription. The $99/year program includes a ticket to see every A24 release opening weekend, along with zines shipped to your door and a free birthday gift from the much-discussed A24 Shop on your birthday. The more I describe it here, the more I’m considering getting it for myself this season.
Hanro Shawl Collar Cotton Robe ($305)
Recommended by: Ian Malone, Director of Brand and Honorary Editor
A quality robe makes an exceptional holiday gift. The Swiss brand Hanro is my favorite for underwear, socks, and loungewear, and so much more. Timeless, luxurious, universally appreciated, the “Day and Night” Shawl Collar Cotton Robe is the perfect present for everyone on your list.
Cali Strauhs Facial (Starting at $300)
Recommended by: Ella Martin-Gachot, Senior Editor
I must confess to never having gotten a facial. Getting one hasn’t reasonably made it into my monthly budget just yet, but as I near my 30th birthday (cue the eye-roll, I know), I’m starting to save up to gift myself one this holiday season. Doom-scrolling through videos of Liana Satenstein’s recent shopping-cum-skincare event—replete with jazz, extractions, and pizza—sealed the deal. Word of mouth and an algorithmically-served Reel or two have me eyeing a “monastery facial” from Cali Strauhs. Sounds more ascetic than it costs, but their website does claim it to be the “ultimate nourishment for a calmer nervous system” so at least I’ll be blissed out by the time I whip out my credit debit card.
S, M, L, XL ($90) and a Special Special Notebook Set ($32)
Recommended by: Karen Wong, Contributing Architecture Editor
For the architecture- and design-obsessed, I suggest the following pair of must-have gifts. Start with the 30th anniversary edition of S, M, L, XL by OMA, Rem Koolhaas and Bruce Mau. This groundbreaking mixtape of visuals and words remains an influential tome at the intersection of scale and architecture. Once satiated with inspiration, your lucky giftee can sketch in their Small, Medium, Big Ideas notebooks, three appropriately-sized journals that nest together designed by the creative studio Special Special.
Why We Are Here (in bronze) ($700)
Recommended by: Jacoba Urist, New York Arts Editor
This summer, I traveled to see artist Ryan Schneider’s exhibition in the Citadelle of Villefranche-sur-mer and his incredibly contemporary sculpture in a 16th-century fortress. Schneider has a current show at the Pit LA, and I’m obsessed with the sensuous bronze sculpture series he’s just released. New Earth Materials has a desk- or coffee table-size version of his iconic work, a small-run edition of handmade objects, in collaboration with his wife Dana Balicki and inspired by their life in the Mojave Desert.
Primary Information Subscription (Starting at $100)
Recommended by: John Vincler, Co-Chief Art Critic and Consulting Editor
A Primary Information annual subscription is the best value, most reliable art purchase I can recommend as a gift (even if it’s to yourself). At only $100, it keeps giving throughout the year as each new publication is issued. This year saw stand-out titles like Stay away from nothing documenting the photographs and correspondence exchanged between Peter Hujar and Paul Thek (timed to the release of the film Peter Hujar’s Day by Ira Sachs). Or, my favorite, Robert Gober’s Slides of a Changing Painting, an artist’s book version of a slide presentation documenting a year-long evolution of a single painting Gober painted (and over-painted) on a single Masonite board of his East 7th Street storefront from 1982-83, first shown at Paula Cooper Gallery. PI’s list always strikes a just-so balance between new and archival artists’ books and writings by artists. I always wanted to own a Gober. And now I do.
Mill Food Recycler (Starting at $999)
Recommended by: Mina Stone, Food Editor
As an avid cook, both at my home and for events, the amount of compost I create seems like a joke for the little bin on my counter. Although a solid investment (but worth it in the long run), Mill is a solution for this problem and very chic to boot. I would scream for joy if someone bought this for me. And I’d never need to buy soil again for my houseplants!
Holcomb Studio Perch Mortar and Pestle ($150)
Recommended by: Samah Dada, Culinary Columnist
I discovered the brand Holcomb Studio last year, and I cannot get enough. The pieces are stunning. You’ll want to actually use them in the kitchen just as much as you’d like to display them (because thankfully, they’re not just beautiful but functional and well-designed, too)! For the home cook in your life, I’d give my current favorite piece: the Perch Mortar and Pestle. It’s one of those things that I find people don’t often purchase for themselves but is an excellent tool in the kitchen for fresh spice blends, pastes, sauces, and pesto.
Comme Si Pandoro Giftbox with Cashmere Socks ($100)
Recommended by: Ali Pew, Fashion Editor-at-Large
Half the fun of giving and receiving gifts is the packaging. My favorite Mongolian cashmere socks presented in a beautiful box that could be hung on the tree or with a stocking. I love a practical gift, and we all need socks!
Miu Miu Cashmere Polo Sweater ($2,750), Shirt ($2,450), and Wool Polo Shirt ($1,390)
Recommended by: Jason Bolden, Style Editor-at-Large
These are some of my favorite things for this holiday! It’s the perfect unisex knits from Miu Miu! I’ve made this my uniform along with most of my guys and gals.
Auctioned Architecture and Design Book Lot (Starting at $5)
Recommended by Mara Veitch, Executive Editor
Tanner Fletcher Martin Removable Collar Sweater ($292), Zankov Julienne ($625), or Proenza Schouler Charles Sweater in Spongy Yak ($990)
Recommended by: Sam Falb, Assistant Editor
I have many things in my wardrobe figured out—the perfect black slack, four-season loafers, and even a selection of bags that all fit a laptop but are still diverse in color, shape, and size. However, the one garment that still seems to evade me is the perfect sweater. Enter the above, from three brands which have perfected the craft of the beautiful and sometimes unexpected. From color-blocking and unorthodox materials to silhouettes with attitude, your sweater search can be made just as rich as mine by navigating these designers’s latest looks.
Crème de la Mer ($390)
Recommended by: Emily Dougherty, Beauty Editor
Skincare is famously treacherous to gift unless you know the recipient’s exact complexion needs. There is, however, one exception: Crème de la Mer. At a party, whenever someone hears what I do, I’m always asked: So… is La Mer actually worth it? This collective curiosity is the real power of the product—and why it remains the safest beauty gift on earth. (In China’s luxury department stores, I’ve seen it stocked in the business-gifts section next to gold bars and luxury melons.)
I use it generously. Simply put: my skin looks and feels better when I’m using it. And it does work small miracles: It makes scrapes and cuts heal faster; it solved my son’s stubborn eczema. I’m partial to the extra-large size: When it’s empty, I turn it into a butter crock.
Aimé Leon Dore Nubuck Travel Slipper ($425)
Recommended by: Kristin Corpuz, Social Editor
Few things get me comfortable in a new hotel room faster than a solid pair of slippers, which is why I’ve started traveling with my own. The Nubuck leather is soft and flexible and wears so nicely as the slippers get more broken in. I love that they feel roomy enough for a cozy sock but I can still wear them barefoot if I want. The pièce de résistance, though, is the chic, compact travel case they come in, making the slippers super packable and a joy to take out of my suitcase on every trip.
in your life?
